Last year, Huawei released the first MatePad PaperMatte tablet, and it was something you never thought you needed—until you’ve actually used it. I’ve read a lot of positive reviews about the tablet so I was quite excited when they invited me over to be the first to try out the updated HUAWEI MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition.
If you hate that annoying screen glare every time you use a tablet and are worried about your eyes because of the long hours you spend staring at the screen, well, the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition might be the perfect tablet you’ve been waiting for.
The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition is the industry’s first anti-glare tablet display to obtain TÜV Rheinland Reflection Free Certification and aims to cater to the computing requirements of college students and young professionals who are in need of a device that’s more portable than a laptop but also more versatile thanks to its note taking capabilities.
It seeks to address several pain points of tablet users: For those who prefer to work or study outdoors the PaperMatte screen not only eliminates glare but also provides an eye soothing display that allows you to use the tablet more comfortably. Second, is for those who want a PC-like experience without having to bring their laptops everywhere. The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition provides you with all the productivity apps you need including a PC level WPS app that lets you create, edit different types of documents, spreadsheets presentations etc. The M-Pen and notes app also take note-taking to a totally different level and also allows users to explore their artistic side by providing them the most paper-like feel when drawing on screen. For those want to embrace a more eco-conscious approach to learning and working the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition lets you enjoy a totally Paperless Experience. Forget bringing several notebooks, physical documents or reference materials that just make your bags heavier, by switching to the Matepad tablet you don’t have to worry about forgetting any of your paperwork as you can easily access digital copies anywhere.
PROS
- Great matte screen with 2.5K Full View Display
- Premium build quality
- PC-Level Productivity
- Paper-like Writing Experience with the M-Pencil
- Cinema-grade Audio
- Solid, reliable performance
CONS
- No FingerPrint Sensor
- No IP Rating
- Charging could have been faster
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
The tablet comes in Huawei’s trademark white box, with the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition branding printed in gold. Inside the box is the unit itself along with a wall charger, a USB type A to type C cable, Quick Start guide, a warranty card and a polishing cloth as well.
What makes this tablet a very attractive package is the inclusion of the Smart Keyboard and M-Pencil providing you with the complete experience with your purchase unlike other tablets which require you to purchase those accessories separately.
BUILD AND DISPLAY
Weighing in at 499g and measuring 261 x 177 x 6.85mm, the tablet is both lightweight and compact. It adopts a uni-body design, with the body made out of a whole piece of aluminium alloy. It’s even more than meets the eye, packing an antenna array and a bevelled middle frame which makes the tablet comfortable to grip. While it may not deviate much from the standard tablet design, its build quality and aesthetic appeal are quite notable.
You’ll find the single volume rocker button on the top edge (when in landscape mode) while the power button is situated on the upper left, all of which work well and feel responsive to the touch. At the bottom is a POGO pin connector to which you can attach external keyboards, such as the Smart Keyboard in, while the right edge houses the USB-C charging port.
Flipping it over reveals a single camera in the top right corner, with a small camera bump allowing for the lens and sensor to nestle comfortably. Here you’ll find what Huawei calls the “Cosmic Star Ring camera,” with its intricate carving and Starlight Sand rear cover, adds a touch of luxury, making this tablet a fashion statement in itself.
The tablet doesn’t have an embedded fingerprint sensor so you’ll have to rely on facial recognition which thankfully is fast and responsive or go oldschool with a PIN or Pattern to unlock the device. There’s no IP rating listed, so it would be best to keep the tablet away from water or from clumsy friends.
The tablet’s has a quad-speaker setup, that is enhanced by AI scenario-based optimization and Histen 8.0, to deliver a cinema-grade audio experience. Dual-earbud connections make it perfect for sharing media without compromise, ensuring that every sound is as immersive as intended, whether you’re enjoying a movie night or drowning out the noise on your daily commute. This might be a productivity tablet but its also great as an entertainment and casual gaming device that provides you with an immersive experience.
During our short time with the device, I immediately fell in love with the papermatte display. Not only is it resistant to fingerprints but its also offers great clarity without those reflection and glares without any blurriness, which is a common issue when you are just using screen protectors or matte covers.
The standout feature of this tablet is its PaperMatte display, enhanced by a meticulous nano-etching technique that significantly reduces light disturbance by up to 97%. This advanced process greatly diminishes glare, making the tablet’s screen exceptionally legible even in brightly lit surroundings. The innovative design minimizes the screen’s reflective properties, ensuring that the visuals remain vibrant and strain-free on the eyes, regardless of external light conditions.
The MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition has an expansive 11.5-inch screen, boasting an impressive screen-to-body ratio of 86%. The display, a TFT LCD (IPS) panel, offers a resolution of 2200 × 1440 pixels, ensuring every image is rendered in vivid detail. With 229 PPI and 16.7 million colour saturation at 100% sRGB, visuals come alive with unparalleled clarity and colour accuracy. It also has an enhanced 120 Hz refresh rate and smart refresh rate adjustment between 60 and 120 Hz, delivers a smooth, flicker-free viewing experience. This multi-touch screen supports up to 10 contact points, offering precise and responsive touch interactions.
PERFORMANCE AND BATTERY
The tablet is powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 7 Gen 1 Mobile Platform, incorporating a balanced octa-core CPU setup for optimal performance and power efficiency. The Adreno™ 644 GPU ensures smooth graphics, whether you’re gaming, designing, or multitasking across applications. With 8 GB of RAM and a generous 256 GB of internal storage, the MatePad 11.5-inch offers ample space and speed for all your apps, documents, and media. During our quick test of the tablet, everything ran smoothly and switching between apps was very fast.
The tablet promises all-day use with its robust 7700 mAh battery offering hours of uninterrupted use on a single charge and longer life of intermittent usage. It comes with an 18W fast charger but with a battery that size I would expect about two hours to fully charge the device.
The MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition runs on HarmonyOS 3.1, which provides an intuitive user experience that harmonizes hardware and software especially if you have other Huawei devices as it allows for seamless device integration, enhancing your workflow and entertainment with smart features and an expansive app ecosystem. AND contrary to what you might believe, the lack of Google services isn’t actually that of a big deal. Besides the growing App Gallery, you only need to install GBox to access most of the Google Suite of apps you actually need to use. Petal Search also improved a lot and you only need to type in the name of the app you are looking and it will direct you to a link where you can download the app.
CAMERAS:
Should you need to take photos, the rear 13 MP camera, with an f/1.8 aperture and autofocus, captures high-resolution images up to 4208 × 3120 pixels and video recording in 4K resolution. It includes features like Beauty, Panorama, and Time-Lapse, enriching your photography experience. The front-facing 8 MP camera, perfect for video calls and selfies, supports 1080p video recording and comes with user-friendly modes such as Beauty and Time-Lapse, making every interaction clear and memorable. The quality of photos is what you’d expect from a tablet so I don’t suggest you take it out and make it your main camera unless you really need to.
SMART KEYBOARD AND MPEN
Including these two accessories is probably what gives the Huawei MatePad 11.5 PaperMatte an advantage over the competitors because it makes it so much more than just your typical tablet. You also get to save a lot of money, since you dont have to purchase them separately.
For creative and artistic users, the M-Pencil, with its advanced pressure sensitivity and low latency, opens up a world of possibilities for users. Whether it’s taking detailed notes during a lecture, sketching out a design concept, or annotating documents on the fly, the precision and responsiveness of the M-Pencil make these tasks effortless and natural. Its ability to accurately capture the nuances of handwriting and drawing ensures that every stroke is as intentional and expressive as it would be on paper, making it an indispensable tool for students, designers, and professionals alike. The default Notes app proved to be quite useful and for drawing there’s Mojing Paint. The pen also was quite useful when editinig photos or videos on CapCut and Canva.
The Smart Keyboard on the other further enhances the tablet’s utility, transforming it into a versatile alternative to your workstation . With a comfortable, responsive typing experience, it facilitates long writing sessions, complex data entry, and efficient navigation through interfaces with ease. The keyboard’s design emphasizes portability and convenience, allowing users to quickly set up a productive workspace anywhere, from a café to a library.
The keyboard is a different from the other ones I’ve used since its housed in a protective rubber casing to make it a compact clamshell-like mini-laptop. There’s a groove above the keyboard area that also features the power connectors so that the case can draw its charge from the PaperMatte. Like the MatePad Pro 13.5 I’m currently using you can detach the keyboard from the tablet to help you find that best angle for working.
What sets the M-Pencil and Smart Keyboard apart is their deep integration with the HarmonyOS ecosystem, enabling a range of smart features and gestures that streamline workflows and enhance interactivity. For instance, with a simple double-tap on the M-Pencil, users can switch between tools, making the transition from writing to erasing seamless. Similarly, the Smart Keyboard shortcuts offer quick access to frequently used apps and functions, increasing efficiency and reducing the time spent navigating through menus.
Together, the M-Pencil and Smart Keyboard capabilities embody the essence of what makes the Huawei MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition a standout device. They not only augment the tablet’s core functionalities but also enrich the user experience, making it more intuitive, productive, and enjoyable.
INITIAL THOUGHTS: While I would’ve wanted to spend more time with the Huawei MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition to test its M-Pencil, I was very impressed with this tablet, it made me wish there was a PaperMatte version of each MatePad to give users a choice. The screen was a delight to look at, and doing those reflection and glare comparisons made me think why other brands never thought of it before. If you are looking for a tablet for students or maybe for yourself and want something that is more than just a larger version of your phone, you would be depriving yourself of a great option if you don’t check out the Huawei MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition. Don’t be swayed by all the negative stuff you hear and visit a Huawei store and try it out.
The Huawei MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition is priced at PHP 24,999 and will be available starting February 23. Get up to P18,996 worth of freebies, including a Detachable HUAWEI Smart Magnetic Keyboard, HUAWEI M-Pencil 2nd Gen, PC-Level WPS Office, and a one-year premium subscription to VIU.
#PaperlessExperience , #HUAWEIMatePad115 , #PaperMatteEdition
For more information visit the Huawei Philippines’ official website
Order from the Official Huawei Store: Shopee: Lazada:
