The Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition promises creative users a premium drawing and display experience. While it excels in screen quality and design, software limitations and the high price may deter some buyers.
Pros:
- Vivid PaperMatte display, ideal for creative work
- Excellent stylus responsiveness with Huawei’s M-Pencil 3
- Impressive build quality
Cons:
- Limited productivity due to the app and software constraints
- High price point compared to similar tablets
- Incompatibility with Google apps out of the box
Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition: Overview
Huawei’s latest addition to the MatePad series targets the creative market with its PaperMatte OLED display, designed for an enhanced visual experience. Equipped with Huawei’s M-Pencil 3 and Glide Keyboard, this tablet is tailored to those looking to sketch, draw, and explore digital creativity. However, the app ecosystem and software usability reveal some challenges for general productivity.
Pricing and Availability
- Price: £799 / $1,069 / AU$1,553
- Available in: Gold (PaperMatte Edition only)
With a starting price of £799, the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition competes directly with high-end tablets like the Apple iPad Air. Huawei currently offers promotional discounts in the UK, with a £100 reduction and the M-Pencil 3 included at no extra cost on its official website.
Detailed Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| OS | HarmonyOS 4 |
| Processor | Kirin T91 Octa-core |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 512GB |
| Display | 12.2-inch 2800 x 1840 Tandem OLED PaperMatte |
| Weight | 508g |
| Battery | 5,000mAh, 39.1Wh |
| Charging | Huawei SuperCharge, 20V/5A |
| Cameras | 13MP rear, unspecified front |
Display Features
The 12.2-inch PaperMatte OLED display is one of the standout features of this tablet, crafted to reduce glare and provide vibrant color fidelity. With a 2800 x 1840 resolution, this display is built for high-definition content, making it an excellent choice for drawing and media viewing. The PaperMatte technology also incorporates a soft-focus effect, which some may find slightly grainy, but it adds to the eye-friendly nature of the display.
Display Highlights:
- Matte finish prevents glare for a comfortable viewing experience in various lighting conditions.
- 144Hz refresh rate provides smooth scrolling and drawing.
- The high contrast and vivid colors bring digital illustrations and photos to life, although the display may lack some sharpness found in other OLEDs.
Design Insights
Huawei’s design team opted for a gold finish with a unique texture on the PaperMatte Edition, which may be divisive in aesthetic appeal but adds a creative flair. This 12.2-inch tablet feels solid and premium, with a very thin profile, but is heavier than you might expect at 508 grams. While the edges can be a bit sharp for prolonged handheld use, it’s still comfortably used on a desk with the Glide Keyboard attached.
Key Design Takeaways:
- Build Quality: High-end craftsmanship, though the weight and sharp edges may limit comfortable handheld use.
- Glide Keyboard Design: The double-hinge setup accommodates the M-Pencil 3, though it’s somewhat stiff and tricky to maneuver.
- M-Pencil Slot: Conveniently charges within the keyboard case but requires repositioning the tablet for access.
Software and App Availability
Running on Huawei’s HarmonyOS 4, the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition is hampered by the lack of native Google app support due to Huawei’s ongoing restrictions with U.S.-based software. Workarounds exist for getting Google apps, like GBox, which allows users to install Google Play Store applications. However, the experience is hit-or-miss, and even successful app installations may lack full functionality.
Software Experience:
- Huawei AppGallery: Provides a limited selection compared to Google Play Store.
- Creative Apps: GoPaint and Petal Clip perform well, making use of the M-Pencil’s full potential.
- Browser Limitations: Lacks support for standard shortcuts, though general browsing speed remains adequate.
For creative tasks, the software holds up well, but anyone seeking productivity solutions will find the restrictions frustrating, particularly when Google services are integral to their workflows.
Performance Benchmarks
With a Kirin T91 Octa-core processor and 12GB RAM, the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition is more than capable for creative and entertainment purposes, handling HD video playback, digital drawing, and light multitasking with ease. However, limitations emerge when pushing it toward heavier productivity tasks or certain Android-based games that require Google integration.
Performance Metrics:
- Smooth Navigation: Handles creative applications and light productivity well.
- Multimedia: Streams and plays video without lag, though some app glitches are unavoidable.
- Gaming: Moderate, with games like PUBG playable but with lower graphics and frame rates.
The tablet’s processing power holds its own in day-to-day creative tasks but doesn’t quite meet the demands of professionals needing robust productivity support.
Battery Life
Battery performance is another strong point for the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition. The 5,000mAh battery lasts several days under moderate use, supported by Huawei’s SuperCharge technology, which takes the battery from 5% to 100% in just two hours.
Battery Pros:
- Multiple days of battery life under moderate usage.
- Fast charging ensures minimal downtime.
For those comparing with ePaper devices like the reMarkable Paper Pro, which can last up to two weeks, the MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition doesn’t compete, but it’s more than sufficient for a multimedia and creative device.
Is the Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition Right for You?
The Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition is a unique device, designed for a niche market. It’s a great option for those interested in illustration and digital design, especially given its top-notch display and responsive M-Pencil integration. However, for users heavily reliant on Google apps or productivity tools, limitations make this a less compelling option, particularly given the tablet’s premium price point.
Consider These Alternatives
| Feature | Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition | OnePlus Pad Go | Apple iPad Air (13-inch) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Quality | 2800 x 1840 PaperMatte OLED | LCD, 2000 x 1200 | 2360 x 1640 Liquid Retina |
| Stylus Support | M-Pencil 3 | No stylus compatibility | Apple Pencil (Gen 2) |
| Operating System | HarmonyOS 4 | Android | iPadOS |
| Battery Life | Several days | ~12 hours | ~11 hours |
| Starting Price | $1,069 | $299 | $699 |
In summary, the Huawei MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition is an excellent tablet for creatives. It offers premium build quality, an eye-friendly display, and smooth stylus integration but comes at a high price and with limitations in-app support and productivity functionality.
If digital creativity is your focus and you’re willing to work around the software challenges, this tablet could be worth the investment.