Evan Friesen / Android Authority
The entry-level tablet space is often the most exciting price tier to look at. It’s the place that attracts the most buyers and has the most competition. Apple, Samsung, and plenty of other brands have highly competitive affordable tablets, and you, the buyer, are faced with more choice than ever before. One of those choices in Europe is HUAWEI’s MatePad 11.5 S (2026). So, let’s take a look at HUAWEI’s new MatePad 11.5 S model to see if it’s the best hardware you can get for under £350.
Design, display, and durability
Evan Friesen / Android Authority
HUAWEI kept it simple this time around. It’s slightly thicker than its bigger brother, the MatePad 12 X (2025), at 6.1mm, and is enclosed with aluminum, which drops the weight slightly to 515g. It’s comfortable enough in the hand, though it doesn’t feel particularly luxurious. HUAWEI doesn’t advertise any water or dust resistance, nor does it mention anything about the durability of the glass. Overall, the design and build are satisfactory for its class.
Evan Friesen / Android Authority
One area where HUAWEI did not cut corners is the display. It’s easily the most impressive part of the tablet, and its matte finish is something I wish was featured more commonly on other tablets. It’s a 2,800 × 1,840, 144Hz IPS display that really punches way above its weight class.
The design is average, but the MatePad 11.5 S display punches way above its weight class.
The anti-reflection is incredible, making direct interior lighting a non-issue. And the added texture from the nano-level etching process makes for a very analog feel when using the M-Pencil Pro (available separately). It even makes using the tablet outside far more comfortable by diffusing any oncoming reflections. Finally, it also alleviates the sparkly effect that is prone to certain matte displays.
Battery and performance
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