The Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 (2019) and Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e represent distinct approaches to the Android tablet market. The MatePad Pro, launched with Huawei’s Kirin 990, aimed for near-flagship performance, while the Tab S5e focused on delivering a refined experience at a more accessible price point with the Snapdragon 670. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 (2019) is the clear winner. Its Kirin 990 chipset delivers significantly faster processing speeds and supports faster charging. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e remains a compelling option for those seeking a balanced, efficient tablet for everyday tasks.
| 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, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November 25. Released 2019, December 12 | 2019, February. Released 2019, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 246 x 159 x 7.2 mm (9.69 x 6.26 x 0.28 in) | 245 x 160 x 5.5 mm (9.65 x 6.30 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 460 g (1.01 lb) | 400 g (14.11 oz) |
| | Stylus support (magnetic) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~280 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~288 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.8 inches, 338.2 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 540 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.09 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.86 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 990 (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP16 | Adreno 615 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm, 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm, 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| 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 (4 speakers) |
| | Tuned by Harman Kardon | Tuned by AKG/HARMAN |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired
15W wireless
7.5W reverse wireless | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7250 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 7040 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, White, Green, Orange | Black, Gold, Silver |
| Models | MRX-AL09, MRX-AL19, MRX-W09, MRX-W19 | SM-T725, SM-T720 |
| Price | About 450 EUR | About 410 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.03 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 152610 (v7)
GeekBench: 5684 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6.4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 (2019)
- Significantly faster processor (Kirin 990)
- Faster charging speeds (40W wired, 15W wireless)
- Reverse wireless charging capability
- Potential software limitations due to Huawei’s ecosystem
- Battery life may be slightly shorter than Tab S5e
Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e
- More affordable price point
- Excellent battery efficiency with Snapdragon 670
- Lightweight and portable design
- Slower processor compared to Kirin 990
- Slower charging speeds (18W wired)
- Lacks wireless charging
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 10.8-inch displays, detailed display specs (resolution, panel type, brightness) are missing. However, given the MatePad Pro’s positioning, it likely boasts a higher resolution and potentially OLED technology compared to the Tab S5e’s LCD. The absence of refresh rate information suggests neither device offers a high refresh rate panel. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within the 10.8-inch form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. Given the tablet form factor, camera quality isn’t a primary concern. However, the MatePad Pro, positioned as a more premium device, likely features a more capable camera system. The absence of specific sensor information suggests both tablets offer standard tablet camera performance, suitable for casual snapshots and video calls. The focus is likely on software processing rather than raw hardware capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 (2019) utilizes the Kirin 990 (7nm+), an octa-core processor with a heterogeneous architecture – two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores at 2.86 GHz, two more Cortex-A76 cores at 2.09 GHz, and four efficiency-focused Cortex-A55 cores at 1.86 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 (10nm), featuring two Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.7 GHz. The Kirin 990’s 7nm+ fabrication process and more powerful core configuration translate to significantly higher CPU and GPU performance, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. The Snapdragon 670 prioritizes efficiency, offering adequate performance for everyday use.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the charging capabilities reveal a significant difference. The MatePad Pro 10.8 (2019) supports 40W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and even 7.5W reverse wireless charging. This allows for significantly faster charging times compared to the Tab S5e’s 18W wired charging. While the Tab S5e may offer slightly better battery life due to the more efficient Snapdragon 670, the MatePad Pro’s faster charging mitigates this advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 (2019) if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding applications, multitasking, and potentially some light gaming, and value faster charging speeds. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e if you prioritize portability, long battery life for media consumption, and a streamlined user experience without the need for top-tier processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 990 in the MatePad Pro 10.8 (2019) experience throttling under sustained load?
While the Kirin 990 is a powerful chip, throttling is always a possibility with any processor under heavy, sustained load. However, the 7nm+ fabrication process and Huawei’s thermal management solutions likely mitigate throttling better than the Snapdragon 670 in the Tab S5e, allowing for longer periods of peak performance.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Galaxy Tab S5e sufficient for daily use, or is it noticeably slow?
18W charging is adequate for overnight charging and topping up the battery. However, compared to the MatePad Pro’s 40W charging, it will take significantly longer to fully charge the Tab S5e from 0 to 100%. Users who frequently need to quickly recharge their tablet may find the Tab S5e’s charging speed limiting.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Huawei’s EMUI (or HarmonyOS) on the MatePad Pro and Samsung’s One UI on the Tab S5e?
EMUI (and potentially HarmonyOS depending on the software version) offers a different user interface and feature set compared to Samsung’s One UI. Huawei’s software has historically focused on customization and productivity features, while One UI prioritizes ease of use and a streamlined experience. The availability of Google Mobile Services (GMS) is a key consideration; the MatePad Pro may require workarounds to access Google apps.
