Huawei MatePad 11 Review: One Year Without Google Services
Table of contents
Here is an expanded version of your blog post with some additional details. This review highlights both the pros and cons, particularly the tablet’s limitations with Google services and occasional Linux integration issues:
Why I bought it
I purchased the Huawei tablet because I enjoy creative activities like drawing, taking notes, and reading books. I wished to have an iPad or premium tablet with a good stylus to fully explore my creative potential. My brother found an excellent deal on this Huawei tablet for around 60% off retail price and gifted it to me. I’m very thankful to him! 
Pros
- Excellent audio quality with quad speakers
- Gorgeous 10.95-inch LCD display
- 2560x1600 resolution
- 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals
- Fast charging capabilities
- Large 7250 mAh battery
- Supports 22.5W fast wired charging
- Comfortable lightweight design, easy to use for long periods
- Seamless integration with other Huawei devices like watches and earbuds
- Responsive stylus with good palm rejection
Disadvantages of Huawei MatePad 11
If you are researching the disadvantages of Huawei MatePad 11, here is the honest breakdown after one year of daily use:
- Tablet gets hot with prolonged intensive use like drawing or taking notes. This is quite annoying during long sessions.
- Battery life is decent but not enough to last a full day with heavy usage. Expect to charge daily if you use it intensively.
- Frequent ads in App Gallery and default music app are frustrating. You should not see ads just trying to open App Gallery. The default music app tries to push online streaming services with more ads.
- Many apps spam notifications asking to reopen them. Very irritating and hurts the user experience.
- No Google Mobile Services (GMS) means many apps either don’t work or need workarounds like Gbox or APK Pure.
- Linux integration is poor compared to standard Android tablets. File transfers require a cable, and syncing is buggy.
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Using Huawei Devices with Linux
- File transfers require a cable, no wireless sharing
- Must use third party apps like KDE Connect for notifications
- Can’t develop custom themes or scripts due to lack of developer tools
- Syncing to Linux with Syncthing is slow and buggy
- Overall poor integration with Linux compared to Android/Windows
Issues with Google Services on Huawei
Stylus Apps
- Infinite Painter drawing app has broken stylus support and no pressure sensitivity
- NoteShelf note taking app can’t sync properly with cloud drives
- Nebo note taking app has subpar palm rejection and no Arabic language support
- Flexcil best ebook reader/annotator but lacks Google Drive integration
Gbox Solution
- Provides access to YouTube, Maps and other Google apps
- Available on App Gallery with native integration
- Minimal battery drain
- But lacks support for many Google services like Podcasts
- Buggy syncing with Google Keep
- Can’t leverage Google Drive within other apps
APK Pure
- Apps sometimes fail to open, just black screen
- Too many ads
- Lacks reliability compared to Play Store
Overall, while the Huawei tablet offers excellent hardware, the software experience is hampered by lack of Google services. This leads to janky third party solutions and poor integration with Linux systems. I still enjoy using the tablet but hope someday Huawei can properly resolve these issues.
FAQ: Huawei MatePad 11
What are the main disadvantages of Huawei MatePad 11?
The main disadvantages are overheating during intensive tasks, battery life that won’t last a full workday under heavy use, frequent ads in App Gallery, notification spam from apps, and the lack of Google Mobile Services which requires workarounds for many apps.
Does Huawei MatePad 11 support Google services?
No, the Huawei MatePad 11 does not come with Google Mobile Services (GMS) pre-installed. You can use workarounds like Gbox or APK Pure, but these are not as reliable as native Google Play Store.
Is Huawei MatePad 11 good for students?
The hardware is excellent for students — great display, good stylus support, and solid audio. However, the software limitations due to missing Google services can be frustrating if you rely on apps like Google Drive, Google Docs, or specific academic apps.
How does Huawei MatePad 11 work with Linux?
Integration with Linux is limited. File transfers require a cable, wireless sharing is not available, and syncing with tools like Syncthing is slow and buggy. You will need third-party apps like KDE Connect for basic notification syncing.
What is the best alternative to Huawei MatePad 11?
If you need Google services, consider the OnePlus Pad 3 or Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series. If you are already in the Huawei ecosystem and can live without Google, the MatePad 11 hardware is excellent for the price.
References
Internal Resources
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