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Verdict on the MatePad 12 X: The better iPad Air in many respects

The Huawei MatePad 12 X in review at Notebookcheck. (Image source: Notebookcheck)
The Huawei MatePad 12 X in review at Notebookcheck. (Image source: Notebookcheck)
The low-reflection PaperMatte screen of the MatePad 12X has surprisingly strong brightness levels for a 12-inch tablet, as revealed in our review. The tablet's thin and lightweight design also speaks in favor of portability and mobile usability. Compared to the Apple iPad Air, the MatePad 12X stands out in two aspects in particular.

In our review, the Huawei tablet proves to be the better iPad Air in many respects, especially in terms of display. The special feature of the MatePad 12 X is its 12-inch panel, specifically the coating on the glass surface, which gives the IPS screen a low-reflection matte finish. According to the manufacturer, the in-house developed "PaperMatte" derives its name from the microscopic, nanoscale etched surface structure. This means that the high-resolution 2.8K display is very effective against reflections outdoors in everyday use. In our review, the MatePad 12 X proved to be very easy to read in autumn-like weather. But even in midsummer, outdoor use should be possible without issue thanks to the screen's high brightness levels.

The manufacturer also specifies a maximum brightness of 1,000 cd/m², a very strong value which was confirmed and even exceeded in our tests, as the IPS panel reaches a maximum of 1,050 cd/m² (by comparison, the iPad Air 13 reaches 631 cd/m²). A big advantage for PWM-sensitive people is the absence of brightness control via pulse width modulation, which means that the MatePad should not cause any health-related issues related to screen flickering.

The low-reflection IPS panel also has a high refresh rate of up to 144 Hz. Support for the third-generation Huawei M-Pencil in particular makes the MatePad 12 X a possibly compelling purchase for creative users. The writing experience with the very sensitive stylus is much more natural than on a reflective panel thanks to the resistance of the PaperMatte finish. Also commendable is the fact that the delivery box of the MatePad 12 X contains not only the 66-watt power supply but also the Smart Magnetic Keyboard.

However, the 12-inch IPS panel with its coating also harbors some disadvantages that need to be weighed up before making a purchase. Find out what these are and where the MatePad offers more than an iPad Air, in addition to the display and scope of delivery, in our detailed review of the Huawei MatePad 12 X. 

The Huawei MatePad 12 X in review at Notebookcheck
The Huawei MatePad 12 X in review at Notebookcheck
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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2024 11 > Verdict on the MatePad 12 X: The better iPad Air in many respects
Marcus Herbrich, 2024-11-11 (Update: 2024-11-11)