Huawei MatePad Air Offers Premium Design but Still Lacks Google, Android Authority Review Says

The tablet sits below Huawei's MatePad Pro Max, which starts at €1,099 (~$1,260). Android Authority said the MatePad Air is not cheap, either, but it remains a high-end device. The reviewed configuration included a PaperMatte display, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and an M-Pencil Pro, and it was priced at €899. The publication described the MatePad Air as a serious tablet with a fun soul.

Availability is the first major caveat. The MatePad Air is not sold in the United States because of the Huawei ban that took effect in 2019. Android Authority said users could import it, but that would bring major inconveniences, including no official support for technical problems and likely no warranty. In countries where Huawei products are officially available, the tablet can be purchased normally, and buyers can check Huawei's official website for those markets.

The absence of Google support is the second major limitation. Because of the US ban, Huawei cannot work with US companies, including Google. The MatePad Air still runs Android because the core operating system is open source, but Google apps and services are not officially supported. That means no official Google Play Store, Google Wallet, Chrome, Gemini or other Google services.

Android Authority said there are unofficial ways to access Google apps, mainly through a third-party app called GBox. The publication found the workaround less intuitive than a native experience and said it can be buggy. Not all apps work, and users can encounter hiccups. Tinkerers and tech-savvy users may be able to manage the setup, but Android Authority said they would likely find it annoying. For general consumers, especially those used to officially licensed Android devices or Apple tablets, the arrangement can be very confusing, and the "it just works" approach does not apply.

On its own merits, the MatePad Air is presented as a high-end tablet whose experience matches its high cost. It has an aluminum frame and back, and Android Authority said it feels as premium as the MatePad Pro Max, though its aesthetics are more adventurous and fun. Beyond the White model, Huawei offers the tablet in Sakura Pink and Airy Blue. The review praised the smaller camera bump compared with the MatePad Pro Max.

The MatePad Air is designed around portability. It is a large 12-inch tablet but measures just 5.3mm thick and weighs 509g. For comparison, Android Authority noted that the iPad Air is 6.1mm thick and weighs 464g for the 11-inch model or 616g for the 13-inch version. The publication said the tablet looks and feels great, uses quality materials, keeps a thin profile and offers a larger 12-inch display that better suits the concept of PC-level productivity.

The display is a key part of the experience. Android Authority said the 12-inch size strikes a better balance than the 13.2-inch screen on the MatePad Pro Max, which it felt was stepping into oversized territory. The review said the PaperMatte display version it tested raised no complaints. Android Authority presented the MatePad Air as a premium, portable Huawei tablet with notable design strengths and two fundamental drawbacks: no official US availability and no native Google support.