The first tablet on HarmonyOS 2.0, which Huawei has been developing and promoting recently, was the Huawei MatePad 11 along with the MatePad Pro. This fact alone is a good reason to get acquainted. But for a better understanding, I used the new product on a daily basis for more than two weeks and collected as much useful information as possible. It's time to share your impressions!
Telegram channel of the creator of Trashbox about technology
Telegram channel of the creator of Trashbox about technology
Specifications
- Screen: 10.95 inches, 120 Hz, IPS, 2560×1600, 275 PPI.
- Operating system: HarmonyOS 2.0.
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, 7 nm.
- CPU: Cortex-A77 (1 × 2.84 GHz + 3 × 2.42 GHz) + Cortex-A55 (4 × 1.8 GHz).
- GPU: Adreno 650.
- Memory: 6 GB + 64/128/256 GB, support for microSD cards up to 1 TB.
- Main camera: 13 MP (f/1.8, autofocus), LED flash.
- Front camera: 8 MP (f/2.0, fixed focus).
- Battery: 7250 mAh, non-removable, PD or QC fast charging, 22.5 W SuperCharge included.
- Dimensions: 253.8 × 165.3 × 7.25 mm.
- Weight: 485 grams.
- Slots: microSD memory card tray.
- Connectivity: dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 b/g/n/ac/ax), Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS (A-GPS), GLONASS, BeiDou, GALILEO, QZSS, USB OTG.
- Sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, light, Hall, digital compass, face recognition.
Appearance and ergonomics
Strict olive green and leather-like texture - the MatePad 11 looks more than up to date. The plastic on the back cover is slightly soft and does not slip in your hands at all - this is a huge plus for practicality. There is no place for metal in the case; the frame is made of semi-glossy plastic and painted in a slightly different shade of green. Is this saving? I don’t think so, it’s more like a race for minimum weight - as a result, a large tablet weighs 485 grams.
The only thing that confuses us in appearance is the protruding camera, which interferes with the use of the tablet lying on the table. The solution is ugly and unjustified, since a simple single 13 megapixel module with a flash is installed here.
The company took care of accessories. I received a Smart Magnetic Keyboard, which doubles as a protective folder for the back cover and display. The keyboard connects via Bluetooth and does not require charging as it is powered wirelessly. Input is possible only when the tablet is fixed on the stand - this eliminates false presses when the keyboard is folded down.
The island keys are widely spaced and have a long travel with excellent feedback. Caps Lock has a sticky indicator, but no backlight. There are no and cannot be any complaints about the layout - only 64 keys with a full letter block without combinations. The absence of a touchpad does not bother you; it is much more convenient to interact with the system using touch input. If necessary, you can connect a regular mouse to the MatePad 11 via Bluetooth or USB.
A pre-sale sample without Cyrillic engraving is being tested
Service functions, such as volume or sound adjustment, are performed by a combination of numbers and Fn. Despite the presence of both Shift and Ctrl, changing the layout is performed using a combination of Ctrl and spacebar. Many other familiar shortcuts work: well-known hotkeys for interacting with text, Alt + Tab for switching between running applications, Win + D for minimizing all windows, Win + E for launching a file manager, and so on. By Win, I mean the button with the application menu icon between Fn and Alt.
The stand has two fixed tilt angles in a very small range. It is very convenient to work with the keyboard at the table, since due to its small thickness, palm rests are not needed, and the rubberized base of the cover does not slide on the table. The secure fit allows you to place the tablet on your knees, but in this case there is nowhere to put your wrists.
The keyboard cannot be detached, so the cover cannot serve as a stand for watching movies. To use the tablet as a multimedia combine, you will have to get a book case or a third-party stand. At the same time, other manufacturers have learned to make do with one accessory.
Display with stylus and sound
Despite the number “11” in the name, the screen diagonal is slightly smaller and equal to 10.95 inches. We are talking about an IPS matrix with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a resolution of 2560x1600, giving a density of 275 PPI. The 16:10 aspect ratio is equally convenient for surfing the web and reading - an A4 sheet fits on the screen without scaling. After AMOLED, it is unusual to observe a grayish glow of black. The maximum measured brightness is 415 cd/m², and the minimum is 1 cd/m². This is an excellent range by IPS standards. Otherwise, the screen pleases with rich colors and excellent visibility in any conditions. An unusual feature is the LED indicator next to the front camera, which responds to notifications and the charging process.
The secret is in tempered glass with a high-quality anti-reflective filter installed without an air gap. There is an oleophobic coating and it helps your finger slide, but the layer is not very thick - it’s not easy to wipe off stains. Thin frames do not affect usability - false touches along the edge of the screen are filtered out by algorithms.
With scaling, dark mode, blue reduction, black and white mode, automatic color temperature adjustment and display profiles, the MatePad 11 has a variety of display options.
Users who draw and take graphic notes will find the M-Pencil 2 stylus useful. This is an advanced “stick” with interchangeable tips, recognition of 4096 degrees of pressure and a touch button at the grip level. Out of the box, the Nebo for Huawei note maker and the MyScript Calculator are preinstalled. To create a quick note, simply touch the disabled display with the stylus.
The stylus has a semicircular molding with which it clings to one of the long sides. The magnets are strong enough to keep the M-Pencil 2 from falling off in your bag or backpack.
Connecting via Bluetooth, the invitation to pair appears instantly after magnetizing the M-Pencil.
The pen is recharged wirelessly from an inductive coil. The built-in battery lasts for 10 hours of continuous drawing, that is, you don’t have to think about the lack of charge.
The audio system deserves special attention: four speakers sound incredibly powerful, and it's not just about the volume reserve. In terms of assertiveness and depth, they can compete with a small speaker, and in terms of volume they are far ahead. In everyday mode, when watching videos, the comfortable volume does not exceed a third. At maximum, the sound remains clear and becomes even more intelligible.
What about YouTube and Google apps?
These applications are also available. But they are launched through Quick App - a center with applications that do not require installation.
However, there are still differences from YouTube applications, since the interface looks like you are watching videos in a mobile browser.
There was a strange glitch on my device where when I pressed the spacebar in Google Docs, the word would repeat itself. As a result, the set looked like this: “The stylus has 4096 clicks”:
I hope the problem will be resolved before the device goes on sale.
Software
Before us is one of the first devices on the new HarmonyOS 2.0 operating system, developed by Huawei. Users of Android devices with EMUI and MagicUI will recognize the long-familiar shell with the corresponding functionality from the first seconds. The tablet is generously pre-installed with third-party applications, and a couple dozen more are provided as shortcuts for self-downloading. All of them are deleted without a trace using standard methods, the only sad thing is the need to spend time on this.
You won't have to get used to the new system: all applications are collected on the main screen, toolbars and notifications are pulled out from the top, there is support for standard Android widgets. Huawei also brought gestures from smartphones, a convenient panel with applications, unusual large folders and the ability to stretch some icons to cards. All elements look proportionate, and the smoothness will be the envy of flagships.
Instead of Google services, HarmonyOS 2.0 uses its own HMS alternative. At its head is the constantly updated AppGallery store. Compatibility with Android applications installed as APK files is also a help. The exception will be some programs that depend on the services of the search giant, but these are in the minority. Although in this case there are ways to solve the problem, a prime example is modified YouTube.
There is no separate mode that simulates adult operating systems. The system allows you to open many applications in windows by clicking the corresponding icon in the menu of recently opened programs. Up to two windows open on top and do not freeze the current process; the size can be changed on the fly. The system is perfectly adapted to a large screen.
Not without the branded Huawei Share feature. In addition to transferring files, it allows you to display your smartphone screen on a tablet and fully interact with the system via touch input. The feature is available on Huawei and HONOR smartphones. The connection label is hidden in the Shift button on the keyboard; there is no NFC in the tablet itself.
The similarities to Android don't stop at the looks and user experience. The structure of the file system, many components and the ability to debug via ADB allow us to draw an unambiguous conclusion: HarmonyOS 2.0 is not a new development, but a peculiar mixture of Android with Huawei’s developments. An open question is whether the company will distance HarmonyOS from Android in future versions, and how this will affect the user experience. Today, you definitely shouldn’t be afraid of HarmonyOS 2.0 - we’re looking at the familiar Android 10 with an upgraded EMUI shell and without Google services.
MatePad Pro 12.6
Without the leather back, the tablet doesn't look so interesting:
However, from the front, due to the narrower frames than the younger model, the screen is impressive:
It's immediately clear that this is a device for consuming content.
The flagship tablet has a 12.6-inch OLED display. It has a high contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1, as well as a DCI-P3 color gamut. In addition, the display has a color rendering ΔE<0.56. The screen occupies 90%. The resolution is exactly the same - 2560 × 1600 pixels.
Instead of Qualcomm, there is its own 5-nanometer Kirin 9000E system-on-chip. Here are its performance in the throttling test, where Huawei’s development performed well:
The battery here is larger: the nominal capacity is 10,050 mAh. The kit includes a 40 W power supply. But that's not all: there is wireless charging! Its maximum power is 27 W for receiving energy and 10 W for releasing it. A very unexpected solution for a tablet.
Iron
The hardware platform chosen was Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, the flagship of previous years. And this is for the better, since the chip still has an impressive performance reserve. The secret is in the current layout: one of the four cores of the Cortex-A77 performance cluster operates at an increased frequency, and four more Cortex-A55 cores are responsible for the savings. The same goes for the Adreno 650 graphics core. The picture is completed by 6 GB of RAM and a fast 256 GB drive. True, the amount of internal memory can vary from 64 GB - be careful when purchasing.
There was no decrease in performance under load - the tablet adequately withstands an hour-long stress test. During this time, the back cover in the camera area became a little warm. In everyday life, it is completely impossible to achieve heating even in hot weather of more than 30 degrees Celsius.
Facial recognition based on a single front camera is responsible for secure authorization. Modern algorithms work instantly, as soon as you are in the field of view of the lens. In difficult conditions, the face is illuminated by the screen, so recognition works even in complete darkness. However, you still want to see a full-fledged fingerprint scanner in the tablet, which the MatePad 11 lacks.
There is only one connector on the case - USB-C with support for external USB devices and the ability to output image and sound. An adapter for a standard audio jack is included in the kit.
So why tablets on Harmony OS?
Actually, for the same thing as any other tablet. Unless you can not install the “Calculator” and charge any other device that supports Qi.
I didn’t notice any restrictions in using tablets: missing applications can be easily installed from other application stores, and Quick App runs applications that can also be opened in the browser perfectly.
Illustration: Svetlana Chuvileva / Wylsacom Media
I confess: I cannot answer the question posed in the title. But not because I don’t understand these tablets, but because everyone uses devices differently.
Review after two weeks of use
Despite numerous sanctions against itself, Huawei continues to develop electronics, including tablets. Our two-week experience with the MatePad 11 left a pleasant impression; it is a high-quality device for every day without noticeable compromises. I especially liked the practical, non-staining case, the top-end chip from Qualcomm and the pleasant software.
Indeed, the similarity between HarmonyOS 2.0 and Android will please ordinary users: the new system has the same functionality and is compatible with familiar applications. I especially liked the adaptability to a large screen: the proportionally large interface and running applications in windows are very important details. At the same time, tech geeks will be upset; there is nothing radically new here yet - stay tuned for new versions.
Pros:
- practical case with leather-like texture;
- screen with an increased refresh rate of up to 120 Hz;
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 and 6 GB of RAM;
- new operating system HarmonyOS 2.0 with a familiar user experience;
- good stylus with a convenient place on the body;
- the sound of four speakers is comparable to a small speaker;
- no performance degradation under load;
- Compatible with Power Delivery and Qualcomm Quick Charge.
Minuses:
- no fingerprint scanner, only face recognition.
May not like:
- absence of metal in the structure;
- two fixed tilt angles for the external keyboard.
What applications should I install?
Tablets running Harmony OS run both applications written specifically for this system and Android applications with the apk extension. Huawei App Gallery searches for the application you need using its own database, as well as databases of third-party stores like APKPure, APKCenter and APKMonk.
Can't connect your tablet to your laptop? There are several good applications for drawing. For example, Sketchbook and Zen Brush:
To work with documents, you can install the MyOffice Documents application or even the Microsoft Office package. And both tablets have a calculator.
The main problem I found was the lack of applications for musicians, architects and programmers.
