Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2 Review, Quick Look and Specs
Huawei’s latest flagship tablet, the MatePad Pro 13.2, makes a compelling case for leaving your laptop behind. Sporting a gorgeous 13.2-inch OLED display, zippy performance, and PC-like capabilities, it packs a serious punch. As both a productivity workhorse and an entertainment powerhouse, the MatePad Pro 13.2 may just be the only device you need on the go.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 13.2-inch Flexible OLED display, 144Hz refresh rate, 94% screen-to-body ratio |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels |
| Processor | Kirin 9000S (7 nm) |
| Processor Specs | Octa-core (1×2.62 GHz Taishan Big & 3×2.15 GHz Taishan Mid & 4×1.53GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Memory | 12GB RAM |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB options |
| Battery | 2S dual battery architecture, 88W charger |
| Battery Life | Up to 12 hours video playback |
| Rear Camera | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF; 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Front Camera | 16 MP, f/2.2 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, 5G (on cellular models) |
| Audio | Quad speakers tuned by HUAWEI Sound |
| Included Accessories | M-Pencil stylus, Smart Magnetic Keyboard |
| Supported Accessories | Bluetooth Mouse |
| Software Features | Multi-Window, Floating Window, Desktop-style file manager, Huawei Notes, WPS Office suite |
| Dimensions | 289.1 x 196.1 x 5.5 mm (11.38 x 7.72 x 0.22 in) |
| Weight | 580 g (1.28 lb) |
| Starting Price | PHP 59,999 (256GB WiFi), PHP 64,999 (512GB 5G) |
Display and Design
The first thing you’ll notice about the MatePad Pro 13.2 is its stunning flexible OLED panel, which delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks thanks to its high 144Hz refresh rate. In fact, to say that the display is impressive is a true understatement.
The almost bezel-less design gives it a massive 94% screen-to-body ratio, allowing the tablet to remain surprisingly lightweight and comfortable for one-handed use despite the big screen. The panel’s flexibility also makes it more durable and less prone to cracks than a traditional glass display.
The only complaint I’ve got about its overall design is its size, which is not definitely for everyone. Coming from an 11-inch iPad Pro, the new MatePad dwarfs the former significantly. Thankfully, this size fits most places I place it, including the table tray on major aircraft. This was particularly useful for me during my long-haul flights.
Performance and Battery Life
Under the hood, the MatePad Pro 13.2 is a productivity beast thanks to its high-end chipset which ably handles intensive multitasking and graphics-heavy games. The unique 2S series dual battery architecture, combined with the large 88W charger, means you get a full day of use from just an hour of charging. Standby time is equally impressive – Huawei claims up to 12 hours of continuous video playback, enough for even the longest of flights.
I flew to San Francisco 2 weeks ago, and I still had 42% battery left from 87% after watching 2 8 episodes of Tacoma FD, and 2 movies during my flight. Insane.
Now, speaking of performance, I thought I should share with you the performance benchmark results for your reference.
Productivity
What sets the MatePad Pro 13.2 apart from the competition is its advanced productivity features that aim to replace your laptop entirely. The upgraded Multi-Window and Floating Window allow for seamless side-by-side app use, while the WPS Office suite provides full document, spreadsheet and presentation capabilities. Unfortunately, however, the new PC-Level WPS Office will not be available before February 6 via AppGallery. This means that if you’re going to buy this, make sure to visit AppGallery on the said date so you can maximize its PC-like features. The only caveat here is the slight less optimization of WPS Office. While it does all the neat productivity and Cloud features (so you can share your documents to your friends), you will notice that the app performs less snappier than its “mobile” counterpart, at least at the time of this writing.
Moreover, mouse and trackpad support, a desktop-style file manager and multi-screen collaboration with Huawei devices make the MatePad Pro feel like a real portable workstation rather than a typical content-consumption tablet.
It is also good to know, however, that there are a few applications that do not natively have landscape support on the Huawei MatePad 13.2 or in any tablets for that matter. Apps like Facebook and Messenger do not seem to automatically rotate to landscape mode when using them. The best working solution for me here is to download Rotation Control via Google Play Store. I managed to use Google Play Store by using GBox.
Accessories
The MatePad ecosystem includes several accessories that further expand its capabilities. Chief among them is the excellent 3rd-gen M-Pencil stylus, which connects instantly via proprietary NearLink technology instead of slower Bluetooth.
With its advanced pressure sensitivity, ultra-low latency, and intuitive Huawei Notes software, the M-Pencil transforms the MatePad into a digital sketchpad great for artists and note-takers alike. The new Smart Magnetic keyboard offers a laptop-quality typing experience and a large trackpad supporting full gesture controls to boost productivity on the go.
My only qualm on the keyboar is if you wish to work and put the whole setup on your laptop. In this regard, I wouldn’t call it a “laptop” experience, because the kickstand and the flat section of the keyboard on your laptop do not give the right amount of comfort that is usually experienced on traditional laptop form factor.
Entertainment
Of course, tablets aren’t just meant for work, and the MatePad Pro 13.2 shines as an entertainment device as well. That big, beautiful OLED panel combined with the four speakers tuned by Huawei’s HUAWEI Sound makes for an immersive video and gaming experience.
App availability continues to improve on Huawei’s AppGallery store, making it easier to access popular apps and games. The overall application store experience is actually decent, and it might take a while for some people to get used to especially when coming from devices that have native iOS or Android support.
Meanwhile, hardware capabilities like Wi-Fi 6E ensure smooth streaming and gameplay. I know you want to see some demo of its features. You may also watch our full video feature on our YouTube, or hit the play button of the video below.
Price and Availability
The MatePad Pro 13.2 represents a steep value in the premium tablet space. The 256GB/12GB RAM Wi-Fi-only variant costs PHP 59,999, while the 512GB/12GB RAM 5G model is priced at PHP 64,999.
For the Philippines market, Huawei is offering multiple attractive bundles that package the tablet with accessories like the keyboard, stylus, and Huawei earbuds for free. Installment payment plans are also available.
While this is the case, its price can easily be frowned upon by a lot of consumers since it’s bordering the cost of buying a midrange laptop. At its lowest variant – PhP59,999, one can already buy a laptop with a 10th or 11th Gen Intel laptop. Then again, the point of owning this tablet is exactly as a replacement for a bulkier laptop, which it does not disappoint.
Verdict
The Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2 delivers performance, features, and accessories that rival premium laptops while retaining the mobility and convenience of a tablet.
For professionals, creatives, and even students, it’s a device that can potentially replace your PC entirely when on the move. While there is still room for software improvements to achieve full laptop-level functionality, the MatePad Pro 13.2 represents a turning point for Huawei and Android tablets in general – it’s clear the future is brighter than ever for this product category.
For anyone seeking both productivity power and entertainment prowess from their mobile device, the MatePad Pro 13.2 is easy to recommend. If you’re among the few who is a little uncomfortable with its relatively hefty price, there’s Samsung, Apple, and Lenovo who are offering equally good alternatives.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
