Key Takeaways
1. Mid-range tablets often lack standard stylus support, and included pens usually offer basic functions.
2. The Huawei MatePad 11.5 S uses the advanced M-Pencil Pro stylus, which connects magnetically and charges easily.
3. The M-Pencil Pro features low latency due to Huawei’s NearLink technology, enhancing the writing experience.
4. It provides 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity and includes a touch-sensitive area and quick-access menus.
5. Customizable tips are available for different writing styles, making the M-Pencil Pro versatile for detailed work.
Stylus support might not be standard on mid-range tablets. Even when present, the pens that come along often provide only basic functions.
A Different Approach
The Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (£420 / €470 on Huawei’s website), which we recently examined in detail, takes a unique approach. It works with the advanced M-Pencil Pro, which was initially meant for the higher-end MatePad Pro models. This stylus has several features to offer. We’ll delve into these in this article.
Innovative Features
The M-Pencil Pro connects magnetically to various Huawei tablets for instant pairing and charging. It claims to have extremely low latency because it relies on Huawei’s NearLink technology instead of Bluetooth, but this also means that it does not work well with tablets from other manufacturers.
While testing, we found no noticeable delay and truly enjoyed using the M-Pencil Pro. Its slightly higher friction on the tablet’s matte display gives a feeling similar to writing or drawing on paper.
Impressive Sensitivity
The M-Pencil Pro boasts an impressive 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity, making it superior to most styluses in its price range.
On the back of the pen, there’s a touch-sensitive area known as “Star Ring,” which can be used to open a designated app. While this is handy, it’s not the only way to control the stylus: squeezing it provides quick-access menus in certain applications. Additionally, the pen has a tiny built-in vibration motor for haptic feedback.
Customizable Tips
Another useful feature is the ability to change tips. Along with the standard writing tip, the M-Pencil Pro includes a painting tip and a small-font writing tip. In practical use, the option to swap tips was more impactful than we anticipated, allowing for very detailed work.
The M-Pencil Pro is priced at £130 / €129, making it slightly less expensive than the Apple Pencil Pro. Even with the lower cost, Huawei’s stylus feels equally high-end and offers a nearly identical range of features. Its compatibility with the brand’s reasonably priced mid-range tablets, like the Huawei MatePad 11.5 S (2026) that we recently reviewed, adds to its appeal.
