Released just under a month ago, the HUAWEI MatePad 12 X (2026) officially reached Philippine shores. It is positioned as a 4-in-1 all-round productivity tablet with essential bundled components for a new co-working device already included right out of the box. This includes a flipstand keyboard case, wireless mouse, and the new M-Pencil Pro, which comes packed with several new intelligent features.
To see how that promise holds up, BusinessWorld used the new MatePad 12 X for more than a week. It was tested in several practical settings, mimicking how students and young professionals would normally use it both indoors and outdoors.
The device is officially priced at P37,999 and is available at Huawei’s official stores and website, as well as on several e-commerce platforms. Also included is PC-level WPS Office productivity software.
PC-Level ProductivityRight out of the box, the MatePad 12 X is bundled with four essential hardware components for PC-level productivity: the tablet itself in a white finish, the Smart Magnetic Keyboard, the Huawei Mouse, and the new M-Pencil Pro.
The tablet features a 12-inch display using HUAWEI’s 3rd Gen Ultra-clear PaperMatte Display, a proprietary technology found in their high-end tablets. As a user of other tablets in the past, I noticed the display allowed me to work for longer hours because it doesn’t strain the eye, thanks to the anti-glare and anti-reflection features.
For a tablet display, its maximum brightness of 1,000 nits is decent for work that needs to be done in cafes; basically, it is capable of outdoor use. The display also features a 144Hz refresh rate and a 2800 x 1840 resolution, supported by a P3 color gamut and HDR Vivid.
For those whose work is always on the go, the tablet and its hardware are portable and lightweight. The tablet weighs only 555 g and has a 5.99 mm thickness with an all-metal unibody design. Multitasking is smooth as butter, handling multiple apps without lag due to its 12GB of RAM. As a first-time user of HarmonyOS on a tablet, the split-screen gestures might feel unfamiliar at first, but they can be mastered through constant use.
The included Smart Magnetic Keyboard, with its 1.5 mm high key travel and 16 mm key caps, is very responsive, and the tactile “click” is a nice touch. The HUAWEI Mouse was also responsive and smooth, providing a familiar navigation option. For document processing, the device includes WPS Office 3.0, which allows users to access Word and Excel files for better productivity.
Battery LifeOne of the highlights of the MatePad 12 X (2026) is its long-lasting battery with a 10,100 mAh capacity. In my testing, it was able to last a full day of consecutive coverage events. It can also last up to three days with casual media scrolling and occasional gaming. The charging speed is decent, supporting 66W HUAWEI SuperCharge, which stays close to the brand’s claim of reaching 100% in about 85 minutes in a real-world scenario.
M-Pencil ProThe new M-Pencil Pro is particularly useful for seamless note-taking. Writing on this tablet is almost close to the texture of paper due to the PaperMatte display. It includes intelligent features such as pinch, rotate, and double-tap gestures, along with tactile feedback.
The pencil also features a “Star Ring” design, which serves as a stylish aesthetic element that also houses the internal components for its NearLink technology. This NearLink connection provides 16,384 pressure sensing levels, which improves the interaction with the tablet. Furthermore, it offers intelligent interaction within the GoPaint app, allowing users to maximize the pencil’s upgrades.
Other FeaturesAnother notable inclusion is the complimentary access to Wondershare Filmora, an editing app useful for social media content. The app is very user-friendly and includes necessary editing tools that work with the M-Pencil Pro for animations. It is also powered by AI to help users edit efficiently. According to Huawei, users can access a 30-day free trial but are advised to cancel the subscription at the end of the trial to avoid being charged.
Final Verdict
The HUAWEI MatePad 12 X (2026) upholds its 4-in-1 productivity claim, as it includes the necessary hardware to substitute for a laptop while maintaining the ability to multitask. It is a fit for young professionals, students, and artists who require a versatile, compact, and smooth-performing device with a long battery life. If the budget is not an issue, this tablet is a strong candidate for an ultraportable workstation. — Edg Adrian A. Eva