Huawei introduced their latest tablet, the MatePad Air (2026). Unlike traditional tablets, this one focuses on readability and speed over eye candy. Why is that important?
Huawei's new tablet features a 144 Hz OLED screen with PaperMatte anti-reflective coating
Because the 12 inch OLED screen doesn't suffer from glare or motion blur that plague most tablets in well-lit conditions. So this is especially useful for people that have to work outside or just want the paper feel of the display. Much more useful than those glossy displays we're used to.
Specifications
- Display Size: 12-inch
- Display Type: OLED
- Resolution: 2,800 x 1,840 pixels
- Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
- Surface Coating: PaperMatte (anti-reflective)
The centerpiece of this tablet is the 12 inch OLED display that operates at 144hz refresh rate. So you have the luxury of super smooth scrolling and touch interaction. This is a big step up from the 60hz IPS screens of most midrange tablets today.
The resolution on this display is 2800 x 1840 pixels. So that text and images look crisp.
The glass also has this PaperMatte anti-reflective coating. It reduces glare quite a bit. The light is diffused reducing eye strain during long read or sketch sessions. According to independent tests this display can peak over 1200 cd/m2 making it usable in direct sunlight.
According to reviewer tests, the MatePad Air puts the Apple iPad Air 11 to shame in terms of display quality. This Huawei tablet has over 2,000 percent faster response times than the iPad Air 11. It also has a peak brightness that's more than 50 percent brighter than the Apple tablet. So you get better contrast in bright environments.
The MatePad Air (2026) sets a new standard for midrange tablet displays. With OLED speed and matte glare reduction. If you're looking for a display that's crisp and responsive under bright conditions.
This is a great alternative to the current leaders in the market. This shows that anti-reflective can work alongside high end OLED hardware.
Source: NotebookCheck
Does the PaperMatte coating make the 144 Hz OLED feel like paper or just reduce glare? I need something readable outside but I fear a matte finish ruins the OLED contrast.
It reduces glare by diffusing light. You get better contrast in bright environments. The 2,800 x 1,840 resolution stays crisp. You can use it in direct sunlight without squinting.
Over 2,000 percent faster response times sounds like a cherry-picked metric from a specific test. I need to see the actual touch latency numbers in milliseconds before I trust that comparison to the iPad.
Huawei is finally delivering hardware that challenges Apple on the display front. The 1,200 cd/m2 peak brightness is a solid move for outdoor work.
honestly the 144hz on a 12 inch screen is overkill for just reading but it does look smooth 🤔