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

Dwelling within the US, I actually haven’t given HUAWEI a lot consideration because the 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 same old Google apps, it wasn’t actually price me exploring importing one, regardless of understanding how good HUAWEI’s {hardware} has all the time been. Right here I’m once more, although, trying out 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 units aren’t accessible stateside with all of the software program assist an Android pill of this caliber deserves.

I didn’t even bear in mind I missed HUAWEI a lot till I opened the package deal and laid arms 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, 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 clean texture with out making it too slippery.

Appears apart, the HUAWEI MatePad Professional (2024) PaperMatte Version feels very properly 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 offers it a touch of high quality. It’s additionally fairly skinny at 5.5mm. The burden may be very properly 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, at the least by way of {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 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 charge. A lot of the predominant rivals prime off at a 120Hz refresh charge. The colours are vibrant, the blacks are deep, and the general viewing expertise is implausible. It’s additionally a very vivid 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 very pretty paper-like texture to the display’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 may see within the picture above. Not solely that, however it’s particularly onerous to wash them! It’s only a bit annoying that it’s a must to clear it on a regular basis in case you 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 accessible 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 solution 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 immediately.

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 unhealthy, 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 may beat it.

Once more, the HUAWEI MatePad Professional PaperMatte Version (2024) is a high-end machine hefty £799 (~$1,013) price ticket within the UK, although that also undercuts the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and the iPad Professional vary. You possibly can count on a reasonably nice expertise all through (aside from one space we’ll get to). The Kirin 9000S and 12GB of RAM do an incredible 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 3 days of blended utilization earlier than I needed to attain for a charger. It will possibly 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 on account 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 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 all the time inside attain if you’ve set the pill up. The trackpad helps gestures, so utilizing it was very intuitive.

On condition that we’re speaking a few 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’d a laptop computer display. It has some resistance, and magnets at completely different areas, so you may simply regulate it to your most well-liked angle. My solely grievance about this keyboard cowl is that it’s made from a tender white materials. It will get soiled actual fast!

The M-Pencil 3 has over a whopping 10,000 strain ranges, helps hover, and you may even double-tap on it to modify between the comb and eraser instruments. I don’t take into account myself a lot of an artist, however I performed with it, and it labored properly with no detectable latency. I loved utilizing it to signal paperwork, make notes, and navigate via the UI. It was good utilizing it after I wished to maintain smudges to a minimal, and the refined vibrations towards the OLED PaperMatte show really feel nearly 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 usually. 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 doubtless 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 only gained’t be there.

HUAWEI fortunately provides equal apps, and these are literally not unhealthy. 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 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.

The AppGallery isn’t half unhealthy for many standard 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 operate will truly embrace third-party APK sources in its outcomes. Typically, HUAWEI does throw some fairly annoying adverts at you, although, they usually can usually take up the entire display.

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

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

The HUAWEI MatePad Professional PaperMatte Version (2024) is fairly wonderful, and it’s the primary to actually 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 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 apparent shortcomings it has to cope with.

It might appear to be HUAWEI acquired every thing proper with this pill, and I wish to say it has every thing it must compete towards the likes of Samsung and Apple. That mentioned, the dearth of Google assist nonetheless plagues it, and that is sadly the straw that may obliterate the camel’s again, at the least for many customers.

Google providers have turn into integral to the Android expertise, and we’re in a bizarre scenario the place you get extra official Google assist and apps from an iPad than a HUAWEI Android pill. Whereas yow will discover methods to get the Google Play Retailer and different apps on HUAWEI units, the expertise isn’t as intuitive and has some quirks. HUAWEI is seemingly planning to maneuver away from Android utterly 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, arms down., however I discover it onerous to suggest it until you’re already utilizing HUAWEI units and are completely happy to work across the software program issues — by which case, don’t hesitate; this one is price it. Because of 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, largely due to the superior keyboard case and stylus.