Huawei MatePad 11.5″ PaperMatte Edition Tablet Detailed Review

Introduction

The Huawei MatePad 11.5″ PaperMatte Edition is a premium tablet designed to cater to users seeking a blend of productivity, entertainment, and creativity. With its large 11.5-inch display, HarmonyOS 4.2 operating system, and substantial battery life, this tablet aims to be a versatile companion for both work and leisure. In this review, we’ll delve into its key features, performance, and overall user experience to see how well it lives up to its promise.


Design and Build Quality

The Huawei MatePad 11.5″ PaperMatte Edition features a sleek and slim design, measuring just 6.2 mm in thickness and weighing 510 grams. This makes it a highly portable device that is easy to carry around, whether for work or travel. The tablet is available in several elegant color options, including Grey, Silver, and Purple, providing users with aesthetic choices that suit their style.

The build quality is excellent, with a solid construction that feels durable and premium. The thin bezels around the display contribute to a modern and immersive viewing experience, with an impressive screen-to-body ratio. The overall design is minimalist yet functional, with the necessary ports and buttons conveniently placed for easy access.


Display

One of the standout features of the MatePad 11.5″ PaperMatte Edition is its 11.5-inch TFT LCD display. The screen offers a resolution of 2800 x 1840 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 291 PPI, which ensures sharp and detailed visuals. The display supports a refresh rate of 144 Hz, providing a smooth and responsive user experience, particularly beneficial for gaming and fast-paced content.

The PaperMatte screen technology is designed to reduce glare and reflections, making it ideal for reading and writing. This feature, combined with the TÜV Rheinland Flicker-Free certification and Blue Light Filter (Eye Comfort Mode), ensures that the display is easy on the eyes, even during prolonged use.

With a contrast ratio of 1500:1 and support for 16.7 million colors, the display delivers vibrant and accurate colors, making it suitable for a variety of tasks, from media consumption to graphic design. The P3 wide color gamut further enhances the color accuracy, providing a rich visual experience.


Performance and Software

The MatePad 11.5″ PaperMatte Edition is powered by the Huawei Kirin 9000WL chipset, an octa-core processor clocked at 2.48 GHz. This processor, paired with 8 GB of RAM, ensures smooth performance across a range of applications, from multitasking to gaming. The tablet also includes 256 GB of internal storage, providing ample space for apps, media, and documents.

Running on HarmonyOS 4.2, the tablet offers a seamless and intuitive user experience. HarmonyOS is known for its fluidity and efficient use of resources, ensuring that the tablet remains responsive even when running multiple apps simultaneously. The operating system also brings a range of features optimized for productivity, including multi-window support, split-screen functionality, and enhanced compatibility with Huawei’s ecosystem of devices.

For users who need additional storage, the MatePad does not support expandable storage options. However, the 256 GB of internal storage should be sufficient for most users.


Camera System

The camera system on the MatePad 11.5″ PaperMatte Edition is modest but functional, providing essential photography and video capabilities for daily tasks such as video conferencing, document scanning, and casual photography.

Rear Camera:

  • Resolution: 13 MP
  • Aperture: f/1.8
  • Features: Autofocus (AF), Document Correction, Beauty Mode, Panorama, Time-lapse, and Full HD video recording at 30 fps.
  • Performance: The rear camera is capable of capturing clear and detailed images in good lighting conditions, making it suitable for basic photography needs.

Front Camera:

  • Resolution: 8 MP
  • Aperture: f/2.0
  • Features: Fixed Focus, Beauty Mode, Full HD video recording at 30 fps, and support for video calls.
  • Performance: The front camera is designed primarily for video calls and selfies, delivering decent performance with good clarity and detail.

Battery Life and Charging

The MatePad 11.5″ is equipped with an 8800 mAh battery, which provides excellent battery life, ensuring that the tablet can last through a full day of heavy use. Whether you’re streaming videos, working on documents, or engaging in creative activities, the battery is designed to keep up with your demands.

The tablet supports fast charging with a maximum power of 22.5W, allowing for quick top-ups when needed. This feature is particularly useful for users who are frequently on the go and need their device to be ready for use at short notice.


Connectivity and Additional Features

The MatePad 11.5″ PaperMatte Edition offers a comprehensive set of connectivity options, making it versatile for both personal and professional use.

Connectivity:

  • Wi-Fi: Supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with dual-band and 2×2 MIMO technology, ensuring fast and stable internet connections.
  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.2 provides reliable connectivity for peripherals such as headphones, keyboards, and other devices.
  • USB-C: Equipped with USB 3.0 for fast data transfer and charging.

Sensors and Security:

  • Sensors: The tablet includes a range of sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, hall sensor, and gravity sensor, enhancing the overall user experience.
  • Security: The tablet does not include a fingerprint sensor but offers traditional security options like PIN/password protection.

Audio and Multimedia:

  • Speakers: The tablet features four stereo speakers tuned with Huawei Histen 9.0 technology, delivering immersive audio quality for media consumption.
  • Microphones: Dual microphones ensure clear voice capture during calls and recordings.

Other Features:

  • Smart Accessories: The tablet supports Huawei’s smart accessories, including the M-Pencil and Smart Magnetic Keyboard, making it a versatile tool for creative work and productivity.
  • PaperMatte Display: The PaperMatte technology enhances the display’s usability by reducing glare, making it ideal for reading, writing, and sketching.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • High-Quality Display: The 11.5-inch PaperMatte display with a 144 Hz refresh rate offers an excellent visual experience with reduced glare and eye strain.
  • Solid Performance: The Kirin 9000WL chipset and 8 GB of RAM ensure smooth performance across a range of tasks.
  • Long Battery Life: The 8800 mAh battery provides extended usage time with fast charging support.
  • Excellent Build Quality: The tablet’s slim and lightweight design, combined with its sturdy construction, makes it a durable and portable device.
  • Smart Accessory Support: Compatibility with Huawei’s M-Pencil and Smart Keyboard enhances productivity and creativity.

Cons:

  • No Expandable Storage: The tablet lacks support for microSD cards, limiting storage expansion options.
  • Modest Camera System: While functional, the camera setup is basic and may not satisfy users looking for high-quality photography features.

Conclusion

The Huawei MatePad 11.5″ PaperMatte Edition is a well-rounded tablet that offers a great combination of performance, display quality, and battery life. Its PaperMatte display is particularly appealing for users who spend a lot of time reading, writing, or sketching, while the overall performance and build quality make it a reliable choice for both work and entertainment. While it lacks expandable storage and has a basic camera system, its strengths in other areas make it a solid choice for users seeking a versatile and premium tablet experience.

All images are copyrighted by Huawei.