The tablet market offers a diverse range of options, but finding the right balance between portability and functionality can be challenging. We pit the ultra-compact Huawei MatePad Mini against the larger, feature-packed Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE to determine which device best suits your needs, focusing on performance, display quality, and charging capabilities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing extreme portability and fast charging, the Huawei MatePad Mini is the clear winner. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE offers a significantly larger display and a more powerful processor (in the Wi-Fi variant), making it the better choice for multitasking and demanding applications.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 04 | 2021, May 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 13 | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 198.6 x 127.3 x 5.2 mm (7.82 x 5.01 x 0.20 in) | 284.8 x 185 x 6.3 mm (11.21 x 7.28 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 260 g (9.17 oz) | 608 g (1.34 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~343 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.8 inches, 224.5 cm2 (~88.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1800 nits (peak), HDR Vivid | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 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 SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) - 5G modelQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) - Wi-Fi model |
| GPU | - | Adreno 619 - 5G modelAdreno 642L - Wi-Fi model |
| OS | HarmonyOS 5.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 4K, 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.4 | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC | 5.2, A2DP, LE (Wi-Fi), 5.2, A2DP, LE (5G) |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0 | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, 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 | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass, gyro (5G model only) |
| | - | Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired | 45W wired, 100% in 190 min |
| Type | 6400 mAh | Li-Po 10090 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, White, Black | Mystic Black, Mystic Silver, Mystic Green, Mystic Pink |
| Models | MLR-AL10 | SM-T730, SM-T733, SM-T736B, SM-T735 |
| Price | About 470 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 Mini
- Ultra-portable and lightweight design
- Blazing-fast 66W wired charging
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Likely less powerful processor
- Smaller display size may limit multitasking
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
- Larger, more immersive display
- More powerful Snapdragon 778G (Wi-Fi model)
- S Pen support for note-taking and creativity
- Slower 45W charging
- Less portable due to larger size
Display Comparison
Both tablets share a nominal contrast ratio of 1886:1, suggesting similar panel characteristics in terms of black levels. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE boasts a measured peak brightness of 522 nits, significantly exceeding what we'd expect from the MatePad Mini, making it more usable in bright outdoor conditions. While panel technology isn't specified for the MatePad Mini, the larger 10.5-inch display of the S7 FE provides a more immersive viewing experience, particularly for video playback and creative tasks. Bezels are likely comparable given the price points, but the larger screen real estate of the S7 FE is a key differentiator.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a primary concern for most tablet users. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more pleasing results than the MatePad Mini. Without specific sensor details for the MatePad Mini, it’s safe to assume the S7 FE offers a more capable camera system, though neither device will rival dedicated smartphone cameras. We can expect both tablets to feature basic camera functionality suitable for quick scans and video calls.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE comes in two chipset configurations: a Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm) and a Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm). The 778G, found in the Wi-Fi model, represents a significant upgrade, utilizing a more efficient 6nm process and a more powerful CPU architecture (Cortex-A78 cores) compared to the 750G. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. The MatePad Mini’s chipset is not specified, but given its positioning, it likely features a less powerful processor. The 6nm process of the Snapdragon 778G offers better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions compared to the 8nm Snapdragon 750G.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE’s 45W charging, while slower than the MatePad Mini’s 66W, is still respectable. However, the 190-minute full charge time indicates a larger battery capacity is at play. The MatePad Mini’s 66W charging promises significantly faster top-ups, a crucial advantage for users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery. The larger display and more powerful processor of the S7 FE will likely consume more power, potentially offsetting some of the battery capacity advantage, but the faster charging of the MatePad Mini provides a convenience factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei MatePad Mini if you need a truly pocketable tablet for on-the-go media consumption, reading, and light productivity tasks, and value the convenience of 66W fast charging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE if you prefer a larger screen for split-screen multitasking, note-taking with the S Pen, and a more robust processor for gaming and demanding applications, even if it means sacrificing some portability and accepting a slower charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 750G in the S7 FE 5G model suffer from significant throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 750G is a capable chip, but its 8nm process and moderate thermal design mean it can experience some throttling during extended, graphically intensive gaming. The 778G in the Wi-Fi model, with its 6nm process, will perform better under sustained load.
❓ How does Huawei's HarmonyOS compare to Android on the MatePad Mini in terms of app compatibility?
Huawei's HarmonyOS has improved significantly in app compatibility, but it still lacks full access to the Google Play Store. Users rely on Huawei's AppGallery and sideloading apps, which may not always be seamless or offer the latest versions of popular applications.
❓ Is the S Pen included with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE, and what features does it offer?
Yes, the S Pen is included with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE. It offers 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, allowing for precise note-taking, sketching, and navigation. It also supports Air Actions for remote control functionality.
