Huawei matepad 11 vs ipad air: battle of the premium tablets

Overview

The Huawei MatePad 11 starts at $399 for the 6GB/128GB model, while the iPad Air starts at $599 for the 64GB model.
The MatePad 11 is the more affordable option, but the iPad Air offers better performance and a wider range of features and accessories.
The iPad Air, on the other hand, has better performance, a wider range of features and accessories, and a more mature ecosystem of apps.

The tablet market has been dominated by Apple’s iPad lineup for years, but Huawei is making a strong push to challenge that dominance with its MatePad series. The latest addition to the MatePad family is the MatePad 11, which goes head-to-head with the popular iPad Air. In this Huawei MatePad 11 vs iPad Air comparison, we’ll dive into the key features, specifications, and performance of both tablets to help you decide which one is right for you.

Display

The Huawei MatePad 11 features an 11-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The iPad Air, on the other hand, has a slightly smaller 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels and a refresh rate of 60Hz.

In terms of display quality, the MatePad 11 has the edge with its higher resolution and refresh rate. The 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations, while the higher resolution results in sharper text and images. However, the iPad Air’s Liquid Retina display is still impressive, offering vibrant colors and excellent contrast.

Performance

The Huawei MatePad 11 is powered by the Snapdragon 865 processor, while the iPad Air is powered by the Apple A14 Bionic chip. Both processors are powerful enough to handle most tasks with ease, but the A14 Bionic has a slight edge in performance, especially in graphics-intensive applications.

In terms of real-world performance, the MatePad 11 is slightly slower than the iPad Air when it comes to opening apps and loading websites. However, the difference is not very noticeable, and both tablets offer a smooth and responsive user experience.

Battery Life

The Huawei MatePad 11 has a 7250mAh battery, while the iPad Air has a 7606mAh battery. Both tablets offer excellent battery life, with the MatePad 11 lasting up to 12 hours of mixed usage and the iPad Air lasting up to 10 hours.

However, the MatePad 11 has a slight advantage in terms of charging speed. It supports 40W fast charging, while the iPad Air supports only 20W fast charging. This means that the MatePad 11 can be fully charged in about 1 hour, while the iPad Air takes about 2 hours to fully charge.

Features

The Huawei MatePad 11 and iPad Air offer a similar set of features, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB-C connectivity. However, there are a few key differences.

The MatePad 11 has a microSD card slot for expandable storage, while the iPad Air does not. The MatePad 11 also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, which the iPad Air lacks.

On the other hand, the iPad Air has a Touch ID fingerprint sensor for secure authentication, while the MatePad 11 does not. The iPad Air also has a wider range of accessories available, including the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard.

Software

The Huawei MatePad 11 runs on HarmonyOS 2.0, while the iPad Air runs on iPadOS 15. Both operating systems offer a user-friendly interface and a wide range of apps.

However, there are some key differences between the two operating systems. HarmonyOS 2.0 is more customizable than iPadOS 15, allowing you to change the layout of the home screen and widgets. HarmonyOS 2.0 also has a built-in AppGallery, which offers a growing selection of apps.

iPadOS 15, on the other hand, has a more mature ecosystem of apps and supports a wider range of accessories. iPadOS 15 also has a number of features that are specifically designed for tablets, such as Split View and Slide Over.

Price

The Huawei MatePad 11 starts at $399 for the 6GB/128GB model, while the iPad Air starts at $599 for the 64GB model. The MatePad 11 is the more affordable option, but the iPad Air offers better performance and a wider range of features and accessories.

Verdict

The Huawei MatePad 11 and iPad Air are both excellent mid-range tablets. The MatePad 11 is more affordable, has a higher-resolution display, and has a microSD card slot. The iPad Air, on the other hand, has better performance, a wider range of features and accessories, and a more mature ecosystem of apps.

Ultimately, the best tablet for you depends on your individual needs and budget. If you’re looking for an affordable tablet with a great display and expandable storage, the Huawei MatePad 11 is a great choice. If you’re looking for a tablet with the best performance, the most features, and the widest range of accessories, the iPad Air is the better option.