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Huawei MatePad 11.5: one-minute assessment
Should you’re in search of a new tablet to take to uni, or simply to use in your downtime, the Huawei MatePad 11.5 is a stable reasonably priced possibility.
It packs loads of energy for on a regular basis use, with 8GB of RAM and a very succesful processor, a commendable 2.5K decision, and even a 120Hz refresh fee, that means you’ll sometimes get clean, hassle-free efficiency. Sure, for extra demanding purposes, comparable to bigger on-line video games, you’ll be able to’t anticipate peak efficiency, however for £349 (or £399 with a keyboard), that’s to be anticipated.
One of many key drawbacks for the MatePad 11.5, nonetheless, is the restrictive nature of its AppGallery storefront. Due to some restrictions on Huawei, you gained’t give you the option to set up apps from Google, Meta, and a complete host of others – not natively, a minimum of. There’s a lot lacking on AppGallery – not simply Google stuff, but in addition a number of the hottest cell video games. For a lot of (together with me), that’s a huge downside.
Design-wise, the MatePad 11.5 is nothing particular – it’s a little slimmer than its predecessors at 6.1mm thick, however a tad heavier. That’s maybe due to an enhanced battery – you get a 10,100mAh capability battery this time round, which permits a number of days of normal use.
You get fairly normal digital camera high quality, a helpful foldable case/keyboard (when you select to bundle it with the tablet), and M-Pen third Gen compatibility, which all assist to make the MatePad a succesful, well-rounded tablet for college kids and informal customers alike.
Sadly, its restrictions by way of software program, in addition to its insistence on littering the house display with bloatware, imply that you are able to do a little bit higher on this value class – take a look at the ‘Additionally contemplate’ part for suggestions. In any other case, head on over to our record of the very best tablets round.
Huawei MatePad 11.5 assessment: value & launch date
- £349 with out keyboard
- £399 with keyboard
- Launched in August 2025
The Huawei MatePad 11.5 launched in August 2025, and is accessible both with, or with out a keyboard. Should you’re high quality with the tablet by itself, this mannequin will set you again £349, however you’ll have to throw in a further £50 to get the keyboard thrown in.
It’s additionally value noting that anybody hoping to use the Huawei M-Pencil with this tablet can have to buy it individually. I used the suitable Huawei M-Pencil third Gen with the MatePad, which is accessible for £64.99 on Huawei’s digital storefront on the time of writing.
You should purchase the MatePad 11.5 in both House Gray or Violet, though it’s value noting that solely the House Gray version might be purchased with out a keyboard.
Huawei MatePad 11.5 assessment: specs
|
OS |
HarmonyOS 4.3 |
|
Chipset |
Kirin 8020, octa-core |
|
RAM |
8GB |
|
Storage |
256GB |
|
Show |
11.5-inch TFT LCD (2456 × 1600) |
|
Weight |
515g |
|
Battery |
10,100mAh |
|
Charging |
40W wired |
|
Cameras |
13MP rear, 8MP entrance |
Huawei MatePad 11.5 assessment: show
- Paper-like TFT LCD display superb for drawing
- Decently shiny, vibrant show…
- …however pricier fashions provide extra detailed, sharper high quality
As you could have guessed, this Huawei tablet has an 11.5-inch show, making it compact sufficient to throw in a smaller-sized bag. It makes use of a PaperMatte TFT LCD display, which is improbable for drawing instruments thanks to an nearly paper-like really feel.
Yep, whether or not I was writing out phrases or portray a masterpiece (a doodle of a penguin), the Huawei M-Pen seamlessly glided throughout the slate, whereas still feeling managed and exact.
When it comes to image high quality, I’d argue that the MatePad 11.5 is nice, quite than nice. There are, in fact, some apparent limitations for this kind of show, particularly given it’s priced within the extra budget-friendly vary. As a consequence, photos don’t at all times look essentially the most detailed or eye-poppingly shiny. Still, you’re getting a commendably vibrant, primarily glare-free display, which affords stable “2.5K” video high quality.
That’s proper, this mannequin makes use of a 2456 x 1600 decision, that means you’ll be able to stream reveals on Netflix or movies by way of YouTube to a pretty excessive normal. Peak luminance is 600 nits, which implies the tablet can be utilized in well-lit out of doors situations in addition to inside, superb for outdoor examine periods or conferences.
Oh, and one thing more, the MatePad 11.5 has a 120Hz refresh fee, that means scrolling, drawing, and menu navigation is good and clean – however we’ll communicate a little extra about that within the efficiency part.
Huawei MatePad 11.5 assessment: design
- Skinny but pretty hefty
- Handy folding case/keyboard
- Stylish but restricted color choices
The Huawei MatePad 11.5 is a fairly run of the mill tablet design-wise. It’s decently slim with a thickness of 6.1mm, but it’s still got a first rate quantity of weight to it at over 515g. Its quantity buttons are properly sized and positioned on the correct aspect of the tablet, whereas the ability button resides up prime.
You may seize this mannequin in both House Gray or Violet, and each choices play to the minimalistic vibe of the slate properly. Some might hope for a few extra choices though, particularly on condition that the newest entry degree iPad is available in 4 eye-catching color variants.
One thing I actually like concerning the MatePad 11.5, though, is the keyboard/case combo that it may be bought with. The tablet simply slots in, defending the display whenever you’re out and about.
In the meantime, the bottom of the machine might be hooked up to the case to create a stand, enabling you to use the tablet nearly as a laptop computer. That is fast and simple to arrange, and provides the MatePad 11.5 a actual air of flexibility.
The keyboard itself may be very condensed, and some might discover it to be a little cramped. However the keyboard’s compact kind issue is helpful in order for you to apply it to a practice, for instance, and I discovered that I adjusted to its smaller dimension pretty rapidly.
The precise high quality of the keyboard is pretty spectacular – it’s responsive, however the keys do admittedly look a little cheap. It’s additionally value noting that there’s no trackpad right here, one thing you’ll discover on a mannequin like the Huawei MatePad Professional PaperMatte Version.
Huawei MatePad 11.5 assessment: software program
- Fairly a little bit of bloatware
- Restrictive app retailer
- OS is straightforward but efficient
Sadly for the Huawei MatePad 11.5, issues get a bit sticky after we’re speaking about software program. I’ll begin by saying that setup, though pretty simple, felt a little irritating at instances due to the density of pop-ups and permission requests. And after I got by to the tablet’s house menu, I was additionally met with a wholesome portion of bloatware: Honour of Kings, Temu… Child Panda World?
I’ve talked about it in a few of my different evaluations right here at TechRadar, however I actually dislike this – I need the necessities, positive, however I can obtain Child Panda World by myself accord, thanks very a lot.
Talking of downloads, you’ll make the majority of those by way of Huawei’s AppGallery, which is sadly not the very best digital storefront I’ve used. It’s pretty easy to use, sure, however there’s a lot lacking from right here. I’m not going to drill into the political background right here, however primarily, a lot of the apps you’d anticipate to see on an app retailer in 2025, simply aren’t.
Google apps will seem in search, however are solely obtainable by way of a third social gathering web site. And still, this gained’t obtain the related apps, it merely grants entry, that means it’s possible you’ll as properly simply use Google Maps or YouTube, for instance, by way of the net. Meta apps like Fb and Instagram are lacking too, which some might discover irritating. My go-to recreation for testing, Genshin Impression, was additionally lacking.
There are some stand-ins obtainable – Petal Maps works properly when you want instructions, restaurant suggestions, and the like. However in order for you easy accessibility to the widest vary of software program, the MatePad 11.5 may not be for you.
In the meantime, Huawei’s HarmonyOS is properly laid out, responsive, and a lot acquainted for Android customers. The OS permits a bunch of helpful productiveness options that college students will welcome too, comparable to cut up display and floating window modes. Each of those labored nice in my expertise, though it’s value noting that not each app is suitable with split-screen mode.
Huawei MatePad 11.5 assessment: efficiency
- Up-to-scratch for each day productiveness wants
- Computing energy not top-tier, however sufficient for scrolling, streaming, and mild gaming
- Compact but efficient keyboard
The Huawei MatePad 11.5 is a fairly regular performer, coming by with 8GB of RAM and a Kirin 8020, octa-core chipset, that means it’s a lot adequate for each day productiveness and leisure wants.
Whether or not I was drawing on the spectacular GoPaint software program, browsing the net, or watching video content material, the tablet had greater than sufficient firepower to deal with such duties. The 120Hz show additionally permits navigation that’s clean and simple on the attention.
Extra demanding actions – comparable to taking part in bigger on-line video games like PUBG Cell – will present some slight limitations by way of framerate and graphical high quality. However still, you have to be ready to recreation, stream, and work with out an excessive amount of of a compromise on efficiency.
And once more, this tablet is marketed extra in direction of these learning or working, and it’s definitely highly effective sufficient for these fundamental requirements. The MatePad 11.5 can also be very nice to use for such actions. For duties like note-taking, I discovered scribbling on the PaperMatte floor to be extremely fluid, whereas typing on the keyboard was correct and keys had been nice to press down on.
There’s additionally a rear and front-facing digital camera when you want to rapidly snap a slide, for instance. These aren’t notably fantastic quality-wise, however get the job achieved.
The M-Pen can also be extraordinarily comfy to maintain and by no means let me down with mis-inputs or glitchy behaviour. That is bought individually, however I’d extremely suggest including it to your arsenal when you’re fascinated by a Huawei tablet, it actually feels wonderful to use whether or not drawing or writing.
Whereas we’re speaking efficiency, a fast phrase on AI. This isn’t entrance and centre, neither is it shoehorned into each utility on the Huawei MatePad 11.5 – one thing that’s nearly refreshing at this level.
There are nonetheless, a few AI instruments, comparable to AI handwriting enhancement on the Notes app, which merely makes your scribbles a little clearer. Different inclusions, like AI Voice and AI Search are fairly commonplace available in the market, however I didn’t actually really feel the necessity to use these.
Lastly, gestures all work easily and allow you to cycle by the tablet’s menus with out a hitch. You may change to button controls when you’d want, however I was very happy to persist with swiping up to shut apps, again to return to a earlier web page, and away from a nook for the annotation instrument.
Huawei MatePad 11.5 assessment: battery
- Beneficiant 10,100mAh battery capability
- 40W wired charging
- Most customers ought to get properly over a day’s use from one cost
The Huawei MatePad 11.5 boasts a 10,100mAh capability battery, in order you’ll be able to think about, one cost will final a appreciable period of time. Huawei states, in actual fact, you could anticipate 14 hours of uninterrupted native video playback – in fact, when you’re streaming on the highest decision doable, you’re not gonna get fairly a lot.
I watched a 2.5K video at excessive brightness for a matter of three to 4 hours and the battery depleted by round 50%, as an example. Typically, though, I discovered that there was greater than sufficient battery life to allow a number of days of gaming, drawing, note-taking, and streaming.
And though 40W wired charging might not appear all too spectacular, you’ll be able to still convey the MatePad 11.5 again to life pretty swiftly. Huawei says that the tablet can attain full cost from 0% in 94 minutes thanks to Huawei SuperCharge – however that’s provided that you utilize the official plug and cable included within the field.
When utilizing my UGreen Uno Charger 100W and a longer USB-C cable, it took greater than two hours to attain 100%.
Ought to I purchase the Huawei MatePad 11.5?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Show |
Not the brightest or most detailed, however decently shiny, pleasing PaperMatte texture. |
4/5 |
|
Design |
Fairly normal looks-wise, decently slim, handy case. |
3.5/5 |
|
Software program |
AppGallery omits a lot of essential apps, some restrictions, however UI is straightforward and properly introduced. |
2.5/5 |
|
Efficiency |
Mighty sufficient for normal productiveness, even though it’s barely a powerhouse. |
4/5 |
|
Battery |
Good battery capability, want to use an official charger for Huawei SuperCharge. |
4/5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Huawei MatePad 11.5: additionally contemplate
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Huawei MatePad 11.5 |
Apple iPad 11-inch (2025) |
Lenovo Thought Tab Professional |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Beginning value |
£349.99 |
£329 |
£379.99 |
|
OS |
HarmonyOS 4.3 |
iPadOS 18 |
Android 14 |
|
Chipset |
Kirin 8020, octa-core |
A16 |
Mediatek Dimensity 8300 |
|
RAM |
8GB |
6GB |
8GB |
|
Storage |
256GB |
128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
128GB / 256GB |
|
Show |
11.5-inch TFT LCD (2456 × 1600) |
11-inch IPS LCD (2360 x 1640) |
12.7-inch IPS LCD (2944 x 1840) |
|
Weight |
515g |
475g (with out mobile), 480g (with mobile) |
620g |
|
Battery |
10,100mAh |
28.93Wh |
10,200mAh |
|
Charging |
40W wired |
45W wired |
45W wired |
|
Cameras |
13MP rear, 8MP entrance |
12MP rear, 12MP entrance |
13MP rear, 8MP entrance |
Huawei MatePad 11.5 assessment: how I examined
- Examined for one week
- Tried out all main options
- Streamed video, performed video games, made notes, used drawing instruments
I used the Huawei MatePad 11.5 as my main tablet for one week, utilizing it for all the pieces from word taking by to video streaming. Throughout this era, I examined out nearly each doable function, together with the tablet’s cameras, drawing instruments, gaming capabilities, app retailer, varied settings, and a lot extra.
On prime of that, I measured the time taken for the MatePad 11.5 to hit full cost, assessed the standard of the included keyboard, and experimented with the M-Pen third Gen, which we had been despatched alongside the tablet itself.
I’ve examined tons of tech right here at TechRadar, together with drawing tablets, the most recent smartphones, audio gear, and TVs. And extra usually, TechRadar has reviewed 100s of tablets and has been testing merchandise for greater than 15 years.