Review of HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026: The Maturity of PaperMatte Technology for Productivity

For some time now, HUAWEI has decided to take a different approach in the tablet market, refining a technology, PaperMatte, that we had already seen in 2024, but which here reaches a surprising maturity. We spent several weeks with the new Huawei MatePad 11.5 S 2026, trying to determine if that paper-like feeling was just an effective marketing move or a real ergonomic revolution.

Design and Touch Feel

Holding the MatePad 11.5 S for several hours each day, we realized how much the aesthetic refinement contributed to a high level of ergonomics. The unibody aluminum casing is not only beautiful in its Space Gray (our model) or Violet colors, but offers a structural rigidity that instills confidence. Despite its very slim thickness of just 6.2 mm, the tablet does not bend at all under pressure. The weight of 510 grams is balanced: we tried using it upright to read some articles and did not feel wrist fatigue. Of course, we are talking about a device that is still quite substantial in size.

We appreciated the finish on the back, which passed our "fingerprint test": after an entire day of intense use, the surface still looked quite clean, unlike devices with glossy finishes that require constant cleaning. We cannot say the same for the display, which, although matte, does leave some fingerprints.

The Smart Magnetic Keyboard we received for testing attaches with good magnetic precision, although it's better to always check that everything is in the right place, not so much at the magnetic attachment, but more at the intersection of the cover. The keys have a travel distance of 1.5 mm, allowing us to write this article almost entirely from the tablet without missing our mechanical keyboard too much.

However, we did encounter a problem with the keyboard. Once removed from the tablet, the system does not display the on-screen keyboard, so you cannot type. The suggestion is to move the keyboard as far away as possible from the tablet once removed. This is likely a minor bug that could be fixed with an update and might only pertain to the test samples.

The symmetrical 7 mm bezel is another point in its favor: it is wide enough to allow thumbs to rest without covering the active portion of the display, yet thin enough to ensure that modern, immersive look expected from a product in 2026. The magnetic integration of the stylus on the top edge is secure, with the M-Pencil staying firmly in place.

Hardware and Performance

Under the hood, HUAWEI has chosen the Kirin T92C Hexa-core processor, which certainly does not focus on raw power but more on management and balance. During our load tests, we noted that the distribution of tasks among the cores is extremely smooth: high-efficiency cores manage background processes without impacting power consumption, while the "performance" cores engage promptly when we started working on heavy PDF files or using complex graphics apps. The provision of 12 GB of RAM proved more than sufficient for aggressive multitasking.

The storage capacity comes to 256 GB, which is adequate for the intended use of this tablet. But the real technical surprise lies in the implementation of the NearLink protocol. During our writing sessions with the third-generation M-Pencil, we felt a marked difference compared to Bluetooth: the communication between the stylus and the tablet occurs with almost imperceptible latency. But that is not the only difference we noticed; in addition to latency, the precision of the stroke has greatly improved, allowing us to draw fine technical details or write in narrow cursive without the letters being artificially “rounded” by the software.

Benchmark Scores

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Geekbench 6 Single-Core
3D Mark Wild Life Extreme Final Score
3D Mark Wild Life Final Score
CPDT Benchmark Sequential Write
CPDT Benchmark Sequential Read
Google Octane 2.0 Octane Score
Speedometer 2.0 Browser Test

On the connectivity front, we find Dual Antenna Wi-Fi 6 and a four-speaker audio system, supported by the HUAWEI Histen 9.0 algorithm, which surprised us with the clarity of mid-range frequencies.

Software and Ecosystem

Entering into the software details, HarmonyOS 4.2 greeted us with an interface that we found extremely mature. The fluidity of the transitions and the logic of the smart folders make work organization very intuitive. We tested the Super Device feature, trying to determine how easy it was to get the tablet to communicate with a MateBook laptop. The result was seamless: we dragged files from the PC to the tablet as if we were using a single device, turning the MatePad into a wireless second screen to extend our workspace while on the go.

We know the main question always concerns Google services. In our usage experience, we found that the absence of the Play Store is currently a surmountable obstacle, but not yet for everyone. Yes, AppGallery satisfied most of our needs, including key banking, social, and productivity apps. For everything that was missing, it was necessary to use Petal Search, which guided us in safely installing external files. In short, managing the absence of Google services is somehow manageable, but we realize that for a good chunk of users, it still poses a problem.

However, the company's native apps are often a gem. In fact, HUAWEI Notes is another pillar of our test that convinced us. We utilized the synchronized audio recording feature during a editorial meeting: while taking notes with the M-Pencil, the software recorded the environment. Once done, by tapping a specific handwritten word, the tablet played back the captured audio exactly at that moment. It’s a feature we found extremely useful for anyone needing to study or transcribe interviews, eliminating the need to manually search through recording minutes. The conversion from handwriting to digital text has become precise, even recognizing our not-so-neat handwriting with minimal error margin.

During our creative testing sessions, we thoroughly explored GoPaint, the professional painting application designed by Huawei to directly compete with historical industry benchmarks. The core of the app is the FangTian Painting Engine, a graphic engine that uses hardware acceleration to ensure smooth rendering at 144 fps, a specification we clearly perceived in the total absence of input lag. Inside, we find a vast library of over 100 brushes, which we were convinced by the fidelity with which the bristles and material viscosity are simulated. The combination of the 10,000 pressure levels of the M-Pencil and the physical resistance of the PaperMatte glass allowed us to achieve incredibly precise gradients and high-level calligraphic strokes.

PaperMatte 2.0 Display

We arrive at what we consider the “main dish”: the display. Defining it simply as “matte” would be reductive and technically inaccurate. The nanometric etching technology that Huawei has applied to this 11.5-inch panel is something that needs to be experienced firsthand to fully understand. We took the tablet outside, under direct sunlight, and were surprised. Where a normal tablet would have become a black mirror, the MatePad 11.5 S remained perfectly readable. Reflections are not only diminished but literally eliminated by the physical process of light diffraction on the treated surface.

From a technical standpoint, we appreciated the 2.8K resolution (2800 x 1840 pixels). The pixel density is such that, even when bringing your eye close to the screen, it's impossible to distinguish individual points. The 3:2 aspect ratio is, in our view, the best choice for a tablet of these dimensions: it offers that extra vertical surface that turns reading an A4 document into a natural experience, without forcing us to scroll continuously. The refresh rate at 144Hz, combined with the PaperMatte technology, creates a visual effect that resembles high-quality paper more than an electronic device. We noted that visual stress at the end of the day is less compared to when we use traditional glossy screens, a benefit confirmed by the TÜV Rheinland certifications we verified in the technical documentation.

The true difference occurs, however, with writing. Huawei claims a 50% reduction in flicker compared to the previous generation, and our visual tests confirm this: images appear sharp, colors are saturated, and we did not notice that “grainy” effect that often afflicts matte films applied after the fact. The color calibration is excellent, fully covering the sRGB space, making it a reliable device for those needing to do photo editing on the go.

Display Tests

The colorimetric analysis of the panel was performed using the X-Rite i1Display Pro colorimeter and the HCFR software suite, following calibration of the tool using the X-Rite i1 Pro 2 spectrophotometer to ensure maximum spectral accuracy.

Brightness 15% Area
Brightness 100% Area

The panel recorded a maximum brightness of 511 nits on an entirely white screen (100% APL). This figure is particularly significant when compared to OLED technology, as the latter tends to limit peak luminance as the area of white displayed increases due to the energy and thermal limits of organic diodes. In this scenario, the HUAWEI unit manages to maintain superior brightness consistency, making the consultation of documents and web pages quite easy even under intense ambient light, also thanks to the matte coating of the PaperMatte version. The observed contrast ratio of 1167:1 is at good levels for LCD technology, although it cannot compete with absolute blacks of OLEDs which, especially in dark environments, offer greater image depth.

For color fidelity tests, the Normal Mode was selected, which turned out to be the closest to digital cinema standards. The DCI-P3 standard defines a broader color space than traditional sRGB, introducing more saturated primaries for a richer and more vibrant color rendering. The display covers 92% of the P3 gamut triangle, a good value that ensures correct saturation in most multimedia content. The comparison with OLEDs, which usually extend much further in terms of maximum saturation, once again proves to be unfavorable.

Color Space CIE 1931 - Chromatic Coordinates Yxy

HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S (2026) PaperMatte Edition - Normal Mode.

Measured Gamut Coverage Ratio
REC BT.709: 99.87% Coverage: 125.29%
DCI P3 D65: 92.30% Coverage: 92.36%
Adobe RGB: 84.80% Coverage: 92.88%
BT.2020: 66.24% Coverage: 66.26%

RGB Balancing: HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S (2026) PaperMatte Edition - Normal Mode

SDR Gamma Curve

HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S (2026) PaperMatte Edition - Normal Mode.

Measured Luminance.
Standard Gamma 2.2
Contrast Ratio: 1,167 : 1
DeltaE - Macbeth Color Checker HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S (2026) PaperMatte Edition - Normal Mode

The default white balance appears very cool, with a visible blue tint that can still be corrected using the integrated software controls. The gamma curve is extremely convincing, accurately following the reference of 2.2, ensuring that the brightness distribution along the gray scale is correct, avoiding loss of detail in shadow areas or burning of highlights. The average DeltaE measured via Macbeth Color Checker is 3; this result identifies a color deviation barely perceptible to the untrained human eye, placing the device in a good accuracy range for everyday use.

The display does not support HDR content playback, limiting the dynamic range to standard. The images presented in SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) show satisfactory quality, but it is evident that the particular PaperMatte matte finish (designed to reduce reflections and simulate the feeling of paper) tends to mitigate the brightness and perceived depth of colors compared to traditional glossy glass. This is not a panel designed for pure cinematic viewing or professional grading, but rather a tool optimized for productivity. In this domain, color reproduction is natural and relaxing, almost as if the images were physically printed on the tablet's surface, eliminating the visual fatigue typical of conventional backlit displays.

A small note concerns the textured diagonal lines you see in our display images. This is a software issue related to the test samples, so it will not be present in retail units.

Battery Life

Battery life is always a critical point for those working on the go, but the 8800 mAh battery of the MatePad 11.5 S allowed us to tackle intense days without the anxiety of recharging. We tested the device in various scenarios: from a light day of emails and web browsing to a heavy session with creative drawing and high-resolution video streaming.

The tablet achieved a score of 745 minutes in our overall test, conducted with the display brightness set to 200 nits and a script simulating human interactions on web pages, video streaming, and alternating CPU and GPU benchmark sessions.

Regarding charging, in our tests, we recovered about 30% of charge in half an hour, enough to ensure another three or four hours of use in a short amount of time. The device supports 40W fast charging, not the top of the segment, but still substantial power. Full charging, with the proprietary charger and cable, takes just over an hour. Included in the package are the data cable and a cleaning cloth for the display. The charger is available for separate purchase.

Cameras

Despite believing that photographing with a tablet is an unnatural operation, we tested the 13 MP rear module in its natural habitat.

As the only rear sensor, we have a 13 MP (f/1.8) that performs decently for being mounted on a tablet. We took some photos, and the results were sufficient for social use or for inserting reference images in a document. Obviously, we are far from the quality of a smartphone in the same price range. In short, better could have been done, but not by much. The ability to record in 4K video is a plus that we appreciated.

The 8 MP front camera adopts a wide-angle lens very useful for video calls and also uses FollowCam technology that manages face tracking, keeping the user centered in the frame even if they move sideways, significantly improving remote communication experience.

Price and Availability

Speaking of prices, the positioning of the Huawei MatePad 11.5 S 2026 seems just right. The list price on the official website is 399.00 euros, but until April 21 there is a direct discount of 30 euros, bringing it to 369.00 euros. Additionally, the IT version Keyboard is included as a gift, valued at 149.00 euros. To add the pen, you need to add either 29.00 euros for the third-generation M-Pencil or 49.00 euros for the M-Pencil Pro.

HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026 Tablet with Ultra-Bright PaperMatte 2.8K 144Hz Display, 12+256GB, 8800 mAh Battery, 40W SuperCharge, WiFi 6+, Bluetooth 5.2, Notes, GoPaint, 30-month Warranty

399.00 €

Buy now

HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026 Tablet with Ultra-Bright PaperMatte 2.8K 144Hz Display, 12+256GB, 8800 mAh Battery, 40W SuperCharge, WiFi 6+, Bluetooth 5.2, M-Pencil Pro, 30-month Warranty

429.00 €

Buy now

We evaluated the quality-price ratio considering not only the tablet but the entire ecosystem of accessories often offered in bundles. At this price, taking home a display with nanometric technology and the NearLink protocol represents a good deal for anyone looking for a specialized study or work tool. It is not an inexpensive device in absolute terms, but the build quality and innovation of the panel justify every euro requested.

Conclusions

It is not a device for everyone, but it is the ideal device for an increasingly broad niche of users who have suffered from the limitations of glossy displays. We were convinced by the coherence between hardware and software, the responsiveness of the NearLink protocol, and, above all, that PaperMatte experience that finally makes it pleasant to spend hours in front of a digital screen. Certainly, you need to accept the challenge of an ecosystem without native Google services, but we have seen that with a little adaptation, productivity does not suffer too much.