Huawei just unveiled something very small and something very big. The company is releasing a premium mini-tablet, something that’s rare outside of the iPad ecosystem, as well as a TV (technically two, since there’s a Pro version).
The Huawei MatePad Mini has an 8.8” display, a 2,560 x 1,600px (16:10) OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate, 1,800 nits of brightness and 10-bit colors (it’s also HDR Vivid certified). That’s smaller than the Mate XT Ultimate, which unfolds to 10.2”! By the way, there is a Soft Light version, similar to the MatePad Pros, which reduces screen reflectivity. Either way, you can use an M-Pencil Pro stylus to write and draw.
Huawei MatePad Mini
The Mini is fairly compact for a tablet, measuring 198.6 x 127.3 x 5.1mm and weighing 255g. This is with a 6,400mAh battery, which is on the small side, but Huawei says is enough for 15 and a half hours of video playback. The battery is quick to fill back up with 66W charging support (a full charge takes around an hour).
This is a HarmonyOS 5.1 tablet and is powered by… some chipset, Huawei is secretive about these things. It does have 12GB of RAM and 256/512GB storage. Note that Soft Light is available only on the 512GB model.
This tablet has network connectivity and can handle voice calls. It also supports two-way satellite messaging using the BeiDou system. Other wireless connections include Wi-Fi 7 (be, dual-band), Bluetooth 5.2 (LDAC, L2HC) and the home-grown alternative to Bluetooth called StarFlash. There’s no NFC. There’s a USB-C 3.0 port for data and charging.
The MatePad Mini has cellular and satellite connectivity
There’s a 32MP front-facing camera (f/2.4, fixed focus) and two on the back – a 50MP main (f/1.8 AF) and 8MP ultra-wide (f/2.2 AF). The rear camera can record 4K video, the front one only goes up to 1080p.
The slate has a fingerprint reader built into the power button on the side. There are also stereo speakers on board.
Huawei MatePad Mini in: Obsidian Black • Snow White • Spruce Green
The base 12/256GB model costs CNY 4,000 ($560). The 12/512GB model is CNY 4,500 and you’ll have to pay CNY 500 more if you want the Soft Light screen. Note that there is a small CNY 100 ($14) discount at the moment. The Huawei MatePad Mini comes in Obsidian Black, Snow White and Spruce Green, although your choice of storage/Soft Light options will affect which colors are available.
Going from small to big, the Huawei MateTV is available in 65”, 75”, 85” and 98”. There’s also a MateTV Pro that skips the 65” size and is available only in larger formats. Both are HarmonyOS smart TVs with an unnamed mobile chipset. The vanilla model is configured with 8/128GB memory, the Pro has 12/256GB.
Both use Super miniLED displays, the Pro model has anti-reflective coating and floating touch functionality.
The two TVs also differ in their built-in audio systems. The Huawei MateTV has a capable 2.2 system with 6 speakers totaling 120W peak power. The MateTV Pro includes two 20W upward-firing speakers for a 3.2.2 system with a total of 9 speakers and 180W peak power.
Huawei has designed several control methods for the TVs. One is a fairly standard remote with air mouse functionality. You can also use a stylus – useful for offices and school rooms. Finally, there’s a touch-focused controller aimed at games – it has shoulder buttons, but nothing on the front (no sticks, no buttons), it’s all just one big touchpad.
Here’s a pricing breakdown for the Huawei MateTV and MateTV Pro:
| MateTV | (conversion) | MateTV Pro | (conversion) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65” | CNY 9,000 | $1,260 | – | – |
| 75” | CNY 12,000 | $1,680 | CNY 15,000 | $2,100 |
| 85” | CNY 16,000 | $2,240 | CNY 22,000 | $3,080 |
| 98” | CNY 25,000 | $3,500 | CNY 31,000 | $4,340 |