Huawei MatePad Pro

“The lack of Google services makes it very difficult to use Google apps and leads to problems with many third-party apps. Applications from external sources can be installed, but this introduces a security risk for inexperienced users, and even experienced users will sometimes not understand the way APK files from external sources will interact with their system. Despite this, the MatePad Pro offers a good sounding speaker system, long runtimes, and decent performance. In addition, the tablet from Huawei has very good construction and features that are rarely found in the tablet market, such as wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.”

“The Huawei MatePad Pro’s biggest problem is the Apple iPad. While the MatePad Pro is a good tablet for video, games, and light productivity, there is no compelling reason to choose it over an iPad Air or 11-inch iPad Pro.”

“Until Huawei sorts out all things Google-related, how great its Android phones and tablets will be in the real world is going to massively come down to each individual user. Its tablets, however, can get away with no Google better than phones, given the fact web apps are altogether bigger, better experiences on them. The specs and functionality of the MatePad Pro are top-tier, for a tablet, the camera is decent, and we actually used the wireless charging daily in our time with it.”

“As a complete hardware package, the MatePad Pro is absolutely worth the £499 asking price. Hardware isn't everything, though, and the reality of the Huawei-US trade ban hobbles what would otherwise be the best affordable Android tablet on the market.”