The tablet market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for your attention: the Huawei MatePad 11 (2023) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE. Both offer compelling features and price points, but which one truly delivers the best experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE offers a brighter display, faster charging, and a generally more polished software experience. However, the MatePad 11 (2023) boasts a more powerful chipset, potentially offering better performance for demanding tasks. It depends on your priorities: display and charging vs. raw power.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 23 | 2021, May 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 31 | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 253.7 x 165.3 x 7.2 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.28 in) | 284.8 x 185 x 6.3 mm (11.21 x 7.28 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 480 g (1.06 lb) | 608 g (1.34 lb) |
| | Stylus support (magnetic) | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~275 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 348.3 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) - 5G modelOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) - Wi-Fi model |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) - 5G modelQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) - Wi-Fi model |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 619 - 5G modelAdreno 642L - Wi-Fi model |
| OS | HarmonyOS 3.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | Tuned by Harman Kardon | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE (Wi-Fi), 5.2, A2DP, LE (5G) |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2, 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 (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (5G) |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass, gyro (5G model only) |
| | - | Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired
5W reverse wired | 45W wired, 100% in 190 min |
| Type | Li-Po 7250 mAh | Li-Po 10090 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White, Purple | Mystic Black, Mystic Silver, Mystic Green, Mystic Pink |
| Models | DBR-W10 | SM-T730, SM-T733, SM-T736B, SM-T735 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 650 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.15 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1886:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -27.2 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 292530 (v8), 355430 (v9)
GeekBench: 1904 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 9.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei MatePad 11 (2023)
- Powerful Snapdragon 870 (depending on variant)
- Competitive price
- Good display
- Reverse wireless charging
- Slower charging
- Huawei ecosystem limitations
- Potentially less app compatibility
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
- Brighter, more vibrant display
- Faster 45W charging
- Larger battery capacity
- More familiar Android experience
- Less powerful chipset
- Can be pricier
- Software updates can be slower
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE takes the lead here. While both tablets offer excellent displays, the S7 FE's 522 nits of brightness significantly outshines the MatePad 11 (2023). The contrast ratio is also impressive. The MatePad 11 (2023) has a good display, but it lacks the sheer visual punch of the S7 FE.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is often secondary on tablets, but the S7 FE typically offers slightly better image processing and overall camera performance. Both are adequate for casual snapshots, but don't expect flagship-level results. The MatePad 11 (2023) camera is decent, but not a standout feature.
Performance
The Huawei MatePad 11 (2023), particularly with the Snapdragon 870 variant, generally holds a performance advantage. The Snapdragon 870 is a more powerful chipset than either Snapdragon 750G or 778G found in the S7 FE. Expect smoother multitasking and better gaming performance on the MatePad.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE wins this round decisively. Its 45W charging is significantly faster than the MatePad 11 (2023)'s 22.5W. The S7 FE also boasts a larger battery capacity, contributing to longer battery life under typical usage.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Huawei MatePad 11 (2023)? Users prioritizing performance for gaming or creative apps, and those comfortable with Huawei's ecosystem. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE? Users seeking a vibrant display, faster charging, and a more familiar Android experience with broader app compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Huawei MatePad 11 (2023) support Google Play Store?
Due to US restrictions, the MatePad 11 (2023) doesn't natively support the Google Play Store. Users typically rely on Huawei's AppGallery or sideloading apps, which can be less convenient.
❓ Which tablet is better for drawing and note-taking?
While both are capable, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE's brighter display and potentially better stylus support (if purchased separately) make it a slightly better choice for artists and note-takers.
