HUAWEI MatePad Pro PaperMatte Edition (2024) hands-on preview

Dwelling within the US, I actually haven’t given HUAWEI a lot consideration for the reason that US commerce ban again in 2019. I additionally closely depend on Google companies, so with no entry to the Google Play Retailer or all the standard Google apps, it wasn’t actually value me exploring importing one, regardless of realizing how good HUAWEI’s {hardware} has at all times been. Right here I’m once more, although, testing the 2024 HUAWEI MatePad Professional PaperMatte Version. And proper after opening the field, I used to be immediately reminded why I liked HUAWEI a lot and why it’s such a disgrace these gadgets aren’t out there stateside with all of the software program help an Android pill of this caliber deserves.

I didn’t even bear in mind I missed HUAWEI a lot till I opened the bundle and laid arms on the HUAWEI MatePad Professional PaperMatte Version. This factor is beautiful! The entrance has a minimalist look with skinny bezels. That’s regular. Flip it round, although, and also you’ll be fascinated by the “Golden Silk Design.” It’s, by far, probably the most elegant and refined pill I’ve ever seen.

HUAWEI additionally didn’t get the metallic again’s texture fallacious. It does really feel “silky” and nice to the contact. Surprisingly, the producer managed to perform this easy texture with out making it too slippery.

Seems to be apart, the HUAWEI MatePad Professional (2024) PaperMatte Version feels very nicely constructed. Whereas not too heavy at 508g, it feels prefer it has a wholesome weight to it, however not in a foul method; the heft provides it a touch of high quality. It’s additionally fairly skinny at 5.5mm. The load may be very nicely balanced, and I by no means felt fatigued from utilizing it for one to 2 hours at a time.

I don’t wish to sound like I’m praising this pill an excessive amount of, however it deserves it, no less than when it comes to {hardware}. As quickly as you flip the HUAWEI MatePad Professional PaperMatte Version on, you’ll discover the gorgeous show’s superiority in comparison with most slates in its worth tier.

This pill has an imposing 12.2-inch OLED panel. It incorporates a sharp 2,800 x 1,840 decision, which equates to a 275ppi pixel density. The most effective opponents on this division embody the 2024 iPad Execs and the Galaxy Tab S10 sequence, which each sit within the ~260ppi vary.

The HUAWEI MatePad Professional PaperMatte Version additionally beats all tablets with its 144Hz refresh fee. Many of the essential opponents high off at a 120Hz refresh fee. The colours are vibrant, the blacks are deep, and the general viewing expertise is improbable. It’s additionally a extremely vibrant show that peaks at 2,000 nits. It wasn’t fairly sufficient to learn comfortably below the Southern California solar, however it was decently legible, which is greater than I can say about most different tablets.

The PaperMatte end to the show additionally reduces reflections and provides a extremely beautiful paper-like texture to the display screen’s floor. If I needed to complain about something, it will be that the matte end makes it a little bit of a fingerprint magnet. The smudges actually stand out on it, as you’ll be able to see within the picture above. Not solely that, however it’s particularly onerous to scrub them! It’s only a bit annoying that you must clear it on a regular basis if you happen to don’t wish to really feel just like the show is filthy. For people who wish to avoid wasting cash, there’s a lower-end non-PaperMatte model out there for £699 within the UK.

The sound can be nice!

Right here’s one other factor you’ll discover as quickly as you flip the HUAWEI MatePad Professional PaperMatte Version because it makes a noise on startup. It appears HUAWEI went out of its approach to make it a sound that showcases what the pill audio system are able to, and I used to be fairly impressed by the quantity and sound high quality instantly.

In fact, one of many first issues I attempted after listening to the audio system was firing up a video on YouTube (utilizing the browser, not the app, sadly). I pushed the quantity to the utmost and gave it a second pay attention, this time with precise music.  Most pill audio system sound fairly dangerous, and it’s simply one thing I’ve grown used to, however the HUAWEI MatePad Professional PaperMatte Version takes sound to a different degree. The bass is definitely fairly noticeable, and it has a surround-like depth. I believe it sounds almost as loud as my MacBook Air M2, and the sound high quality would possibly beat it.

Once more, the HUAWEI MatePad Professional PaperMatte Version (2024) is a high-end system hefty £799 (~$1,013) price ticket within the UK, although that also undercuts the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and the iPad Professional vary. You’ll be able to anticipate a fairly nice expertise all through (aside from one space we’ll get to). The Kirin 9000S and 12GB of RAM do a tremendous job for on a regular basis efficiency and irrespective of how onerous I used the pill I didn’t encounter any hiccups in any respect.

It additionally has a large 10,100mAh battery. In my expertise, it will take me via about two to a few days of combined utilization earlier than I needed to attain for a charger. It will probably additionally cost actually quick, at 100W, which is spectacular for a pill. I used to be by no means in a position to attain these speeds, although, as a result of I couldn’t use the included charger resulting from compatibility right here within the US.

The M-Pencil (third gen) and HUAWEI Glide Keyboard cowl got here included, although sometimes, the M-Pencil is offered individually until you may get it on a deal. The equipment seamlessly connect with the pill, which detects them when inside shut proximity. I did have a tough time getting the M-Pencil 3 to attach as soon as, which was annoying, however after a couple of minutes of inserting it within the slot, eradicating it, and attempting to make use of it, it simply began working once more. The M-Pencil dock within the keyboard is fairly helpful because it means you’ll by no means lose the pencil, and it’s at all times inside attain if you’ve set the pill up. The trackpad helps gestures, so utilizing it was very intuitive.

Provided that we’re speaking a couple of cowl case, the keyboard had fairly good suggestions and journey. I additionally love the way it unfolds and units up the again stand by merely lifting the pill as you’ll a laptop computer display screen. It has some resistance, and magnets at completely different areas, so you’ll be able to simply modify it to your most popular angle. My solely grievance about this keyboard cowl is that it’s manufactured from a delicate white materials. It will get soiled actual fast!

The M-Pencil 3 has over a whopping 10,000 stress ranges, helps hover, and you’ll even double-tap on it to change between the comb and eraser instruments. I don’t think about myself a lot of an artist, however I performed with it, and it labored nicely with no detectable latency. I loved utilizing it to signal paperwork, make notes, and navigate via the UI. It was good utilizing it once I needed to maintain smudges to a minimal, and the delicate vibrations in opposition to the OLED PaperMatte show really feel virtually such as you’re writing on actual paper.

Sadly, issues get a lot much less intuitive when you truly begin attending to grips with non-HUAWEI apps and Concord OS 4.0 typically. That is primarily as a result of we’re so used to the Google Play Retailer, Google apps, and a simplified UI. For starters, you’ll be welcomed by a bunch of unknown apps you seemingly haven’t heard of. Additionally, don’t go searching for Pictures, Gmail, Drive, or any of the Google apps you already know and love, as they simply gained’t be there.

HUAWEI fortunately provides equal apps, and these are literally not dangerous. They sort of began rising on me after some time. Particularly ones like GoPaint and M-Pen Zone, which make it straightforward to take full benefit of the included stylus. Different widespread apps like Video, Music, and Books comply with a really clear design, with tabs on the left and tiled content material protecting a lot of the display screen.

The AppGallery isn’t half dangerous for many regular apps, so long as they aren’t Google ones. If the AppGallery doesn’t have the app you’re searching for, it’s straightforward to sideload apps, and the AppGallery search perform will truly embody third-party APK sources in its outcomes. Generally, HUAWEI does throw some fairly annoying adverts at you, although, they usually can typically take up the entire display screen.

All that mentioned, that is nonetheless an Android system. Because it goes with all issues Android, the place there’s a will, there’s a method. It’s doable to run most Google apps on this pill, and I did it. It can take some tinkering and leaping via hoops, however you should use Google apps. It wasn’t excellent, although. Some Google apps nonetheless didn’t work, similar to Chrome. I additionally bumped into some failed installations with a number of video games.

We gained’t stroll you thru the steps for working the Play Retailer on this system as a result of we wouldn’t advocate most informal customers do it. It will probably even be harmful relying on what you put in in your system and the place you get it from. Simply comprehend it’s doable; solely proceed if you recognize what you’re doing. Google is your good friend.

The HUAWEI MatePad Professional PaperMatte Version (2024) is fairly superb, and it’s the primary to essentially get me enthusiastic about Android tablets in a very long time. The design and construct high quality discover a excellent stability, providing an unmatched elegant look. Efficiency is nice. The display screen and audio system are gorgeous. The keyboard case and M-Pencil 3 stylus are crafted meticulously, and HUAWEI paid loads of consideration to the expertise despite the plain shortcomings it has to take care of.

It will seem to be HUAWEI bought every thing proper with this pill, and I wish to say it has every thing it must compete in opposition to the likes of Samsung and Apple. That mentioned, the shortage of Google help nonetheless plagues it, and that is sadly the straw that may obliterate the camel’s again, no less than for many customers.

Google companies have grow to be integral to the Android expertise, and we’re in a bizarre state of affairs the place you get extra official Google help and apps from an iPad than a HUAWEI Android pill. Whereas you could find methods to get the Google Play Retailer and different apps on HUAWEI gadgets, the expertise isn’t as intuitive and has some quirks. HUAWEI is seemingly planning to maneuver away from Android fully with Concord OS Subsequent, however proper now, its software program is caught between the previous and the long run.

I discover myself in a little bit of a tough spot. If it had entry to Google Companies, the HUAWEI MatePad Professional PaperMatte Version can be my favourite pill, arms down., however I discover it onerous to advocate it until you’re already utilizing HUAWEI gadgets and are completely satisfied to work across the software program issues — during which case, don’t hesitate; this one is value it. Because of the beautiful show, spectacular sound, and nice efficiency, it’s nice for media consumption and gaming. It may be a wonderful companion for digital nomads who desire a laptop computer alternative, largely due to the superior keyboard case and stylus.