Huawei MatePad 10.4 (2022) Hands-on

Huawei will soon launch its latest tablet in the Philippines called the Huawei MatePad 10.4 (2022). As the name suggests, it sports a 10.4-inch 2K screen, Kirin 710A chipset, and quad-speakers. In addition, it supports Huawei’s peripherals like the Smart Keyboard and M Pencil, turning it into a mobile productivity device. Check out our hands-on below.

Design-wise, the MatePad 10.4 (2022) doesn’t look much different from Huawei’s other MatePads. It’s got slim bezels (although not as slim as the Pro models) and a metallic chassis with a matte paint job. It feels solid and premium for a mid-range tablet.

The new MatePad 10.4 is designed to be used in landscape mode. We have a 10.4-inch screen on the front with a 2000 x 1200 resolution and an IPS panel. It’s a sharp and very vibrant screen with really good viewing angles, which is great for watching videos. Placed above the screen is the 8MP front camera.

To the left, we have the power/lock button and two speakers.

On the right are two more speakers, and the USB-C port.

Up top are the microphones for calls, video recording, and audio recording, and the volume buttons.

Then down below is the card tray for a nano-sized SIM card and microSD card.

At the back, there’s the protruding camera module that houses the 13MP camera, LED flash, and microphone. Found in the middle of the back panel is the Huawei branding.

Our MatePad came with a Smart Keyboard and an M Pencil. We’re not sure yet if it’s included in the package but we hope that it does as having a keyboard and stylus with the tablet will allow you to take advantage of its full features.

The Smart Keyboard works as the tablets cover when not in use and automatically becomes its stand when it’s time to work on it. It also has a switch and a USB-C port on the right side for charging. And yes, it connects to the tablet via Bluetooth.

The keyboard is tiny but workable. If you’re used to laptops or dedicated keyboards, it might take some time to get used to them. It’s also not backlit, so working in the dark can be a challenge. But given its size, the MatePad 10.4 (2022) allows us to work in small spaces like a coffee shop or just place it on our lap to write drafts, scripts, or answer some emails.

The Huawei M Pencil, on the other hand, has to be paired to the MatePad 10.4 via its proprietary USB-C cable first. Once paired, you can now use it to scribble or write notes. The pen doesn’t magnetically attach to the tablet, so you’ll have to carry it separately.

Powering the MatePad 10.4 is a Huawei Kirin 710A chipset, which is the same chipset powering the Huawei Y7a in 2020. It also has a Mali-G51 GPU, 4GB RAM, and 128GB of storage. Software-wise, it’s running on HarmonyOS 2 and for the battery, a 7,250mAh with support for 22.5W fast charging. At this point, the MatePad 10.4 is looking like an entry-level tablet but we’ll know more in our full review.

The Huawei MatePad 10.4 (2022) is scheduled to launch on May 6. Stay tuned for the local price and availability.

Huawei MatePad 10.4 (2022) specs:
10.4-inch 2K (2000 x 1200) IPS display
Huawei Kirin 710A chipset
Mali-G51 GPU
4GB RAM
128GB storage
microSD card support
13MP F1.8 rear camera
8MP F2.0 front camera
Single-SIM
4G LTE
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 5.1
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS
USB-C
3 microphones
Quad stereo speakers
HarmonyOS 2
7,250mAh battery w/ 22.5W fast charging
154.96 x 245.2 x 7.35 mm
450 g