The Android tablet market is heating up, with both vivo and Huawei offering compelling options. The vivo Pad Air, leveraging the proven Qualcomm Snapdragon 870, faces off against the newer Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025). This comparison dissects their core strengths, focusing on performance, charging, and overall value to help you determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and established reliability, the vivo Pad Air emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 870 chipset provides a demonstrable edge in demanding tasks, while the 44W charging offers a slight convenience advantage. However, the MatePad 11.5 S may appeal to those deeply embedded in the Huawei ecosystem.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 4G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 25 | 2025, August 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August 25 | Available. Released 2025, August 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 259.7 x 176 x 6.7 mm (10.22 x 6.93 x 0.26 in) | 261 x 177.3 x 6.1 mm (10.28 x 6.98 x 0.24 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 530 g (1.17 lb) | 515 g (1.14 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1840 x 2800 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~291 ppi density) | 1840 x 2800 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~291 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.5 inches, 391.6 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.5 inches, 391.6 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, 500 nits | TFT LCD, 144Hz, HDR Vivid |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | - |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | - |
| OS | Android 13, OriginOS 3 | Harmony OS 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, magnetic accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only) | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only), gyro |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, PD
5W reverse wired | 40W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | 8500 mAh | 8800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Silver, Rose Gold | Gray, Silver, Mint, Purple |
| Models | - | SLG-W50, SLG-W10 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 250 EUR |
vivo Pad Air
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 870
- Faster 44W charging
- Proven chipset architecture and driver support
- Lack of detailed display specifications
- No information on camera capabilities
Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025)
- Potential for seamless Huawei ecosystem integration
- Competitive price point (likely)
- 5W reverse wired charging
- Less powerful processor compared to Snapdragon 870
- Slower 40W charging
- Limited performance details available
Display Comparison
Both tablets lack detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given the market positioning, we can infer the MatePad 11.5 S likely utilizes an IPS LCD panel, while the vivo Pad Air may also employ IPS LCD. Without knowing resolution, refresh rate, or peak brightness, a direct comparison is difficult. The absence of LTPO technology suggests neither tablet will offer adaptive refresh rates for power saving. Bezels will likely be similar, targeting a modern but not ultra-premium aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is positioned as a photography powerhouse, and the provided data offers no camera details beyond the CPU. We can assume both tablets feature basic rear and front-facing cameras suitable for video conferencing and casual snapshots. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing information, a meaningful comparison is impossible. The inclusion of a dedicated Night Mode or HDR capabilities is uncertain.
Performance
The vivo Pad Air’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G chipset is the clear performance leader. Built on a 7nm process, the octa-core CPU (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585, 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) delivers robust performance across the board. While the Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025) features an octa-core CPU, the lack of specific details prevents a precise comparison. The Snapdragon 870’s Adreno 660 GPU provides a significant advantage in graphics-intensive tasks like gaming and video editing. The vivo Pad Air’s established architecture and driver support translate to a more predictable and optimized experience.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer 5W reverse wired charging, a useful feature for topping up accessories. The vivo Pad Air’s 44W wired charging provides a slight edge over the Huawei MatePad 11.5 S’s 40W charging. While the difference isn’t massive, it translates to faster 0-100% charging times. Battery capacity is not specified for either device, making it difficult to assess real-world endurance. However, the Snapdragon 870’s 7nm process contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting a smaller battery capacity in the vivo Pad Air.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Pad Air if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding applications, multitasking, and light gaming without compromise. It’s ideal for students, creative professionals, and anyone who values a responsive and powerful experience. Buy the Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025) if you prioritize seamless integration with other Huawei devices, and are less concerned with achieving the absolute highest performance benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 870 in the vivo Pad Air handle demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 870 is well-equipped to handle Genshin Impact and other graphically intensive games at medium to high settings. While it won't match the performance of flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen series chips, it provides a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ Does the Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025) support Huawei's M-Pencil or similar stylus?
While not explicitly stated, it's highly probable that the MatePad 11.5 S (2025) supports a Huawei M-Pencil or a compatible stylus, given Huawei's history with stylus support on their tablets. However, the stylus may be sold separately.
❓ What type of storage does the vivo Pad Air use – UFS 3.1 or slower?
Given the Snapdragon 870's capabilities, it's highly likely the vivo Pad Air utilizes UFS 3.1 storage for fast app loading and file transfer speeds. This contributes to the overall responsiveness of the tablet.
