Arthur Fuentes

Article (news)

Huawei MatePad 11.5

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17580713118421758071322218.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Huawei MatePad 11.5 </div>MANILA – Tablet-keyboard combos are great for students and digital nomads who need a light device that can do most of the things a laptop does without ditching the tablet experience. And Huawei hopes to take a bite of this niche market with its MatePad 11.5 (2025).The Chinese tech giant dubs the MatePad 11.5 as “the best PC-like experience tablet for around P20,000.” And the company was not kidding. It’s hard to beat the value proposition of this package because the P21,999 price already includes the Huawei Smart Keyboard case worth P6,999; the Huawei M-Pencil stylus costing P5,999; and the WPS Office Suite worth P4,999.Of course, you also get an 11.5-inch tablet with 8 GB of RAM,  256 GB of storage, a 10,100 mAh battery, and an excellent glare-free matte screen that runs up to 120 Hz with a 2.5k (2456 x 1600) resolution. It also has a 13 MP camera at the back, and an 8 MP camera up front on the wide side for video conferencing. Huawei does not specify what chip powers this tablet, but another tech website says it uses the homegrown Kirin T82B, which is a midrange chipset.The build quality of the tablet itself is really good. Its aluminum unibody feels really solid, and there’s hardly any space between the IPS display and the glass protecting it. The stylus is also very comfortable and easily pairs with the tablet. Its keyboard also feels premium–the keys have a satisfying depth and give, and the leather-like cover completes the elegance of the package.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758070884545huawei matepad 11.5 closed.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>The Huawei MatePad 11.5 midrange tablet. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News</div>By using magnets, the tablet also locks securely to the keyboard, making the whole combo very stable. While you can’t adjust the angle of the screen quite like in a laptop, you wouldn’t have any problem using this on your lap if you need to.That being said, I wish they had also included a trackpad in the keyboard. I know it may sound weird for some, considering that a tablet already has a touchscreen. But for me, a device that aims for productivity should include a trackpad, which is more accurate for selecting and copying text. Some backlighting also wouldn’t hurt, especially when typing in less illuminated surroundings.  Even cheap Bluetooth keyboards from Lazada and Shopee already feature backlighting, so expecting this feature on a more premium piece of hardware isn’t really asking much.<div>APP ANXIETY?</div>A common worry for Huawei gadgets is that they may not have the apps you need, as they don’t have Google Mobile Services baked in, unlike other Android devices. However, after using it for several days, I discovered that most of the apps I needed were available through Huawei’s own App Gallery or via a workaround using the GBox app.I was able to download Google Docs, Calendar, Gmail, YouTube and other apps that I use daily for work. Content creators will be happy to know that they can use CapCut and Canva on the MatePad. Entertainment apps like Netflix and Spotify were also available, as well as games like Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758070940282huawei matepad 11.5 sketching.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>The Huawei MatePad 11.5 makes for a good drawing tablet. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News</div>Huawei also touts the WPS suite, which includes a writing app, spreadsheet, slideshow maker, and PDF editor. Huawei says WPS gives users a full-fledged office experience, allowing them to edit and create documents with the same powerful tools on a desktop computer.But since I already have my stuff in the Google ecosystem, I still ended up using Google Docs and Sheets. It’s nice to know though, that Huawei has got you covered in case you need these productivity apps.However, as HarmonyOS is not exactly Android, some of the apps don’t behave quite like what you would expect on the latest Android devices.It took me a few tries to log in to Facebook, as the native app first made me log in to the Facebook website using the Chrome browser before letting me use the standalone app. And  you will need to input your username and password again if you want to use Messenger. I also wasn’t able to use Zoom as the app simply wouldn’t load properly. But Viber wasn’t a problem, though.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758071030324huawei matepad 11.5 netflix.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Netflix can be installed on the Huawei MatePad 11.5 tablet. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News</div>The native GoPaint app meanwhile, was pretty impressive. Artists will appreciate that it looks almost exactly like the popular Procreate app on iOS and is practically just as good. Together with Huawei’s M-Pencil, there was virtually no lag when drawing. I was surprised, though that the PaperMatte display provided almost no texture or resistance to the strokes of the stylus. I was expecting that drawing on the MatePad was going to be like drawing on an iPad with a Paperlike screen protector which mimics the feel of drawing on paper, but it was not like that.A standout feature of the MatePad 11.5 is its massive battery. If you need to work for long hours outside, or on the go, without access to a power outlet, the MatePad may just be the gadget you are looking for. With its 10,100 mAh battery, this tablet was practically unkillable in a day.You can write, listen to music, watch some Netflix or YouTube, or do some digital sketches all day and you can rest assured that this thing won’t die on you. I know that some of the newer Lunar Lake and Snapdragon laptops claim to have battery lives lasting up to 20 hours and weigh as little as tablets, but those notebooks are more than twice as expensive as the MatePad 11.5. And they don’t come with a touchscreen and stylus.So despite not having as wide an app selection as Windows or Android devices, the Huawei MatePad 11.5 is still a good fit for many users. It&#x27;s certainly a great alternative to a budget laptop.

This midrange tablet that comes with a keyboard and stylus can be a good alternative to a budget laptop.

This midrange tablet that comes with a keyboard and stylus can be a good alternative to a budget laptop.

REVIEW: Huawei’s MatePad 11.5 tablet is a good alternative to a budget laptop

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REVIEW: Huawei’s MatePad 11.5 tablet is a good alternative to a budget laptop

Arthur Fuentes,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 17, 2025 09:08 AM PHT

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