Review

Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8 with Google Play Store for $356.16

Hey, guys! Just a heads up: The linked offer is already a bit older and the price of the gadget might have changed or it might not be available anymore.

The Huawei MediaPad M6 Tablet has very, very much potential, which it can now finally fully unfold. Both the CECT shop and TradingShenzhen now ship the M6 with Google Play Store pre-installed. This removes probably the biggest point of criticism. What the situation is with Widevine Level 1 and Play Protect certification is still unclear. But at least you can now install and use the apps from the Play Store as usual. If you already have the tablet at home, you can use this APK to install the Google Services.

Even though the Android tablet market has become a niche market, Huawei never tires of offering the best Android tablets apart from Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S series with the MediaPad M series. You can find out in our test whether the MediaPad M6 10.8 has succeeded in doing this again.

Huawei MediaPad M6 Tablet

Technical Data Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8 & M6 8.4

MediaPad M6 10.8MediaPad M6 8.4
Display10.8 inch IPS LCD, WQHD+ (2560 × 1600p), 280 PPI8.4 inch IPS LCD, WQHD+ (2560 × 1600p), 359 PPI
ProcessorHiSilicon Kirin 980 Octa Core @ 2,6 GHz & 1,92 GHz & 1,8 GHzHiSilicon Kirin 980 Octa Core @ 2,6 GHz & 1,92 GHz & 1,8 GHz
Graphics chipARM Mali-G76 MP10 @ 720 MHzARM Mali-G76 MP10 @ 720 MHz
Memory4GB LPDDR4X @ 2133 MHz4GB LPDDR4X @ 2133 MHz
Internal memory64 GB / 128GB UFS 2.1 (microSD up to 512GB)64 GB / 128GB UFS 2.1 (microSD up to 512GB)
Main camera13 MP f/1.813 MP
Front camera8 MP f/2.08 MP
Battery7.500 mAh with 18W Fast Charge6.100 mAh with 18W Fast Charge
ConnectivityUSB-C, Headphone jack, WLAN-AC, BT 5.0, GPS/GLONASS/BDSUSB-C, WLAN-AC, BT 5.0, GPS/GLONASS/BDS
FeaturesFace Unlock, Fingerprint Sensor, 4 SpeakersFace Unlock, Fingerprint Sensor, Stereo Speaker
Operating systemAndroid 9.0 Pie with EMUI 9.1 SurfaceAndroid 9.0 Pie with EMUI 9.1 Surface
Dimensions / Weight257 x 170 x 7,2 mm / 498 g206,4 x 125,22 x 7,4 mm / 320 g
ColorsAsh-Silver
Champagne Gold
Champagne Gold

Top-level design & workmanship

As you’d expect from the strongest tablet of a huge company like Huawei, the MediaPad M6 delivers a complete modern design and workmanship. The unibody case, which can be silver or gold, is made of aluminium and is only interrupted at the top by unobtrusive antenna strips. The very clean back shows only the Huawei lettering in the middle and the note “Sound by harman/kardon”. The sound experts deliver four speakers for the tablet. These are located on the top and bottom of the tablet on the left and right sides respectively.

Huawei MediaPad M6

Below there are also three contact points for the keyboard (not included) and other accessories. At the top there are four microphones in the middle between the two loudspeakers to ensure perfect communication with voice assistants and the other person during video calls. On the right you have the volume rocker, the power button, the USB-C port and the headphone port at the bottom. Due to the clever placement at the bottom, the cable of the headphones lies so easily on the table and doesn’t float in the air at the top.Huawei MediaPad M6 USB-C Buttons Headphone Port

At the front you are greeted by a 10.8 inch display with small but not too narrow edges for a tablet. After all, you still have to hold the tablet somewhere if you don’t have a case with an integrated stand. To the right of the display is a very narrow fingerprint sensor, which works very quickly and reliably. Alternatively, you can also use Face Unlock via the 8 megapixel front camera.

Huawei MediaPad M6 Fingerprint

The workmanship is beyond any doubt and I personally like the design very much. Only the camera on the back, which protrudes very far out of the case, is annoying because the tablet wobbles when typing when it lies flat on a table without a cover. Then it’s better to have a thicker tablet with a bigger battery or a camera that needs less space.

Huawei MediaPad M6 camera overhanging

Beautiful WQXGA LC display

Like the MediaPad M5, the 10.8-inch display has a resolution of 2560 × 1600 pixels, which is called WQXGA (Wide Quad Extended Graphics Array) by experts. Here you have a resolution that is even higher than Quad HD (1440P). The aspect ratio is 16:10 and is therefore somewhat more square than classic 16:9 screens and closer to a DIN A4 sheet on edge. The screen also has real corners that aren’t rounded, as is currently the case with almost all smartphones.

Huawei MediaPad M6 Tablet

Thanks to the IPS technology, the LC display offers very good viewing angle stability and accurate colors, at least in the “Normal” color mode. The standard “Vivid” mode tries to simulate an OLED display with strong colours and contrasts. Fortunately, you can set this according to your personal preferences and even choose the color temperature completely by yourself. In addition, the display also adjusts the color temperature according to the ambient light so that the eyes are spared. For evening / night there is also an extra night mode.

The touch screen recognizes up to ten fingers simultaneously and responds quickly and reliably to all inputs. You can also buy a stylus (Huawei M-Pen Stylus) separately to draw and write on the tablet. The brightness is completely sufficient even in direct sunlight. Usually it is approx. 75% brightness, if you let it regulate automatically.

Kirin 980 processor ensures performance

The processor is probably the biggest upgrade compared to its predecessor. The M5 still has the Kirin 960 from 2016, which was also used in the Huawei P10 and was manufactured in the 16 nm process. The MediaPad M6 now has the Kirin 980 processor, which is also included in the P30 Pro and is based on the new 7 nanometer process. The Octa-Core is much more powerful and energy efficient. One notices this both in the benchmarks and in everyday life. Apps open very quickly, inputs are processed immediately and even demanding games don’t lag.

Huawei MediaPad M6 Benchmarks

Unfortunately Huawei uses the latest CPU, but keeps the memory at the old 4 GB instead of the current standard of 6 GB. On average, ~1.87 GB (47%) are used by the system (Android+EMUI) alone, leaving only 2.13 GB (53%) for the apps. So not as many apps remain open in memory and need to be reloaded when you switch back to them. Especially for productivity scenarios this is a disadvantage, but in normal use the 4GB are sufficient. After all, the mass storage has at least 64 GB or 128 GB, which can be extended by up to 512 GB via microSD.

HUAWEI MediaPad M6 PUBG Game

Android 9 in multiple languages but without Play Store

Huawei does everything right with the software, because the M6 comes with the latest Android 9 Pie and the security patch from July 2019. Huawei is laying its EMUI 9.1 interface on top of this, as usual. It still reminds a bit of iOS, is quite colorful and unfortunately always comes with Bloatware, which you can uninstall for the most part. Especially with our China version there is even more Bloatware available in the form of Chinese Apps. This brings us to the current biggest problem: the China version.

The Huawei MediaPad M6 Tablet has very, very much potential, which it can now finally fully unfold. Both the CECT shop and TradingShenzhen now ship the M6 with Google Play Store pre-installed. This removes probably the biggest point of criticism. What the situation is with Widevine Level 1 and Play Protect certification is still unclear. But at least you can now install and use the apps from the Play Store as usual. If you already have the tablet at home, you can use this APK to install the Google Services.

Huawei MediaPad M6 Software

Currently, the MediaPad M6 is not yet available as a European or Global version. The tablet is therefore completely adjustable to several languages, but the Google Play Store and the Google Play Services are missing, both of which cannot be installed (we have tried several ways). Therefore you have to use Apps on the pre-installed Huawei AppGallery or other App Stores like F-Droid, Amazons App Store, Aurora, Aptoide or UpToDown. Furthermore you have to find alternative apps for Google Maps (e.g. HERE WeGo), YouTube (e.g. YouTube Vanced) and GMail. Furthermore, Netflix didn’t want to start with us, which is probably due to the complete lack of a Widevine level (a kind of copy protection). Also some games didn’t run with the hint that they need the Google Play Services. So if you don’t want to do without Google services, you should wait for the international version or go for the predecessor M5.

Huawei MediaPad no Play Store
Without Play Store you have to resort to alternatives.

Nevertheless, the desktop mode should be noted as positive. The tablet recognizes when you connect a mouse and keyboard via Bluetooth or OTG adapter and switches to “I am a Windows laptop” mode. In this mode you have a start menu and resizable windows – just like in Windows or MacOS. So you can use the MediaPad even better for productive work.

HUAWEI MediaPad M6 desktop mode

Camera

As with all tablets, you shouldn’t expect too much from their cameras, because they simply aren’t the focus of a tablet. In addition, you should use the rear camera of a tablet as little as possible and please do not see it as a replacement for the smartphone camera. Nevertheless, sometimes you just need the camera, for example to show the other person the surroundings during a video call or to take a photo and mark something on it afterwards.

Huawei MediaPad M6 Camera

Huawei has installed a 13 MP camera with a f/1.8 aperture on the back, which takes average photos. All in all there is a lack of sharpness and dynamics, but in good light the photos are usable overall.

Huawei MediaPad M6 watch

Huawei MediaPad M6 Roof

Huawei MediaPad M6 Office

The front camera unfortunately works with a fixed focus, so you have to stay within a certain distance to get a reasonably sharp picture. But even then the photos of the 8 megapixel camera are not too sharp, but in good light it’s enough for reasonable pictures.

Huawei MediaPad M6 front camera

Huawei MediaPad M6 Selfie

12 hours battery life

As in its predecessor, a 7,500 mAh battery is used, which, according to Huawei, guarantees 11 hours of continuous video playback. In the test with the PCMark Work 2.0 Battery Test, our tablet even lasted 12 hours and 16 minutes. I get a good three to a maximum of four days, but with more intensive use the tablet has to be plugged in again after only two days. There it spends about 2 hours and 15 minutes with the included 18 Watt Quick Charge charger to get from 0% to 100%.

HUAWEI MediaPad M6 rechargeable battery

Connectivity & Audio

This is where the MediaPad M6 really scores, because it covers pretty much everything you could wish for. This includes good and fast positioning via GPS/GLONASS/BDS, Bluetooth 5.0, WLAN ac and, of course, LTE reception with the LTE version.

Huawei MediaPad M6 USB-C keys Headphone connection

As already mentioned, the physical ports have a USB-C port with OTG functionality and a well-placed headphone port. When enjoying music or video, you always have the choice between the very good four speakers or wired headphones. The good audio package is rounded off by the four microphones on the top, which can pick up even distant voices crystal clear – so Skypen is fun!

Huawei MediaPad M6 Speakers

Conclusion: Top tablet in the waiting queue

With the MediaPad M6 10.8, Huawei has once again delivered a tablet with a top price-performance ratio. The top workmanship, the good screen, the significantly improved performance as well as the strong connectivity are positive. The battery life is also solid and extras like the good speakers and the smart desktop mode make the M6 a real all-rounder.

Huawei MediaPad M6 Tablet

Currently it is unfortunately still held back by the absence of the Google Play Store and the Play services. Because in our tested China version it is not comfortable and usable without compromises. Therefore the MediaPad M6 has to wait for the release as Global or International Version until I can recommend it without any restrictions.

Would you get the tablet even now despite the lack of Google services? Or maybe just because of that?

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Why doesn't this affect our review in any way?
Profile picture from Alex

Alex

Part of the China-Gadgets Team since 2016. I love China-Smartphones and all accessories that surround them.

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Comments (15)

  • Profile picture from nykophillip
    # 22.09.19 um 02:19

    nykophillip

    Very nice

  • Profile picture from nykophillip
    # 22.09.19 um 02:25

    nykophillip

    Thanks 😊 babe on the way!

  • Profile picture from Guest
    # 10.10.19 um 16:42

    Anonymous

    Will the Chinese model be able to be upgraded to a global ROM once available (and Android 10 since it's been announced as part of the upgrade device list)?

    • Profile picture from Alex
      # 11.10.19 um 10:46

      Alex CG team

      Even this Version that we tested comes with all the languages that Android normally comes with and it will get updates just finde. Its only really missing the Play Store which you now can install (sideload) yourself 😊

  • Profile picture from justin
    # 14.11.19 um 10:43

    justin

    this was posted september, i tried the apk and it is no longer working.

    is there anyway to get google play as of november 14th 2019?
    im really sad right now

    any help please!!!

  • Profile picture from Dejan Milutinovic
    # 25.12.19 um 10:02

    Dejan Milutinovic

    I bought HUAWEI MediaPad M6, SCM-W09, 10.0.0.186, EMUI 10.0.0 two days ago across https://consumer.huawei.com/fr/tablets/mediapad-m6-10/

    I am trying huawei-google-installer-emui-9.apk from your link and it is not working.
    Do you have some suggestions?

  • Profile picture from Sunny Sun
    # 09.01.20 um 09:29

    Sunny Sun

    Hi Alex,

    My MediaPad M6 is running on 10.0.0.191
    I tried the above method using HiSuite 9.0.3.300.zip but not working so I download 10.0.0.510.zip from Huawei site. All other files I use from mega.nz

    The installation all went well. After restart, I run PlayStore, click on Login but nothing happens. It stays the same.

    Hope you can help me out?

    • Profile picture from Alex
      # 09.01.20 um 09:53

      Alex CG team

      Hi Sunny,

      did you go into Settings-Apps and gave the Play Store and Play Services all the permissions? If not that could be the problem.
      And did you do the last step? "On some Huawei phones/tables you might need to sign in to your Huawei account with your Huawei ID to be able to do this step."

      Best, Alex

      • Profile picture from Guest
        # 13.01.20 um 08:52

        Anonymous

        @Alex: Hi Sunny,

        did you go into Settings-Apps and gave the Play Store and Play Services all the permissions? If not that could be the problem.
        And did you do the last step? "On some Huawei phones/tables you might need to sign in to your Huawei account with your Huawei ID to be able to do this step."

        Best, Alex

        Hi Alex,

        Yes, all permissions allowed and have Huawei ID account. When click Login in Play Store, nothing happens. My last resort is to pay a technician to install it.

        • Profile picture from Alex
          # 13.01.20 um 09:39

          Alex CG team

          Hi Sunny,

          Did you check if Google shows up in the settings: If Play Store doesn't work, please go to Settings and check if Google can be found between user and system. If this is not the case, please go back and start at step 7. again and restart your device afterwards.
          If option Google is available at settings but Play Store still does not work, go to Settings -> Apps -> Apps give Google Play services and Google Play Store all permissions.

          Specifically the first part?

  • Profile picture from Guest
    # 17.01.20 um 05:47

    Anonymous

    Hi Alex,

    Yes, Google Services, Google PlayStore, Google Framework are all in Settings, Apps, Apps and given All permissions too but still Play Store does not run after press Login.

    I don't know what else I have left out. I could not wait any longer so I took M6 to computer shop yesterday. The technician charged me USD20.00 (thanks to Trump) to install Google Play Store and it is working now. Can install YouTube and run.

    Anyway thank you for your help.

    • Profile picture from Mr.akkad
      # 24.03.20 um 21:48

      Mr.akkad

      Thank,s I LOVE CHINA

    • Profile picture from Pedro
      # 14.05.20 um 08:19

      Pedro

      Hello,

      I have the exact same problem as Sunny. Everything is installed with no issues but when I try to run, it opens and crashes. Any idea how this could be solved?
      Thanks.

  • Profile picture from Naenyc
    # 16.05.20 um 21:03

    Naenyc

    Any news?

    Would love to purchase Mediapad M6, as I already own the M5. However, it would be a show-stopper if google apps don't work.

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