Huawei's tablet lineup offers compelling options for productivity and entertainment. The MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) boasts a larger, premium display and powerful internals, while the MatePad 11 (2021) provides a more compact and accessible experience. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you choose the right one.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) takes the crown for overall premium experience thanks to its superior display and faster charging. However, the MatePad 11 (2021) offers a more balanced package with a brighter screen and a more efficient chipset, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing portability and value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 | N/A |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79, 80, 84 SA/NSA | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 02 | 2021, June 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 25 | Available. Released 2021, July 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 286.5 x 184.7 x 6.7 mm (11.28 x 7.27 x 0.26 in) | 253.8 x 165.3 x 7.3 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 609 g (1.34 lb) | 485 g (1.07 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~276 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.6 inches, 460.3 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.95 inches, 347.7 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.13 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.54 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.05 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 9000E 5G (5 nm) - Wi-Fi modelKirin 9000 5G (5 nm) - 5G model | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP22 - Wi-Fi modelMali-G78 MP24 - 5G model | Adreno 650 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | HarmonyOS 2.0, upgradable to 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide)
TOF 3D | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | Tuned by Harman Kardon |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only | GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired
27W wireless
10W wireless reversed
5W reverse wired | 22.5W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 10,050 mAh | Li-Po 7250 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Gray, Green, Silver | Matte Gray |
| Models | WGR-W09, WGR-W19, WGR-AN19 | DBY-W09 |
| Price | About 800 EUR | About 400 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1200:1 |
| Loudspeaker |
-23.1 LUFS (Very good)
|
-21.1 LUFS (Excellent)
|
Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021)
- Larger, immersive display
- Powerful Kirin 9000E/9000 5G chipset
- Faster charging (40W wired)
- Premium build quality
- Reverse wireless charging
- Lower peak brightness compared to MatePad 11
- No 120Hz refresh rate
- Potentially higher price
Huawei MatePad 11 (2021)
- Brighter display (497 nits)
- 120Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals
- More efficient Snapdragon 865 chipset
- More compact and portable
- Generally more affordable
- Smaller display
- Slower charging (22.5W wired)
- Less premium build quality compared to Pro
Display Comparison
The MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) features a larger 12.6-inch display with a nominal infinite contrast ratio, promising deep blacks and vibrant colors. While the contrast ratio is difficult to quantify precisely, the sheer size is a major advantage. The MatePad 11 (2021) counters with a brighter 497 nits display compared to the Pro's 382 nits, and a respectable 1200:1 contrast ratio. The 11 also has a 120Hz refresh rate, which the Pro lacks, resulting in smoother scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is generally not a primary focus for tablets. Both devices feature decent rear cameras suitable for casual photography and video calls. The MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) likely has a slightly more versatile camera system due to its larger size allowing for more advanced hardware. However, the difference in image quality is unlikely to be significant for most users.
Performance
The MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) utilizes either the Kirin 9000E or Kirin 9000 5G chipset, both offering flagship-level performance. The MatePad 11 (2021) is powered by the Snapdragon 865, a still-powerful chipset. While the Kirin chips generally offer strong CPU performance, the Snapdragon 865 benefits from Qualcomm's optimized Adreno GPU, potentially providing a slight edge in graphics-intensive tasks. Both tablets handle everyday tasks and multitasking with ease.
Battery Life
The MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) has a larger battery capacity to compensate for its larger screen. It supports 40W wired charging and 27W wireless charging, offering faster charging speeds. The MatePad 11 (2021) has a smaller battery and supports 22.5W wired charging. Both offer reverse wireless charging, but at slower speeds.
Buying Guide
The Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) is ideal for users who prioritize a large, immersive display for media consumption, creative tasks, and multitasking. It's perfect for professionals and power users. The Huawei MatePad 11 (2021) is a great choice for students, casual users, and those seeking a more portable and affordable tablet for everyday tasks and entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which Huawei tablet is better for watching movies?
The Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) is better for watching movies due to its larger, more immersive display and potentially better contrast.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 865 in the MatePad 11 still a good processor?
Yes, the Snapdragon 865 is still a very capable processor and provides excellent performance for everyday tasks and most games.
