Huawei MediaPad Pro Reviews

An awful lot of tablet for the money, including a 3G adapter and an excellent display, but it's up against some tough competition

Admittedly, tablets aren't quite there yet as a full-blown work tool, but the Huawei MediaPad 7 takes a big step forward towards convincing us this is the form factor of the future. If it has a challenger it would be the easier to hold and even smaller - but no less capable and considerably more costly - 5.3-inch Samsung Galaxy Note.

If tiny faults from which the Huawei MediaPad suffers from are neglected, concerning the camera and speaker quality (as well as short battery life), this is one of the most attractive 7-inch tablets on the market. The display has a dazzling resolution, which combined with exceptional hardware, makes for a powerful multimedia platform. Many users will see the fact that the tablet comes with pure Android OS as an advantage, with just a few added games installed on the device. Furthermore, Huawei's promise of the upcoming upgrade to ICS also leaves a good impression. As the MediaPad is relatively slim and light, it stands out from the crowd of 7-inch tablet competitors. True, some of the Samsung Galaxy Tab models are thinner, but the MediaPad has a more durable build.

In pure design terms, the MediaPad is a success. It has the luxury feel that's important in the tablet space, and is a lot comfier to hold than larger 10.1in models. Pricing is a sore point, though, because at around £275 ex. VAT (£330 inc) for the Wi-Fi-only model, it's not a great deal cheaper than larger alternatives from better-known brands. Shop around and you'll find the Motorola Xoom for under £330 and Asus Eee Pad Transformer (sans must-buy keyboard) for under £340. We doubt whether the MediaPad has the enough of a draw to attract buyers away from the iPad and the upcoming 7in Amazon Kindle Fire.