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

Residing within the US, I truthfully haven’t given HUAWEI a lot consideration for the reason that US commerce ban again in 2019. I additionally closely depend on Google providers, so with no entry to the Google Play Retailer or all the standard Google apps, it wasn’t actually price 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 cherished HUAWEI a lot and why it’s such a disgrace these gadgets aren’t accessible stateside with all of the software program help an Android pill of this caliber deserves.

I didn’t even keep in mind I missed HUAWEI a lot till I opened the package deal and laid fingers on the HUAWEI MatePad Professional PaperMatte Version. This factor is attractive! 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, essentially the most elegant and refined pill I’ve ever seen.

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

Appears to be like 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 nasty means; the heft provides it a touch of high quality. It’s additionally fairly skinny at 5.5mm. The burden could 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, but it surely 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 beautiful show’s superiority in comparison with most slates in its worth tier.

This pill has an imposing 12.2-inch OLED panel. It encompasses a sharp 2,800 x 1,840 decision, which equates to a 275ppi pixel density. The very best rivals on this division embrace 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 price. Many of the predominant rivals prime off at a 120Hz refresh price. The colours are vibrant, the blacks are deep, and the general viewing expertise is implausible. It’s additionally a extremely brilliant show that peaks at 2,000 nits. It wasn’t fairly sufficient to learn comfortably below the Southern California solar, but it surely 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 pretty paper-like texture to the display screen’s floor. If I needed to complain about something, it could be that the matte end makes it a little bit of a fingerprint magnet. The smudges actually stand out on it, as you may see within the picture above. Not solely that, however it’s particularly laborious to scrub them! It’s only a bit annoying that you need to clear it on a regular basis in the event you don’t wish to really feel just like the show is filthy. For those who wish to avoid wasting cash, there’s a lower-end non-PaperMatte model accessible for £699 within the UK.

The sound can also 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 option 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.

After all, 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 stage. The bass is definitely fairly noticeable, and it has a surround-like depth. I feel it sounds almost as loud as my MacBook Air M2, and the sound high quality may 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 may anticipate a fairly nice expertise all through (apart 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 regardless of how laborious 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 could take me by about two to 3 days of combined utilization earlier than I needed to attain for a charger. It could actually 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 as a result of compatibility right here within the US.

The M-Pencil (third gen) and HUAWEI Glide Keyboard cowl got here included, although usually, the M-Pencil is bought individually until you may get it on a deal. The equipment seamlessly hook up 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 making an attempt 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 whenever you’ve set the pill up. The trackpad helps gestures, so utilizing it was very intuitive.

On condition 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 places, so you may simply alter it to your most popular angle. My solely grievance about this keyboard cowl is that it’s manufactured from a mushy 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 modify between the comb and eraser instruments. I don’t contemplate 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 by the UI. It was good utilizing it once I wished 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 really 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 in search of 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 simple to take full benefit of the included stylus. Different frequent apps like Video, Music, and Books comply with a really clear design, with tabs on the left and tiled content material protecting many of the display screen.

The AppGallery isn’t half dangerous for many ordinary apps, so long as they aren’t Google ones. If the AppGallery doesn’t have the app you’re in search of, it’s simple to sideload apps, and the AppGallery search operate will really embrace third-party APK sources in its outcomes. Typically, HUAWEI does throw some fairly annoying advertisements at you, although, they usually can usually take up the entire display screen.

All that stated, that is nonetheless an Android system. Because it goes with all issues Android, the place there’s a will, there’s a means. It’s attainable to run most Google apps on this pill, and I did it. It would take some tinkering and leaping by hoops, however you need to use Google apps. It wasn’t good, although. Some Google apps nonetheless didn’t work, similar to Chrome. I additionally bumped into some failed installations with just a few video games.

We gained’t stroll you thru the steps for operating the Play Retailer on this system as a result of we wouldn’t suggest most informal customers do it. It could actually even be harmful relying on what you put in in your system and the place you get it from. Simply understand it’s attainable; solely proceed if you realize 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 good stability, providing an unmatched elegant look. Efficiency is nice. The display screen and audio system are beautiful. 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 cope with.

It might look like HUAWEI received every little thing proper with this pill, and I wish to say it has every little thing it must compete in opposition to the likes of Samsung and Apple. That stated, the dearth 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 providers 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’ll 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 longer term.

I discover myself in a little bit of a tough spot. If it had entry to Google Companies, the HUAWEI MatePad Professional PaperMatte Version could be my favourite pill, fingers down., however I discover it laborious to suggest it until you’re already utilizing HUAWEI gadgets and are pleased to work across the software program issues — during which case, don’t hesitate; this one is price it. Due to the attractive show, spectacular sound, and nice efficiency, it’s nice for media consumption and gaming. It may be a wonderful companion for digital nomads who need a laptop computer substitute, principally due to the superior keyboard case and stylus.