The tablet market is heating up, with both Huawei and Oppo offering compelling options in the mid-range. The Huawei MatePad 5G, leveraging Huawei’s in-house Kirin 820 5G chipset, aims for a balance of connectivity and performance. Meanwhile, the Oppo Pad Air2, powered by the MediaTek Helio G99, focuses on efficiency and a streamlined user experience. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw processing power and 5G connectivity, the Huawei MatePad 5G offers a slight edge. However, the Oppo Pad Air2’s more efficient Helio G99 and significantly faster 33W charging make it the better choice for everyday use and extended battery life, especially for media consumption.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | N/A |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 16. Released 2020, October 13 | 2023, November 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, November 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 245.2 x 155 x 7.5 mm (9.65 x 6.10 x 0.30 in) | 255.1 x 188 x 6.9 mm (10.04 x 7.40 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 460 g (1.01 lb) | 538 g (1.19 lb) |
| | Stylus support | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1720 x 2408 pixels (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.4 inches, 396.6 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 470 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.22 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 820 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 (6-core) | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services | Android 13, ColorOS 13.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | Tuned by Harman Kardon | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only), gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 33W wired, PD |
| Type | Li-Po 7250 mAh | Li-Po 8000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Dark Blue | Silver, Gray |
| Models | BAH3-AN10 | - |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Huawei MatePad 5G
- Integrated 5G connectivity for on-the-go access.
- Potentially higher CPU performance for demanding tasks.
- Huawei’s reputation for color accuracy in displays.
- Slower 22.5W charging.
- Potentially lower battery life due to less efficient chipset.
- Reliance on Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) ecosystem.
Oppo Pad Air2
- Faster 33W charging with PD support.
- More power-efficient MediaTek Helio G99 chipset.
- Likely longer battery life for everyday use.
- Lacks integrated 5G connectivity.
- Potentially lower peak CPU performance.
- May rely on software optimizations for performance.
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, we can infer the Oppo Pad Air2 likely targets a higher screen-to-body ratio and potentially a higher resolution display to appeal to media consumers. Huawei typically focuses on color accuracy, so the MatePad 5G may excel in that area. The absence of details like refresh rate or panel type (IPS vs. LCD) makes a definitive statement impossible.
Camera Comparison
Without camera specifications, a detailed comparison is impossible. However, given the price points, both tablets likely feature modest camera setups geared towards video calls and casual snapshots. It’s reasonable to assume neither will compete with flagship smartphone cameras. The focus will be on software processing to enhance image quality rather than relying on high-end sensors.
Performance
The Kirin 820 5G (7nm) in the Huawei MatePad 5G boasts a more complex CPU configuration – an octa-core setup with a mix of Cortex-A76 and A55 cores clocked at higher frequencies than the Oppo Pad Air2’s Helio G99 (6nm). While the G99 has fewer high-performance cores (2x A76 vs 3x A76 in the MatePad), its 6nm process node offers improved power efficiency. This means the G99 can sustain performance for longer without significant throttling. The Kirin 820’s 5G integration is a key differentiator, offering direct cellular connectivity, while the G99 relies on Wi-Fi. For demanding tasks, the MatePad 5G *should* have a theoretical advantage, but real-world performance will depend on thermal management.
Battery Life
The charging capabilities are a clear win for the Oppo Pad Air2. Its 33W wired charging with PD support significantly outperforms the Huawei MatePad 5G’s 22.5W charging. This translates to substantially faster top-up times. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the more efficient Helio G99 in the Oppo Pad Air2 will likely deliver longer real-world battery life, even with a potentially smaller battery capacity. The faster charging also mitigates any capacity difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei MatePad 5G if you absolutely require integrated 5G connectivity for on-the-go productivity and are willing to trade some battery life for that feature. Buy the Oppo Pad Air2 if you prioritize a longer-lasting battery, faster charging speeds, and a more efficient processor for everyday tasks like streaming, browsing, and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 820 5G in the Huawei MatePad 5G experience significant throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Kirin 820 5G is a capable chipset, but its 7nm process node is less efficient than the Helio G99’s 6nm node. This means the MatePad 5G is more likely to experience thermal throttling during prolonged, graphically intensive gaming. While it may offer higher peak performance, the Oppo Pad Air2 is likely to maintain more consistent performance over time.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Oppo Pad Air2 compared to the 22.5W charging on the Huawei MatePad 5G?
The 33W charging on the Oppo Pad Air2 will significantly reduce charging times. While exact figures depend on battery capacity (which is not specified), expect a 0-100% charge to be at least 30-45 minutes faster on the Oppo Pad Air2. The addition of Power Delivery (PD) also allows for compatibility with a wider range of chargers.
❓ Is the lack of 5G on the Oppo Pad Air2 a dealbreaker for users who frequently travel or work remotely?
If consistent, reliable internet access while on the move is critical, the lack of integrated 5G on the Oppo Pad Air2 is a significant drawback. However, most public spaces offer Wi-Fi access, and a mobile hotspot from a smartphone can provide a temporary solution. The trade-off is longer battery life and faster charging with the Oppo Pad Air2.
