Update, February 24, 2020 (08:48 AM ET): Today, Huawei announced an upgraded version of the MatePad Pro: the MatePad Pro 5G. As you would expect, the tablet is capable of connecting to 5G networks.
Other than this upgrade, though, the tablet remains mostly the same. The processor gets a slight upgrade from the Kirin 990 to the Kirin 990 5G, which is essentially the same but with 5G access. All other internal specs, though, remain unchanged. The MatePad Pro 5G will only connect to sub-600MHz connections, not mmWave.
Opinion: Huawei MatePad Pro targets professionals without professional software
The MatePad Pro 5G starts at €799 (~$864) for the 8GB RAM/256GB model and goes up to €949 for the 512GB storage variant. The non-5G version of the MatePad Pro will also hit selected markets outside of China for the first time. The Wi-Fi only tablet starts at €549 (~$593) for 6GB RAM/128GB ROM.
Check out some of our hands-on photos of the MatePad Pro 5G below:
Original article, November 25, 2019 (05:00 PM ET): We first caught a glimpse of the Huawei MatePad Pro earlier this month, and the Chinese manufacturer has now officially revealed the new tablet.
The new tablet seems to be Huawei’s take on the iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S6, packing a keyboard case and stylus pen (dubbed Huawei M-Pencil). In fact, the stylus pen — which is capable of detecting 4,096 levels of pressure — charges when it’s magnetically attached to the top of the tablet.
Unlike Samsung and Apple’s tablets though, this new slate packs a punch-hole cutout for an 8MP f/2.0 selfie camera. Otherwise, you can expect a 10.8-inch 2,560 x 1,600 LCD screen and a 90% screen/body ratio.
The Huawei MatePad Pro is a powerhouse of note when we take a look at the core specs. The new tablet packs a Kirin 990 chipset seen in the Mate 30 series, 6GB to 8GB of RAM, and 128GB to 512GB of storage. Storage can also be expanded if you need a little extra breathing room, albeit with Huawei’s NM card format.
The new tablet stands out due to its battery related features, offering a 7,250mAh battery with 40W wired charging. Furthermore, it packs 15W wireless charging and 7.5W reverse wireless charging. And the big battery size certainly makes reverse wireless charging more feasible.
Other noteworthy features include a 13MP rear camera, mobile phone integration (allowing you to access your smartphone in a little window), EMUI 10 atop Android 10, optional LTE connectivity, and a four speaker setup. Unfortunately, the tablet lacks a 3.5mm port, so you’ll need to use the included adapter for legacy wired accessories.
The device is currently available to pre-order in China, starting at 3,299 yuan (~$469). This goes all the way up to 4,499 yuan (~$640) for the 8GB+256GB LTE-enabled option. We’ve asked Huawei representatives whether the device will launch outside China, and will update the article accordingly. We’re guessing that the tablet won’t leave China until Huawei is actually able to offer Google services on its new products.
