TL;DR
- Huawei has announced several new devices at MWC 2022.
- Headlining the new cast is the MateBook X Pro 2022, with more powerful hardware, a faster screen, and a repositioned video calling camera.
- The company also announced the MateBook E convertible, MatePad Paper e-reader, and iMac-rival MateStation X.
Huawei is entering its sixth year as a laptop manufacturer. It launched the first MateBook back in 2016 and the series’ design has come a long way from its Surface-aping roots. At MWC 2022, the company has announced the latest iteration of its flagship Windows laptop, the MateBook X Pro (2022), as it looks to become the best Apple MacBook alternative you can buy.
Huawei MateBook X Pro (2022): Specs and features
The latest MacBook X Pro model builds on the positives of the 2021 model, improving in several key areas. For one, the screen is larger, denser, and faster. The 14.2-inch display packs a resolution of 3,120 x 2,080, a 90Hz variable refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 500 nits. That’s a pretty nice bump from the 13.9-inch, 3,000 x 2,000 resolution, 450 nit display on the 2021 model. This display also includes 100% coverage of the P3 gamut and brings imaging professionals additional hardware-level color gamut calibration.
The 2022 edition MateBook X Pro is slightly heavier, too, tipping the scales at 1.38kg. Nevertheless, it should be a pretty comfortable ultraportable to take on overseas voyages.
See also: The best laptops
The biggest change, though, fixes one of our biggest gripes with recent Huawei laptops — the ridiculous nostril-gazing webcam is gone. Instead, in comes a new top bezel camera capable of 720p video. Unlike the MacBook Pro, there’s no need for a notch in the 6mm bezel, either.
In terms of hard specs, the MateBook X Pro (2022) comes with a choice of 15W or 30W TDP Intel Core i7 CPUs with an upgraded cooling solution. Huawei notes 11th gen chipsets will be offered initially, with 12th gen chips arriving in the coming months. If this is important to you, you might want to hold on for a bit before investing in the latest model.
Either way, you’ll get four USB-C ports in total, with two supporting 10Gbps speeds, with the others topping out at 5Gbps. As for charging, the MateBook X Pro 2022 supports 90W throughput via a GaN charger. Huawei promises three hours of use for just 15 minutes on the charger.
MateBook X Pro 2022: Hot or not?
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In addition to the hardware upgrades, Huawei is also promising a host of software advancements. Huawei Super Device allows users more seamless device connectivity within the company’s ecosystem. For instance, this system would enable MateBook X Pro users to extend their displays to the MatePad tablet, allow a Huawei smartphone to display on the laptop or MateStation, or transfer files across each. Users can also open up to three mobile apps directly from Huawei’s Windows 10 PCs through the company’s Mobile App Engine.
Huawei has also introduced smarter Free Touch Creative Gesture support to the MateBook X Pro (2022), which allows for up to six touch gestures. Users can also swipe the touchpad to adjust brightness and volume or double knock to snap a screenshot.
Huawei MWC 2022: The supporting cast
The MateBook X Pro wasn’t the only Huawei product to make its bow at MWC 2022.
Huawei’s fourth-generation MateBook E now packs a 12.6-inch OLED display melded into a magnesium alloy body. The 709g detachable also packs an 11th gen Intel Core CPU with vapor chamber cooling system, a Thunderbolt 4-enabled port, 65W fast charging, and a fingerprint power button. It also supports several accessories, including the 2nd generation M-Pencil with 10 hours of battery life and two keyboards.
For fans of e-readers, the MatePad Paper brings a 10.3-inch e-ink screen with 32 backlight levels, M-Pencil compatibility, and Wi-Fi 6 support. It also includes 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, Harmony OS as the base operating system, and four weeks of standby time. The device weighs in at 360 grams thanks to its book-spine design, making it a little easier to hold in one hand. As for colorways, three will be on offer: Black, Khaki, and Blue.
Finally, the MateStation X plans to take the fight to Apple’s iMac with a few smart design flourishes. It features a 28.2-inch display with a 3,840 x 2,560 resolution and a peak brightness of 500 nits. Huawei notes the screen covers 98% of the P3 color gamut. Overall, the product is thinner than the iMac, with an 11.8mm thick bottom bezel. In a nifty design trick, the MateStation X’s stand houses the key ports, from HDMI to USB. It allows the device’s rear to remain port free.
As for hardware, the MateStation X sports the AMD 5000H chipset with 16GB of RAM, a 1TB PCIe SSD, and Wi-Fi 6 support. A quad microphone setup with noise cancellation and a 2.1 speaker arrangement complete the offering.
Pricing for Huawei’s new gadgets
Like the idea of the MateBook X Pro (2022)? Then you’ll be spending €1,899 (~$2,141) for the sole 16GB/1TB SSD model, only available in a grey colorway. Meanwhile, the MateBook E has a starting price of €649 (~$732) for the 8GB/128GB Core i3 model.
Fancy the MatePad Paper e-reader? You’ll need to splash out €499 (~$504) for the sole 4GB/64GB model which comes with a folio case and M-Pencil stylus. Finally, the MateStation X will set you back €2,199 (~$2,479).
