Tablet Comparison
Huawei MediaPad M5 8 vs Apple iPad Air Comparison
A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right tablet.
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Verdict
Pros & cons
MediaPad M5 8
If you’re looking for a tablet for more than the occasional video or web browsing session, the Huawei offers iPad-like performance in a familiar Android format.
+
What's good
+
Bright, colorful display
+
Snappy performance
+
All-day battery life
+
Quick Charge support
+
Stereo speakers
+
microSD support
−
What's not
−
Weak cameras
−
No 3.5mm headphone jack
−
Lots of bloatware
iPad Air
+
What's good
+
Fast performance
+
High-quality design
+
MIMO support
+
Beautiful display
+
Plenty of model options
−
What's not
−
Price
−
Lack of Touch ID
−
Mediocre camera
MediaPad M5 8
If you’re looking for a tablet for more than the occasional video or web browsing session, the Huawei offers iPad-like performance in a familiar Android format.
+
Good
+
Bright, colorful display
+
Snappy performance
+
All-day battery life
+
Quick Charge support
+
Stereo speakers
+
microSD support
−
Not
−
Weak cameras
−
No 3.5mm headphone jack
−
Lots of bloatware
iPad Air
+
Good
+
Fast performance
+
High-quality design
+
MIMO support
+
Beautiful display
+
Plenty of model options
−
Not
−
Price
−
Lack of Touch ID
−
Mediocre camera
Spec data
How they compare
MediaPad M5 8
iPad Air
Price (MSRP)
—
—
OS
Android
iOS
Processor
HiSilicon Kirin 960 Octa core
Apple A7 Dual core
Camera zoom
—
—
Battery life
—
—
Wired charging
—
—
Wireless charging
—
—
Display
Color
Color
Software support
—
—
Repairability
—
—
Weight
316g (11.1 oz)
478g (16.9 oz)
Fingerprint
Yes
No
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
Spec data
How they compare
MediaPad M5 8
iPad Air
Price (MSRP)
—
Price (MSRP)
—
OS
Android
OS
iOS
Processor
HiSilicon Kirin 960 Octa core
Processor
Apple A7 Dual core
Camera zoom
—
Camera zoom
—
Battery life
—
Battery life
—
Wired charging
—
Wired charging
—
Wireless charging
—
Wireless charging
—
Display
Color
Display
Color
Software support
—
Software support
—
Repairability
—
Repairability
—
Weight
316g (11.1 oz)
Weight
478g (16.9 oz)
Fingerprint
Yes
Fingerprint
No
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
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Physical comparison
Size & weight
Footprint · to scale
MediaPad M5 8
8.4" × 4.9"
iPad Air
9.4" × 6.6"
Thickness · to scale
MediaPad M5 8
0.3"
iPad Air
0.3"
MediaPad M5 8
iPad Air
Height
8.4" (212.6 mm)
9.4" (239 mm)
Width
4.9" (124.8 mm)
6.6" (168 mm)
Depth
0.3" (7.3 mm)
0.3" (7 mm)
Weight
316g (11.1 oz)
478g (16.9 oz)
Screen
8.4"
9.7"
Height
8.4" (212.6 mm)
Height
9.4" (239 mm)
Width
4.9" (124.8 mm)
Width
6.6" (168 mm)
Depth
0.3" (7.3 mm)
Depth
0.3" (7 mm)
Weight
316g (11.1 oz)
Weight
478g (16.9 oz)
Screen
8.4"
Screen
9.7"
Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.
Common questions
MediaPad M5 8 vs iPad Air: FAQ
Which is better, the MediaPad M5 8 or iPad Air?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the iPad Air earns a Compass Score of 9.0 compared to 8.0 for the MediaPad M5 8. That 1-point gap reflects stronger reviews across the board, though individual priorities like camera quality, battery life, or price could tip the scales the other way. Scores aggregate dozens of expert opinions, so they are a useful starting point, not the final word.
Specifications sourced from manufacturers and third-party databases. Last updated October 2026. Suggest a correction →