Tablet diversity at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona
29.2.2024
Translation: machine translated
All kinds of tablets can be seen at the MWC mobile phone trade fair. For example, ZTE is showing the new nubia Pad 3D II for a 3D experience without glasses. Probably the most exciting tablet, however, comes from TCL - with a 2-in-1 colour mode.
Alternative to a notebook, supplement for home entertainment or link between smartphone and PC: tablets have a wide range of applications. At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, manufacturers are letting off steam with creative ideas. You can see what special features they have come up with here.
TCL nxtpaper 14 Pro: makes an additional eReader superfluous
The nxtpaper 14 Pro was already announced by TCL at CES in Las Vegas. I was now able to see it for myself in Barcelona. The most striking feature is the LCD display. You can use it in two different modes:
- Standard mode: This is similar to a normal Android tablet. However, the display has a matte coating called "nxtpaper" and is therefore much less reflective. The colours are also less vivid as a result, but perfectly fine. And the surface collects fewer annoying fingerprints.
- Monochrome mode: Here, the tablet displays everything in grey tones. The monochrome display is most suitable for eBooks and is easy on the battery. Due to the matt finish, I find reading more pleasant than with regular Android tablets.
TCL also offers a stylus. This is nothing special. Unfortunately, it cannot be charged wirelessly, only via USB-C, and only responds weakly to pressure. The tip is also too hard for drawing. But it fulfils its purpose for taking notes.
One negative point for me when travelling: it's a 14-inch tablet. That's much bulkier than an A5-sized eReader. Nevertheless, the concept sounds promising.
The LCD display is enhanced by its impressive 2.8K resolution. A battery with a capacity of 12,000 mAh and a 33-watt fast-charging function is also installed. TCL remains silent on the price; the device is due to be launched globally at the end of the year. A budget version with slightly lower specifications is also planned. This is expected to cost around 400 euros/francs.
nubia Pad 3D II: improved 3D experience
Last year in Barcelona, ZTE presented its first 3D tablet that can be used without glasses. The nubia Pad 3D. Now they have unveiled its successor. The nubia Pad 3D II differs from its predecessor primarily in its connectivity to the 5G network and an improved 3D experience.
Source: Michelle Brändle
The tablet tracks your eyes via two cameras for the optimum 3D experience. This doesn't always work equally well at the trade fair. Possibly because there are too many different pairs of eyes present. Tracking only works for one pair of eyes.
According to the manufacturer, the visual effects have been significantly improved. The 3D experience is not yet perfect, but it is certainly fascinating. I can see buildings and even human bones in demo images.
Source: Michelle Brändle
Thanks to the so-called "Neovision 3D Anytime technology", the tablet also converts normal 2D views into 3D, for example in games and videos. The calculations for this are now supported by artificial intelligence. If you want to take 3D images or videos yourself, there are two cameras on the back, just like its predecessor.
The tablet is coming to Europe, but ZTE has not yet announced the exact date. In the meantime, you can get the predecessor in our shop.
Huawei: Art on the MatePad Pro 13.2
Huawei's latest trick is great for drawing. As I stroll unsuspectingly to the Huawei stand, the tablet is perched on an easel. It literally shouts: "I am a canvas". As I'm doodling on the MatePad Pro 13.2, people ask me if I want to draw them. Now the artist atmosphere is perfect, and so I portray a few visitors to test out the tablet.
Source: Michelle Brändle
On the MatePad Pro is the art programme Mojingpaint. Although I've never heard of the app before, I quickly find my way around it. And the new M-Pencil 3 is also super comfortable. It has a rubberised tip for good line guidance and recognises over 10,000 pressure levels. You have to buy the pen separately.
Source: Michelle Brändle
For the first time, I don't miss anything when drawing on an Android tablet. Nevertheless, there is a but: Huawei - as with the smartphones - does not have any Google services on the devices. And with a price of just under 1000 francs or euros (RRP), it's not particularly cheap either.
But it even has something over the iPad: a 13.2-inch OLED display and an 88-watt fast charging function. The Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2 is already available, unfortunately we don't (yet) have it in our shop.
Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro: connect up to seven devices
The Pad 6S Pro is Xiaomi's new flagship tablet. The special feature here is the interaction with Xiaomi's other devices via the so-called Smart Hub. You can connect up to seven devices with each other via the software. For example, you can answer calls from your smartphone via the tablet or send text messages. Or you can control the cameras of the connected devices via the tablet only.
Source: Jan Johannsen
The specifications of the tablet sound promising:
- Display: 12.4" OLED, 144 Hz, 3K
- Battery: 10 000 mAh, 120 W HyperCharge
- Chip: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Software: Xiaomi HyperOS with Android 14
- Camera: 50 MP main camera
The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro is available for pre-order on the manufacturer's website - in two versions: Either with 256 GB flash memory and 8 GB RAM or with 512 flash and 12 GB RAM. It is not yet clear when it will be available in our shop. The slightly inferior predecessor model can be found here.
Header image: Michelle Brändle
In my world, Super Mario chases Stormtroopers with a unicorn and Harley Quinn mixes cocktails for Eddie and Peter at the beach bar. Wherever I can live out my creativity, my fingers tingle. Or maybe it's because nothing flows through my veins but chocolate, glitter and coffee.
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