The Android tablet market is heating up, with compelling options like the Lenovo Pad Pro and the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021). While both aim to deliver a premium tablet experience, they take different approaches. The Lenovo Pad Pro focuses on delivering flagship-level performance with the Snapdragon 870 at a competitive price, while the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) emphasizes fast charging and a refined user experience, powered by the Kirin 9000E.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and value, the Lenovo Pad Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 870 5G chipset provides excellent responsiveness for demanding tasks, and its price point is more accessible. However, the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) excels in charging speed and offers a potentially smoother software experience for those within the Huawei ecosystem.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 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 | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 24 | 2021, June 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 31 | Available. Released 2021, June 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 264.3 x 171.4 x 5.8 mm (10.41 x 6.75 x 0.23 in) | 286.5 x 184.7 x 6.7 mm (11.28 x 7.27 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 485 g (1.07 lb) | 609 g (1.34 lb) |
| | Stylus support | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~263 ppi density) | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.5 inches, 383.5 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.6 inches, 460.3 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 90Hz, 420 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) | OLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x3.13 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.54 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.05 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Kirin 9000E 5G (5 nm) - Wi-Fi modelKirin 9000 5G (5 nm) - 5G model |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G78 MP22 - Wi-Fi modelMali-G78 MP24 - 5G model |
| OS | Android 11, ZUI 12.5 | HarmonyOS 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | Nano Memory (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
5 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide)
TOF 3D |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP
8 MP, IR TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) | 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 (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) |
| | Tuned by JBL | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, magnetic connector | 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 | Infrared Face ID, fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, QC3 | 40W wired
27W wireless
10W wireless reversed
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 8600 mAh | Li-Po 10,050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver | Matte Gray, Green, Silver |
| Models | ZA910001CN, TB-J716F | WGR-W09, WGR-W19, WGR-AN19 |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 800 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-23.1 LUFS (Very good)
|
Lenovo Pad Pro
- Strong performance with Snapdragon 870 5G
- Competitive price point
- 5G connectivity
- Charging speed is slower than Huawei
- Display brightness data unavailable
Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021)
- Extremely fast 40W wired and 27W wireless charging
- Larger 12.6-inch display with high brightness
- Reverse wireless and wired charging
- Kirin 9000E performance trails Snapdragon 870 in sustained loads
- Potentially limited app availability due to Huawei’s ecosystem
Display Comparison
The Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) boasts a measured peak brightness of 382 nits, providing a visibly brighter image than the Lenovo Pad Pro (brightness data unavailable, but likely lower). While the Lenovo Pad Pro’s panel specifications are not provided, the Huawei’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a high-quality IPS or OLED panel. The larger 12.6-inch screen of the Huawei also offers a more immersive viewing experience. The absence of refresh rate data for the Lenovo Pad Pro means we cannot compare smoothness, but the Huawei’s larger size and brightness give it an edge for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is not a primary focus for tablets, and detailed camera specs are limited for both devices. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison. However, the focus should be on video conferencing capabilities rather than photography. Both tablets likely offer adequate cameras for this purpose, but the absence of detailed specs prevents a meaningful analysis.
Performance
The core of the performance difference lies in the chipsets. The Lenovo Pad Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is a proven performer, utilizing a tri-cluster architecture with a prime Kryo 585 core clocked at 3.2 GHz. This contrasts with the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021)’s Kirin 9000E 5G (5nm). While the Kirin 9000E’s 5nm process *should* offer better power efficiency, the Snapdragon 870’s architecture and Adreno 660 GPU are generally considered to deliver superior sustained performance in gaming and graphically intensive applications. The Snapdragon 870’s 5G modem also provides connectivity advantages. The Kirin 9000’s Cortex-A77 cores, while fast, are architecturally older than the Kryo 585 cores.
Battery Life
The Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) significantly outpaces the Lenovo Pad Pro in charging capabilities. With 40W wired charging, 27W wireless charging, and even 5W reverse wired charging, it offers unparalleled flexibility. The Lenovo Pad Pro is limited to 20W wired charging with QC3 support. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Huawei’s faster charging mitigates concerns about battery life, allowing for quicker top-ups. The 10W reverse wireless charging is also a unique feature for the Huawei, enabling it to charge other devices wirelessly.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Pad Pro if you need a powerful tablet for gaming, multitasking, and content creation without breaking the bank. Its Snapdragon 870 offers a significant performance boost for the price. Buy the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) if you prioritize incredibly fast charging – both wired and wireless – and are already invested in the Huawei ecosystem, benefiting from seamless integration and features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 9000E chip in the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) experience thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 9000E’s 5nm process is efficient, the Snapdragon 870 in the Lenovo Pad Pro generally exhibits better sustained performance due to its architecture and cooling capabilities. The Kirin 9000E may experience some throttling during prolonged, demanding gaming, potentially leading to frame rate drops. However, for casual gaming and everyday tasks, it remains a capable performer.
❓ How does the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) affect app availability and usability?
The Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) does not come with Google Mobile Services (GMS). Instead, it utilizes Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and the AppGallery. While many popular apps are available through HMS and workarounds exist for others, some Google-dependent apps may not function natively. This can impact usability for users heavily reliant on the Google ecosystem.
❓ Is the 20W charging on the Lenovo Pad Pro sufficient for typical daily use, or will I notice a significant difference compared to the Huawei's 40W charging?
20W charging on the Lenovo Pad Pro is adequate for overnight charging and topping up throughout the day. However, you will definitely notice a significant difference compared to the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021)'s 40W charging. The Huawei can replenish its battery much faster, making it ideal for users who need quick power boosts.
