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| Superdünnes OLED-Tablet mit matten Screen & Mega-Sound - Test Huawei MatePad Air (2026) |
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
When Huawei sent me the MatePad Air (2026) for testing, I'll be honest—I wasn't expecting to be this impressed. I've reviewed countless Android tablets that promise the world and deliver mediocrity. But this 12-inch OLED beauty with its matte PaperMatte display genuinely surprised me. After two weeks of daily use, I can confidently say this is one of the most compelling iPad Air alternatives I've ever tested.
The Display Steals the Show
Let's cut to the chase: the 12-inch OLED PaperMatte display is absolutely gorgeous. With a resolution of 2800 x 1840 pixels (279 PPI) and a buttery-smooth 144Hz refresh rate, everything looks stunning. But the real magic is that matte finish—it's not just a gimmick.
During my testing, I measured a peak brightness of over 1,200 cd/m², which puts the iPad Air's 526 cd/m² to absolute shame. I could comfortably use this tablet on my balcony in direct sunlight without squinting or dealing with annoying reflections. The PaperMatte coating works brilliantly, and honestly, I don't know why more manufacturers aren't doing this.
The OLED panel delivers those inky blacks we all love, though the matte coating does slightly diminish the "wow factor" of pure black levels. However, the anti-glare benefits far outweigh this minor trade-off.
PWM sensitivity concern? Huawei has addressed this with 360Hz base frequency and high-frequency PWM dimming at over 1,400Hz. If you're PWM-sensitive like me, you'll likely find this display comfortable for extended use.
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| Huawei MatePad Air (2026) |
Design That Turns Heads
At just 5.3mm thin and weighing 509 grams, the MatePad Air feels impossibly sleek in hand. The metal unibody design with its pearl-like finish looks premium and feels substantial without being heavy. The symmetrical bezels (just 4.6mm wide) give it an 86% screen-to-body ratio—noticeably better than the iPad Air's 80.9%.
I particularly appreciated the IP42 rating, which offers some peace of mind against dust and light splashes. It's not waterproof by any means, but it's more protection than you get from most competitors.
Performance: Good Enough (Mostly)
Here's where things get a bit complicated. The Kirin T93C chipset powering the MatePad Air is... fine. Just fine. In everyday use—browsing, streaming, note-taking, light productivity—everything runs smoothly. I experienced no noticeable lag during multitasking.
But if you're a gamer or someone who pushes their tablet to the limit, you'll want to look elsewhere. The Maleoon 935B GPU struggles significantly compared to competitors:
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 2,143 points (vs. 5,623 for Honor MagicPad 4)
- GFXBench 4K Aztec: Just 13 fps (vs. 44 fps for Honor MagicPad 4)
These numbers tell a clear story: this is not a gaming tablet. For media consumption and productivity, it's perfectly adequate. For anything graphics-intensive, look elsewhere.
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| Huawei MatePad Air (2026) |
Software: The Elephant in the Room
The MatePad Air runs HarmonyOS 4.3 based on Android 12. And yes, we need to talk about the Google situation.
There's no native Google Play Store access. You can work around this using the Aurora Store (which you'll need to sideload initially), but it's not the seamless experience most users expect. I managed to get most of my essential apps running, but it required effort that most consumers won't want to deal with.
On the bright side, Huawei's official statement confirms compliance with EU regulations, meaning at least 6 years of security patches should be expected. The company also mentions 5 years of software support in some markets, though it's not explicitly guaranteed everywhere.
What I missed: A desktop mode like Samsung's DeX. For a tablet marketed as a productivity device, this feels like a missed opportunity.
Sound Quality: Surprisingly Excellent
The six-speaker stereo setup genuinely impressed me. I watched several movies and listened to music throughout my testing period, and the audio quality is among the best I've experienced on a tablet in this price range. Dialogue is clear, bass is present (though not earth-shattering), and stereo separation is convincing.
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| Huawei MatePad Air (2026) |
Battery Life and Charging
The 10,100 mAh battery delivers solid endurance:
- Local video playback: Up to 16 hours
- Online HDR streaming: Around 10 hours
In my mixed-use testing, I consistently got through a full day of work with 30-40% battery remaining. The 66W SuperCharge gets you from 0 to full in about 85 minutes, though you'll need to supply your own charger (none included in the box).
The Accessories Make It
Huawei sent me the complete package with both the M-Pencil Pro and keyboard case. The pencil experience is genuinely excellent—near-zero latency, excellent palm rejection, and the gesture controls (including air gestures for presentation control) work reliably. The handwriting-to-text conversion is impressively accurate.
The keyboard case offers a decent typing experience, though the QWERTY layout (my test unit) won't suit German users—you'll want the QWERTZ version. The magnetic attachment is secure, and the viewing angles work well for lap or desk use.
What's Missing?
A few omissions genuinely puzzle me at this price point:
- No fingerprint sensor – Face unlock via the front camera is unreliable and insecure
- No 6GHz WiFi – WiFi 7 is supported, but without the 6GHz band
- No GPS or 4G option – This is WiFi-only, with no cellular variant
- No charger in box – At €799, this feels stingy
Camera Performance
The 50MP rear camera with PDAF and 12MP front camera are surprisingly capable for a tablet. Document scanning works well thanks to the high resolution, and video calls look decent. Both cameras max out at 1080p/30fps for video—no 4K here, but that's typical for tablets.
The Verdict: A Compelling Alternative
Buy the Huawei MatePad Air (2026) if:
- The display is your top priority (it should be)
- You want a premium, thin-and-light tablet for media and productivity
- You're willing to work around the Google Play Store situation
- You don't need high-end gaming performance
Skip it if:
- Gaming performance matters to you
- You need native Google services and don't want workarounds
- You need GPS or cellular connectivity
- A fingerprint sensor is a must-have
At €799 (including the M-Pencil Pro), the MatePad Air undercuts the iPad Air significantly while offering a superior display and comparable productivity experience. The performance gap and software limitations are real, but for students, media lovers, and productivity-focused users, this tablet delivers exceptional value.
Where to Buy:
- Amazon.de – Often has bundle deals
- Huawei Official Store – Direct from manufacturer with launch promotions
- Geizhals Price Comparison – Find the best current price
- Check current Amazon deals
Final Rating: 4.5/5 – The display alone is worth the price of admission. Just know what you're getting into regarding software and performance.
Have you tried the Huawei MatePad Air (2026)? Share your experience in the comments below!
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| Huawei MatePad Air (2026) |