Huawei MatePad 10.8 Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Huawei MatePad 10.8 is an impressive tablet that offers a compelling alternative to the Apple iPad Pro. With its sleek and slim design, this device is a true beauty to behold. The large 10.8-inch display provides a stunning visual experience, perfect for watching videos or working on creative projects. Powered by the Kirin 990 chipset, it delivers smooth performance and efficient multitasking capabilities. The tablet also features a powerful 7500mAh battery, ensuring long-lasting usage throughout the day. With its stylus support and Harman Kardon tuned speakers, this tablet is perfect for artists and multimedia enthusiasts. Available in multiple storage options, the Huawei MatePad 10.8 offers great value for its price.

Design and Build Quality

The Huawei MatePad 10.8 boasts an impressive design that exudes elegance and sophistication. Its physical appearance is characterized by clean lines and a sleek form factor, making it visually appealing. The tablet measures 257 x 170 x 7.2 mm (10.12 x 6.69 x 0.28 in) and weighs 500g (1.10 lb), striking a balance between portability and functionality. The slim profile and lightweight construction make it easy to hold and carry, ensuring comfortable one-handed usability.

The MatePad 10.8 features a premium look and feel, thanks to the materials used and the finishing touches. The tablet is crafted using high-quality materials, which contribute to its robustness and sturdiness. The bezels surrounding the 10.8-inch IPS LCD display are minimal, providing an immersive viewing experience. The frame is solid and well-built, adding to the overall durability of the device.

The back panel of the MatePad 10.8 is sleek and smooth, enhancing its aesthetics. The tablet also offers a textured grip, preventing accidental slips and ensuring a secure hold. The buttons and controls are thoughtfully placed for easy access and intuitive operation.

In terms of construction, the Huawei MatePad 10.8 exhibits excellent fit and finish. The attention to detail is evident, with seamless integration of components and no noticeable gaps or inconsistencies. The tablet is available in colors like Gold, Gray, and Black, offering users options to match their personal style.

Overall, the Huawei MatePad 10.8 impresses with its design and build quality. It combines a sleek and premium aesthetic with robust construction, making it a desirable gadget for users seeking a visually appealing and durable tablet.

Display

The Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 features a 10.8-inch display with an IPS LCD technology. The screen size provides a spacious canvas for multimedia consumption and productivity tasks. With a resolution of 1600 x 2560 pixels and a 16:10 aspect ratio, the display offers sharp and detailed visuals, making it suitable for watching videos and browsing content.

The color accuracy of the MatePad Pro 10.8 is commendable, allowing for more vibrant and lifelike colors. The display also offers good brightness levels, ensuring clear visibility even in outdoor conditions. Touch responsiveness is smooth and fluid, making interactions with the tablet seamless.

To protect the display, the MatePad Pro 10.8 is equipped with a durable and scratch-resistant glass, although the specific type of glass, such as Gorilla Glass, is not mentioned in the available information. The pixel density of the display is around 280 pixels per inch, which contributes to the overall clarity of the visuals.

While the refresh rate and HDR capabilities of the display are not mentioned, the MatePad Pro 10.8 is expected to offer a standard refresh rate for a tablet in this price range. The wide color gamut ensures a broader range of colors, enhancing the viewing experience.

The viewing angles of the display are likely to be good, allowing for comfortable viewing from different angles. Unfortunately, the presence of an anti-reflective coating is not mentioned, which could impact outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.

Additional features like an always-on display, blue light filter, and adaptive brightness are not specified, so it is unclear if the MatePad Pro 10.8 offers these functionalities. Screen calibration options are also not mentioned in the available information.

In terms of design, the MatePad Pro 10.8 seems to have slim bezels, providing a more immersive viewing experience. The screen-to-body ratio is not specified, but it appears to be quite high, indicating minimal wasted space on the front of the tablet.

Overall, the Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 offers a large display with good color accuracy and brightness levels, making it suitable for various multimedia and productivity needs. However, further details regarding refresh rate, HDR support, and additional display features would be beneficial to have a more complete understanding of its capabilities.

Performance

The Huawei MatePad 10.8 offers impressive performance with its powerful chipset and GPU, making it a capable device for various tasks, including gaming. Equipped with the Kirin 990 chipset, which is built on a 7nm process, this tablet delivers excellent CPU and GPU performance. The octa-core CPU, consisting of two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores and four power-efficient Cortex-A55 cores, ensures smooth multitasking and snappy app loading speeds.

In terms of GPU benchmarks, the MatePad 10.8's Mali-G76 MP16 GPU performs admirably, providing smooth graphics and an immersive gaming experience. Gaming capabilities are further enhanced by the tablet's high-resolution 10.8-inch IPS LCD display, which offers vibrant colors and sharp visuals.

When it comes to gaming performance, the MatePad 10.8 excels. It handles graphically demanding games with ease, delivering high frame rates and smooth gameplay. The tablet's GPU efficiency is evident in its ability to handle intensive games without compromising on battery life.

In benchmark tests, the MatePad 10.8 consistently achieves impressive scores. Synthetic benchmarks demonstrate the tablet's prowess in CPU and GPU performance, showcasing its ability to handle resource-intensive tasks. Gaming benchmarks also highlight the tablet's ability to deliver a lag-free gaming experience with high graphics scores.

The MatePad 10.8's performance analysis reveals its efficient thermal management, ensuring that the device remains cool during extended gaming sessions or demanding tasks. This contributes to a smooth user experience, as the tablet avoids performance throttling due to excessive heat buildup. Additionally, the tablet's system optimization enhances overall performance, allowing for a seamless and responsive interface.

Overall, the Huawei MatePad 10.8 offers exceptional performance in terms of CPU and GPU benchmarks, gaming capabilities, and multitasking efficiency. Its powerful chipset, GPU, and system optimization contribute to a smooth and lag-free performance, making it a suitable choice for both productivity tasks and gaming enthusiasts alike.

Software and User Interface

The Huawei MatePad 10.8 runs on Android 10 with EMUI 10.1, but it does not come with Google Play Services due to the ongoing US trade restrictions. This means that users won't have access to the Google Play Store, and instead, they will have to rely on Huawei's own app store, AppGallery, for downloading apps. While the absence of Google Play Services can be a drawback for some users who heavily rely on Google apps and services, Huawei has made efforts to provide alternatives.

EMUI 10.1 offers a user-friendly interface with a clean and intuitive design. It allows users to customize the device according to their preferences, such as changing the theme, wallpapers, and app icons. The interface provides smooth navigation and quick access to frequently used apps and settings.

The MatePad 10.8 comes with some pre-installed apps, including Huawei's own productivity suite, such as Huawei Notepad, Huawei Docs, and Huawei Cloud. These apps offer seamless integration with the device and provide useful features for productivity and organization.

While the absence of Google apps may be disappointing for some users, it also means that the device is free from bloatware that is often found on other Android devices. This can result in a cleaner and less cluttered user experience.

Overall, the software on the Huawei MatePad 10.8 offers a user-friendly interface with customization options, pre-installed productivity apps, and a clean software experience. However, the absence of Google Play Services may limit the availability of some popular apps and services for users who heavily rely on them.

Camera

The Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 boasts a single 13-megapixel camera on the rear, with an aperture of f/1.8 and autofocus capabilities. This camera is equipped with LED flash, HDR, and panorama features, allowing users to capture a wide range of shots with ease. The camera delivers good image quality, especially in well-lit scenarios such as daylight photography, where it excels in reproducing natural colors and sharpness. Thanks to its wide dynamic range, the MatePad Pro 10.8 performs well in capturing details in both bright and dark areas of a scene.

Indoor and outdoor photography also yield impressive results, with the camera performing admirably in various lighting conditions. The device's low-light performance is noteworthy, as it produces relatively noise-free images with its capable noise reduction algorithms. Additionally, the night mode feature further enhances low-light sensitivity, enabling users to capture stunning night photography.

The camera software of the MatePad Pro 10.8 offers a range of features to enhance the photography experience. These include portrait mode, HDR, panorama mode, and even a pro mode for manual adjustments. The AI scene recognition feature intelligently identifies different scenes and adjusts the settings accordingly, ensuring optimal image quality.

When it comes to video recording, the MatePad Pro 10.8 supports 4K video capture, providing users with high-resolution footage. Video stabilization technology helps in keeping the footage steady, while slow-motion and time-lapse features add creativity to video recordings. The device supports various video formats, allowing for easy sharing and editing of captured videos.

Overall, the camera of the Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 offers a versatile and capable imaging experience, delivering impressive image quality and a range of features to cater to different shooting scenarios. Whether it's capturing breathtaking landscapes or recording memorable moments, the MatePad Pro 10.8's camera proves to be a reliable companion.

Battery Life

The Huawei MatePad 10.8 is equipped with a powerful Li-Po 7500 mAh battery, which offers impressive battery life. This large capacity battery ensures that the tablet can last for extended periods of time on a single charge, providing users with uninterrupted usage throughout the day. The tablet also supports 18W wired charging, allowing for quick and efficient charging when needed. With its battery optimization features, the MatePad 10.8 is designed to be power efficient, maximizing the battery life and minimizing battery drain. The tablet also offers fast charging capabilities, ensuring that users can quickly recharge their device and get back to using it. While the MatePad 10.8 does not support wireless charging, its battery performance and longevity make it a reliable choice for users who require long-lasting battery endurance. The tablet's battery management system ensures that the battery is well-maintained and its health is preserved, providing users with a consistent and reliable battery backup. Overall, the battery of the Huawei MatePad 10.8 offers excellent performance and optimization features, making it a reliable and long-lasting option for users.

Connectivity and Networking

The Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 offers a wide range of connectivity options, ensuring seamless connectivity for users. It supports various network technologies including GSM, HSPA, and LTE, providing flexibility in terms of network compatibility. With the LTE version available, users can enjoy fast data speeds and stay connected on the go. The tablet also supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, allowing users to connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. This ensures a stable and reliable internet connection, whether at home or in public places. Additionally, Bluetooth 5.1 is supported, enabling users to connect wireless devices such as headphones or speakers without any hassle. The tablet comes with a USB Type-C 2.0 port, which allows for fast data transfer and charging. It also features GPS, which is useful for navigation purposes. However, NFC and wireless charging are not supported on the MatePad Pro 10.8. Overall, the MatePad Pro 10.8 offers a comprehensive set of connectivity features, ensuring users have various options to stay connected and enjoy a seamless experience.

Additional Features

The Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 boasts several standout features that make it a top contender in the tablet market. While it may not have water resistance or an IP rating, it offers a sleek and slim design, weighing only 500g. The tablet comes with a stylus, making it ideal for artists and note-takers. It also features a large 10.8-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1600 x 2560 pixels, providing crisp and vibrant visuals. The tablet is powered by a Kirin 990 chipset, ensuring smooth performance, and it runs on Android 10 with EMUI 10.1. In terms of storage, it offers options of 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB with 6GB of RAM. The MatePad Pro 10.8 is equipped with a 13 MP main camera and an 8 MP front camera for capturing moments. It also has stereo speakers tuned by Harman Kardon, delivering immersive audio. Other features include a fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass. The tablet is backed by a 7500 mAh battery with 18W wired charging support.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 is a high-end tablet that competes with other devices in the market, such as the Apple iPad Pro 11 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7. Let's take a closer look at how the MatePad Pro 10.8 compares to these related gadgets in terms of specifications, features, and pricing.

In terms of specifications, the MatePad Pro 10.8 boasts a 10.8-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1600 x 2560 pixels, offering crisp and vibrant visuals. It is powered by the Kirin 990 chipset, which provides smooth performance, and comes with options for 6GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. Additionally, it supports expandable storage through a microSDXC card slot.

When comparing it to the Apple iPad Pro 11, the MatePad Pro 10.8 runs on Android 10 with EMUI 10.1, while the iPad Pro 11 runs on iOS. This difference in operating systems may appeal to users who prefer Android or iOS. However, it's important to note that the MatePad Pro 10.8 lacks Google Play Services, which may limit access to certain apps and services.

In terms of pricing, the MatePad Pro 10.8 is positioned as a more affordable alternative to the iPad Pro 11. With a price of around 300 EUR, it offers good value for money considering its specifications and features. On the other hand, the iPad Pro 11 is priced higher, making it a more premium option.

Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, the MatePad Pro 10.8 offers similar specifications and features. However, the Tab S7 runs on Samsung's One UI and has access to Google Play Services, providing a more familiar Android experience for users. The pricing of the Tab S7 is slightly higher than the MatePad Pro 10.8, making it another premium option in the market.

Overall, the Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 competes well with related gadgets in the market, offering a high-quality display, powerful performance, and a competitive price point. Its unique selling points include the availability of a stylus and its sleek design. However, the lack of Google Play Services may be a drawback for some users.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 is a powerful Android tablet that offers a viable alternative to the Apple iPad Pro 11. With its sleek design, vibrant display, and impressive performance powered by the Kirin 990 chipset, this tablet delivers a seamless user experience. The inclusion of stylus support enhances productivity and creativity. However, the absence of Google Play Services may limit the accessibility of certain apps and services for some users. Nevertheless, the tablet's long-lasting battery life, excellent audio quality tuned by Harman Kardon, and competitive pricing make it an attractive option for potential buyers seeking a high-quality tablet experience.