Huawei MediaPad M5 & M5 Pro: Flagship specs for under RM2,000

From left: Huawei MediaPad M5 Pro, Huawei MediaPad M5

If you thought Android tablets were dead, you’re wrong because Huawei Malaysia just launched a pair of brand new MediaPads. Both devices have flagship-level specs, high resolution displays and each come in a different size.

While we already saw the MediaPad M5 revealed earlier by DirectD, Huawei also launched the larger and more capable MediaPad M5 Pro.

Much like the MediaPad M5, the M5 Pro features a Quad HD+ IPS display, except that it’s larger, pushing its 2560×1600 pixels across 10.8 inches instead. Inside, both tablets are powered by a Kirin 960 processor mated to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage (further expandable via microSD).

Huawei also equipped the M5 Pro with quad speakers, doubling the M5’s dual speaker setup. This should translate to a better media consumption experience. Unfortunately, there is no 3.5mm headphone jack, but they do include a 3.5mm to Type-C adapter in the box.

If you’re a tablet photographer, both MediaPads pack an 8MP front-facing camera for selfies and a 13MP rear camera for everything else.

Besides that, the MediaPad M5 Pro packs a larger 7,500 mAh battery inside and now comes with a Huawei M-Pen included in the box. Like the M5, the larger M5 Pro also supports 9V2A fast-charging via USB Type C. However, with this larger size and bigger battery, the MediaPad M5 Pro is a little heavier, weighing in at 498g.

On the software side of things, the M5 Pro us running on Android 8.0 Oreo with Huawei’s EMUI 8.0 skin on top. Network features include 802.11ac WiFi, LTE connectivity so you can make calls and Bluetooth 4.2.

Huawei’s MediaPad M5 Pro is priced at RM1,899 and comes in Space Gray, while the MediaPad M5 will retail for RM1,499 and will come in Space Gray and Champagne Gold.

If you’re a gamer, Huawei will be giving each MediaPad M5 buyer a “specially-tailored gamepad” for free. On the other hand, if you buy the larger MediaPad M5 Pro you will receive a flip cover instead. Besides that, users who buy the M5 and M5 Pro will also receive a 6-month premium subscription to Viu. Of course, these free gifts are only while stocks last.