First Look at the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025): Better Than the iPad Air?

Just a month ago, we were fortunate enough to unbox the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” (2025), which you can read about here. However, its size can be a bit unwieldy for some users, which is where the new HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025) comes in.

A purple HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 on a white smart keyboard, displaying the home screen with various apps like WPS Office, GoPaint, and Notes. The tablet is propped up on a red surface.

But is it truly everything we love about the MatePad Pro 12.2 (2025), just wrapped in a smaller enclosure? Let’s unbox it and find out.

Unboxing Experience

HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 unboxing with three white boxes on a red background, showing the main tablet box, the smart keyboard box, and the M-Pencil box.

Unlike its bigger brother, which came in a very elegant and minimalist white box with gold engraving, the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025) arrived in a more conventional tech box that has a large photo of the tablet at the front. This appears to be purposely done to differentiate and set the tone for the 11.5.

A close-up of the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 tablet box, with the text 'HUAWEI MatePad 11.5' visible in black, set against a vibrant red background.

It’s no surprise that HUAWEI is still excelling in the tablet space due to the quality of their offerings. Where else would you find a manufacturer that includes a Smart Keyboard at a price point where no one else does? There’s no need to go out and buy a separate accessory; just open the box, and voilà! You’re ready to work and play.

An overhead view of the three product boxes: the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5, the Smart Keyboard, and the HUAWEI M-Pencil, all arranged on a red surface.

Slide open the top cover, and you’ll immediately be greeted by the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025). Along with the tablet, a polishing cloth, a Type-C cable, a charging brick, and some documentation, which includes the quick start guide and warranty card, are also included.

Design: Slim, Solid, and Seriously Stylish

A detailed shot of the back of the space gray HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 tablet, highlighting the three magnetic dots for connecting to the smart keyboard.

You’ll truly appreciate the build quality of the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025) when you take it out of its packaging. Boasting a premium all-aluminum unibody design that not only feels good in the hand but also provides peace of mind regarding its durability. There are two colors to choose from: Violet and Space Gray.

A side view of the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 tablet in space gray, showing the speakers and a camera lens on the top right, with a red background.

A close-up side view of the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 tablet in space gray, highlighting the speakers and the thin, sleek design.

Since portability is one of the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025)’s many strengths, it’s only fitting that the tablet is thin and light. At just 6.1mm thin and weighing merely 515g, it’s incredibly lightweight. Even with the HUAWEI Smart Keyboard attached, the entire setup remains effortlessly portable, easily able to slip into any bag.

The HUAWEI Smart Keyboard laid open on a red surface, with its packaging boxes visible in the background, showing the full keyboard layout and tablet cover.

One feature present on the MatePad Pro 12.2” that we wished was available on the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025) is the magnetized mechanism that allows the tablet to attach to the keyboard. Instead, they opted for a clip-on design that firmly secures the MatePad 11.5” into place. However, a free keyboard is still a free keyboard.

A side view of the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 in a purple case, propped up by the smart keyboard cover. The image focuses on the case's texture and the tablet's back design.

A close-up of the white HUAWEI Smart Keyboard, showing the keys and a portion of the tablet's screen displaying the home screen with a calendar icon.

The Smart Keyboard’s design enables the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025) to transition into “Laptop Form” for focused typing or into a “Split Form” that easily adapts to any environment. You can even operate wirelessly without needing additional charging cables because the Smart Keyboard supports wireless magnetic charging.

A detailed shot of the magnetic connection pins on the white HUAWEI Smart Keyboard cover, with the text 'Designed by Huawei' partially visible on the back of the tablet.

A close-up of the three magnetic connector pins on the back of the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 tablet, used for attaching the smart keyboard.

Display: See and Feel the Difference

The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 tablet standing upright on a red surface, with the screen displaying a vibrant, flowing blue and white abstract wallpaper.

Now, this is where the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025) truly stands out. While matte displays have been around for quite a while—one can even apply a matte screen protector or tempered glass to a non-matte display to achieve the look—achieving the look doesn’t equate to the true feel.

The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 tablet on a red surface, showing a high-resolution, starry-night or abstract space wallpaper on its screen.

With the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025), you’ll achieve both the look and feel with Huawei’s tried and true PaperMatte Display. Aside from being resistant to smudges, the PaperMatte Display offers anti-glare and anti-reflection properties, ensuring that even in direct sunlight, the content on screen remains as legible as it would indoors.

A person holding the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 and using the M-Pencil to draw an illustration of a bird-like character with a medieval helmet and cape.

The term “PaperMatte” isn’t just a marketing name. When paired with the 3rd Generation HUAWEI M-Pencil, it transforms into a digital canvas with endless creative possibilities, especially when used with the pre-installed and free GoPaint drawing app. It features a diverse range of brushes and professional tools, at no additional cost to the user.

A detailed, close-up shot of the tip of the HUAWEI M-Pencil as it touches the screen of the MatePad 11.5, showing the smooth drawing experience.

But it’s not all about work. During breaks, the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025) becomes an entertainment powerhouse, led by its expansive 11.5-inch 2.5K high-resolution panel supporting a 120Hz refresh rate. Even during extended viewing sessions, the MatePad 11.5” minimizes eye strain, thanks to its Circular Polarization Conversion Layer, which mimics natural light by evenly spreading light waves.

Performance: PC Vibes on a Portable Tablet

Each device, whether it’s a smartphone or a tablet, has its own specialty. Some specialize in gaming, while others excel in entertainment. For the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025), the goal is to deliver a true PC-like experience, and Huawei is implementing several key features to achieve this.

A person using the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 tablet with the white smart keyboard to view the WPS Office suite, showing the interface for creating new documents, presentations, and spreadsheets.

A close-up of the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 screen displaying the WPS Office application. The screen shows options for new documents, presentations, and spreadsheets, highlighting its PC-like interface.

Firstly, it includes a PC-level WPS Office 2.0. This is not a watered-down mobile version but a full-featured version of the popular office suite. Unlike the mobile versions found on app stores, the WPS Office 2.0 included with the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025) comes with all the functionalities typically found only in the PC version.

A person's hands using the white smart keyboard to type on the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5, which is displaying a presentation for a game on its screen.

A person pointing to text on the screen of a HUAWEI MatePad 11.5, which is propped on a white smart keyboard and displaying a document in a PC-like layout.

Furthermore, the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025)’s “Floating Multi-Window” mode allows you to run multiple applications at once, similar to a desktop environment. These features combined provide indispensable value to students and young professionals who are always on the go.

Battery: All-Day Juice

A person's hands holding the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 horizontally and playing a video game, with a detailed map and interface visible on the screen.

Given the large footprint that tablets have and the demanding responsibilities they aim to meet, it’s only fitting that these devices feature a massive battery to handle these demands. Thankfully, the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025) comes with an all-day 10,100 mAh battery, designed to last over 13 hours of local video playback.

A person's hands using the white smart keyboard to navigate a presentation on the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5, demonstrating the tablet's use for professional or academic tasks.

This means that users can go through a full day of classes, meetings, or creative work without constantly searching for a power outlet. However, when it’s time to recharge, the 40W SuperCharge ensures minimal downtime. There’s even wireless charging for both the M-Pencil and the Smart Keyboard, further enhancing the untethered lifestyle.

Initial Thoughts: A Smaller MatePad That Still Plays in the Big Leagues

A high-angle view of the product boxes for the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 and the HUAWEI M-Pencil, laid out on a vibrant red surface.

The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025) is not merely the “smaller sibling” of the 12.2” Pro; it is a capable all-rounder that blends portability, premium design, and productivity-focused features without sacrificing entertainment capabilities.

The purple HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 tablet with a protective cover propped up on a red surface, showcasing the back of the device and the camera module.

The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 standing upright on a red surface, with the screen displaying a stunning blue and white abstract wallpaper.

With its PaperMatte display, PC-like workflow, and thoughtful accessories right out of the box, it is a compelling choice for students, creatives, and professionals who want big performance in a lighter, more travel-friendly package. If the MatePad Pro 12.2” feels like too much tablet, this HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 (2025) might just be the perfect fit.