What's the MediaPad M5?
Huawei's MediaPad M5 family is a new range of high-end Android tablets that - as the name might suggest - are designed for entertainment. The family consists of three devices: an 8.4-inch model, a 10.8-inch model, and a second 10.8-inch model (the M5 Pro) that comes bundled with a detachable keyboard and stylus.
Other than screen-size and battery capacity, the tablets are almost completely identical. The smaller 8.4-inch M5 has two speakers rather than four, and the 10.8-inch M5 Pro has a Wacom digitiser in the screen for stylus support.
Key Specifications
| MediaPad M5 8.4-inch | MediaPad M5 10.8-inch / Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 8.4-inch 2560x1600 | 10.8-inch 2560x1600 |
| Processor | Kirin 960 | Kirin 960 |
| Storage | 32GB / 64GB / 128GB | 32GB / 64GB / 128GB |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB or 64GB |
| 4G Model Available | Yes | Yes |
| Speakers | 2 | 4 |
| Battery | 5,100mAh | 7,500mAh |
| Water-Resistance | No | No |
| Price | TBC | TBC |
MediaPad M5 first impressions
Much like Huawei's smartphones, the MediaPad M5 is a polished piece of kit. In fact, the M5 screen uses the same kind of curved 2.5D glass as found on Huawei's handsets. Rather than sitting perfectly flat, the glass has tapers off gently at the edges. It gives the M5 a smoother feel and makes you wonder why no-one else has done it before.
The 8.4-inch M5 is easily light enough to use one-handed for extended periods of time - you could comfortably have it double as an e-reader - and the 10.8-inch model isn't overly heavy either. You can still use it one-handed without straining, but two is probably best if you're sitting down to watch a movie. Which the M5 series is perfect for; displays on both the 8.4-inch and 10.8-inch model are rich, vibrant, and bright.
Oddly, none of the M5 devices have a headphone jack - surprising, given that "Media" is literally in their name - but you'll get a USB Type-C to 3.5mm dongle in the box. Or you can always use wireless. At least when you're on on the go.
One of the features exclusive to the 10.8-inch MediaPads is a four-speaker setup that's billed as "two sound-bars" tuned by Harmon Kardon. A crowded convention centre isn't the best environment to test audio, but the speakers had a surprising amount of oomph to them.
The M5 Pro comes bundled with a detachable keyboard cover that ostensibly turns it into a laptop; it even has a trackpad. While the keyboard itself is soft, it has traditional clicky laptop keys with a good amount of travel.
The three "Android keys" - home, back, and multi-tasking - sit in the keyboard's top right hand corner, so you don't have to reach up and deal with the touchscreen and typing. In fact, the trackpad means you can avoid using the touchscreen entirely. It's small size does however mean means that gestures like two finger scrolling are a bit finicky.
The MediaPad M5 runs Huawei's customised version of Android based on Oreo. In addition to trackpad support, the M5 Pro can launch what you could describe as a traditional desktop environment - rolling green hills and all - that lets you run select apps in windows, rather than in just full screen or split-screen modes. Not all apps support this however; Chrome, for example, would still only run in full screen.
High-end Android tablets are becoming increasingly rare, so it's nice to see Huawei throw its hat in the ring when many other manufacturers are bowing out - especially with devices as promising as the M5 series.
MediaPad M5 pricing and availability
The 8.4-inch MediaPad M5 will start at €349, the 10.8-inch at €399, and the Pro at €499. All models will be available in Wi-Fi only or 4G configurations. 4G models will retail for €50 extra.
The MediaPad M5 family will be available from Autumn in the Asia Pacific region, but Australia specific pricing and availability has yet to be confirmed.
Huawei Australia contributed funding toward WhistleOut's trip to Barcelona for Mobile World Congress 2018.
Alex Choros
