The Huawei MatePad 12X has a sleek, rectangular design that’s clearly inspired by the iPad, with rounded edges, a thin aspect ratio, and familiar placements for speakers, buttons, and the keyboard connector. Its LCD screen offers a matte finish, providing a comfortable viewing experience with reduced glare. The tablet is solid in the hand—substantial enough to feel durable, yet slim enough for one-handed use. It lacks a headphone jack but includes top and bottom speakers for a quality streaming experience.
Our model included a keyboard case that attaches magnetically and connects via Huawei’s new Nearlink protocol, a faster alternative to Bluetooth. Nearlink boasts speeds up to 1.2Gbps in Basic mode, potentially making it useful for high-speed data transfers in the future. The included M-Pencil stylus also connects via Nearlink, attaching magnetically to the tablet for charging, much like the Apple Pencil. The setup was smooth, with a helpful tutorial on using the stylus.
Battery life is impressive, powering through a full day of varied use—from reading and browsing to drawing and gaming.
Features & Performance
The MatePad 12X runs HarmonyOS, Huawei’s Android-based OS, which unfortunately lacks access to the Google Play Store. While Huawei’s AppGallery offers alternatives, major apps like Chrome, Netflix, and Kindle aren’t available natively, requiring APK downloads or workarounds. This limitation is either a pro or a con, depending on your needs—HarmonyOS has less AI integration than other mobile OS, which could be refreshing.
Despite the app restrictions, Huawei includes GoPaint, a user-friendly drawing app that exports in PSD, JPG, and PNG formats. Paired with the M-Pencil (with over 10,000 pressure levels), the MatePad 12X makes a strong case as a drawing tablet, offering a natural feel thanks to its matte coating.
Benchmark testing proved limited, but the MatePad 12X performed respectably. Geekbench scores placed it slightly above the Kindle Fire Max 11 but below higher-end tablets like the Samsung Galaxy S10+. Its eight-core Kirin T90A processor (with a prime core and background task cores) offers sufficient speed for everyday multitasking, especially with 8 or 12GB of RAM.
Price & Value
The Huawei MatePad 12X Papermatte Edition retails at approximately £550 in the UK, which converts to around $670 USD, though exact pricing may vary depending on taxes and shipping. This price includes the keyboard, making it competitive with mid-range tablets. It’s an attractive option for those seeking a complete package, although it may have limitations due to Huawei’s software ecosystem.
conclusion
In summary, the Huawei MatePad 12X Papermatte Edition is a compelling choice in the mid-range tablet market, especially for users looking for a well-built, content-focused device with a matte screen and solid performance capabilities. Its design has clear Apple-inspired touches, but it carves out its own space with innovative features like Nearlink connectivity and a high-sensitivity M-Pencil, which is ideal for artists and note-takers alike.
While the lack of Google Play support could be a drawback for some, the tablet offers workarounds through AppGallery and APK options, allowing users to access essential apps with some flexibility. At approximately $670 USD (keyboard included), the MatePad 12X presents a well-rounded package for those who prioritize productivity, drawing, and reading, as long as they can adapt to Huawei’s unique software environment.
