Huawei's tablet lineup offers compelling options for productivity and entertainment. The MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) brought premium features, while the MatePad 11 (2023) aimed for a more balanced experience. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which tablet comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The MatePad 11 (2023) generally offers a better balance of performance and value thanks to the Snapdragon 870. While the Pro 12.6 boasts a larger, brighter display and faster charging, the 11's efficiency and modern chipset give it a slight edge for most users.
| 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 | 2023, March 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 25 | Available. Released 2023, March 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 286.5 x 184.7 x 6.7 mm (11.28 x 7.27 x 0.26 in) | 253.7 x 165.3 x 7.2 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 609 g (1.34 lb) | 480 g (1.06 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~275 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.6 inches, 460.3 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 348.3 cm2 (~83.1% 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 (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)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-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP22 - Wi-Fi modelMali-G78 MP24 - 5G model | Adreno 650 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | HarmonyOS 3.1 |
| 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 | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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 | No |
| 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 |
| 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 | Black, Blue, White, Purple |
| Models | WGR-W09, WGR-W19, WGR-AN19 | DBR-W10 |
| Price | About 800 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-23.1 LUFS (Very good)
| - |
Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021)
- Larger, brighter OLED display
- Faster wired charging (40W)
- Premium build quality
- Excellent for media consumption
- Older chipset (Kirin 9000E/9000)
- Slower charging compared to some competitors
- Higher price
Huawei MatePad 11 (2023)
- Powerful Snapdragon 870/865 chipset
- More efficient performance
- More modern design
- Generally better value
- Smaller display (11-inch)
- Slower wired charging (22.5W)
- LCD display (not OLED)
Display Comparison
The MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) features a larger 12.6-inch OLED display with a higher resolution and a measured peak brightness of 382 nits, offering a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. The MatePad 11 (2023) has an 11-inch LCD display, which is still excellent, but doesn't quite match the Pro's brightness and contrast. The Pro's 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deep blacks.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is generally not a primary focus for tablets. Both devices feature decent rear cameras suitable for casual photography. The MatePad 11 (2023) likely has a slight edge in image processing due to newer software and the Snapdragon's ISP. Front-facing cameras are comparable for video calls.
Performance
The MatePad 11 (2023) holds a performance advantage with its Snapdragon 870 or 865 5G chipset. These chipsets are significantly more efficient and offer better sustained performance than the Kirin 9000E/9000 in the Pro 12.6, especially for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The Kirin chips are still capable, but the Snapdragon offers a smoother experience.
Battery Life
The MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) has a larger battery capacity to support its larger display. However, the MatePad 11 (2023)'s more efficient Snapdragon chipset allows it to achieve comparable or even better battery life in real-world usage. The Pro 12.6's 40W wired charging is a significant advantage over the 11's 22.5W.
Buying Guide
The Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) is ideal for users prioritizing a large, immersive display for media consumption and creative tasks, and those who value faster charging. The Huawei MatePad 11 (2023) is a great choice for those seeking a powerful, portable tablet for everyday use, productivity, and gaming, at a more accessible price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the MatePad 11 (2023) support Huawei's M-Pencil?
Yes, the MatePad 11 (2023) supports the Huawei M-Pencil, offering a great experience for note-taking and drawing. It also supports the magnetic keyboard.
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The MatePad 11 (2023) is generally better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon chipset, which provides smoother performance and better sustained frame rates.
