With the COVID-19 pandemic pushing us to do work and school requirements at home, you might want a capable tool to help you do all of them.
Sure, you can get a laptop. But if you’re planning to relax and use it for entertainment after work, then you might want to get a tablet instead. As an added benefit, tablets are more compact and portable to take with you in the office or school after everything is back to normal.
With that, our comparison today we’ll stack up two of the best tablets in the Android and iOS space. First, we have the Huawei MatePad Pro.
The MatePad Pro is available in two models — there are the 4G and 5G models. But whatever you pick, the two share identical flagship processors, keyboard support, and large and vibrant screen for multitasking and multimedia consumption.
On the other corner, we also have the new iPad Pro 2020. Available in two display options, the latest iPad is the most powerful and feature-packed tablet that the company currently makes.
Just like the MatePad, it’s complete with laptop-like features that makes it a great alternative to a real one.
So, the question is, which between the two should you get? We’ll help you decide in our Huawei MatePad Pro versus iPad Pro 2020 specifications and features comparison.
| Huawei MatePad Pro | Apple iPad Pro 2020 | |
| Operating System | Android 10 EMUI 10.1 Huawei Mobile Services | iPadOS |
| SIM | Nano SIM | Nano SIM (Cellular model) |
| Display | 10.8-inch WQXGA LCD 2560 x 1600 pixel resolution ~279ppi DCI-P3 60Hz refresh rate | 11-inch: 11-inch Liquid Retina IPS 2388 x 1668 pixel resolution ~264ppi 12.9-inch: 12.9-inch Liquid Retina IPS 2732 x 2048 pixel resolution ~264ppi 11-inch/12.9-inch: 120Hz ProMotion technology DCI-P3 True Tone display |
| Processor | 5G: Kirin 990 5G octa-core 4G: Kirin 990 octa-core | A12Z Bionic Chip |
| RAM | 5G: 8GB 4G: 6GB | 6GB |
| GPU | Mali-G76 | 8-core Apple GPU |
| Storage | 5G: 256GB/512GB 4G: 128GB expandable via NM card | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB non-expandable |
| Front camera | 8-megapixel | 7-megapixel TrueDepth sensor |
| Rear Camera | 13-megapixel f/1.8 LED flash PDAF | 12-megapixel (f/1.8) 10-megapixel (ultra-wide, f/2.4) LiDAR sensor dual-pixel PDAF LED flash |
| Audio | 4x Harman Kardon-tuned speakers 5x microphones | 4x stereo speaker 4x studio-quality microphones |
| Security | n/a | FaceID |
| Connectivity | 4G 5G WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 5.1 GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS USB Type-C | 4G (Cellular model) WiFi 6, dual-band Bluetooth 5.0 GPS, GNSS (Cellular model) USB Type-C |
| Optional accessories | Huawei Smart Magnetic Keyboard (~Php7,000) Huawei M-Pencil (~Php2,000) | Apple Magic Keyboard w/ trackpad: 11-inch: Php16,990 12.9-inch: Php19,990 2nd-Gen Apple Pencil: Php7,990 |
| Dimensions | 146 x 159 x 7.99mm | 11-inch: 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9mm 12.9-inch: 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9mm |
| Weight | 492g | 11-inch: 471g 12.9-inch: 641g |
| Colors | Midnight Grey Orange Forest Green | Silver Space Gray |
| Battery | 7,250mAh 40W fast charging 7.5W reverse wireless charging 5G: 27W fast wireless charging 4G: 15W fast wireless charging | 11-inch: 28.65Wh 12.9-inch: 36.71Wh 18W fast charging |
| Price | 5G: 8GB/256GB: EUR799 (~Php44,200) 8GB/512GB: EUR949 (~Php52,500) 4G: 6GB/128GB: Php32,990 | 11-inch: 128GB (WiFi only): Php47,990 128GB (WiFi + Cellular): Php56,990 256GB (WiFi only): Php53,990 256GB (WiFi + Cellular): Php62,990 512GB (WiFi only): Php65,990 512GB (WiFi + Cellular): Php74,990 1TB (WiFi only): Php77,990 1TB (WiFi + Cellular): Php86,990 12.9-inch: 128GB (WiFi only): Php59,990 128GB (WiFi + Cellular): Php68,990 256GB (WiFi only): Php65,990 256GB (WiFi + Cellular): Php74,990 512GB (WiFi only): Php77,990 512GB (WiFi + Cellular): Php86,990 1TB (WiFi only): Php89,990 1TB (WiFi + Cellular): Php98,990 |
With their large screens, capable processors, and accessories made for productivity and creativity, it’s clear that the Huawei MatePad Pro and the new iPad Pro are the best tablets you can get in the market right now.
But obviously, Apple products doesn’t come cheap. The new iPad Pro does have better features that justify its price tag, but the MatePad Pro’s more affordable price tag makes it a great buy.
The Huawei MatePad Pro 4G is available in the Philippines for Php32,990 — and that’s with 128GB of storage and 4G connectivity already.
On the other hand, the iPad Pro starts at Php47,990. That’s Php15,000 more than the MatePad Pro. If you want the cellular model, you have to spend more as it retails for Php56,990.
The accessories for the MatePad Pro are also cheaper. The Huawei Smart Magnetic keyboard retails for around Php7,000. That’s way cheaper than the Apple Magic Keyboard which has a whopping starting price of Php16,990. Although, it features MacBook-like keys and a trackpad for a full laptop-like experience.
Oh, and there’s also the M-Pencil, which is available for around Php2,000. The second generation Apple Pencil costs four times more at Php7,990.
Clearly, if budget is a major consideration, then go with the Huawei MatePad Pro. But if you want to invest more on a more reliable and well-made machine, then paying extra on the new iPad Pro 2020 might be better for you.
Android is still the most flexible mobile OS in the market. However, the simplicity and straightforward nature of iPadOS will also allow you to do work faster and more efficiently.
Performance shouldn’t be an issue on these devices. The Kirin 990 is fast and reliable — it’s also the same chipset found on flagship smartphones like the P40 series.
Meanwhile, the A12Z Bionic chip made the iPad Pro the most powerful iOS device in the market today.
The 10.8-inch WQXGA screen on the Huawei MatePad Pro is already enough for the price. But with the iPad Pro, you’re paying extra for its smoother 120Hz refresh rate and True Tone technology.
Related: How to jailbreak an iPhone or iPad using a rooted Android device
People shouldn’t really take pictures with their tablets. That’s what your smartphone is for. The 8-megapixel and 13-megapixel front and rear cameras of the Huawei MatePad Pro should be enough for video calls and casual snaps, but it can also take decent photos in case there’s a need for it.
On the other hand, Apple went over-the-top and included an ultra-wide camera on the iPad Pro. There’s also the LiDAR sensor, which is basically an advanced depth-sensor for AR applications.
For a quick recap, the Huawei MatePad Pro’s large display, keyboard support, and flagship processor can already give a seamless experience while saving you tons of money.
In fact, you can even get the smart keyboard and M-Pen for free when you pre-order it, or during the numerous Huawei promotions throughout the year.
As a bonus, the MatePad Pro also has faster 40W wired charging and is the first tablet to have wireless charging support.
But if you can spend more, the iPad Pro’s smoother screen, seamless interface, great cameras, and an advanced keyboard with trackpad that will make you feel like you’re actually working on a laptop. But for its price, you might be better off getting a MacBook Air, which starts at Php57,990.