Huawei has unveiled the stylish MediaPad M5 tablet aimed at people who love video content, be it downloading or streaming it. The tablet comes with a curved metallic body and two display options, but essentially, when specs and features come into play, there are three variants. Where one has an 8.4-inch display screen, the other two share the same 10.8-inch display screen, however, the trio has the same screen resolution, U-shaped antennas, SIM card slots and Android Oreo out of the box, among other similarities.
Here’s the rundown, beginning with the specs:
Huawei MediaPad M5 specs and features
| Category | Huawei MediaPad M5 8 | Huawei MediaPad M5 10 | Huawei MediaPad M5 10 Pro |
| Size | 212.6 x 124.8 x 7.3 mm | 171.8 x 258.7 x 7.3 mm | 171.8 x 258.7 x 7.3 mm |
| Weight | 316 grams | 498 grams | 498 grams |
| Color | Champagne Gold, Space Gray | Champagne Gold, Space Gray | Champagne Gold, Space Gray |
| Display | 8.4-inch IPS 2560 x 1600 pixels, Enhanced ClariVu display | 10.8-inch IPS 2560 x 1600 pixels, Enhanced ClariVu display | 10.8-inch IPS 2560 x 1600 pixels, Enhanced ClariVu display |
| CPU | Kirin 960 | Kirin 960 | Kirin 960 |
| Software | EMUI 8.0 based on Android 8.0 Oreo | EMUI 8.0 based on Android 8.0 Oreo | EMUI 8.0 based on Android 8.0 Oreo |
| Memory | 4GB RAM, 32/64GB ROM | 4GB RAM, 32/64GB ROM | 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM |
| Network | LTE FDD / LTE TDD / WCDMA / GSM (Enabled only on the SHT-AL09 version) | LTE FDD / LTE TDD / WCDMA / GSM (Enabled only on the CMR-AL09 version) | LTE FDD / LTE TDD / WCDMA / GSM (Enabled only on the CMR-AL19 version) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz | Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz | Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz |
| Sensors | GPS, AGPS (SHT-W09 not supported), GLONASS, BDS, Gravity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Compass Gyroscope, Fingerprint sensor, Hall effect sensor and Status indicator |
GPS, AGPS (CMR-W09 not supported), GLONASS, BDS, Gravity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Compass Gyroscope, Fingerprint sensor, Hall effect sensor and Status indicator |
GPS, AGPS (CMR-W19 not supported), GLONASS, BDS, Gravity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Compass Gyroscope, Fingerprint sensor, Hall effect sensor and Status indicator |
| Camera | Rear: 13 MP, F2.2, Auto Focus (PDAF) Front: 8 MP, F2.2, Fixed focus LED flash: not supported |
Rear: 13 MP, F2.2, Auto Focus (PDAF) Front: 8 MP, F2.2, Fixed focus LED flash: not supported |
Rear: 13 MP, F2.2, Auto Focus (PDAF) Front: 8 MP, F2.2, Fixed focus LED flash: not supported |
| Audio | Dual stereo speaker, HUAWEI Histen sound effect, Harman Kardon audio certified, Supports Hi-Res Audio |
Quad stereo speaker, HUAWEI Histen sound effect, Harman Kardon audio certified, Supports Hi-Res Audio |
Quad stereo speaker, HUAWEI Histen sound effect, Harman Kardon audio certified, Supports Hi-Res Audio |
| Battery | 5100 mAh Quick Charge 9V/2A |
7500 mAh Quick Charge 9V/2A |
7500 mAh Quick Charge 9V/2A |
| In the box | Charger, Cable, USB Type-C to 3.5 mm headset jack adapter cable, Eject pin, Quick Start Guide and Warranty card | Charger, Cable, USB Type-C to 3.5 mm headset jack adapter cable, Eject pin, Quick Start Guide and Warranty card | HUAWEI M-Pen Stylus, Charger, Cable, USB Type-C to 3.5 mm headset jack adapter cable, Eject pin, Quick Start Guide and Warranty card |
Ultra-vision display to capture every detail
All three Huawei MediaPad M5 variants have the same display resolution, but the company is full of praise for what it calls an “Ultra-vision display screen that captures every detail.” The MediaPad M5 8 has the crispiest panel thanks to a 359ppi pixel density on the same 2K resolution used on the 10.8-inch models, which end up with a pixel density of 280ppi.
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With a decent screen-to-body ratio on all three tablets, you can be sure of an amazing wider view when enjoying those YouTube videos.
Intelligent enhancements and exhilarating colors
The display screens come with a technology known as Huawei ClariVu, which the company says that it “uses intelligent algorithms to adjust unclear frames or any drop in contrast ratio to deliver a better viewing experience” when playing movies or streaming YouTube videos.
Also, the device is equipped with what is called Eye Comfort Mode to reduce the harmful blue light effect and the display auto-adjusts to the required temperate based on the lighting conditions around you.
High-res audio
The MediaPad M5 comes with support for Hi-Res audio standard to ensure that every detail is not left out while at the same time keeping the treble and bass at their best. Thanks to the abilities of the renowned Harman Kardon Audio, you can be sure that the MediaPad M5 won’t disappoint you when it comes to delivering quality sound with more bass and zero distortion.
While the dual speakers with powerful Smart-PA amplifies used on the MediaPad M5 8 are great at producing stunning sounds, you’ll enjoy even more when listening from any of the 10.8-inch models. The M5 10 and M5 10 Pro have quad speakers that promise a truly immersive experience with high-quality audio regardless of the activity.
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Even more interesting is the Huawei Histen audio that creates the perfect soundscape that delivers the best 3D sound experience you can imagine.
Huawei M-Pen and keyboard
The Huawei MediaPad M5 10 Pro doesn’t stop there. It also gets a stylus called Huawei M-Pen. Like any other stylus, this one is designed with creators in mind. It’s lightweight and comfortable, Huawei says, and it also flows naturally on the screen just like it does when writing on a paper.
To ensure that every detail is captured, the Huawei M-Pen is equipped with the advanced 4096-layer pressure sensitivity. Also, it’s possible to tilt and shade as if writing on a piece of paper and the pen also comes with buttons on its body, which can be used as shortcuts to things like capturing a screenshot, launching apps or even deleting stuff. Cool huh!
Even better, you can also attach a keyboard to the MediaPad M5 10 Pro using the pogo pin, a feature that should mean carrying around your laptop won’t be a necessity.
Quick charging, longer battery life
The tablets also come with what Huawei calls Smart Power-Saving technology. As you may have guessed, this is the tool that will ensure the slate lasts for hours on a single charge, even when gaming or streaming videos.
Huawei MediaPad M5 price and availability
At the launch event, Huawei did not mention a thing about the pricing and availability of the MediaPad M5 tablets. However, we don’t expect the company to take ages before making the device available for purchase.
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Those in the U.S. can start saving for the MediaPad M5 because the device has recently been spotted on the FCC, suggesting that it is coming stateside. Still, no date or price details have been confirmed and while prior reports have suggested that the M5 8 will start at about $330 and the M5 10 at about $400, we cannot guarantee that these will be the actual prices of the slates.
Of course, we’ll update this post when Huawei makes the price and availability details official.
