I have been using the Huawei MatePad 11.5 for about a week now, and honestly, if you are looking for a tablet that balances the portability of a slate with the productivity of a laptop without digging deeper into your pocket, it is currently one of the strongest contenders in the Kenyan market.
Available in local retail stores and online platforms, Huawei is positioning the MatePad 11.5 as a smart office companion. Here is a breakdown of its specifications and why it offers excellent value for money.
MatePad 11.5 2025 tablet measures 177.53 x 262.63 x 6.1mm and weighs around 515 grams. It has an 11.5-inch anti-glare 2.5K full-view LCD IPS display with 2456 x 1600 pixels resolution, 256 PPI, 120Hz refresh rate, 16.7 million colors, and 600 nits peak brightness.
Key Specifications at a Glance
- Display: 11.5-inch HUAWEI FullView Display, 120 Hz refresh rate, 2200 x 1440 resolution.
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm high-performance chipset).
- Memory & Storage: 6GB or 8GB RAM paired with 128GB or 256GB internal storage.
- Battery: 7,700 mAh capacity with 22.5W fast charging.
- Build: Aluminium alloy unibody design (slim at 6.85mm).
- Operating System: HarmonyOS 3.1 (Supports PC-Level WPS Office).
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (No SIM/Cellular slot in standard models usually sold, relies on Wi-Fi).
The standout feature of the MatePad 11.5 that it is often sold as a bundle including the has to be the detachable smart keyboard. Unlike other brands where you must pay an extra KSh 15,000+ for a keyboard folio, getting it in the box makes this a complete productivity package instantly. I paid extra for the keyboard for my MiPad 6 from Xiaomi, and it was not cheap.
The tablet supports PC-level WPS Office, meaning you get a familiar desktop interface for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, rather than the watered-down mobile versions found on other tablets.
The 11.5-inch screen utilizes a 3:2 aspect ratio. This is taller than the standard 16:9 widescreen, giving you more vertical space to view documents, web pages, and spreadsheets without constant scrolling. Combined with a 120 Hz refresh rate, the interface feels incredibly fluid, whether you are scrolling through a PDF or gaming.
Huawei MatePad 11.5 also comes with HarmonyOS 4.3 pre-installed which unlocks new Notes features and AI capabilities. One can select from a wide range of covers, stickers, and papers to create a personalized notebook. Other features include:
- AI Handwriting: Increase readability while preserving your personality.
- Magic Memos: Add or resize to highlight keypoints or organize your ideas.
- Users can replay notes, use one-tap split screen mode, or opt for seamless sharing.
- Floating Window: Run multiple windows at the same time, resize, stack, or move them freely.
- SuperHub: Share images, videos, or audio files in different apps across your tablet, phone, and computer in one click.
Huawei MatePad 11.5 comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB/256GB storage variants. It packs a 13MP main camera and an 8MP selfie camera on the front. Battery size is 10,100mAh battery with support for a 40W fast charger.
In Kenya, you can buy the Huawei MatePad 11.5 ( 8GB RAM + 256GB storage version with Keyboard) for about KSh 55,000 – KSh 60,000. Considering the specs and the included accessories, it undercuts many competitors that offer similar performance but charge extra for storage and keyboards.
The Huawei MatePad 11.5 is a good buy; it doesn’t feel cheap. If you can work within the Huawei ecosystem (using AppGallery or G-Box for Google apps), it offers arguably the best hardware-per-shilling ratio of any tablet currently on retailer shelves in Nairobi.
We have a full review coming up in the coming weeks.
Go to TECHTRENDSKE.co.ke for more tech and business news from the African continent and across the world.
Follow us on WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter, and Facebook, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on any future updates. Send tips to editorial@techtrendsmedia.co.ke
