Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025) VS Huawei MatePad Air (2025)

The Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025) is slightly lighter than the Huawei MatePad Air (2025), weighing 515 g compared to 555 g. The MatePad 11.5 S is also a bit thicker, with a thickness of 6.1 mm, while the MatePad Air is thinner at 5.9 mm. In terms of dimensions, the MatePad 11.5 S is slightly larger, measuring 261 mm in width and 177.3 mm in height, compared to the MatePad Air's 270 mm width and 183 mm height. This results in a smaller volume for the MatePad 11.5 S, which has a volume of 282.28 cm³, compared to the MatePad Air's 291.52 cm³.

When it comes to features, the Huawei MatePad 11.5 S includes a stylus, while the MatePad Air does not. Additionally, the MatePad 11.5 S has a detachable keyboard, which the MatePad Air lacks. Neither device offers a backlit keyboard, and neither has water resistance or tilt sensitivity, both of which are absent from both models.

Overall, while both tablets share some similarities in design, the MatePad 11.5 S offers more features, such as the inclusion of a stylus and a detachable keyboard, compared to the MatePad Air.

The Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025) features a screen size of 11.5 inches, slightly smaller than the 12-inch display of the Huawei MatePad Air (2025). Despite the size difference, both models share the same resolution of 2800 x 1840 px. The MatePad 11.5 S has a slightly higher pixel density of 291 ppi compared to the MatePad Air’s 279 ppi, providing a marginally sharper display on the MatePad 11.5 S.

Both tablets use an LCD, IPS display type and offer a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals during use. The MatePad 11.5 S stands out with its anti-reflection coating, which the MatePad Air lacks. However, neither tablet features branded damage-resistant glass, HDR10 support, HDR10+ support, Dolby Vision, or sapphire glass.

Lastly, both tablets have a touchscreen and neither includes an e-paper display, leaving the display functionality similar in most aspects, with the key difference being the MatePad 11.5 S offering the anti-reflection coating for improved visibility in bright environments.

Both the Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025) and Huawei MatePad Air (2025) are equipped with 512GB of internal storage and 12GB of RAM, providing similar performance in terms of memory and storage capacity. Both tablets are powered by the Mali-G57 GPU and feature a CPU with the same configuration: 1 core running at 3.13 GHz, 3 cores at 2.54 GHz, and 4 cores at 2.05 GHz, along with 8 CPU threads. The RAM speed is identical at 2750 MHz on both devices, and both use a 5 nm semiconductor size, supporting 64-bit architecture.

However, there is a difference in external memory support: the MatePad 11.5 S has an external memory slot, while the MatePad Air does not. Both tablets share the same other performance-related specifications, including DirectX 12 support, integrated graphics, thermal design power of 6W, and a maximum memory bandwidth of 44 GB/s. Additionally, both models have a 3.3 GHz turbo clock speed, a 0.512 MB L2 cache, a 64 KB L1 cache, a 4 MB L3 cache, and L3 core of 2 MB/core.

Neither tablet supports ECC memory, and both feature TrustZone for security. Performance-wise, the two models appear almost identical, with the key distinction being the external memory slot availability on the MatePad 11.5 S, which the MatePad Air lacks.

Both the Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025) and Huawei MatePad Air (2025) come with an 8MP front camera, making them comparable in terms of selfie quality. Both also have a built-in HDR mode and support video recording with a frame rate of 30 fps. The MatePad 11.5 S records video at 1080p resolution, while the MatePad Air can record at a higher resolution of 2160p, providing a sharper video output.

In terms of camera features, both devices include a flash with one LED, and neither has a front-facing LED flash. Both tablets have touch autofocus and support continuous autofocus when recording movies. Neither supports HDR10 recording, Dolby Vision recording, or 3D photo/video recording. The MatePad 11.5 S has a BSI sensor, while the MatePad Air does not, which could have an impact on low-light performance, though this is not explicitly mentioned in the specs.

Other common features include manual ISO, manual exposure, and manual white balance, which both tablets offer. Both also lack built-in optical image stabilization and 360° panorama shooting. The MatePad 11.5 S has a front camera with a 2f wide aperture, while the MatePad Air has a slightly narrower 2.2f aperture. Overall, both tablets offer similar camera functionalities, with the main difference being the MatePad Air's higher video recording resolution and the MatePad 11.5 S's BSI sensor.

Both the Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025) and Huawei MatePad Air (2025) feature stereo speakers, ensuring an immersive audio experience for users. Neither tablet supports advanced Bluetooth audio codecs like aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, aptX Low Latency, aptX Adaptive, or aptX Lossless, making their Bluetooth audio performance similar in this respect.

Neither device includes a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack, which may be a consideration for users who prefer wired audio connections. Additionally, both tablets lack a built-in radio, so neither supports FM or other radio reception functionalities.

In summary, the audio capabilities of both tablets are quite similar, with both featuring stereo speakers but lacking support for high-end Bluetooth audio codecs, a 3.5 mm audio jack, or a radio.

The Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025) comes with a battery power of 8800 mAh, while the Huawei MatePad Air (2025) has a larger 10100 mAh battery. Both tablets support fast charging, and neither offers wireless charging. Both models have a battery level indicator and feature rechargeable batteries, but neither has a removable battery.

In summary, the main difference between the two tablets in terms of battery is the higher capacity of the MatePad Air, which could provide slightly longer usage time compared to the MatePad 11.5 S. However, both devices offer the same charging and battery management features.

The Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2025) and Huawei MatePad Air (2025) share many features in connectivity and system capabilities. Both devices support Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), but the MatePad Air also includes support for the newer Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be). Both models have Bluetooth 5.2, USB Type-C with USB 3, and offer similar privacy features, such as camera/microphone privacy options, split screen support, dark mode, and a battery health check. Neither tablet has a cellular module or 5G support, and both lack NFC, HDMI output, and an infrared sensor.

While both devices have a multi-user system, child lock, customizable notifications, and voice commands, the MatePad Air lacks a gyroscope, which is present on the MatePad 11.5 S. However, neither model has a fingerprint scanner, iris scanner, or 3D facial recognition. Both devices also track the current position of a mobile device but do not include a barometer, compass, or a built-in projector.

The primary difference between the two tablets in this group is the support for Wi-Fi 7 on the MatePad Air, which the MatePad 11.5 S does not offer. Additionally, the MatePad 11.5 S includes a gyroscope, whereas the MatePad Air does not.