Huawei MediaPad Specs Pricing & Performance Breakdown

Introduction to Huawei MediaPad

Huawei MediaPad was one of the early entries by Huawei into the tablet market, announced in the third quarter of 2011. It was designed to provide an entertainment-centric user experience with a balance of functionality and portability. Although now discontinued, the MediaPad had initially set a standard for affordable yet feature-rich tablets. This device aimed to cater to those looking for an economical yet reasonably powerful Android tablet.

Design and Build

The MediaPad features a compact design with dimensions of 190 x 124 x 10.5 mm and weighs approximately 390 grams. This made it relatively easy to hold and carry around. The device came with a Mini-SIM slot, reflecting its hybrid functionality of providing both telecommunications and internet utility. The design included a sturdy build with a stylish aesthetic, available in colors such as shadow black, classic brown, and passion pink.

Display

The MediaPad boasted a 7.0-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 800 x 1280 pixels, providing a pixel density of approximately 216 ppi. The screen had a decent screen-to-body ratio of 60.3%, offering adequate screen space for various media activities. The IPS technology ensured wide viewing angles and satisfactory color reproduction, making it viable for watching movies, playing games, and more.

Performance

Under the hood, the Huawei MediaPad was equipped with a Qualcomm MSM8260 Snapdragon S3 chipset and a dual-core 1.2 GHz Scorpion processor, paired with an Adreno 220 GPU. This combination provided enough power for daily tasks and some multimedia applications, though it might struggle with more demanding apps by today's standards. The device came with 1GB of RAM, which was decent for the operating system at the time but limited for multitasking with multiple heavy applications.

Storage

The MediaPad offered 8GB of internal storage. While this was minimal for storing numerous applications or large media files, Huawei counterbalanced this limitation by including a dedicated microSDHC slot, allowing users to expand the storage as needed. This flexibility was invaluable for users wanting to keep extensive media libraries on their devices.

Camera

In terms of photography, the Huawei MediaPad sported a 5 MP autofocus rear camera, capable of shooting 720p videos at 30fps. It also featured a 1.3 MP front-facing camera, also capable of 720p video recording, which served well for video calls and basic selfies. While these specifications seem modest by contemporary standards, they were quite typical for tablets from that period.

Battery Life

The device was powered by a non-removable Li-Po 4100 mAh battery, which offered a balance between size and longevity. The battery could provide up to 200 hours of standby time and around 6 hours of talk time, adequate for a day of moderate use. However, intensive activities such as gaming or watching videos could deplete the battery more quickly.

Networking and Connectivity

Huawei's MediaPad included GSM and HSPA technology, with supported 2G and 3G bands that enabled good network compatibility for its time. The device could achieve speeds up to HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps. Additionally, it supported Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, and GPS with A-GPS, covering most connectivity needs for mobile internet users. However, it lacked an FM radio, a feature some might miss.

Audio and Other Features

The tablet incorporated stereo speakers for audio output alongside a 3.5mm headphone jack, offering convenient options for both private and public listening. On the sensor front, the MediaPad included an accelerometer, gyro, and compass, contributing to a better overall user experience, particularly in gaming and navigation.

Software

Originally shipped with Android 3.2 (Honeycomb), the MediaPad was upgradeable to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). This software provided an improved user experience with better multitasking, improved interface features, and access to a wide array of applications from the Android Market.

Pricing and Market Reception

At launch, the Huawei MediaPad was priced at about 150 EUR, making it an attractive option for those seeking a budget-friendly tablet. The combination of features for the price offered good value, contributing to its positive reception. It played a significant role in establishing Huawei as a competitive player in the tablet market.

Conclusion

Huawei MediaPad served as a pivotal product in the early 2010s tablet market. It illustrated Huawei's capability to produce inexpensive yet functionally competent devices. While technology has significantly progressed since its release, the MediaPad remains a noteworthy representation of the period’s technological advances and market demands. For users seeking a basic tablet for leisure activities simplified by modern standards, the MediaPad remains a point of technological nostalgia.