Huawei MatePad 11.5 PaperMatte Edition Review: The anti-glare etching technology is effective in eliminating reflections and reducing eye fatigue
Huawei’s MatePad 11.5 PaperMatte Edition’s anti-glare texture helps in reducing eye fatigue, but it is not an alternative to E Ink's use cases.
Huawei MatePad 11.5 PaperMatte Edition is a mid-range Android tablet with one key difference: the screen has an anti-glare coating etched onto it. Besides the anti-glare screen, there is little to differentiate the PaperMatte Edition from the regular MatePad 11.5. Huawei highlights that the matte screen is easier on the eyes than glossy screens. Considering that the screen is the selling point of the Huawei MatePad 11.5 PaperMatte Edition, this review will focus on its viability as an e-reading tablet and its benefits as a productivity device.
Huawei MatePad 11.5 PaperMatte Edition comes in two versions - one 11 inches and the other 11.5 inches. The 11.5-inch version is more widely available, while the smaller version is restricted to the Asian market. The smaller edition has a better processor but less storage (128GB) and a slightly smaller battery capacity (7200 mAh).
The matte screen
It is not common to see a tablet with an anti-glare coating. TCL’s NXTPaper pioneered the etching of an anti-reflective coating on an LCD screen. Huawei and Lenovo both followed with their matte display models.
These manufacturers claim the anti-glare coating is applied to the glass during manufacturing. Like NXTPaper, Huawei claims the “nano-level anti-glare etching technology” eliminates nearly all external light interferences to make for a pleasant reading experience:
Nano-level anti-glare etching technology eliminates 97% of all light interference, bringing a paper-like visual experience. Reduced reflection makes each glance as clear as can be, so that you can read or watch videos with less eye strain. Colour eBook mode allows you to read your favourite comic books on the tablet screen the way as you read paper books.
The screen emits light, so it is not as paper-like as E Ink, but it does make viewing the screen more comfortable in a brightly lit environment and outdoors. Huawei claims MatePad 11.5 PaperMatte Edition has obtained “TÜV Rheinland Reflection Free Certification, SGS Low Visual Fatigue Premium Performance Certification, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, and TÜV Rheinland Flicker Free Certification.” Low blue light certification is common with many tablets, but the reflection-free certification is due to the anti-glare etching.
With glossy screens, the dark mode generates greater reflections, resulting in the screen mirroring its surroundings. The anti-glare etching makes dark mode effective in reducing eye fatigue, as it eliminates nearly all reflections.
Huawei claims the screen’s anti-glare etching results in a paper-like feel when using the stylus. While writing on the screen is much better than on regular glossy screens, the anti-glare coating is smooth, and there is insufficient friction.
Software features to reduce eye fatigue when reading include options to turn the screen to monochrome and soften colours to pastel shades. The reading mode overlays a soft night light in monochrome or pastel shades. Due to the 2200 × 1440 resolution, text appears crisp.
Note-taking features
Unlike Lenovo, which uses NEBO, Huawei has developed its notetaking application. The application has many advanced features, including assorted templates, a wide variety of writing tools, and the insertion of images and recordings.
There is cloud syncing of notes to the Huawei cloud with a storage allowance of 5GB. However, there is no integration into third-party cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox. It is possible that third-party cloud syncing is missing because Huawei does not support Google services in accessing applications.
Another missing feature is adapting the background to black and the writing colour to white in dark mode. Samsung Notes is one of the few note-taking applications that automatically changes the text and background colours when dark mode is activated.
The productivity bundle
When purchasing the tablet, Huawei bundles a smart keyboard and stylus at no extra cost. The smart keyboard is detachable, with a protective bumper case making up the second part. The keyboard connects via Bluetooth, so it can be used without connecting directly using the Pogo pins. Unfortunately, the keyboard case does not support multiple angles.
It is functional as a keyboard but adds bulk and weight. The hard bumper case and keyboard weigh 458 grams, which is close to the tablet's weight (499 grams).
It is disappointing that Huawei did not develop a stylus that integrates seamlessly with MatePad 11.5 PaperMatte Edition. The compatible stylus is M-Pencil (2nd generation), which does not magnetically attach to the tablet for wireless charging. The keyboard case also has no opening to lock the stylus into place when unused.
Huawei has also made questionable decisions regarding the stylus's charging. The stylus comes with a USB-C cable that magnetically attaches to its side. There is no way to charge the stylus if the cable is lost. Huawei should have used an EMR pen that requires no charging or, at the very least, a pen with a built-in charging port.
Huawei sometimes bundles the M-Pencil at no extra cost, and when it is not included, it is heavily discounted.
The second-generation M-Pencil works very well for note-taking. Its transparent hard tip has a similar smooth feel to an Apple Pencil. It has the expected pressure sensitivity and no noticeable input lag. A negative is the absence of extra buttons that can be used as an eraser or highlighter.
Performance and battery life
The tablet has a 7700 mAh battery. Its battery life easily lasts a whole day of mixed usage. However, the 18W charging is not fast—getting to a full charge takes 2 to 2.5 hours.
The tablet is configured with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor. Performance is mid-range and works well for productivity, like writing, note-taking, and streaming content. The Matepad 11.5 PaperMatte Edition comes in one configuration of 8GB RAM and 256 GB storage, which makes multi-tasking smooth. Harmony OS is also lightweight, and navigating menus and apps feels smoother than other Android-based operating systems.
The processor is not strong enough for intensive creative work. To fill the creative gap, Huawei introduced the 11.5 S PapeMatte Edition, which has a more powerful processor for drawing and video editing.
There is no Google Play services
Due to the US security state's war on Chinese hi-tech vendors, Huawei is barred from using Google Play services. Huawei has utilised different measures to compensate for the absence of Google Play services. While many apps are accessible through the Huawei AppGallery, many popular ones are not. To remedy the problem, the AppGallery guides users to external third-party sources to access APKS, which installs the missing apps.
Installing the Google Play Store in a sandbox using a service like GBox is possible. However, using apps in a sandbox has drawbacks. A major issue is that they operate independently of Harmony OS. Hence, applications installed through GBox are not recognised in the list of compatible apps when opening a file. Likewise, if a third-party keyboard application is installed, it can't be activated in settings.
While there are workarounds for the lack of Google Play services, these are not user-friendly or within the reach of the novice user. The absence of Google Services remains a stumbling block for many users considering a Huawei device.
Concluding thoughts
The screen’s anti-reflective texture is a worthwhile addition. At first, I was sceptical and assumed the texture would be like applying a matte screen protector. In reality, the anti-glare etching technology is a more effective and guaranteed way to eliminate reflections than a matte screen protector, which can be hit-and-miss. Furthermore, the etched matte texture produces better clarity than an anti-glare screen protector.
Currently, anti-glare screen etching is one of the better paths to reduce eye strain while not compromising on fast refresh rates. We have heard of promising transflective LCD products, but these are not ready to be mass-produced. To put things into perspective, there are more choices with E Ink monitors than RLCD or transflective LCD ones. Consequently, the very small niche of non-emissive solutions with fast refresh rates is prohibitively priced and not within the reach of many users.
Daylight’s Live Paper is an example of a promising solution that uses a transflective LCD with fast refresh rates. Despite being only monochrome with lower-end specifications (the resolution is only 190 PPI), the Daylight tablet is priced at $729.
Is a tablet like Huawei’s MatePad 11.5 PaperMatte Edition an alternative to e-notes? The answer must be negative. The category of users that use E Ink for its unique benefits will likely not turn to an emissive LCD screen with an anti-glare etching. On the other hand, users not bothered with using emissive displays for reading might find the matte texture a positive for outdoor viewability and working in a brightly lit environment.
I’ll look forward to your review and comments about the Daylight device now available. So many interesting new products coming including Supernote A5X2 and possibly a Remarkable 3. 🥳