The Huawei MatePad Pro is a top-range tablet device based on the Android operating system. First introduced in China in late 2019 as a rival to the iPad Pro of Apple, it has become available for worldwide distribution and consumption beginning in March 2020.
Reasons Why You Should Buy: The Pros of Huawei MatePad Pro
Packed with a 10.8-inch 2560 x 1600 LCD based on in-plane switching and a Kirin 990 chipset, it is undeniably one of the most capable Android tablets in the market, competing alongside Samsung Galaxy Tab S6.
The following are the advantages of this device:
One of the logical reasons for buying the Huawei MatePad Pro is the price. The base model with a 128 GB solid-state storage retails at around USD 600. It is considerably cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 and the Apple iPad Pro 2020.
It has top-tier hardware specifications to include the 8-core Kirin 990 central processor, 16-core Mali-G76 GPU, and 6GB of memory, as well as a Dual NPU for neural network processing. These specs make the device a top-range Android tablet.
Connectivity is also a key feature. The device is the first tablet to support 5G technology for connecting to the Sub-6 5G networks. Huawei demonstrated engineering and design superiority with the absence of noticeable antenna bands while maintaining a slim profile.
There is support for a dedicated stylus similar to the iPad Pro. The M-pencil positions the tablet as a device not only for taking down notes but also for sketching, digital painting and graphic design, and photo manipulation.
Another notable advantage of Huawei MatePad Pro is the PC Mode or EMUI Desktop feature that converts the tablet to a desktop-like interface and user experience. Note that this feature is similar to Samsung Dex. Found in top-tier Samsung devices.
It also has a decent 10.8-inch LCD based on IPS. When compared to an OLED display, an IPS display provides better longevity and decent color reproduction. The IPS LCD makes it ideal for both productivity and content consumption applications.
Reasons Why You Should Not Buy: The Cons of Huawei MatePad Pro
Some tech journalists and reviewers have labeled the MatePad Pro as an iPad Pro killer. There is some truth to this considering the advantages mentioned above. However, it has noticeable drawbacks that could compel consumers to rethink their buying decisions.
Below are the drawbacks of this device:
A critical reason not to buy the Huawei MatePad Pro is the absence of Google Services. Because it is an Android device, it should be dependent on the app ecosystem available via the Google Play Store. Of course, Huawei has launched its own App Gallery to address the issue.
The selection of apps remains limited. Further, although there are workarounds such as the Phone Clone application to install apps exclusive via the Play Store, average users might find the additional tinkering not worth their effort and money.
Numerous apps are still incompatible. For example, Netflix and other video streaming services app would not work because of the lack of digital rights management certification. There is no native YouTube app, and although the browser can access the website, casting is impossible.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 might be a better option. Of course, consumers should also consider that iPadOS still has the best app ecosystem when compared to the Android operating system. Most iPadOS apps are essentially optimized for the iPad.
Other cons of the MatePad Pro include flat-sounding speakers that would not rival those found in the Tab S6 and the iPad Pro 2020. The front-facing camera is also off-center, thus making it awkward to take selfies or use it for videoconferencing.