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The Huawei MatePad 12 X aims to blend tablet portability with some laptop-like functionality, boasting a large display and optional stylus support. However, dose this tablet deliver a truly premium experience? Our comprehensive review dives into the MatePad 12 X’s performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and overall value, revealing both its strengths and weaknesses in a competitive tablet market.Read on to discover if the MatePad 12 X is the right choice for your mobile productivity and entertainment needs.
Huawei is aiming for the mid-range tablet market with the MatePad 12 X, priced at $649.99. The device focuses on delivering a solid experience through its display, performance, and overall usability – features consumers expect at this price point. But does Huawei’s offering stand out in a competitive field?
| Model | Huawei MatePad 12 X |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 270 cm x 183 mm |
| Screen Size | 12 inches |
| Resolution | 2800 x 1840 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 280 ppi |
| Screen Technology | LCD |
| Processor Model | Kirin T90A |
| RAM | 8, 12 GB |
| Internal Storage | 256 GB |
| Rear Camera | 13, 8 MP |
| Front Camera | 8 MP |
| Video Recording | 4K@30 IPS |
| Wifi | Wi-Fi 5 (ac) |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
| NFC | Yes |
| Waterproof | No |
| Weight | 555 grams |
| Colors | White, Green |
| Product Sheet |
Distinctive Design and Comfortable Handling
Table of Contents
The Huawei MatePad 12 X differentiates itself with a design that moves away from typical tablet aesthetics. The camera module features a unique layout, with the primary sensor prominently highlighted alongside a flash. The rear panel is otherwise clean, featuring a centrally positioned Huawei logo in landscape orientation, and connection pins for an optional keyboard accessory. Gently rounded edges contribute to a comfortable grip.
The rounded edges extend to the sides, creating a cohesive visual and tactile experience. The tablet incorporates six speakers, delivering clear and enjoyable audio. A contrasting red accent adds a touch of style to the power and volume buttons.
The display features uniform bezels on all four sides, providing a balanced look and preventing accidental touches. This design consideration ensures easy access to the entire screen surface, a crucial element for larger tablets.
Keyboard Experience
Huawei has consistently delivered high-quality accessories, and the keyboard for the MatePad 12 X is no exception. The white finish (in the provided version) and QWERTY layout are complemented by a soft-touch texture on both the exterior and keycaps. While the keys themselves are standard plastic, they provide a satisfying typing experience. This keyboard is among the best I’ve tested for tablets.
Stylus Support
The Huawei MatePad 12 X introduces the Huawei M Pencil Pro, enhancing drawing capabilities. A key feature is the quick access palette activated by a simple touch on the stylus’s tactile zone. While a physical button might offer more convenient operation, the 16,384 pressure sensitivity levels deliver noticeable precision in drawing and writing.
Impressive Specs on Paper, Color Accuracy Concerns
The Huawei MatePad 12 X boasts a 12-inch display with a resolution of 2800 x 1840 pixels and a refresh rate of up to 144Hz. Huawei also cites a peak brightness of 1000 nits on its LCD panel. While these specifications are promising, real-world performance reveals some color accuracy issues.
The screen is initially pleasing thanks to its high brightness, particularly in sunlight. Tests show a peak brightness of 1018 nits, providing comfortable viewing in various conditions. However, this is offset by color inaccuracies. In SDR mode, the vibrant color profile exhibits a DeltaE of 5.6, exceeding the target maximum of 3. The color curve suggests Huawei has a good grasp of raw colors, but struggles with skin tones and white shades.
Performance worsens in HDR mode, reaching 7.94 on the same profile. This translates to visible discrepancies between intended and displayed colors. The contrast ratio is relatively low at 1195:1, falling short of OLED displays and other LCD panels. Huawei doesn’t fully compensate for the color issues with its temperature settings, but delivers good coverage of color spaces.
The color temperature is 7483 K, exceeding the ideal 6500 K. However, Huawei compensates with good coverage of color gamuts: 140% for BT.709, 94% for DCI-P3, and 64% for BT.2020.
Software Limitations Without Google Services
Huawei’s ongoing restrictions from US companies prevent its products from using native Android and Google Mobile Services. This impacts the user experience for many, although Huawei offers alternative software solutions. Essential apps are replaced with Huawei equivalents, but access to the Play Store and YouTube requires workarounds.
Users may need time to adjust, depending on their reliance on Google services and tech familiarity. While it represents a loss of options, the tablet can be effective for basic student or professional tasks. Consider your specific needs to determine if these limitations will be a significant issue.
Performance Doesn’t Match the Price Point
Due to the ongoing restrictions, Huawei utilizes its own Kirin T90A processor. The performance is adequate, but doesn’t quite align with the tablet’s price. The following charts compare the MatePad 12 X to several less expensive tablets (with a note that the gaming tablet’s results should be viewed with nuance).
For the price, the raw performance is underwhelming, although this won’t be noticeable during everyday use. However, prolonged sessions, particularly gaming, reveal limitations and a rapid performance decline. During a one-hour stress test, the tablet frequently operated at 80% of its maximum capacity.
Limited Camera Capabilities
Huawei continues to struggle with its camera performance. The MatePad 12 X features a single camera sensor. While specifications suggest an additional ultra-wide lens, it appears to be either disabled or absent. The camera app only allows for 1x zoom.
The camera performs adequately for basic document scanning, quickly processing images for quality digitization. This is a key use case for tablets, but doesn’t reflect overall photo quality. The camera struggles in bright sunlight, with focus issues and inaccurate colors.
Higher zoom levels (x5) result in a pixelated image quality. The camera struggles to capture motion, and even failed to accurately reproduce a rainbow in water reflections.
Solid Battery Life
The Huawei MatePad 12 X features a 10,000 mAh battery with 66W fast charging. This is a standard configuration for tablets in this category. However, potentially due to the lower performance demands, the battery life is very good. It easily lasts for two days of moderate use, and potentially longer depending on usage patterns.
The 66W charging capability allows for a full charge in approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes, offsetting some of the shortcomings in camera and performance.
Pricing and Availability
The Huawei MatePad 12 X is available in white or green and is priced at $649.99. This price includes the 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage configuration. The M-Pencil Pro stylus is often offered as a bundle or available separately for $129.99.
