The Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 is the most advanced model from the Chinese manufacturer, and it shows in the possibilities it offers, especially with its spectacular performance and screen.
We are facing the equivalent of Apple’s iPad Pro, a high-end model with a price that falls outside what many people are willing to pay for a tablet (799 euros); but it must be taken into account that this device is more aimed at enthusiasts and professionals who require that ‘something more’ from a tablet.
In fact, this MatePad Pro 12.6 can be a replacement for laptops, as long as we keep our expectations in check; the key is in the available accessories and in HarmonyOS, Huawei’s operating system that is maturing over time.
Elegant and with a big screen
The ‘premium’ design of the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 perfectly meets what we might expect from a high-end model. It’s elegant, simple but with attention to detail, and the metal construction feels great in the hand, much better than cheaper plastic tablets. Aesthetically, I loved the dark gray back, and the choice of a smaller logo than usual.
At times, it looks more like a smartphone than a tablet, with its rounded edges and reduced thickness, as well as a ridiculous weight for its size, 609 grams; the part that really stands out on the dark gray back is the camera array. Just like a mobile, we have several featured sensors here, a choice that I suspect will surprise some and upset others. It is true that because of this, the tablet does not lie flat on the table, but in practice it is not so noticeable and stable.
But the real star of the set is the large 12.6-inch OLED screen, and not just because of the size. It boasts some of the thinnest bezels we’ve ever seen, with a 90% screen-to-body ratio; and being OLED, we are guaranteed incredible contrast and great brightness.
In person, it is a vibrant screen and ideal for enjoying multimedia content, such as movies or for viewing the photos we have taken on our trips in the highest quality. It covers the DCI-P3 color gamut, and I think it is well calibrated, without giving special prominence to one color over another. The sharpness is high thanks to the 2K resolution, and I have enjoyed it for both reading and watching videos.
The great flaw of the screen is that it stays at 60 Hz, and therefore we cannot enjoy high refresh rates, which are increasingly common in the mobile sector; for this price, I expected at least 90 Hz. Still, it’s not a slow screen and the feeling when using the interface is very good.
Great user experience
It doesn’t matter if we are in menus or inside a demanding app, the MatePad Pro 12.6 always behaves very well, and a large part of the blame lies with HarmonyOS. Huawei’s operating system was born as an alternative to the version of Android used by most manufacturers, as an evolution of the EMUI layer that Huawei mobiles carried.
In the absence of testing HarmonyOS on a mobile, I can say that it is a system well adapted to tablets, although there is still work to be done. Where it is far ahead of Android is in multitasking management, since it allows us to have several apps open and floating at the same time.
That’s great to work on. In my case, I can be writing in the Word app, while I have an open web page floating on one side and WhatsApp open on the other; it’s more of a computer-like experience. However, I would like more options for dividing available screen space; For now, only a few apps really take advantage of it, such as Petal Search, which can spread parts of its interface to both sides of the screen when we hold the tablet horizontally.
For the rest, HarmonyOS is still that curious mix of iOS and Android. The ethereal design is very attractive and clearly takes inspiration from Apple; but it also offers the customization capacity and possibilities of Android. The lower dock allows us to keep apps anchored, in addition to changing the ones we have open and it is very useful. It’s also very fast, and the Kirin 9000E processor used has held its own in all sorts of situations. Starting to use the tablet is very fast, just by picking it up the front camera immediately detects our face and we can start working.
However, there are parts that still need to be worked on. There are many Huawei apps that have not been adapted to the larger screen space; for example, I was disappointed to see that the Health app only uses the center part of the screen when it’s in landscape. By now, that sort of thing should be over.
Of course, we cannot forget that we do not have access to Google apps and therefore we cannot install apps from the Play Store. To compensate, Huawei includes Petal Search, which allows us to search for apk packages of some of the applications that are not available in its store, AppGallery; It is an experience with ups and downs, and although thanks to that I have been able to install apps like Edge, Netflix or Spotify, it means depending on third parties and does not solve the problem of Google apps.
excellent battery
The good thing is that we can use these apps for a long time; the 10,050 mAh battery is gigantic and allows you to use the tablet for a full work day without problems, although as always, it will depend on what we are doing. Another very good detail is that it has 40 W fast charging (and the charger is included), and even 27 W wireless charging, something really rare for tablets; To top it all off, we’ve got reverse wireless charging, for charging devices like our wireless headphones.
The part that falls short of expectations is the camera array; That they stand out like those of a smartphone does not mean that they are at the same level. The photos it takes are good… for a tablet; As long as you keep that in mind, you won’t be disappointed, as the MatePad Pro 12.6 is capable of taking shots few other tablets can. But if you can get your phone out of your pocket, you’ll probably get much better. At least, the front camera is good and sufficient for video calls, which are so important nowadays.
The accessories that I have been able to test with the MatePad Pro 12.6 are also improvable. The keyboard case is very easy to use, just place the tablet on top and it will attach magnetically and initiate the NFC connection; but as a keyboard, it leaves something to be desired, with somewhat ‘rubbery’ keys that don’t give a good feel. At least, for those quick texts and to work anywhere, it does the job.
The other accessory that I have been able to test is the Huawei M-Pencil, the new version of the touch pen. Technically it is very good, with 4,096 pressure points, including tilt detection; the workmanship is also excellent, it feels good in the hand and the new tip is transparent with a platinum-coated cartridge, which justifies the price of 99 euros. The pen charges and pairs with the tablet automatically when placed on its side, connecting magnetically.
In practice, I think you’re more limited by the software available; Huawei has not included drawing and note-taking apps that take advantage of this pen. For example, the Huawei Notepad app does not detect the difference in pressure; In exchange, we have access from the store to more apps, more complete but many paid or with micropayments. I also did not like that the pencil does not have buttons, but rather a touch area that we can double-tap to change the tool; It works fine, but it’s kind of weird.
A great tablet, if it fits what you are looking for
There is no doubt that the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 is an exceptional tablet; the screen is very excellent (it’s a shame it’s 60 Hz), the manufacturing quality is good and some aspects such as the battery are the best in the sector.
Also, HarmonyOS continues to evolve and I personally think it’s much better than Android for tablets, considering the multitasking options. However, I think it also has a lot of work ahead of it, in compatibility and adaptation of apps to the larger screen. I also miss more apps capable of taking better advantage of accessories such as the keyboard and the stylus.
Still, this is one of the best tablets on the market; If it is the one you are looking for, it will depend on what you consider important. If the design, the manufacturing quality, the battery and working with the tablet are priority factors, there are few better alternatives.
The price of it is 799 euros, but it is now on sale for 699 euros on the official Huawei website.
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