This article first appeared in Digital Edge, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on February 27, 2023 - March 5, 2023

Huawei has always been among the leaders when it comes to portable gadgets like smartphones and tablets, incorporating advanced technologies that outshine those of its peers. Naturally, Digital Edge jumped at the chance to try out the new Huawei MatePad Pro as we were quite excited to see what the device has in store.

The tablet is said to fully upgrade productivity, creativity and entertainment with its stunning new design, portability, pro-level creativity and professional office experiences, making this next-generation Huawei MatePad Pro both an office tool and fashion accessory.

Upon unboxing the device, which came with a Huawei M-Pencil (second generation) and smart magnetic keyboard, our first impression was that it definitely lived up to expectations of its being a fashionable accessory. Slim and light, weighing 609g with a thickness of 6.5mm to 6.7mm, the tablet seamlessly blends into our everyday work aesthetic.

The tablet very easily pairs with the keyboard and M-Pencil, thanks to near field communication (NFC) and Bluetooth technologies that immediately detect and connect the accessories to the tablet once it is within range. The tablet itself is magnetic on its sides to accommodate the pen and keyboard, and if attached incorrectly, the screen immediately displays instructions on how to correct it.

The keyboard allows on-the-go note-taking and article writing on the device’s pre-installed note-taking app. Although the pencil glides smoothly on the screen, it requires a little bit of pressure in order to write or draw on screen. Nevertheless, it is a convenient feature to have, especially with the device’s ability to convert handwriting to different text fonts.

We also tested out the device’s video conferencing features, which were crisp and clear. With Huawei’s artificial intelligence (AI) noise reduction feature applied on its eight speakers, background noises such as car traffic and cats meowing were inaudible.

The audio is crystal clear when watching movies or listening to music. The pristine audio sets a cinematic mood, making the viewing experience a pleasant one, thanks to the eight-speaker design that comes with high and low frequency options. Through the combination of tweeters and woofers, the treble, bass and salient details are able to be picked up.

Huawei’s Stereo Vibe also brings cinema-grade sound, elevating the experience. These, in addition to the 12.6in OLED full-view display, make it that much more satisfying to stream the latest series from our favourite streaming platforms. Note that the device has achieved the highest level in eye protection in the tablet industry.

The device is long lasting too. With a 10,500mAh ultra-large battery, supporting 40W SuperCharge, which takes only two hours and 10 minutes to be fully charged, it can power 13 hours of 1080p HD video playback and nine hours of browsing on the web.

Overall, the Huawei MatePad Pro is a nice work companion to have at assignments and press conferences, as well as in the office when hosting virtual meetings. The only limitation seems to be the device’s incompatibility with Google services, as our company utilises G-Suite for our communication and conferencing needs. But if you’re not reliant on Google services, this is definitely a device worth checking out.

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