Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE: The Ultimate Tablet Battle
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE offers a brighter display, a more versatile software experience, and generally better value. While the MatePad Pro boasts a powerful Kirin chipset, Huawei's ecosystem limitations and software challenges hold it back. The Tab S7 FE is the more practical choice for most users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79, 80, 84 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 02 | 2021, May 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 25 | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 286.5 x 184.7 x 6.7 mm (11.28 x 7.27 x 0.26 in) | 284.8 x 185 x 6.3 mm (11.21 x 7.28 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 609 g (1.34 lb) | 608 g (1.34 lb) |
| - | Stylus support | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.6 inches, 460.3 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | TFT LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.13 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.54 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.05 GHz Cortex-A55) | 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 | Kirin 9000E 5G (5 nm) - Wi-Fi modelKirin 9000 5G (5 nm) - 5G model | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) - 5G modelQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) - Wi-Fi model |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP22 - Wi-Fi modelMali-G78 MP24 - 5G model | Adreno 619 - 5G modelAdreno 642L - Wi-Fi model |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| 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 4GB RAM, 128GB 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 | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP |
| 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 |
| - | Tuned by AKG | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE (Wi-Fi), 5.2, A2DP, LE (5G) |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector |
| 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 (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (5G) |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass, gyro (5G model only) |
| - | Samsung DeX | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 40W wired 27W wireless 10W wireless reversed 5W reverse wired | 45W wired, 100% in 190 min |
| Type | Li-Po 10,050 mAh | Li-Po 10090 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Matte Gray, Green, Silver | Mystic Black, Mystic Silver, Mystic Green, Mystic Pink |
| Models | WGR-W09, WGR-W19, WGR-AN19 | SM-T730, SM-T733, SM-T736B, SM-T735 |
| Price | About 800 EUR | About 650 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.15 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: 1886:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -23.1 LUFS (Very good) | -27.2 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 292530 (v8), 355430 (v9) GeekBench: 1904 (v5.1) GFXBench: 9.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021)
- Powerful Kirin 9000 chipset
- Premium design and build quality
- Excellent audio quality
- Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) limitations
- Lower brightness display
- Slower charging
- Potential software update concerns
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
- Brighter display
- Samsung's One UI software experience
- Faster charging
- Better value for money
- Wider software compatibility
- Less powerful chipset than the Kirin 9000 (Wi-Fi model)
- Design is less premium than the MatePad Pro
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE takes the display crown with a measured 522 nits of brightness compared to the MatePad Pro's 382 nits. While both offer excellent contrast (Huawei's 'infinite' is nominal), the S7 FE's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors. Both feature vibrant colors and sharp resolution, but Samsung's edge is noticeable.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is decent on both, but neither excels. The Tab S7 FE likely has a slight edge in overall image quality due to Samsung's image processing. Both are adequate for video calls and casual snapshots, but not replacements for dedicated cameras.
Performance
The MatePad Pro 12.6 (with the Kirin 9000) generally holds a performance advantage in raw processing power, especially in the Wi-Fi model. However, the Snapdragon 778G in the S7 FE's Wi-Fi model is no slouch and offers smooth multitasking and gaming. The 5G model of the S7 FE with the Snapdragon 750G is slightly less powerful. Software optimization plays a crucial role, and Samsung's One UI is generally more polished.
Battery Life
The Tab S7 FE's 45W charging is faster than the MatePad Pro's 40W wired charging. Battery life is comparable, with both devices offering all-day usage under moderate conditions. The S7 FE's larger battery capacity (10,080 mAh vs MatePad Pro's 10,100 mAh) gives it a slight edge in longevity.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021)? Users deeply invested in the Huawei ecosystem, prioritizing raw processing power and a premium design. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE? Those seeking a well-rounded tablet experience with a vibrant display, reliable performance, and broader software compatibility.