The Huawei MediaPad M5 8, released in April 2018, was designed as a premium compact tablet that emphasized both portability and performance. With its slim design, lightweight build, and powerful hardware, it catered to professionals, students, and entertainment lovers looking for a tablet that could handle both work and play. Weighing just 316 g and sporting an 8.4-inch 2K display, the MediaPad M5 8 offered flagship features in a more compact form factor, making it an excellent choice for those on the go.
Powered by the Kirin 960s processor, coupled with 4 GB RAM and up to 128 GB storage, the tablet delivered excellent performance. It ran on Android 8.0 Oreo with Huawei’s EMUI 8, ensuring a smooth user experience. Additionally, the 5100 mAh battery with 18 W fast charging ensured long-lasting power for productivity tasks and multimedia consumption.
Let’s dive deeper into the Huawei MediaPad M5 8 specifications and explore what made this device stand out in its category.
Huawei MediaPad M5 8 Full Tablet Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Tablet |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | Announced Feb 2018, Released Apr 2018 |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Body / Build | 212.6 × 124.8 × 7.3 mm, 316 g, Glass front, aluminum back & frame |
| SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Display | 8.4″ IPS LCD, 2560 × 1600 px, 16:10 (~359 ppi) |
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo), EMUI 8 |
| Chipset | Kirin 960s (16 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (4 × 2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4 × 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 |
| Memory / Storage | 32/64/128 GB + 4 GB RAM, microSDXC slot |
| Rear Camera | 13 MP, PDAF, HDR, panorama |
| Front Camera | 8 MP |
| Video Recording | 1080p @ 30 fps |
| Sound | Stereo speakers, no 3.5 mm jack |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band), Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, USB Type-C 2.0 |
| Sensors | Front fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | Li-Po 5100 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 18 W wired fast charging |
| Colors | Space Gray, Champagne Gold |
| Models | SHT-AL09, SHT-W09 |
| Approx. Price (at launch) | ~ EUR 290 |
Design and Display
The Huawei MediaPad M5 8 featured a premium glass-and-metal design with a slim 7.3 mm profile, making it easy to hold and use for extended periods. It’s lightweight at 316 g, which makes it an ideal tablet for mobility and travel. The 8.4-inch display offers a 2560 × 1600 px resolution and an 18:9 aspect ratio, delivering sharp and vibrant visuals for media consumption, gaming, and browsing. The 359 ppi pixel density ensured crisp details and enhanced picture quality, making it perfect for entertainment.
The tablet’s Corning Gorilla Glass protection ensured durability against scratches and minor drops.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the Huawei MediaPad M5 8 is powered by the Kirin 960s chipset, an octa-core processor paired with 4 GB of RAM for smooth multitasking. The tablet performed well across tasks like browsing, watching videos, and using productivity apps. The Android 8.0 Oreo OS, combined with Huawei’s EMUI 8, provided an intuitive and customizable user interface, offering features like split-screen multitasking, improved app management, and more.
In terms of storage, the device offered 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB options, with the possibility to expand up to 256 GB via microSD. This flexibility provided ample space for apps, media, and documents.
Camera and Multimedia
The 13 MP rear camera on the MediaPad M5 8 allowed users to capture detailed photos with features like PDAF (Phase Detection Autofocus), HDR, and panorama mode. Although not the primary feature of the tablet, the camera was sufficient for casual photography.
On the front, the 8 MP camera was designed for high-quality video calls and selfies. It captured clear images and supported 1080p video recording for detailed video capture.
For multimedia, the tablet boasted stereo speakers for an immersive sound experience. The absence of a 3.5mm jack might have been disappointing for some, but the sound quality from the stereo speakers and Bluetooth support compensated for this by providing a satisfying audio experience.
Battery and Connectivity
The 5100 mAh battery provided sufficient power for extended use, including media playback, browsing, and light gaming. The tablet supported 18W fast charging, which meant it could charge quickly, reaching 58% in 30 minutes.
In terms of connectivity, the MediaPad M5 8 offered Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band), Bluetooth 4.2, and USB Type-C 2.0 for fast data transfer and charging. The tablet also supported GPS and GLONASS for accurate positioning, while NFC was notably missing.
Conclusion
The Huawei MediaPad M5 8 was a powerful and compact tablet that excelled in offering premium features in a portable and affordable package. With its stunning 2K display, Kirin 960s chipset, and reliable battery life, it catered to users who needed a device for productivity, media, and casual gaming. Its dual-purpose front and rear cameras added value, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a versatile tablet.
Though discontinued, the MediaPad M5 8 remains a strong contender in the compact tablet market, especially for users who value a balance of performance, design, and portability at an affordable price. If you are in search of a reliable device for everyday tasks, media consumption, and light gaming, the Huawei MediaPad M5 8 still stands out as a solid choice.
