Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 5G (2019) vs Apple iPad Pro 11 (2020): A Performance and Feature Showdown

The 2019 Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 5G and the 2020 Apple iPad Pro 11 represent distinct philosophies in tablet design. The MatePad Pro aimed to deliver a premium Android experience with 5G connectivity, while the iPad Pro doubled down on Apple’s silicon and ecosystem integration. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which tablet offers the best value and performance in today’s market.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and a refined software experience, the Apple iPad Pro 11 (2020) is the clear winner. The A12Z Bionic chip consistently outperforms the Kirin 990 5G, and iPadOS offers a more mature tablet-focused operating system. However, the MatePad Pro’s 40W wired and 27W wireless charging are compelling advantages.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 5G (2019) Apple iPad Pro 11 (2020)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 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
5G bandsSA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model onlyHSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, February 24. Released 2020, May 272020, March 18
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, March 19
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions246 x 159 x 7.2 mm (9.69 x 6.26 x 0.28 in)247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 in)
SIMNano-SIM (cellular model only)Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight460 g (1.01 lb)471 g (Wi-Fi), 473 g (LTE) (1.04 lb)
 Stylus support (magnetic)Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic)
Display
Protection-Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~280 ppi density)1668 x 2388 pixels (~265 ppi density)
Size10.8 inches, 338.2 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)11.0 inches, 366.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 540 nits (typ)IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest)
ChipsetKirin 990 5G (7 nm+)Apple A12Z Bionic
GPUMali-G76 MP16Apple GPU (8-core graphics)
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play ServicesiPadOS 13.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM
 UFS 3.0-
Main Camera
Dual-12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF 10 MP, f/2.4, 11mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR
Single13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRFace detection, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.07 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
 Tuned by Harman Kardon-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR
Infrared portYes-
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS - cellular model onlyGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer
Battery
Charging40W wired 27W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless-
TypeLi-Po 7250 mAhLi-Po 7538 mAh (28.65 Wh)
Misc
ColorsGray, White, Green, OrangeSilver, Space Gray
ModelsA51wA2068, A2230, A2228, A2231, iPad8,9, iPad8,10
PriceAbout 550 EURAbout 800 EUR

Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 5G (2019)

  • Faster charging speeds (40W wired, 27W wireless)
  • 5G connectivity for on-the-go access
  • Reverse wireless charging capability

  • Kirin 990 5G chipset is outperformed by the A12Z Bionic
  • Software ecosystem less mature than iPadOS

Apple iPad Pro 11 (2020)

  • Superior performance with the A12Z Bionic chip
  • Optimized iPadOS for tablet productivity
  • ProMotion display with 120Hz refresh rate

  • Slower charging speeds (18W wired, no wireless)
  • No 5G connectivity

Display Comparison

While both tablets offer excellent displays, detailed specifications are missing for the MatePad Pro. However, given its positioning, we can assume a high-resolution LCD panel. The iPad Pro 11 (2020) features a Liquid Retina display with ProMotion technology, enabling adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. This results in smoother scrolling and more responsive gameplay. The A12Z Bionic’s image signal processor also benefits from this higher refresh rate for improved video playback. The iPad Pro’s superior display technology provides a noticeable advantage for visual tasks.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs for the MatePad Pro are unavailable. The iPad Pro 11 (2020) features a dual-camera system with a 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide lens. While not the primary focus of a tablet, the iPad Pro’s camera system benefits from Apple’s image processing pipeline, delivering consistently high-quality photos and videos. The lack of detailed information on the MatePad Pro’s camera makes a direct comparison difficult, but Apple’s established camera expertise gives it an edge.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Apple A12Z Bionic, built on a 7nm+ process, utilizes a custom CPU architecture (Vortex and Tempest cores) optimized for tablet workloads. This contrasts with the Kirin 990 5G, also 7nm+, but employing a more traditional ARM core configuration (Cortex-A76 and A55). Benchmarks consistently demonstrate the A12Z Bionic’s superior single-core and multi-core performance. The iPad Pro’s performance advantage translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding applications. The A12Z’s Neural Engine also provides a significant boost for machine learning tasks.

Battery Life

The Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 5G boasts impressive charging capabilities with 40W wired, 27W wireless, and 7.5W reverse wireless charging. The iPad Pro 11 (2020) supports 18W wired charging and lacks wireless charging. While the iPad Pro’s battery capacity is likely comparable, the MatePad Pro’s faster charging speeds offer a significant convenience factor. A full charge on the MatePad Pro will be substantially quicker, and the wireless charging option adds versatility.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 5G (2019) if you need 5G connectivity on the go and value fast charging speeds, particularly the convenience of 27W wireless charging. It’s a good option for users deeply embedded in the Huawei ecosystem. Buy the Apple iPad Pro 11 (2020) if you prioritize peak performance for demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, or gaming, and if you prefer the streamlined experience of iPadOS and access to Apple’s extensive app library.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 990 5G chipset in the MatePad Pro throttle under sustained load, like during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 990 5G is a capable chip, it is known to exhibit some throttling under prolonged heavy workloads due to thermal limitations. The A12Z Bionic in the iPad Pro 11 (2020) generally manages heat more effectively, maintaining higher sustained performance.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity on the Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 5G impact real-world battery life?
Activating 5G connectivity on the MatePad Pro will noticeably reduce battery life compared to using Wi-Fi. 5G requires more power to maintain a connection, especially in areas with weak signal strength. Users should consider this trade-off when deciding whether to utilize 5G.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the iPad Pro 11 (2020) a significant drawback?
For users who frequently utilize wireless charging, the absence of this feature on the iPad Pro 11 (2020) is a notable omission. The MatePad Pro 10.8 5G’s 27W wireless charging offers a convenient alternative to wired charging, especially for quick top-ups.