New Huawei MatePad Pro 12.2

The new Huawei MatePad Pro 12.2″ is one of the closest Android tablets to Apple’s offerings, featuring an exclusive Tandem OLED display and, as I discovered during testing, provides access to all Google services in a rather unique way.

Huawei has had to rethink its entire strategy over the past few years, necessitating significant improvements in its ecosystem at both the hardware and software levels to deliver a smooth user experience without third-party limitations.

With the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.2″ introduced this year, I’ve been able to experience how the manufacturer has managed to integrate Google services, thanks to open-source options and APK files, as its interface is based on Android 12.

After several weeks with this Huawei tablet, I am convinced it is the brand that most resembles Apple in the Android environment, not only for its spectacular design but also for an exclusive display.

The MatePad Pro 12.2 Radiates Elegance with a Thoughtful Design

One of the first things I notice when I hold a phone or tablet is the side bezels. With this MatePad Pro, you get almost seamless edges, interrupted only by the four speakers at the top and bottom when held vertically.

From its Premium Gold color with a matte finish and gold details on the back to the feeling it offers when held with both hands, this tablet stands out as one of the most comfortable, weighing just about half a kilogram.

Day-to-day use might feel slightly heavy during prolonged use without a keyboard case, though I didn’t find it overly bothersome in this regard.

If you add the keyboard, however, you practically have a tiny laptop, with all the possibilities this brings—especially when combined with the M-Pencil, the stylus designed to maximize the potential of this Huawei device.

This tablet, in any case, maintains a minimalist approach to physical connections, featuring only one USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 port for fast charging on the bottom, with OTG support for connecting other USB devices.

Aside from this, it includes NearLink to recognize nearby wireless devices, Bluetooth 5.2, and WiFi 6.

Its Tandem OLED Panel Brings Apple-Like Quality and Is the Best Feature of This Tablet

One of the standout features of the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.2″ is its impressive Tandem OLED display, named after its screen size in inches, with a remarkable 92% screen-to-body ratio.

Apple was the first to adopt this type of panel, which uses two layers stacked atop one another, under its Ultra Retina XDR branding.

Thanks to this design choice, OLED displays deliver brightness levels that go beyond the usual limits, which aren’t always optimal for perfect viewing. The Tandem OLED solves this, eliminating reflections and offering a 144 Hz refresh rate.

Moreover, the tablet can reach a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, enabling easy visibility even in direct sunlight; the matte finish of the screen adds a painting-like quality. Beyond the creative potential of this panel and stylus, Huawei has opted for two speakers on each side, essential for achieving impressive sound quality.

 

Huawei’s Proprietary Chip Still Falls Behind Qualcomm’s

Inside this tablet, Huawei has incorporated its own chip, the Kirin T91, which surpasses the Kirin 9000WL seen in the MatePad 11.5 S in multi-core performance, though it falls slightly short in single-core tasks, which are more basic.

This isn’t necessarily bad news, as it allows the processor to focus on what really matters; however, in static analysis, the Kirin’s scores remain far below Qualcomm’s.

In daily use, you won’t experience any issues opening multiple applications—I never noticed slowdowns or interruptions. You can also run most games, provided they’re available.

Huawei has also improved access to applications that might otherwise be unavailable due to trade restrictions between the U.S. and China.

To this end, the Chinese manufacturer has based its HarmonyOS 4.2 interface on Android 12, allowing you access to a wealth of possibilities with APK files, the unofficial apps for Android.

Huawei facilitates easy download with a simple search via Petal Search, a search engine like any other, which lists all apps in one place as if it were an app store, though with APKs.

Moreover, users can also access a Google Play Store-like app store, Aurora Store, after signing in with a Huawei account.

Thanks to this open-source tool, which closely resembles Google’s app store, you can access all Google services, even though the tablet is a Huawei device.

 

Battery Life Won’t Be a Concern with This Tablet

Huawei’s MatePad Pro 12.2″ is one of the best tablets I’ve tested in terms of energy efficiency, with a typical capacity of 10,100 mAh, translating to hours and hours of worry-free use.

As always, it will depend on how you use it, since some tools, like GoPaint—the exclusive painting app—tend to increase battery consumption.

In any case, I managed to reach a full 8-hour day with the screen constantly on, plus some extra hours if you use it occasionally for taking notes, doodling, or browsing between apps.

As for charging, it supports up to 100 W if you use an original Huawei cable, which is included in the box and is only slightly larger than those found with small phones or laptops.

Again, the charge time will vary based on when you start charging. For me, with the battery fully drained, it took about 80 minutes, which I find more than reasonable.

If I were thinking of upgrading my tablet or buying one for the first time, I would consider the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.2″ as one of the best alternatives for several reasons.

First, its price of €999 makes it a more affordable option than the 2024 iPad Pro, which also uses Tandem OLED displays but at a price around €200 higher.

Second, it includes well-developed apps for creative work; although I’m not an artist, I believe those looking for creative functionality—especially with the stylus—will find this a very comprehensive tablet.

Finally, the Chinese manufacturer is gradually addressing the availability of services and applications that would otherwise be inaccessible. As such, you shouldn’t have trouble finding the tools you need.