Huawei MediaPad X1 Specs Prices & Insights Revealed

Overview

The Huawei MediaPad X1, first announced in February 2014 and released in April of the same year, marks Huawei’s ambitious entry into the tablet market. Though discontinued today, the MediaPad X1 left a mark with its impressive blend of technology and aesthetics. The device combines the functionality of a tablet with the connectivity of a smartphone, thanks to its SIM card capabilities and support for LTE networks.

Design and Build

The MediaPad X1 features a sleek and compact design. Its dimensions are 183.5 x 103.9 x 7.2 mm, making it one of the thinnest tablets available at the time. Weighing just 239 grams, it's lightweight and portable, ideal for users on the go. The tablet sports a micro-SIM slot, enabling phone functionalities, a feature relatively rare in tablets during its release. The build quality of the MediaPad X1 is solid, featuring a premium finish available in colors like Snow White and Diamond Black.

Display

The MediaPad X1 boasts a vibrant 7.0-inch IPS LCD screen, offering an excellent viewing experience with a resolution of 1200 x 1920 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 323 pixels per inch, providing sharp and clear visuals. The display covers about 74.5% of the device’s front, ensuring a wide viewable area for multimedia consumption and work-related tasks.

Performance

At its core, the Huawei MediaPad X1 is powered by the Kirin 910 chipset with a quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU. It includes a Mali-450MP4 GPU, which handles graphics processing efficiently. Although the 2GB of RAM and the processing power may seem modest by today's standards, it was adequate for running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, upgradeable to 4.4.2 KitKat, smoothly at the time of release.

Storage and Memory

The device is equipped with 16GB of internal storage, which can be expanded using a microSDHC card slot. This allows users to increase storage capacity to accommodate more apps, media files, and documents, making it a versatile option for personal and professional use.

Camera

The MediaPad X1 features a 13 MP rear camera with autofocus and an LED flash, capable of capturing detailed photos and 1080p video at 30fps. The front-facing 5 MP camera is suitable for selfies and video calls, offering decent performance under good lighting conditions.

Network and Connectivity

Initially supporting GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies, the MediaPad X1 makes a compelling case for connectivity. The device covers various bands, ensuring broad compatibility with different carriers. It achieves data speeds up to HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps and LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, allowing for quick data access and smooth Internet browsing. The presence of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS (including GLONASS) further enhances its connectivity options.

Battery Life

One of the standout features is its robust battery life. The MediaPad X1 is equipped with a large 5000 mAh Li-Po battery. Its non-removable design contributes to the slimness of the device, yet it provides ample power to get through a full day of moderate to heavy usage. Moreover, the tablet supports reverse wired charging, allowing it to charge other devices, which is an added convenience.

Sound and Multimedia

The tablet includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring flexibility when it comes to audio output. Whether you’re listening through headphones or the built-in speakers, the MediaPad X1 delivers respectable audio quality ideal for enjoying videos, music, and calls.

User Interface and Software

Running on Emotion UI 2 based on Android, the interface is designed to be user-friendly, offering features that are intuitive for both novice and seasoned tablet users. While the device launched with Android 4.2.2, it is upgradeable to 4.4.2, providing users with access to enhanced functionalities and security improvements.

Sensors and Additional Features

The MediaPad X1 comes equipped with several sensors, including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, which enhance user experience and app functionalities. Although lacking NFC and radio capabilities, the selection of features present ensures a comprehensive user experience.

Pricing and Market Position

At launch, the Huawei MediaPad X1 was priced at approximately 350 EUR. This positioned it as a competitive offering within the tablet market, providing a balance of quality features and affordability for its target audience.

Conclusion

In summary, the Huawei MediaPad X1 delivers a compelling package with its compact design, rich display, and solid performance. Despite being discontinued, it remains a noteworthy chapter in Huawei's product portfolio, reflecting the brand’s commitment to quality and innovation in mobile technology.