Huawei’s compact tablet feels less like a gadget and more like a thoughtfully designed digital notebook, blending portability with everyday productivity.

I have been using Huawei’s MatePad 11.5 S for a while now for writing, editing, and most of my day-to-day journalistic work. It has turned out to be a surprisingly capable productivity device. So, when the MatePad Mini arrived, I was curious to see how Huawei would translate that experience into a much smaller form factor.

Reviewed By: Srijith KN, Senior Editor, Integrator

Design and Accessories

The first thing that stood out during the unboxing was not just the device, its accessories! Huawei has clearly put thought into the overall experience. The tablet ships with well-designed cases, including a transparent option and a diary-style booklet cover.

The diary cover, in particular, immediately felt right to me. It makes the tablet feel less like a gadget and more like a compact notebook you would carry every day. There is a certain familiarity to it, almost like picking up a journal rather than a device.

Huawei also continues to include a charger in the box, and this one comes with a 66W unit, a thoughtful touch at a time when many brands have moved away from bundling one altogether.

Everyday Portability

The 8.8 inch tablet immediately feels comfortable in the hand. It is extremely light and compact, measuring just 5.1 mm thick and weighing around 255 grams. That portability is noticeable right away.

In many ways, it feels closer to carrying a paperback than a traditional tablet. I currently use the Nothing Phone 3 as my daily device, and at times even that feels heavier than this. The MatePad Mini, on the other hand, almost disappears in your hands.

Huawei is also using a magnesium alloy body here, which keeps the device light without compromising on rigidity. Given how thin it is, that added structural strength feels reassuring.

A Paper Like Experience That Works

Last night, I found myself reading long articles on it for hours without feeling any strain. That is where the device really begins to make sense.

It genuinely feels like a digital paper booklet, built for reading, note-taking, writing, or quickly catching up on work while on the move. The green variant, in particular, features Huawei’s PaperMatte display, and it is easily one of the most distinctive aspects of this device.

Huawei claims the display reduces up to 99 percent of ambient light interference, and in real-world use, that translates into a noticeably glare-free experience. Even under indoor lighting, reflections are minimal, and the screen remains comfortable to look at for extended periods.

At the same time, it does not compromise on performance. With up to 1800 nits of brightness, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a wide color gamut, the display manages to balance readability with visual richness, something that is not easy to get right in smaller devices.

There is also an eBook mode that shifts the display into a black and white, paper like view, along with other settings designed to reduce eye strain during longer reading sessions. Additional options like eye comfort and sleep mode further support extended use.

Writing and Creativity

I also spent some time using the M Pencil for quick notes, and the experience feels surprisingly close to paper. Coming from the MatePad 11.5 S, Huawei continues to deliver one of the better stylus experiences in this space.

The M Pencil Pro adds more depth to the experience than expected. With different tip options and subtle haptic feedback, writing feels more tactile and intentional, rather than just tapping on glass.

Paired with the updated Huawei Notes app, the experience becomes more refined. Features like handwriting enhancement subtly improve legibility without taking away the personal feel of your writing, making it especially useful for quick notes and longer-form thinking.

Hardware and Performance

The MatePad Mini packs a 6400 mAh battery with support for fast charging, capable of going from zero to full in about an hour. On paper, it looks promising, though I will reserve judgment until I have spent more time with it.

On the hardware side, it includes a 50MP rear camera and a 32MP front camera, along with stereo speakers, Wi-Fi 7, USB-C 3.0, and a fingerprint sensor, something I wish Huawei had included on the MatePad 11.5 S as well.

Editor’s Perspective

Whenever I am seen using a Huawei device, the first question that comes up from people around me is usually about the ecosystem, particularly about Google services.

I too had similar concerns earlier, but having used Huawei devices for a while now, the experience has been smoother than expected. HarmonyOS feels clean and fluid, and tools like GBox make it possible to access most essential apps. Even for someone deeply tied to Google services, it has been more manageable than I initially thought.

What becomes clearer over time is that this is not just a smaller tablet. It sits somewhere between an eBook reader and a productivity device, built for focused, everyday use.

The MatePad Mini does not feel like Huawei shrinking a tablet. It feels like a refinement of how a compact device should actually be used. Its notebook-like form, paper-inspired display, and practical accessories make it easy to carry, pick up, and use throughout the day.

It is still early days, but the first impressions are strong. In a crowded tablet market, this feels like one of the more purposeful and interesting form-factor than the other compacts that we have seen in a while.

By Srijith KN

An in-depth look at Nothing’s 4a Pro, the clean stylish looking mid-range powerhouse!

Nothing has built its reputation on standing apart in an increasingly crowded smartphone market. With the launch of the Nothing Phone (4a) and the more ambitious Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, the company continues that philosophy while shifting its positioning. While the standard model focuses on accessibility, the Pro model moves closer to the premium segment, combining refined hardware with one of the most impressive displays in its category.

The Design Shift

The first thing that stands out about the Phone (4a) Pro is its departure from Nothing’s signature transparent aesthetic. Instead of the exposed internal design language that defined earlier models, the Pro adopts a more traditional and solid look with a clean metal frame and a conventional camera bump. At just 7.95mm, it is also the slimmest Nothing phone to date.

It is a different direction, but one that works. The device feels noticeably more premium than its price might suggest. Having used Nothing phones extensively, including the Phone (1) for nearly two years and the Phone (3) as a daily driver, this design shift feels like a more mature step for the brand. For some users, the move toward a more understated look may actually increase its appeal.

A Display Built for Immersion

The Phone (4a) Pro features a large 6.83-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution and a variable 144Hz refresh rate. On paper, these specifications are already top tier for this price range.

In practice, the display delivers exactly what those numbers promise. The screen feels fast and responsive with extremely smooth scrolling, while peak brightness reaching up to 5000 nits ensures excellent outdoor visibility. For everyday use, the combination of size, speed, and brightness makes the device feel significantly more expensive than its mid-range positioning suggests.

Performance That Surprises

Powering the device is the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset paired with up to 12GB of RAM. While this chipset is not designed to compete with flagship processors, it represents a meaningful performance jump compared with previous mid-range Nothing devices.

In early testing, the phone handled multitasking comfortably and performed well in gaming scenarios. Nothing has always focused on smooth real-world performance rather than chasing benchmark numbers, and the Phone (4a) Pro continues that same philosophy. For most users, the device feels quick, responsive, and capable of handling everyday workloads without difficulty.

Nothing OS Remains a Strength

Nothing OS continues to be one of the strongest aspects of the device. The software experience remains clean, responsive, and refreshingly free from unnecessary bloatware.

In a smartphone landscape increasingly filled with overly aggressive AI features and cluttered interfaces, Nothing OS stands out for its simplicity. For users who prefer a lightweight Android experience that stays focused on usability, the software remains one of the Phone (4a) Pro’s biggest competitive advantages.

Camera Performance

The Phone (4a) Pro includes a 50-megapixel main camera supported by a telephoto lens designed to offer additional versatility for photography.

In good lighting conditions the camera produces detailed images with balanced colour reproduction. While it may not fully compete with flagship level camera systems, the overall performance remains strong for the device’s price category.

However, there are some compromises. The ultra-wide camera uses an 8MP sensor and the front facing camera represents a slight downgrade compared with higher end models in the Nothing lineup. For most users the results will still be more than sufficient, but the camera system does not completely match flagship expectations.

The 140× Zoom Experiment

One of the more unusual features on the Phone (4a) Pro is the advertised 140× zoom capability. On paper this sounds extraordinary, particularly for a mid-range device.

In practice the phone achieves this through a combination of its 3.5× optical telephoto lens and AI driven image processing that digitally extends the zoom range far beyond what the optics alone can provide.

Carl Pei once mentioned in an interview that some features come from giving internal teams the freedom to experiment creatively. The 140× zoom feels like one of those ideas. It may not always produce perfect photos, but it works surprisingly well as what could be described as a “digital binocular” mode.

The Glyph System: Refined Identity

The Glyph lighting system remains one of Nothing’s most recognisable design signatures. On the Phone (4a) Pro the concept evolves with a larger and brighter light array that expands its visual notification capabilities.

The Glyph system can display alerts for incoming calls, timers, notifications, and recording indicators through distinctive lighting patterns on the back of the phone.

While visually distinctive and occasionally useful for quick notifications, the Glyph system still feels more like a signature design element than a practical necessity. That said, the implementation on the Phone (4a) Pro looks particularly striking and continues to give Nothing devices a visual identity that few other smartphones offer.

Editor’s Impressions

Having moved from the Phone (1) to the Phone (3) as my primary device, the Phone (4a) Pro feels like an interesting pivot for Nothing. The shift away from a fully transparent aesthetic toward a polished metal design feels both refreshing and more mature.

Performance is strong enough for everyday use and even moderate gaming, while the display is easily one of the highlights of the device. The camera system is capable, though there are a few compromises including the 8MP ultra-wide lens and the slightly downgraded front camera.

For users looking for the absolute highest specifications available, there are other devices that push further into flagship territory. But that has never been Nothing’s core philosophy. Instead, the brand focuses on creating devices that feel distinctive, practical, and thoughtfully designed.

Let me establish something upfront: I don’t get excited about smartphones anymore. After years of testing devices that promise innovation and deliver incremental updates, my expectations have been thoroughly calibrated to disappointment. “Revolutionary camera system” means slightly better night mode. “All-day battery” means you’ll need to charge by dinner. “Premium design” means it looks good in photos but feels cheap in hand.

The OPPO Reno15 5G didn’t really change this perspective. It’s a mid-range device in a crowded segment, launching without major fanfare, promising features we’ve heard before. On paper, it looks competent but not groundbreaking. However, it actually delivers what it promises, and that’s what matters.

The OPPO Reno15 5G isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. It’s laser-focused on one thing: being the best camera phone you can get in the mid-range segment. After a month of real-world testing, I can confidently say it succeeds, although with some minor compromises along the way.

Elegant & Well-Built

I tested the Aurora White variant, and I need to talk about this design because it’s genuinely special. OPPO calls it the “Dancing Aurora Design,” and in this case, the marketing hyperbole is justified. The back panel features precision-etched textures that recreate the northern lights phenomenon: glow patterns that shimmer and flow as light hits the surface from different angles. The finish also happens to be highly resistant to fingerprints and smudges, which is a practical bonus.

This one-piece sculpted glass design flows seamlessly without visible seams or gaps. Combined with the aerospace-grade aluminum frame and IP69 water resistance, this phone feels premium in hand, more so than its price suggests. At 7.8mm thin and 197g, it strikes an appreciable balance. It’s substantial enough to feel quality-built but not so heavy that extended one-handed use becomes uncomfortable.

ColorOS 16: Fast, Fluid & Polished, But Bloated

ColorOS 16 based on Android 16 is OPPO’s most refined software yet; but it still can’t escape the bloatware problem that plagues OPPO devices.The new update with upgraded internals, delivers noticeably fluid performance. Every interaction feels smooth, transitions are seamless, and the system maintains consistent responsiveness even under heavy multitasking.

I can run Spotify, Maps, WhatsApp, Chrome with 15 tabs, and camera apps simultaneously without stuttering or app reloads. The OS intelligently balances system resources. In practical terms, this means apps stay in memory longer, and switching between them is instantaneous.

AI Features That Actually Matter:

AI Recording with Transcription: Real-time transcription with speaker identification works surprisingly well. I’ve tested it in meetings: accuracy averages 80-85% with mixed accents, and speaker differentiation is consistent. Auto-generated titles are impressively accurate.

AI Clear Voice: Background noise reduction during calls genuinely works. Tested while walking near construction sites and busy roads; call quality remained clear with minimal background interference.

AI Writer: System-wide text generation for emails, captions, and drafts is convenient but not revolutionary. Quality is comparable to ChatGPT but having instant access without switching apps is genuinely useful.

The Bloatware Problem:

Out of the box, the Reno15 came loaded with unnecessary apps: OPPO’s duplicate app store, pre-loaded games, redundant utilities, and promotional content. Most can be uninstalled, but it requires 15 minutes of cleanup after first setup which is highly recommended.

Worse, some apps persistently send notifications promoting OPPO services and suggesting additional downloads. I had to manually disable notifications for multiple pre-installed apps. This is unacceptable at this price point as it makes the phone feel like it’s marketed at you rather than working for you.

Software Update Commitment:

OPPO promises 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security updates. Launching with Android 16, that means guaranteed updates through Android 20 and security patches until 2030. For a mid-range device, this is exceptional.

The Triple Rear Camera System: Where Mid-Range Gets Serious

50MP Main Camera (f/1.8, OIS): The main camera is the consistent performer. I’ve shot extensively across Dubai’s extreme lighting conditions: harsh noon sun, deep shadows, golden hour, dim restaurants, and night markets. The camera handles it all with impressive competence.

The f/1.8 aperture and 2-axis OIS combination delivers sharp, well-exposed photos in most conditions. The OIS genuinely works. I can shoot one-handed while walking and still get sharp results about 80% of the time. Dynamic range is legitimately impressive for this price bracket. Backlit scenarios that would turn subjects into silhouettes on most mid-rangers produce balanced, usable photos on the Reno15.

50MP Telephoto (f/2.8, 3.5x optical zoom, OIS): This is the phone’s secret weapon. A 50MP telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom and OIS at this price point? That’s nearly unheard of. The classic 85mm-equivalent focal length is perfect for portraits – natural compression, flattering perspective, beautiful background separation.

I’ve shot dozens of portraits, and the results consistently rival phones costing significantly more. The bokeh looks organic, edge detection is accurate even around messy hair, and skin tones remain natural. The OIS means I can shoot handheld in less-than-ideal lighting and still get sharp results.

The zoom range is practical:

• 3.5x optical: Excellent quality
• 7x digital: Very good for social media
• 10x digital: Acceptable for documentation
• 20x+: Quality degrades rapidly

What genuinely surprised me: the telephoto actually works at night. Most phone telephotos become unusable after sunset. The Reno15’s telephoto with OIS captures usable low-light portraits. Some noise is visible, but shots remain sharp and detailed.

8MP Ultra-Wide: The Weaker Sibling: Here’s where compromises become obvious. The 8MP ultra-wide is adequate at best. Daytime shots are fine, good for landscapes, architecture, and group photos. Distortion is well-controlled, and colors match the main camera reasonably. But at night? Quality drops noticeably. Images come out soft, noisy, and lacking detail. Images are definitely usable, but not as impressive as the other two sensors.

The 50MP Front Camera: Best in Class, Full Stop

Let’s address the standout feature immediately: the 50MP front camera with autofocus is the same sensor used in the Reno15 Pro and Pro Max models. At this price point, having a flagship-grade selfie camera is unprecedented.

Why This Matters:

Most mid-range phones use 16MP or 32MP front cameras with fixed focus and mediocre quality. The Reno15’s 50MP sensor with autofocus captures genuinely detailed selfies that withstand cropping and editing. When you zoom into selfie photos, you can actually see texture, skin detail, and fine elements; they don’t just dissolve into mushy, over-processed blobs.

Autofocus on a Selfie Camera:

This sounds minor until you actually use it. The autofocus ensures sharp selfies whether you’re 30cm away or at arm’s length. It also enables macro-style close-ups. I’ve taken detailed selfies showing individual makeup details, fabric textures, and even eye reflections with perfect focus.

Group Selfies:

The field of view is wide enough to fit 6-7 people comfortably without awkward arm extensions. I tested this at multiple gatherings. the ultra-wide capability means everyone fits in frame without cutting off heads or forcing people to squeeze uncomfortably close.

Video Calls:

The 50MP sensor delivers exceptional video call quality. On Zoom, Google Meet, and WhatsApp video calls, multiple people commented on how sharp and clear my video looked compared to their feeds. For anyone doing frequent video calls or content creation, this front camera alone justifies consideration. 

Stereo Speakers: Impressive, and Tunable

The Reno 15’s dual stereo speaker setup includes a unique “Ultra Volume Mode” that boosts output up to 300% beyond normal maximum volume. In theory, this sounds great for noisy environments. In practice, it’s a mixed bag.

Audio quality is very good. There’s decent bass presence, clear vocals, and controlled high-frequency response. The speakers deliver rich, full sound that’s genuinely enjoyable for media consumption and casual music listening. The stereo separation is good. Watching videos with the phone in landscape orientation provides a satisfying spatial audio experience. Gaming audio feels immersive with clear directional cues.

At 300% Volume in the Ultra Volume Mode, volume definitely increases; it’s genuinely loud enough to hear in very noisy environments. But audio quality deteriorates noticeably. I tested this extensively. For normal use, 70-90% regular volume is ideal. The 300% mode is only useful in specific scenarios; construction sites, extremely loud environments, or emergency situations where you need maximum audibility regardless of quality.

The Fingerprint Scanner: Actually Superfast

The optical in-display fingerprint scanner is genuinely one of the fastest I’ve tested. Recognition is near-instantaneous as there’s virtually no delay between touching the sensor and unlocking. It feels less like authentication and more like the phone simply recognizing you exist.

The registration process is quick and straightforward. The sensor area is well-positioned, easy to reach with your thumb in normal grip. Success rate is exceptionally high in my experience as I’ve tested with wet fingers, slightly oily fingers, and different screen protectors, and it consistently works on the first attempt.

Two-Day Battery Life: Liberation From Charging Anxiety

The 6500mAh battery delivers genuine two-day endurance for most users. My usage is heavy with extensive photography, social media, messaging, navigation, music streaming, video calls, and web browsing. Even with this load, I consistently finish full days with 35-40% remaining.

On lighter days (weekends with less photography and screen time), I’ve easily achieved two full days before needing to charge. I’ve forgotten to charge overnight multiple times. Woke up with 43%, proceeded with normal usage including photography, navigation, and media consumption, and still finished the day with 12%. That’s the kind of reliability that eliminates battery anxiety entirely.

When you do need to charge, 80W SUPERVOOC is impressively fast. 0-50% takes about 20 minutes. A full charge from near-empty takes approximately 50 minutes. And critically, OPPO includes the 80W charger in the box; a detail that shouldn’t be noteworthy but has become increasingly rare. The phone also supports battery health optimization. You can set a charging limit to extend long-term battery lifespan. The system can also learn your charging patterns and slow charging overnight to reduce battery stress.

Performance: Good Enough, Not Exceptional

The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 delivers solid mid-range performance. This isn’t a flagship processor, and OPPO isn’t pretending it is. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is smooth, and daily tasks feel responsive. For typical usage (messaging, browsing, photography, social media, navigation, streaming music), it’s more than adequate. I’ve run Google Maps navigation with Spotify streaming in the background while messaging on WhatsApp and browsing Chrome with 12+ tabs open. Everything continued running smoothly without slowdown or app reloads.

Gaming Performance:

I tested PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile. At high settings, both run smoothly at 60fps. At maximum settings, frame rates occasionally dip but remain playable. Thermal management is good; the phone gets warm but never uncomfortably hot.

For casual and moderate gamers, performance is perfectly acceptable. You can enjoy popular titles at good visual quality with smooth performance. Competitive gamers demanding absolute maximum frame rates and minimum latency should look to flagship chips, but for everyone else, this processor is sufficient.

Who Should Buy the OPPO Reno15 5G?

Buy it if:

• Camera quality is your priority: This is arguably the best camera phone in the mid-range segment, full stop
• Selfies and video calls matter: The 50MP front camera with autofocus is unmatched at this price
• Portrait photography is important: The 50MP telephoto makes this phone a portrait powerhouse
• You want two-day battery life: 6500mAh delivers genuine endurance
• You value design: The Aurora White finish is genuinely beautiful

Skip it if:

• You need flagship gaming performance: Mid-range chip means mid-range gaming
• Stock Android is essential: ColorOS is feature-rich but heavily customized

The Verdict: Best Mid-Range Camera Phone

Rating: 8/10

Camera: 9/10 – Exceptional main and telephoto, best-in-class selfie camera, weak ultra-wide
ColorOS 16: 7/10 – Polished and feature-rich, undermined by bloatware
Battery: 9.5/10 – Genuine two-day endurance
Performance: 7.5/10 – Good for daily use, not a dedicated gaming powerhouse
Design: 9/10 – Aurora White color option is genuinely beautiful
Value: 9/10 – Best camera-to-price ratio in mid-range segment

This is the mid-range camera phone I’d actually recommend—just disable the bloatware first.