The world of tablets has always been fascinating. For years, they’ve existed in a strange middle ground between smartphones and laptops neither here nor there. Some people use them for reading e-books, others for watching Netflix, and a smaller crowd for sketching or note taking. But lately, something has shifted. Tablets are no longer content to be sidekicks, they want to be the star of the show.
Huawei seems to understand this better than most. With the launch of the MatePad 12 X, the company is making a bold statement, a tablet can be powerful, beautiful, and capable enough to replace your laptop in many everyday situations. But does it succeed in pulling off this delicate balancing act?
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been observing the Huawei MatePad 12 X closely how it feels in the hand, how it performs under pressure, and whether it genuinely makes life easier or just adds another gadget to your desk. What follows is not just a spec sheet rundown, but an in depth look at what this tablet feels like to live with.
First Impressions: Premium Vibes at First Touch
There’s something undeniably satisfying about unboxing a new gadget. The MatePad 12 X greets you with an air of sophistication. Its slim 5.9 mm profile immediately makes it feel futuristic like holding a slice of glass and metal sculpted with intention. At 555 grams, it’s not feather light, but considering the 12 inch display, the weight feels well distributed.Huawei has clearly put thought into design aesthetics. The aluminum alloy frame is sleek yet sturdy, and the subtle finishes like “Greenery” and “White” lend it an elegant personality. It’s the sort of device that you’d feel proud to pull out in a meeting room, coffee shop, or on a flight.
The first thing that truly grabs attention, though, is the display. This is no ordinary screen it’s a 12 inch 2.8K PaperMatte Display with a refresh rate that climbs up to 144 Hz. The combination of size, sharpness, and buttery smoothness creates a window like experience that feels almost alive. You don’t just look at this screen you fall into it.
The Display: PaperMatte Magic
Let’s talk about the star of the show. Huawei calls it a PaperMatte Display, and while that might sound like marketing fluff, it’s actually something you can feel. Unlike glossy screens that reflect every ceiling light and every shadow of your own face, the PaperMatte texture softens reflections and makes prolonged use much more comfortable.When I first tried scribbling on it with the M-Pencil, it reminded me of writing in a high end notebook smooth but with just enough friction to mimic pen on paper. For digital artists, this tactile experience is a blessing. For writers like me, it reduces the disconnect between tool and thought.
Another pleasant surprise is how well the screen performs outdoors. With peak brightness reaching 1000 nits, it handles direct sunlight better than many laptops I’ve used. Reading an article on the balcony or sketching in a park feels doable without constantly squinting or angling the device away from the light.
And of course, the 144 Hz refresh rate makes every swipe, scroll, and animation glide effortlessly. Once you get used to this level of fluidity, going back to a standard 60 Hz tablet feels like stepping into molasses.
Performance: Kirin T92B in the Real World
Specs tell you one thing, experience tells you another. On paper, the MatePad 12 X is powered by the Kirin T92B chipset, paired with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. While this may not sound as flashy as Apple’s M-series chips or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon flagships, it holds its own surprisingly well.In daily tasks browsing, multitasking between apps, video calls, or editing documents the MatePad 12 X barely breaks a sweat. Switching between windows is seamless, and split screen multitasking feels natural rather than forced. Huawei has clearly optimized HarmonyOS 4.3 to take advantage of the hardware.
Where the limitations appear is in gaming and extremely heavy workloads. While casual titles and even some graphically rich ones run smoothly, it doesn’t quite hit the same frame rates or sustained performance as top tier gaming tablets. If you’re buying this as a gaming machine first, you might be disappointed. But if productivity, reading, note taking, and creativity are your priorities, the MatePad 12 X feels balanced.
Battery Life: Going the Distance
If there’s one area where Huawei consistently impresses, it’s battery performance. The MatePad 12 X packs a 10,100 mAh battery, which is more than enough for a full day of mixed use. On days when I stuck to reading, browsing, and light note taking, it stretched comfortably into the second day.The real cherry on top is the 66 W Turbo Charging. It feels liberating to plug in a tablet for just half an hour and see it climb significantly toward full. Compared to the glacial charging speeds of some rival tablets, this alone makes a practical difference especially if you travel or work on the go.
HarmonyOS 4.3: A Double Edged Sword
The software side of the MatePad 12 X is where things get interesting. It runs HarmonyOS 4.3, which is both a strength and a weakness.On the positive side, the system feels smooth, intuitive, and beautifully designed. Features like Multi Window and Floating Windows genuinely improve productivity, letting you juggle tasks without feeling cramped. I often had a document open on one side, a reference website on the other, and a chat window floating unobtrusively.
Another standout is the inclusion of PC level WPS Office. This isn’t the watered down mobile version you might be used to it’s robust enough for real document editing, making the tablet feel closer to a laptop replacement.
But then there’s the elephant in the room, the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS). While Huawei’s AppGallery has grown and Petal Search helps fill gaps, it still doesn’t match the seamless convenience of Google Play. If your workflow depends heavily on Google apps like Drive, Docs, or Meet, you’ll face hurdles. Workarounds exist, but they require effort and sometimes compromise.
It’s a bit like buying a beautiful house in a great neighborhood, only to find out your favorite coffee shop doesn’t deliver there. You can still get your caffeine fix, but it takes extra planning.
Creativity Tools: A Playground for Artists and Writers
One area where the MatePad 12 X truly shines is creativity. With the M-Pencil (3rd Gen), Huawei has refined the writing and drawing experience into something that feels natural and rewarding. Latency is low, pressure sensitivity is excellent, and the PaperMatte texture adds that satisfying pen on paper illusion.The bundled GoPaint app is another pleasant surprise. Unlike many default sketching apps, this one comes loaded with brushes, textures, and even culturally inspired tools like a “batik brush”. It’s clear Huawei wants this device to be more than a productivity slab it wants to be your canvas.
As someone who occasionally doodles during meetings or jots down notes when inspiration strikes, I found myself reaching for the MatePad more often than expected. It made me realize that creativity often isn’t about talent it’s about having the right tool within reach.
Audio and Entertainment: A Six Speaker Symphony
No tablet review is complete without mentioning media consumption, and here the MatePad 12 X doesn’t disappoint. With six speakers and eight microphones, it delivers a surprisingly immersive soundstage. Watching a movie on it feels far more engaging than I expected from such a slim device.The microphones also shine during calls. In one instance, I joined a video meeting from a noisy café, and colleagues commented on how clear my voice sounded. That’s not something I can say for every tablet I’ve used.
Couple this with the gorgeous display, and the MatePad 12 X becomes a fantastic entertainment device Netflix, YouTube, or your local movie files all look and sound delightful.
Accessories: The Whole Ecosystem Matters
Huawei understands that a tablet alone doesn’t make a productivity machine. That’s why the MatePad 12 X is complemented by accessories like the Smart Magnetic Keyboard and the M-Pencil.The keyboard deserves special mention. It attaches magnetically and feels sturdy, with decent travel for a tablet keyboard. It’s not quite as luxurious as a laptop keyboard, but it’s leagues better than pecking at a touchscreen. Combined with the multitasking features of HarmonyOS, it transforms the tablet into a mini workstation.
Still, it’s worth noting that these accessories often come at an additional cost. When you factor them in, the total price climbs significantly. But if you’re serious about using this as a laptop replacement, they’re practically essential.
Who Is the MatePad 12 X For?
The Huawei MatePad 12 X is not trying to be everything to everyone. Instead, it targets a specific audience:- Professionals and students who want a powerful yet portable device for note taking, multitasking, and productivity.
- Artists and creatives who value a tactile drawing and writing experience.
- Media enthusiasts who want a beautiful display and rich sound in a sleek package.
- Huawei ecosystem users who already own a Huawei phone, laptop, or wearable and want seamless integration.
But it’s less ideal for:
- Heavy gamers who demand top tier GPU performance.
- Users deeply tied to the Google ecosystem who aren’t willing to use workarounds.
- Budget conscious buyers, since accessories and the premium price tag add up.
Price and Value: A Premium Proposition
In Indonesia, the Huawei MatePad 12 X launched at around Rp 8.999.000. That positions it squarely in the premium tablet market. Add the keyboard and M-Pencil, and you’re looking at a significant investment.Is it worth it? That depends on what you need. If you’re simply looking for a device to browse social media and stream shows, cheaper tablets will serve you just as well. But if you want a polished tool that combines productivity, creativity, and style, the MatePad 12 X makes a compelling case.
Final Thoughts: More Than a Gadget, a Companion
At the end of the day, what makes a device memorable isn’t just its specifications it’s how it fits into your life. The Huawei MatePad 12 X is one of those rare tablets that feels like more than just a screen. It’s a companion that encourages you to create, to stay productive, and to enjoy the little moments of entertainment along the way.Sure, it has trade offs the absence of Google services being the biggest. But if you’re willing to adapt, the rewards are significant. The PaperMatte display alone sets it apart, and when combined with thoughtful design, strong battery life, and excellent accessories, it becomes one of the most versatile tablets available today.
In a world where tablets often struggle to justify their existence, the Huawei MatePad 12 X makes a bold case for why they matter. It doesn’t just want to be your second device. It wants to be your first.