Introduction
Chinese tech company Huawei continues its push into e-ink productivity with the MatePad Paper 2025, new version of its original MatePad Paper. Designed to merge the feel of traditional writing with smart digital features, it positions itself between a Amazon Kindle Scribe and a Onyx Boox Note Air.
If you’re looking for a premium digital notepad and reading device, this is one of the best options on the market.
Display & design
The 10.3-inch E-Ink Carta 1200 display remains the centerpiece, now upgraded with:
- improved contrast & clarity
- higher refresh rates for smoother UI transitions
- better palm rejection while writing
The screen is surrounded by a slim bezel on three sides, with a thicker left edge for holding — notebook-style. The magnesium alloy body feels solid, but is very light (≈380g). Matte display gives it a feel like true paper for reading and writing.
Comfort features:
- adjustable warm/cool frontlight
- no backlight flicker
- ultra-low blue light emission
Writing experience
The included Huawei M-Pencil 2nd Gen delivers near-zero latency, excellent pressure sensitivity, and tilt recognition. The stylus magnetically attaches and charges wirelessly.
It feels natural for:
- handwriting
- sketching
- PDF annotation
- converting handwriting to text
Huawei MatePad Note Taking app includes tags, layers, templates, voice notes, and smart folders. Compared with iPad or Samsung Tab, its not designed for professional art, but is perfect for digital journaling and academic use.
Performance & software
The tablet runs on Harmony OS 3.1, Huawei’s operating system. It doesn’t support the Google Play Store, but it have:
- Huawei AppGallery
- petal Search for APKs
- support for many Android apps (like Kindle, WPS Office, Evernote)
- split-screen multitasking
- drag-and-drop between notes and books
The UI is tailored for e-ink: clean, minimal, and responsive — although less flexible than Android-based competitors like Boox.
Reading experience
Supports all major formats:
- PDF, EPUB, TXT, MOBI
- annotation and highlighting support
- built-in bookstore (region-dependent)
The E-Ink screen makes long reading sessions comfortable, and PDFs load quickly with proper rendering and zooming. It’s also great for academic papers and large-format documents.
Battery life
With a 3,600mAh battery, the MatePad Paper lasts around:
- up to 4 weeks in standby mode
- 6–10 days of moderate use
Charging is via USB-C (18W), and full charge takes about 1.5 hours.
Connectivity & storage
- Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth 5.2
- USB-C file transfer
- 64GB or 128GB storage
- No expandable storage
- No SIM/eSIM support (Wi-Fi only)
Files sync via Huawei Cloud storage, Microsoft OneDrive, or third-party apps (with some limitations due to lack of Google services).
Compared to rivals
| Device | OS | Stylus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huawei MatePad Paper 2025 | HarmonyOS | Included | Writing + reading, premium feel |
| Kindle Scribe | Custom | Included | Reading + light notes |
| Boox Note Air 3 | Android 12 | Included | Power users, app support |
| Remarkable 2 | Custom | Optional | Minimalist note-taking |
Pros
- gorgeous paper-like screen
- excellent writing feel with M-Pencil
- long battery life
- stylish, lightweight build
- smooth HarmonyOS interface
Cons
- no Google Play Store
- limited app flexibility compared to Android
- pricey vs competitors
- not ideal for professionals
Final verdict: Should you buy the Huawei MatePad Paper 2025?
If you’re looking for a digital notebook which is elegant, efficient, and eye-friendly, the MatePad Paper 2025 is great choice. Definitely it’s not a replacement for a full-featured tablet, but it’s a great choice for students, professionals, and e-ink enthusiasts who value clarity, calm, and concentration.
Release Date: Q1 2025
Display: 10.3″ E-Ink Carta 1200
Storage: 64GB / 128GB
RAM: 4GB
Battery: 3,600mAh
OS: Harmony OS 3.1
Stylus: Huawei M-Pencil 2nd Gen
Price: ~$450
⭐ TechGeeks Rating: 4.2/5
