Explore the comprehensive review of the Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 (2021), highlighting its performance, design, and features. Learn how this powerful tablet stacks up for work, play, and everything in between.
Introduction
Huawei has made a name for itself in the tablet market with the MatePad Pro series, which combines high-end features, a sleek design, and robust performance. The Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 (2021), released in June 2021, is a compact yet powerful tablet designed for users who want a productivity tool with great media capabilities. Featuring a 10.8-inch IPS LCD display, Snapdragon 870 5G chipset, and HarmonyOS 2.0, this tablet is built to handle both work and play.
In this review, we’ll explore the Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8’s design, display quality, performance, camera setup, battery life, and software to help you decide if it’s the right tablet for your needs.
Design and Build Quality
The Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 (2021) is elegantly designed, featuring a glass front and an aluminum back and frame, which give it a premium and durable feel. Weighing just 460g and measuring 246 x 159 x 7.2 mm, it is lightweight and slim, making it highly portable. The tablet is available in two sleek colors: Dark Blue and White, both of which give it a professional and clean appearance.
It also supports the Huawei M-Pencil (2nd Gen), which magnetically attaches to the side of the device for convenient use. The stylus, paired with the tablet’s software, makes it an excellent tool for creative professionals, students, and note-takers alike.
Display
The Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 features a 10.8-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, resulting in a sharp 280 ppi density. The screen’s 540 nits of brightness makes it easy to view in various lighting conditions, though it may struggle slightly in direct sunlight. With an 86.5% screen-to-body ratio, the tablet offers an immersive experience for media consumption and productivity tasks.
The 16:10 aspect ratio is ideal for both media and productivity, giving users ample screen space for multitasking, web browsing, and viewing documents.
Performance
Under the hood, the Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G chipset, which is built on a 7nm process. The octa-core CPU features 1×3.2 GHz Kryo 585, 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 585, and 4×1.80 GHz Kryo 585 cores, making it a capable processor for handling demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming. The Adreno 650 GPU handles graphics, making the tablet suitable for gaming and graphic-intensive tasks like video editing.
The tablet is available in configurations with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, ensuring smooth performance even when running multiple apps simultaneously. The storage is also expandable via Nano Memory (NM) cards up to 256GB, providing flexibility for users who need additional space.
Software: HarmonyOS 2.0
The MatePad Pro 10.8 runs on HarmonyOS 2.0, Huawei’s proprietary operating system. HarmonyOS 2.0 offers a fluid and intuitive user experience, optimized for tablets with features like Multi-Window and App Multiplier, which allow for better multitasking and app management.
Huawei’s AppGallery serves as the primary app store, but users should note that the tablet does not include Google Play Services. While this can be a challenge for some users, Huawei’s AppGallery is rapidly expanding, and many popular apps are available or can be sideloaded.
HarmonyOS 2.0 also offers seamless integration with other Huawei devices, such as smartphones and laptops, making it a great option for users already embedded in Huawei’s ecosystem.
Camera
The camera setup on the Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 is more than sufficient for a tablet, though it’s not designed to replace your smartphone’s camera. The rear camera is a 13 MP sensor (f/1.8, PDAF), which produces decent photos in good lighting conditions. The camera supports features like HDR, panorama, and LED flash. For video, the rear camera can record in 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 30fps, offering solid performance for casual video recording.
The front-facing 8 MP camera (f/2.0) is ideal for video calls, selfies, and general communication. It supports 1080p video recording, which is perfect for high-quality video conferencing or online classes.
Battery and Charging
The Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 is equipped with a 7,250mAh battery, which offers enough power for a full day of use with moderate multitasking. Whether you’re working, streaming, or gaming, the battery life holds up well, making it a reliable device for those who need a portable productivity machine.
For charging, the tablet supports 40W wired fast charging, which can fully charge the device in just under two hours. It also supports 27W wireless charging, a feature rarely seen in tablets, and 10W reverse wireless charging, allowing you to charge other devices like a smartphone or wireless earbuds directly from the tablet.
Connectivity and Other Features
The Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 offers robust connectivity features, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB Type-C 3.1 for fast data transfer and charging. The tablet also includes GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, and QZSS for accurate positioning.
There is no NFC or FM radio, but the device compensates with other high-end features, such as four stereo speakers tuned by Harman Kardon, which provide excellent sound quality for media consumption.
For security, the tablet includes standard sensors like an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass. However, it lacks a fingerprint scanner, which could be a downside for some users.
Price and Availability
The Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 (2021) is available globally, with a price tag of around 500 EUR, making it a competitive offering in the premium tablet market. Given its powerful hardware, sleek design, and excellent features, the price is justified for users seeking a versatile tablet for both productivity and entertainment.
Specifications Table
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Dimensions | 246 x 159 x 7.2 mm |
| Weight | 460 g |
| SIM | Nano-SIM, Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display | 10.8 inches, IPS LCD, 2560 x 1600 pixels (~280 ppi) |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (1×3.2 GHz Kryo 585, 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 585, 4×1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 |
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB, 6GB/8GB RAM, NM Card slot (up to 256GB) |
| Main Camera | 13 MP (wide), 4K video recording |
| Selfie Camera | 8 MP (wide), 1080p video recording |
| Battery | 7250 mAh, 40W wired, 27W wireless, 10W reverse wireless |
| Colors | Dark Blue, White |
| Price | Around 500 EUR |
Conclusion
The Huawei MatePad Pro 10.8 (2021) is a versatile and powerful tablet that offers an excellent balance between productivity and entertainment. With a beautiful display, robust performance powered by the Snapdragon 870 5G, and impressive battery life, it stands out as a premium choice for professionals, students, and multimedia enthusiasts. The support for M-Pencil and HarmonyOS 2.0 integration further enhances its appeal, making it a strong contender in the high-end tablet market.
While the lack of Google Play Services may be a drawback for some users, the expanding AppGallery and the option to sideload apps make it a viable option for those willing to adapt. At a price point of 500 EUR, the MatePad Pro 10.8 offers great value for its features and performance.
Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
