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.

From content creation to media buying, artificial intelligence is quietly reshaping how campaigns are built, delivered, and optimised across the GCC.

In the UAE and across the GCC, artificial intelligence has moved well beyond the stage of experimentation. What was once a buzzword discussed in boardrooms is now deeply embedded in the day-to-day execution of advertising. Brands are no longer testing AI—they are relying on it to run campaigns, generate content, and make increasingly precise decisions about audience targeting and timing.

On the creative front, the shift is particularly visible. AI-powered tools are now capable of producing ad copy, visuals, and even short-form video content at a pace that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. For marketers operating in a market like the UAE—where campaigns often need to speak to audiences in both English and Arabic, while also resonating across a diverse mix of nationalities, this level of speed and adaptability is more than a convenience. It is becoming a necessity.

Behind the scenes, machine learning has also transformed how media buying is approached. Traditional methods that relied heavily on instinct or retrospective performance reports are steadily being replaced by systems that analyse audience behaviour in real time. These platforms continuously optimise campaign performance, adjusting budgets and placements based on how users interact with content.

In the UAE’s PR ecosystem, brands are already leveraging platforms such as Meltwater, Brandwatch, and Sprout Social to better understand media performance, audience sentiment, and the broader buying landscape.

AI is also influencing emerging advertising formats. Digital billboards, for instance, are becoming more responsive, using live data inputs to tailor content based on factors such as time of day, location, and audience movement. Similarly, augmented reality experiences are beginning to incorporate behavioural insights, offering more contextual and interactive brand engagements.

Looking ahead, the trajectory appears clear. Advertising is moving towards deeper automation, more intelligent recommendations, and tighter integration between creative tools and analytics platforms. The industry is shifting from a model centred on broadcasting messages to one that focuses on responding to audiences in real time, with context and precision.

In this evolving landscape, AI is no longer just an enabler, it is becoming the foundation on which modern advertising is built.

Exclusive Interview with Helen Olds- Director, BISJ

In what ways are schools in Saudi Arabia adapting their curriculum to support different learning styles, from academic-focused to practical, skills-based education?

Many schools in Jeddah tend to specialise in a single post-16 pathway.
BISJ is unique in offering all three leading pathways – the International
Baccalaureate (IB), A Level and BTEC: all under one roof. This breadth
allows us to cater to every type of learner, from those who thrive in
rigorous academic programmes to those who excel in practical, skillsbased learning.
Some of these pathways also allow for carefully designed
combinations, giving students opportunities to cross over and tailor
their studies even further. This added flexibility ensures that each
student can create a pathway that truly fits their strengths, preferred
way of learning and future aspirations.
By providing this range of options, BISJ gives students freedom to shape
their academic and career journeys with confidence and clarity.

BISJ hosts students from more than 60 nationalities—how does this cultural diversity shape the learning environment and overall school experience?

Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. With over 70 nationalities
represented, BISJ is a truly international community where students
learn to appreciate different perspectives, traditions and worldviews.
We celebrate our diversity, leveraging the many things we share in
common to achieve our collective goals.
This cultural richness enhances classroom discussions, deepens
global understanding and helps students develop empathy and
intercultural competence; skills that are invaluable in today’s
connected world.
Beyond the classroom, diversity shapes our ethos, traditions,
languages, leadership opportunities and community events, creating an
environment where every student feels heard, respected and
empowered.

How does offering IB, A-Level, and BTEC pathways help students choose an academic path that best matches their strengths and future goals?

Every student learns differently. By offering three internationally
respected pathways, BISJ provides a personalised approach that gives
students the autonomy to choose the route that best suits their learning
style and future aspirations:

• IB for those seeking academic breadth, critical thinking and
  research-driven learning.
• A Level for students who excel when specialising deeply in a small
  number of subjects.
• BTEC for students who prefer applied, practical learning and wish to
  build industry-relevant skills.
  This personalised flexibility means students are not placed in a onesize-fits-all system. Instead, they can select the qualification that sets
  them up for success, whether that is admission to top global
  universities or preparation for a full breadth of career pathways.

How do you balance the need for global academic competitiveness with the cultural and regulatory requirements of operating in Saudi Arabia?

At BISJ, we see this balance as an opportunity rather than a challenge.
We provide a truly global education aligned with the expectations of
BSO, Cambridge International, CIS, COBIS, HMC, IB and NEASC, while
fully respecting and integrating Saudi cultural values and Ministry of
Education regulations.
Our curriculum offers a rigorous framework enriched by both local and
international contexts. It incorporates global best practice whilst
celebrating the Kingdom’s history, traditions and language.
We prepare students for success at leading universities around the
world, ensuring they graduate as culturally aware and responsible
members of the society in which they live. This dual commitment allows
our students to be both globally competitive and locally grounded.
Many BISJ graduates return to Saudi Arabia to make a positive
contribution to their communities and to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
BISJ remains, at its heart, a true community school.

In what ways does BISJ ensure that students not only achieve academic success but also develop essential life and leadership skills?

BISJ’s Core Pillars – Learning to Live, Learning to Learn, Learning to Lead
underpin everything we do. Academic achievement is only one part of a
BISJ education.
We provide students with extensive opportunities to grow as leaders,
collaborators and global citizens through a broad and well-curated cocurricular programme that includes:

• Outdoor Learning
• A rich range of activities in the arts, sport, music and Science,
  Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM)
• The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award
• Model United Nations and student-led conferences
• Community engagement opportunities
• Summer camps
• Leadership pathways
• Robust wellbeing and pastoral systems that support personal
  development
  This holistic approach ensures that our students leave BISJ not only
  academically prepared, but confident, grounded, and ready to thrive in
  any context.