Huawei's MatePad Air has finally been released outside of China, making the iPad Air seem less impressive by comparison.

Huawei's MatePad Air has finally been released outside of China, making the iPad Air seem less impressive by comparison.

      Huawei has recently demonstrated what "Air" products should encompass.

      Apple’s iPad Air is widely regarded as one of the most recommended tablets, primarily due to its robust M4 processor and outstanding app ecosystem. Now, Huawei's latest MatePad Air has made its way beyond China, and its specifications render Apple’s mid-tier tablet surprisingly lacking in some respects.

      The 2026 Huawei MatePad Air is set to be available in selected global markets starting August 1, with prices beginning at 849 euros for the 8GB and 256GB model that includes the Smart Magnetic Keyboard. A version with a PaperMatte finish, which comes with either the keyboard or M-Pencil Pro, costs 899 euros, while the 12GB variant is priced at 999 euros. This launch follows closely on the heels of Huawei's announcement regarding the MatePad Pro.

      The display featured in this tablet is one that the iPad Air should aspire to have.

      The MatePad Air boasts a 12-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2800 x 1840, a refreshing 144Hz rate, a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, P3 color coverage, and an impressive 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. The optional PaperMatte finish employs nano-etching to minimize glare and create a writing surface that mimics the feel of paper.

      In contrast, the current M4 iPad Air utilizes a 60Hz IPS LCD display. The 11-inch version reaches a brightness of 500 nits, while the 13-inch variant can achieve up to 600 nits. Features like OLED, ProMotion, and nano-texture glass are exclusive to the significantly pricier iPad Pro. Thus, when engaging in activities such as scrolling, gaming at high frame rates, or viewing movies, users will certainly notice a distinct difference in experience, marking a notable compromise.

      Huawei's product is not only slim, measuring just 5.3mm thick, but it is also among the thinnest tablets available, outperforming even the iPad Air.

      Huawei has also paid attention to battery life and accessories.

      The MatePad Air weighs in at 509 grams and houses a 10,100mAh battery, capable of 66W charging, which is rated for up to 16 hours of local video playback. It includes six speakers, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, a 12MP front camera, and a 50MP rear camera.

      The M-Pencil Pro features presentation controls and an air-mouse mode, while Huawei Notes provides transcription, handwriting refinement, and AI tutoring capabilities. Additionally, it offers WPS Office support, floating windows, and can handle up to three apps simultaneously for enhanced productivity. Some AI features and software offerings may vary by region or might require paid subscriptions.

      Vikhyaat Vivek is a technology journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience in consumer hardware coverage, emphasizing…

      The OLED iPad mini may lack the one enhancement fans have been eagerly awaiting.

      If you have been delaying your purchase of an iPad mini in anticipation that Apple’s first OLED model would finally feature a smoother display, it may be wise to adjust your expectations.

      It promises an attractive screen, but it may not be necessarily faster.

      Apple could unveil two new Apple Pencil models in the spring alongside the iPad Pro.

      According to a report from Bloomberg, two refreshed stylus models are expected to be released during the upcoming iPad Pro launch next spring.

      Apple's upcoming iPad Pro refresh might not be the sole hardware receiving an update. As reported by Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple is gearing up to launch two new Apple Pencil models next spring, which will include an updated Apple Pencil Pro and a new version of the more budget-friendly USB-C Apple Pencil, both set to debut with the next-generation iPad Pro.

      An update for both tiers of the lineup.

      DuRoBo’s Krono e-reader and its page-turning companion, Moodi, are now available worldwide.

      DuRoBo has launched its Smart Dial ePaper reader and a compact page-turning remote globally.

      The Dutch ePaper company DuRoBo has just made two of its products available for purchase in the US and UK. The Krono, a 6.13-inch ePaper reading device designed for distraction-free reading, thinking, and writing, is now accessible on Amazon for $279.99. Additionally, DuRoBo has introduced Moodi, a lightweight Bluetooth page-turning remote, priced at $30.99 on Amazon and their official website. For those monitoring the growth of the e-ink device market, this duo deserves close attention.

Huawei's MatePad Air has finally been released outside of China, making the iPad Air seem less impressive by comparison. Huawei's MatePad Air has finally been released outside of China, making the iPad Air seem less impressive by comparison. Huawei's MatePad Air has finally been released outside of China, making the iPad Air seem less impressive by comparison. Huawei's MatePad Air has finally been released outside of China, making the iPad Air seem less impressive by comparison. Huawei's MatePad Air has finally been released outside of China, making the iPad Air seem less impressive by comparison. Huawei's MatePad Air has finally been released outside of China, making the iPad Air seem less impressive by comparison.

Other articles

Microsoft's emissions increased by 25% due to the expansion of AI data centers. Microsoft's emissions increased by 25% due to the expansion of AI data centers. Microsoft's emissions increased by approximately 25% in 2025, reaching 20.3 million tonnes, largely due to AI data centres, making its goal of being carbon-negative by 2030 more challenging. Uber advocates for the integration of robotaxis into its platform. Uber advocates for the integration of robotaxis into its platform. Uber's lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., and New Jersey are advocating for a "hybrid network" regulation that would allow driverless vehicles to operate on the same platform as human drivers. The EU has excluded smart glasses from regulations requiring removable batteries. The EU has excluded smart glasses from regulations requiring removable batteries. Brussels has made exceptions in its battery regulation for wearables, allowing Meta's glasses to proceed. On the other hand, Nintendo is withdrawing the Switch from the European market. Paramount has stated that it will appeal to the Supreme Court if states impede the Warner Bros merger. Paramount has stated that it will appeal to the Supreme Court if states impede the Warner Bros merger. Twelve state attorneys general filed a lawsuit to prevent Paramount's $110 billion purchase of Warner Bros Discovery, but the company claims it can finalize the deal by September. IBM's stock drops after its initial Q2 revenue fails to meet expectations, despite a significant increase in AI bookings. IBM's stock drops after its initial Q2 revenue fails to meet expectations, despite a significant increase in AI bookings. IBM released preliminary results for Q2, revealing revenue of $17 billion, which fell short of analyst expectations due to changes in client spending and the inability to finalize large deals. Kalshi develops a forward curve for computing power as exchanges compete to transform GPUs into a tradable asset. The prediction market platform Kalshi has developed a forward curve to monitor GPU compute expenses, joining CME and ICE in the effort to monetize AI infrastructure.

Huawei's MatePad Air has finally been released outside of China, making the iPad Air seem less impressive by comparison.

Huawei’s MatePad Air, which was launched worldwide, features a 144Hz OLED screen, an impressive battery, and included accessories that underscore certain uncomfortable shortcomings in Apple’s iPad Air.