Our reviews of the MatePad 11.5 (2025) and its predecssor show that the etched surface structure of the PaperMatte panel visibly reduces the brilliance of color reproduction. Colors appear less vibrant, and image sharpness is not as clear as on a glossy display.
The high black level also negatively impacts contrast. Compared to high-quality, non-matter IPS displays, the ratio of brightness and black tone reproduction is significantly lower on PaperMatte screens. In our review of the Huawei MatePad 11.5 (2025), we only reached a contrast ratio of 629:1. In our display measurement, the grayscale on PaperMatte panels is also slightly color cast, which impairs color accuracy.
For outdoor enthusiasts, however, the “PaperMatte” surface will be a highlight, as reflections are greatly reduced. In everyday use, this matte finish proves to be very effective outdoors.