Huawei’s latest tablet, the MatePad 12 X, squarely targets the premium space with a glare-fighting, 12-inch display and six-speaker audio stack alongside future-proof Wi‑Fi 7. It’s a punchy list of improvements that attacks real-world pain points: readability, sound, and speed.
A work-ready, glare-reducing display for reading
The 12-inch LCD uses Huawei’s PaperMatte coating, a micro-etched finish that scatters reflections and reduces harsh glare while maintaining clarity. Combined with a 2800 x 1840 resolution and an adaptive refresh rate of up to a blistering 144Hz, the panel is designed for text and UI elements’ sharpness as much as fluid motion – great if you are using it for note-taking, sketching, or multitasking, in fact.
Helping to flesh out the spec sheet is support for HDR Vivid. The HDR Vivid standard, supported by the China Ultra HD Video Industry Alliance, targets scene-adaptive tone mapping for improved contrast and color on content that supports it. In practical terms, that means more punch in movies and richer detail in high-dynamic-range photos without crushed shadows or blown-out highlights.
Six-speaker array targets entertainment and clarity
Audio is a standout. The MatePad 12 X also fills its frame with six speakers — two tweeters, for handling high notes, and four woofers for extending the soundstage and reinforcing low frequencies. A quad-speaker lineup is the best many tablets of this nature can hope to host; Huawei’s setup should make for clearer dialogue and more convincing stereo separation when you’re watching movies, gaming, or hosting a video call.
The physical arrangement also matters. By spreading the drivers across the chassis, it makes no difference if you rotate the tablet — something that has proven inferior with two- or four-speaker designs. For creators and students, that means better intelligibility in lecture recordings or editing sessions without having to reach for headphones.
Next-Gen Wi‑Fi 7 Changes the Connectivity Equation
Support for Wi‑Fi 7 (802.11be) is the other headline news. Wi‑Fi 7 includes 320 MHz channels, 4K QAM, and Multi‑Link Operation, allowing devices to leverage multiple bands simultaneously for increased throughput and reduced latency, according to the Wi‑Fi Alliance. That translates into faster app downloads, improved casual cloud gaming, and more reliable video calls — as long as you’re pairing the tablet with a Wi‑Fi 7 router.
Industry analysts at firms like Dell’Oro Group predict that Wi‑Fi 7 adoption is set to pick up the pace as new routers from big-name brands make their way into retail and operators deploy 6 GHz-equipped hardware. Opt for a tablet with Wi‑Fi 7 now and you’re prepped for higher speeds with multi-gig home broadband and larger files in creative workflows.
Hardware, battery, and accessories overview for productivity
Under the hood, the MatePad 12 X pairs 12GB of RAM with 256GB of storage, offering a good balance between headroom for multitasking and keeping media stored locally. Power is provided by a 10,100mAh battery with 66W wired charging, which should be enough to last even the longest of workdays and speedy top‑ups in between meetings. And Huawei also asserts that it offers 33% better heat dissipation compared to the last iteration, meaning you can expect sustained performance well into long gaming sessions.
It has a 5.9mm-thick metal unibody and weighs 555g, with a matte finish for grip and no visible antenna lines. The 50MP rear camera – complete with LED flash (yes, really) – is aimed at scanning documents and capturing whiteboards, and is accompanied by an 8MP front camera for video calls. The available color options are green and white.
There are productivity add-ons in the box, too: a 308g magnetic keyboard that turns the tablet into a lightweight laptop replacement — as well as bumping the carry weight to around 863g total. Handwriting, diagrams, and annotation are also supported with the M‑Pencil Pro input stylus (pen sold separately).
Pricing and market position in the UK and beyond
Here in the UK, the MatePad 12 X starts at £599.99, which sees it hold its own against mid‑to‑upper tier rivals. Some context: Mass-market competitors may offer quad speakers and Wi‑Fi 6/6E at similar price points; its six‑speaker system and Wi‑Fi 7 position Huawei as the hardware option for entertainment features, plus quick connectivity.
The calculus, as ever, comes down to your priorities. If you prioritize glare‑reduced reading, punchy built‑in audio, and next‑gen wireless, the MatePad 12 X’s spec sheet is unusually well rounded for its class — particularly with the keyboard in the box. As networks with Wi‑Fi 7 continue to become more common, this tablet’s connectivity lead is only bound to take on greater importance.
