HUAWEI MatePad 12 X PaperMatte Edition hands-on: One not to be overlooked
It’s safe to say that when it comes to tablets, not many of you would consider anything outside of iPads and Galaxy Tabs. We don’t blame you – those aren’t bad choices. However, in your midst of browsing you would have surely come across a few from the HUAWEI line that piqued your interest.
It certainly has for me, and I’ve always wondered how the MatePads would fare if they ever landed on my desk. It’s been a long time coming, but I finally got my hands on a HUAWEI tablet – specifically, the HUAWEI MatePad 12 X PaperMatte Edition.
What’s in the box?
You’ll be glad to know that there’s plenty that comes in the box. You’ll get HUAWEI’s SuperCharge adapter and USB-C cable to support the tablet’s 66W wired charging, along with a microfiber polishing cloth. The better news though is the detachable magnetic keyboard and HUAWEI M-Pencil 3 that comes bundled with the tablet.
The magnetic keyboard, for me at least, hits all the right spots. It’s compact enough for my palms to hover over and hit all the keys without needing to move so much as a centimetre. Typing is relatively quiet, which makes them great for offices or quiet cafes. The only thing I wish it had were backlights to make working easier in low-light spaces; but given the impeccably slim form factor, it’s a good compromise.
The M-Pencil 3 works well too. To be upfront though, I’m not so much an artsy person myself, so do take this with a pinch of salt if you’re going to utilize the MatePad primarily for visual design. Nevertheless, based on my experience scribbling about on the Notes app and messing around with GoPaint, the stylus proved to be responsive with hardly any latency.
Pearlescent finish, matte displays – what’s not to like?
Finishing – on both the front and rear – remains one of the strongest talking points of the tablet. You can probably already guess through the model name that the matted display is central to the concept. But let’s not neglect the lovely pearlescent sheen on the rear panel that’s both stylish and hardy. I do wish we had more colourways to choose from; this material in a black or dark grey hue would do it for me, but that’s just personal preference. The Greenery and White options still look great either way.
Form factor-wise, the tablet itself cuts an impressive 5.9mm slimness with a total weight of just 555g. Of course, this is without the keyboard, which will add on more heft when attached.
Onto the star of the show – the matte display. Well, not just any ol’ matte, it’s PaperMatte. HUAWEI has made an effort to refine the display so that it provides a ‘paper-like’ experience. To reiterate once more, I’m not an artist, so I can’t vouch too much on what it adds to the drawing and doodling experience.
However, I can say that the matte display here is gorgeous to use and beats glossy displays by a country mile. Both the M-Pencil and finger glides effortlessly across the screen, with the silky experience helped further by the adaptive 3Hz-144Hz refresh rate. Not to mention, reflections are kept to an absolute minimum, relieving you from the annoyance of any hard glare.
I initially thought that the absence of an OLED panel would be a bummer, but the LCD display still turned out to be *chef’s kiss* with its vibrant colours.
HarmonyOS proves its value
I can harp all I want about the build and display, but ultimately, the user experience is where a tablet needs to ace. To remind you, this is the first time I’ve had the chance to review a HUAWEI tablet, and I must say, I was impressed by quite a few features.
HarmonyOS, in general, looks and feels great. Anyone who has ever used a smartphone would find it easy to navigate thanks to the user-friendly UI, and even the app animations are seamless and snappy.
The one-touch split screen feature is something I see being utilized on a day-to-day basis. One such way being for research, with the web browser on one half and the Notes or WPS Office app on the other. On the topic of WPS Office, HUAWEI has been noticeably pushing the productivity app over its recent keynotes as an alternative to Microsoft Office.
Quite honestly, you’ll be hard-pressed to tell WPS Office apart from Microsoft Word or Google Docs. They look very much the same in terms of layout and function, so it’s a pretty seamless switch from one to the other.
NearLink
I feel the need to give props to NearLink simply because it made putting together the tablet ecosystem a breeze. NearLink, if you didn’t know, is a short-range wireless technology standard integrated into HUAWEI devices. It’s like Bluetooth, but with fewer steps. It allows for quick and easy pairing with compatible peripherals, which, in this case, connect the MatePad 12 X to the detachable keyboard and M-Pencil 3.
It detected the M-Pencil 3 and detachable keyboard within a second after they snapped on, with me only needing to press ‘OK’ once to confirm the connection. The reason I’m highlighting this is because I know of less savvy folks who have a hard time navigating Bluetooth connection. Something as straightforward as NearLink is enough to swing my decision if I were to purchase this tablet for the less tech-inclined, say, my parents.
GoPaint
The best compliment I can give GoPaint is that it makes me want to, well, go and paint. This, coming from a non-artsy person who struggles to even draw a stickman.
The combination of the MatePad 12 X’s PaperMatte display, the responsiveness of the pen, and the approachability of the GoPaint app makes me wish I had the artistic prowess to maximize what it has to offer.
Still, I couldn’t help myself and messed around with it anyway. I particularly enjoyed the Batik brushes and effects available, and I reckon you will too if you’re an artist looking to expand your artwork portfolio.
The verdict
Based on my brief time with it, HUAWEI’s MatePad 12 X PaperMatte Edition has given me a good impression overall. I’m inclined to say that if the rest of the MatePad series performs just as well, then they should be on your shortlist if you’re looking for tablets.
What absolutely sold me, though, is that it comes bundled with the Smart Magnetic Keyboard and M-Pencil 3rd Gen, all with no additional charge. It’s a comprehensive set that gives you an almost PC-like experience, all at a price of RM2,999.
If you are willing to take the leap, the HUAWEI MatePad 12 X PaperMatte Edition is now available for purchase on HUAWEI’s official website.
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