Huawei MediaPad M5 Pro review

Verdict

There are many ways in which the Huawei MediaPad M5 Pro gives you more for less - more screen, more storage, more connectivity, more battery and more features, all for less money than an iPad Pro 10.5 or a Samsung Galaxy Tab S3, let alone the newer models of each.

While the hardware feels and looks very refined though, some of the tablet’s software features could be better - most notably EMUI Desktop.

There are a few other areas where the UI just isn’t as polished on the M5 Pro as on its main rivals, but having said that, if you’re prepared to overlook these niggles you can’t argue with the value for money it offers.

For starters, it delivers excellent multimedia capabilities, from sound to power to screen. It also comes with a decent amount of storage and room for a microSD card, and with a 7,500mAh battery, it lasts for ages.

And so, all said and done, the MediaPad M5 Pro may well be the best value for money flagship tablet around, even if it’s held back by less than perfect software. 

Who's this for?

The Huawei MediaPad M5 Pro is ideal for media fans or creative professionals who want to enjoy their content or doodle to their heart’s content without paying iPad prices.

Casual gamers, people who need great battery life and anyone who edits documents for hours on end while out and about will also appreciate the M5 Pro. It’s an excellent balance of power and power saving, with the keyboard folio case being a must for anyone who intends on being productive with it.

Should you buy it?

Only if you need pen input. If you don’t, you can save even more money and just opt for the MediaPad M5 10.8, an identical tab with no pressure sensitivity and a lower price-tag.

If you do buy it, you should also be okay with some parts of the UI feeling a touch beta - as mentioned, EMUI Desktop doesn’t support the Google Play Store or dismissing individual notifications, which is bizarre.

First reviewed: December 2018

Not convinced? Consider these alternatives:

Huawei MediaPad M5 10.8

As mentioned, the MediaPad M5 10.8 is the most obvious competition. It’s cheaper, looks identical, and supports the keyboard folio cover that turns the M5 Pro into an EMUI Desktop workhorse, but it doesn’t offer pen integration.

• Read our Huawei MediaPad M5 review

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3

Alternatively, you could go for a Samsung Galaxy Tab S3. Despite a higher RRP, pricing should now be similar to the M5 Pro given that the Tab S3 is older. With half the storage, it might not be for everyone, but it truly does have a jaw-dropping screen, even if it is smaller at 9.7-inches.

• Read our Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 review

iPad Pro 10.5

Finally, the iPad Pro 10.5 makes for a both pricier and more refined option. Apple’s tablet offers a similar screen size, a more polished interface and a wider range of apps to take advantage of its pen input.

It doesn’t ship with the pen however, and if you go for the LTE variant it will cost a lot more than the equivalently spec’d MediaPad M5 Pro.

• Read our iPad Pro 10.5 review