Huawei MatePad 10.8 vs. Apple iPad Air (2020): A Performance and Value Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Apple iPad Air (2020) is the superior choice. The A14 Bionic’s 5nm architecture provides a significant performance advantage over the Kirin 990’s 7nm process, translating to smoother multitasking and more demanding application handling. While the MatePad 10.8 offers a competitive price, the iPad Air’s overall refinement and software ecosystem justify the premium.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei MatePad 10.8 | Apple iPad Air (2020) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2324 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2072 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 30. Released 2020, August 14 | 2020, September 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, October 23 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 257 x 170 x 7.2 mm (10.12 x 6.69 x 0.28 in) | 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 500 g (1.10 lb) | 458 g (Wi-Fi) / 460 g (3G/LTE) (1.01 lb) |
| Stylus support | Stylus support | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~280 ppi density) | 1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.8 inches, 338.2 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.09 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.86 GHz Cortex-A55) | Hexa-core (2x3.0 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) |
| Chipset | Kirin 990 (7 nm) | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP16 | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services | iPadOS 14.1, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, AF | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 7 MP, f/2.0, 31mm (standard) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Tuned by Harman Kardon | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS (LTE model only) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, magnetic connector | USB Type-C, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 7500 mAh | Li-Ion 7606 mAh (28.93 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Gold, Gray, Black | Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold, Green, Sky Blue |
| Models | SCMR-W09, SCMR-AL00 | A2324, A2072, A2325, A2316, iPad13,1, iPad13,2 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 640 EUR |
Huawei MatePad 10.8
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Larger screen size for immersive viewing
- Huawei’s multi-screen collaboration features
- Kirin 990 chipset is outperformed by the A14 Bionic
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Limited app ecosystem compared to iPadOS
Apple iPad Air (2020)
- Superior performance with the A14 Bionic (5nm)
- Optimized iPadOS ecosystem and app availability
- Excellent video recording capabilities
- Higher price tag
- Accessories (Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard) are sold separately
- Potentially smaller battery capacity
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 10.8-inch displays, detailed specifications are missing. However, given Apple’s history, the iPad Air (2020) likely boasts superior color accuracy and potentially higher peak brightness. The Kirin 990’s graphics capabilities will benefit from a high refresh rate display, but this is not confirmed for the MatePad 10.8. The iPad Air’s laminated display and anti-reflective coating, common in Apple’s tablets, likely contribute to a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are unavailable for the MatePad 10.8. However, given Huawei’s camera expertise, it likely features a competent camera system. The iPad Air (2020) focuses on video recording capabilities, but neither tablet is positioned as a primary photography device. The A14 Bionic’s image signal processor (ISP) provides superior video stabilization and dynamic range compared to the Kirin 990’s ISP, making the iPad Air the better choice for video content creators.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. Apple’s A14 Bionic, fabricated on a 5nm process, demonstrably outperforms the Huawei Kirin 990 (7nm) in both CPU and GPU benchmarks. The A14’s hexa-core configuration (2x3.0 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) is optimized for both peak performance and efficiency. The Kirin 990’s octa-core setup, while capable, struggles to match the A14’s single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother gaming, and more responsive multitasking on the iPad Air. The A14’s Neural Engine also provides a significant advantage in machine learning tasks.
Battery Life
Battery capacity figures are missing for both devices. However, the A14 Bionic’s 5nm efficiency gives the iPad Air a significant advantage in battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery. The MatePad 10.8 supports 18W wired charging, which is relatively slow compared to the iPad Air’s potential for faster charging with a compatible adapter (though Apple doesn’t include one in the box). The A14’s power efficiency means less time plugged in and more time enjoying the tablet’s features.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei MatePad 10.8 if you prioritize a larger screen real estate at a more accessible price point and are comfortable within the Huawei ecosystem, potentially leveraging features like multi-screen collaboration. Buy the Apple iPad Air (2020) if you demand top-tier performance, seamless integration with other Apple devices, and access to a vast library of optimized apps, even if it means paying a higher price.