Huawei Matepad 11 in test: The first tablet with HarmonyOS
Harmony instead of Android: The Huawei Matepad 11 has the new operating system on board. Getting used to it is easier than expected, but completely abandoning the familiar Google world is more difficult.
Nice display, good sound, enough performance and suitable accessories to choose from - the Huawei Matepad 11 could be a very good tablet. However, the Chinese-developed operating system can be a limitation - but only if you cannot do without certain apps.
The involuntary system change
HarmonyOS is the name of Huawei's new operating system. The Matepad 11 is the first device with it, along with the Matepad Pro 12.6. If it goes according to the manufacturer, more smartphones, televisions, smartwatches or even cars will follow. The change is necessary because the US considers the Chinese company a threat to its national security and has put it on a boycott list. As a result, Huawei is no longer allowed to use Google services on its devices: no Play Store, no app for Gmail or Google Maps.
For now, Huawei is still relying on Android without Google services for its smartphones, but at the same time it is pushing ahead with the development of HarmonyOS. The Matepad 11 has version 2.0 on board - and it should only be a matter of time until the first smartphones with HarmonyOS appear. Like Android, the operating system is under an open source license and is also based on Linux. The Geekbench app even thinks that Android 10 would be installed on the Matepad. The close relationship proves to be advantageous for you - at least when it comes to the apps available.
The wide app selection: Android apps run on HarmonyOS
Although HarmonyOS is a new operating system, the Matepad 11 gives me a familiar feeling right out of the box. That's because Huawei has been using its own user interface for Android, EMUI, for years. Its design guidelines and visual elements live on in the new OS. The apps, the widgets, and the control gestures: The Matepad 11 could pass for an Android tablet. If it weren't for the lack of familiar apps. The Play Store and Google services are missing. But Huawei has taken care of replacements.
With the "AppGallery", a separate app store is available. If an application cannot be found there, the "Petal Search" helps. It searches other stores and download portals for suitable Android apps that you can install on the Matepad 11 - including apps from Google. However, with more clicks than in the Play Store.
Thus, Huawei manages to offer a large selection of apps despite a new operating system. The offer does not completely coincide with the Play Store, but it is almost identical, especially for widely used apps. One exception is YouTube, for example. Petal Search doesn't find an app and refers you to the website. Youtube Music, on the other hand, is available for installation in the AppGallery.
One quirk of Huawei that bothers me remains with HarmonyOS. The manufacturer pre-installs too many apps on the tablet for me. Compared to tablets or smartphones from some other manufacturers, the amount is within the usual range. But with Samsung and Co they also bother me. However, Huawei takes the cake with a plethora of app suggestions. I did not pay attention once during the setup and agreed to the "AppAdvisor". The result: Five folders with a total of 29 app icons appear on the second home screen. When I click on them, the installation starts. However, I can undo my mistake and remove each suggested app. Single.
HarmonyOS, or rather the EMUI also offers features that are not standard on Android. These include "multi-window," for example. This lets you bring up to four apps side by side in small format on the touchscreen and work in them. While this doesn't work with every app, it can be very handy if you want to work in two apps at once and don't want to constantly switch back and forth between them in full screen.
The beautiful picture and good sound
I search in vain for Disney+ via Petal Search, but all the other major streaming services can be found as an app for the Matepad 11. As a stopgap, there's the browser for the Disney offering. At 10.95 inches, the tablet's screen isn't huge, but it's wonderful for watching videos on. The IPS display has a high resolution of 2560×1600 pixels. The crisp image, with vibrant colors, is something I enjoy watching. The refresh rate of 120 hertz is especially noticeable when playing games or operating the device. Only the automatic brightness control gives me a headache. For my taste, it often opts for a too dark picture, or it only increases the brightness to a comfortable level after some delay.
The Matepad 11 scores plus points for streaming with its four speakers. Two each are located to the right and left of the screen and provide a good stereo sound. Hardly any smartphone can keep up with the sound quality, and even notebooks are usually left behind. The speakers on two sides make it easy for the tablet to produce good stereo sound. The bass has decent volume, but does not cover the trebles and mids. All tonal nuances can be heard well even at high volumes.
The lovely gimmick
The Matepad 11 is wonderful for gaming with its display and speakers. The built-in Snapdragon 865 and six gigabytes of RAM ensure that all games available in app form run smoothly. Geekbench 5 measures 915 and 3382 points in the single- and multi-core benchmark test. For comparison: The similarly priced SurfaceGo 3 scores 850 and 1608 points, and the much more expensive Surface Pro 8 scores 1562 and 5920 points.
The question remains whether your games can all be found in the AppGallery or via Petal Search. There is enough space for games depending on the model variant. You can expand the 64, 128 or 256 gigabyte internal storage with a microSD card.
The battery of the Matepad 11 has a capacity of 7250 mAh and should last for twelve hours according to Huawei. I did not quite manage that during active use, but I found ten to eleven hours to be quite decent. The battery is charged via the USB-C port with the included power adapter with up to 22.5 watts. That is fast, but not super fast. In view of the battery's large capacity, you have to expect up to three hours of charging time depending on the charge level.
With the keyboard, the tablet becomes a work device
Huawei also lent me a keyboard case and an M-Pencil along with the Matepad 11. Both turn an entertainment device for leisure into a tool for productive work. I wouldn't trade in my notebook completely - but if I don't want to carry a lot of luggage, the tablet with the keyboard sleeve is a good alternative.
Together, the tablet and keyboard weigh 812 grams, of which the Matepad alone weighs in at 490 grams. That is significantly lighter than the average laptop. The sleeve holds magnetically to the back of the tablet. After opening it, you have two tilt angles to choose from for placing the touchscreen. Here, magnets also provide a firm grip. The connection is so stable that I can work well with the combination of tablet and keyboard on my lap.
The keys are small, the key drop is short, and the pressure points are not particularly concise. Still, the keyboard is better to type on than a touchscreen keyboard.
If you want to draw or write handwritten notes, Huawei's M Pencil is a good input device. When it comes close to the Matepad, the tablet recognizes it and asks whether it should connect to the pen. The M-Pencil is charged wirelessly via the Matepad when it magnetically sticks to its edge. There it holds well as long as you hold the tablet in your hand. However, it comes off easily in the pocket as soon as it comes into contact with other things.
In the hand, the M-Pencil feels very nice. I could play with it between my fingers for hours. But that's not what it's for. My handwriting and drawing skills both need improvement, but that's not because of the M-Pencil. It does a pretty good job of putting on the screen what I can do with a pen on paper. There may be better pens out there, but as a combo, Matepad and M-Pencil are a great team.
If you want even more of a laptop feel with the tablet, you can pair a mouse via Bluetooth. In combination with some Huawei laptops, you can also use the Matepad as a second screen. Helpful, easy to set up, but unfortunately limited to a few laptops.
The front camera is perfectly adequate for video calls, with a resolution of eight megapixels for photos and Full HD for videos. You just have to remember to place the tablet a bit higher. The usual perspective from the table is not the best for your face. Not only influencers and selfie queens know this by now.
If you don't have a headset connected via Bluetooth - there is no jack - a total of four microphones ensure that other participants in the call can hear you. The rear camera has a resolution of 13 megapixels and is thus well suited for scanning documents. Videos up to 4K resolution are possible.
With the right accessories, the Matepad 11 is also suitable as a work device. But again, the caveat is: are all the apps you need available?
The conclusion
The Huawei Matepad 11 is convincing as a tablet, but the software remains problematic. The display looks nice, the speakers sound nice and the hardware can easily keep up with more expensive tablets. With the right accessories, it is even suitable for working. HarmonyOS as a new operating system is a challenge, though. Not necessarily because of the change, but if you are missing important apps.
The big brother
If you like the Matepad 11, but it's too small, Huawei also offers it one size larger. The Matepad Pro 12.6 has a 12.6-inch screen. The OLED display is even a bit nicer than the IPS display of the Matepad 11. Acoustically, there are no disadvantages and the Kirin 9000E is not inferior to the Snapdragon 865 in any way, but even scores a bit better in Geekbench. Otherwise, the tablet would not be called "Pro".
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When I was but a young student, I'd sit in my friend's living room with all my classmates and play on his SuperNES. Since then I've had the opportunity to test out all the newest technology for you. I've done reviews at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, and have now arrived at Galaxus.de.
