Huawei’s latest flagship tablet, the MatePad Pro 12.2 (2025), enters a crowded market with a bold promise: desktop-grade productivity fused with cutting-edge display tech. After weeks of testing, we’re calling it a well-rounded powerhouse—though not without a few quirks.
The Showstopper: That Brilliant Display
The headline feature is undoubtedly Huawei’s new 12.2-inch Matte Tandem OLED screen. With a peak brightness of 1,200 nits and anti-glare coating, it’s a revelation for outdoor use and creative work. Colors pop with cinematic richness, while the matte finish eliminates fingerprints and reflections—a godsend for artists sketching with the updated M-Pencil (now with lower latency). Whether editing photos or streaming HDR content, this display sets a new bar for premium tablets.
Under the hood, the Kirin 9100 chip delivers snappy performance. Multitasking between heavy apps like video editors and 3D modeling tools felt seamless, aided by HarmonyOS 5.0’s refined split-screen features. Battery life impressed too: 14 hours of mixed usage is achievable, though intensive tasks drain it faster.
Where It Stumbles
Despite its strengths, the MatePad Pro isn’t flawless. The camera system, while improved, still lags behind rivals. Low-light photos appear grainy, and the 16MP front cam struggles with dynamic range during video calls. Software remains a hurdle for global users too—HMS (Huawei Mobile Services) has grown robust, but app gaps persist. Netflix and Instagram run smoothly via Huawei’s AppGallery, but workarounds are needed for niche western apps.
Design-wise, the tablet is sleek but slippery. Huawei’s optional folio keyboard ($149 extra) adds much-needed grip, but it’s an essential purchase rather than a luxury.
For an in-depth look at benchmarks, display tests, and thermal performance, see Notebookcheck’s technical analysis here:
Huawei MatePad Pro 12.2 (2025) Review: Matte Tandem OLED with High Brightness as a Highlight
The Ecosystem Play
Where Huawei shines is integration. The MatePad Pro syncs effortlessly with Huawei laptops, phones, and earbuds. Multi-device collaboration—like dragging files from a MateBook X Pro onto the tablet—feels futuristic. The M-Pencil magnetically attaches and charges securely, and its tilt sensitivity rivals Apple’s Pencil Pro.
Audio deserves praise too. Six speakers tuned by Devialet offer immersive, balanced sound—ideal for movies or video conferences.
The Bottom Line
Priced at €999 (base model), the MatePad Pro 12.2 targets professionals and creatives seeking a portable canvas. It’s a triumph in display innovation and raw power, let down only by camera limitations and software dependency on Huawei’s ecosystem. If you’re already invested in Huawei gear, this is a no-brainer. For others? It’s a premium Android alternative that almost dethrones the iPad Pro—if you can overlook its ecosystem walls.
*Final Rating: 4/5 stars*
Highs: Gorgeous matte OLED, stellar battery, seamless multitasking.
Lows: Average cameras, slippery build, HMS app limitations.
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