Huawei has unveiled its latest Android tablets, the MatePad Pro 12.2 (2024) and MatePad Air (2024), in China. These devices are the company’s flagship offerings in the tablet market, featuring impressive specifications and sleek design. With a focus on immersive displays, powerful performance, and long-lasting battery life, the MatePad Pro and MatePad Air aim to appeal to a wide range of users, from casual consumers to professionals. But what specifically sets these new tablets apart and what makes them a strong contender in the increasingly competitive tablet market? Let’s delve into the features, specifications, and pricing of these two new tablets to get a better understanding of what they have to offer.
Huawei MatePad Pro and MatePad Air: Key Features and Specifications
The Huawei MatePad Pro and MatePad Air, while both being part of Huawei’s latest tablet lineup, offer a distinct set of features that cater to different needs and preferences.
Huawei MatePad Pro (2024)
The Huawei MatePad Pro is the premium offering, boasting a 12.2-inch dual-layer OLED display with 2.8K (1,840×2,800 pixels) resolution and 274ppi pixel density. The display is said to achieve a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, making it ideal for vibrant visuals and comfortable viewing even in bright environments.
The MatePad Pro is powered by a modified Kirin 9010 SoC, a high-performance chipset optimized for demanding tasks. The tablet is available in configurations with up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage, ensuring ample capacity for multitasking and storing large files.
The MatePad Pro features a 13-megapixel camera and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera on the rear, allowing for versatile photography and capturing stunning landscapes. Additionally, there is an 8-megapixel camera on the front for high-quality video calls and selfies. The tablet comes equipped with four stereo speakers and supports Huawei’s M-Pencil stylus for natural and precise note-taking and drawing.
Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, and a USB Type-C port. Sensors onboard include an ambient light sensor, gyroscope, gravity sensor, hall sensor, fingerprint sensor, and compass.
The MatePad Pro is powered by a 10,100mAh battery and features 100W charging, allowing for rapid charging and minimizing downtime.
Huawei MatePad Air (2024)
The Huawei MatePad Air is a more affordable option, but still delivers impressive features. This model comes equipped with a 12-inch IPS LCD panel with a 2.8K resolution and 280ppi pixel density. The display boasts a 144Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth scrolling experience and enhancing responsiveness for gaming and multimedia consumption. The tablet also achieves a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, ensuring optimal viewing even in bright sunlight.
The MatePad Air is powered by a powerful chipset (the specific chipset is not currently revealed by Huawei), and is available in configurations with up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. The tablet features a 13-megapixel camera and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera on the rear, similar to its Pro counterpart. On the front, it also features an 8-megapixel camera for video calls and selfies. The MatePad Air is equipped with six stereo speakers and supports Huawei’s M-Pencil stylus for optimal responsiveness and precision.
Connectivity options are similar to the MatePad Pro, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, and a USB Type-C port. Sensors onboard include ambient light sensor, gyroscope, gravity sensor, and hall sensor.
The MatePad Air is also powered by a 10,100mAh battery and supports 66W fast charging, delivering a substantial amount of power and charging speed.
Huawei MatePad Pro and MatePad Air: Pricing and Availability
The Huawei MatePad Pro is priced starting at CNY 4,199 (roughly Rs. 49,000) for the Wi-Fi only variant with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. The top-end Wi-Fi 16GB +1TB Gold Edition, which includes a keyboard and stylus, is priced at CNY 8,199 (roughly Rs. 95,000).
The Huawei MatePad Air is priced starting at CNY 2,899 (roughly Rs. 33,000) for the Wi-Fi 8GB + 256GB RAM and storage model. The top-end Wi-Fi 12GB+512GB Soft Light Edition is priced at CNY 3,899 (roughly Rs. 45,000).
Both models are currently available for sale in China, with the open sale beginning on August 13.
Key Advantages of the Huawei MatePad Pro and MatePad Air
The Huawei MatePad Pro and MatePad Air offer a compelling package for users seeking a high-quality tablet experience. Here are some key advantages of these new devices:
Impressive Display Quality:
Both devices feature vibrant and immersive displays that offer a captivating viewing experience. The MatePad Pro’s dual-layer OLED display boasts exceptional color accuracy and deep blacks, bringing images and videos to life with vivid detail. The MatePad Air’s 144Hz refresh rate on its IPS LCD panel makes for a smooth scrolling experience and reduces motion blur in fast-paced games and videos.
Powerful Performance:
Both devices are powered by powerful chipsets and come with ample RAM and storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and handling demanding tasks with ease. The MatePad Pro’s modified Kirin 9010 SoC ensures high-performance computing while the MatePad Air’s chipset provides a robust and responsive experience for general use.
Excellent Battery Life:
Both devices are equipped with a robust 10,100mAh battery, capable of providing long hours of usage without needing a recharge. The MatePad Pro’s 100W charging and the MatePad Air’s 66W charging allow for rapid charging, minimizing downtime and keeping these tablets powered up for extended periods.
Enhanced Productivity and Entertainment Features:
Both tablets come equipped with Huawei’s M-Pencil stylus for precise note-taking, sketching, and drawing. The tablets also feature multiple speakers, delivering immersive audio for movies, music, and games. The MatePad Air offers additional advantages with its six speakers, creating a more encompassing and impactful audio experience for entertainment and multimedia consumption.
Huawei’s Positioning: Redefining the Tablet Landscape
The launch of the Huawei MatePad Pro and MatePad Air are significant releases, marking a continued push by Huawei in the tablet market. These devices highlight Huawei’s dedication to delivering high-quality tablets with innovative features and sleek design.
The MatePad Pro targets users looking for a premium and powerful tablet for productivity and creative tasks. Its high-resolution, dual-layer OLED display, powerful chipset, extensive storage options, and M-Pencil stylus make it a compelling choice for professionals, artists, and creators.
The MatePad Air presents a more affordable option, targeting a broader audience. Its large and vibrant display, powerful chipset, ample storage, and M-Pencil stylus make it well-suited for casual consumers, students, and users who enjoy multimedia content.
Huawei’s focus on delivering a quality tablet experience with impressive specifications and thoughtful design is evident in both the MatePad Pro and MatePad Air. These devices are a strong indication of Huawei’s commitment to challenging the status quo and offering innovative alternatives in the tablet market.
Will the Huawei MatePad Pro and MatePad Air Gain Traction in the Market?
Huawei’s MatePad Pro and MatePad Air have the potential to be successful, but they face stiff competition from established players like Samsung, Apple, and Lenovo. The success of these devices will depend on a number of factors:
- Pricing: Huawei will need to strike a balance with pricing, offering competitive prices that appeal to consumers without compromising quality.
- Global Availability: Expanding the availability of these devices beyond China will be crucial for reaching a wider audience.
- Software and App Ecosystem: Huawei will need to continue to strengthen its HarmonyOS platform and grow the app ecosystem to attract more developers and entice users to switch from other operating systems.
Despite the challenges, the MatePad Pro and MatePad Air offer compelling features and specifications that could draw users looking for a high-quality tablet experience. Their success will be determined by how Huawei leverages its strengths in innovation, design, and performance to capture a significant share of the market.
The Future of Huawei Tablets: Expanding the Horizon
With the release of the MatePad Pro and MatePad Air, Huawei is demonstrating its commitment to the tablet market. The company’s future success in this space will likely involve further innovations in display technology, performance, and design. Huawei may also explore new features and functionalities that cater to specific user needs, such as foldable tablets, tablets with enhanced productivity capabilities, and tablets with more advanced AI features.
Ultimately, the success of Huawei’s tablets will depend on its ability to deliver products that meet the evolving demands of consumers. If Huawei continues to innovate and offer compelling alternatives, it can become a major contender in the tablet market and expand its footprint in the mobile technology landscape.
