Last week, Apple announced a special event scheduled for May 7th with the theme "Let Loose," where they are expected to unveil the all-new iPad and Apple Pencil products.
Just a week later, Huawei also set its sights on May 7th, announcing an "Innovation Product Launch Event" in Dubai, where they will introduce multiple new products, including the new MateBook series, the new MatePad series tablets, and new wearable devices.
Image Source: Huawei
The clash of the top two brands in the digital world's product launches has sparked intense discussions both inside and outside the industry, with many believing it to be an early warm-up for the 2024 tech gala. Amid the excitement, let's first delve into the new product information from Huawei's innovative product launch event.
Leading the charge are MateBook and MatePad, challenging the iPad in tablet drawing capabilities.
While Huawei is currently keeping new product details under wraps, based on previous reports, it is highly likely that Huawei will unveil new products previously released only in the domestic market and globally debut new products at this innovative product launch event. For instance, the MateBook X Pro 2024, which was showcased at the Huawei HarmonyOS Spring Communication Conference, and the upcoming WATCH FIT 3.
MateBook X Pro: Breaking the awkward positioning of high-end ultrabooks
As a reference, the MateBook X Pro 2024 focuses on a slim design, with a body crafted from aerospace-grade magnesium alloy, featuring a three-segment motherboard. The device weighs only 980g and is just 13.5mm thick. Mere data might not fully convey the slimness of the device. During the Huawei HarmonyOS Spring Communication Conference, Yu Chengdong specifically demonstrated the scene of "pinching the laptop with two fingers," candidly admitting that when he first held the laptop, he thought it was fake because it was so light that it didn't seem like a real laptop.
Image Source: Huawei
Xiaolei also tried to pinch his Macbook Air at home with two fingers. The Macbook Air weighs about 1.29 kilograms, which is approximately 31% heavier than the MateBook X Pro 2024. Although it can be pinched, it still requires more effort and cannot be sustained for a long time. The Macbook Air is already considered the pioneer of lightweight notebooks, so it seems that the portability of the MateBook X Pro 2024 is even better.
In terms of core configuration, the MateBook X Pro 2024 is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, with a 40W performance release higher than the 38W of the MacBook Pro 14. The device's battery capacity has been increased to 70Wh, compatible with three charging protocols: PD, UFCS, and SCP. Paired with a 140W charger with a power density of 1.25W/cm, the charging speed performance should be quite impressive.
Regarding the screen, the MateBook X Pro 2024 features a 14.2-inch 3120x2080 resolution 120Hz high refresh rate screen, with a screen-to-body ratio of up to 93% and a peak brightness of 1000 nits.
Image Source: Huawei
In addition, the MateBook X Pro 2024 is the first PC device to support the Pangguo large model. It features corresponding AI applications in various scenarios such as office work and meetings, including functions like multi-screen collaboration, AI minutes, AI subtitles, and AI voice, helping users achieve smarter office operations.
In recent years, the high-end laptop market has been lukewarm, especially in the Windows platform segment. Apart from the stimulation brought by AI PCs, most products have been stuck in incremental innovations, with little improvement in core aspects like molds, leading to many top-selling high-end ultrabooks being older platform products that have been discounted.
Xiaolei believes that the release of the MateBook X Pro 2024 is more like Huawei's exploration of the current positioning in the laptop industry. Ultrabooks, performance laptops, and gaming laptops are positioned to imply poor performance, bulkiness, and even more bulkiness, respectively. The positioning of high-end ultrabooks is particularly awkward, as being thin and light with poor performance limits their applications to a narrow range.
However, if it's thin and light with high performance, the outcome will be completely different. The MateBook X Pro 2024 achieves weight reduction while maintaining high performance, a large screen, and a larger battery, thanks to solid hardware design capabilities. In Xiaolei's view, breaking through the positioning is the biggest competitive advantage of the MateBook X Pro 2024, and perhaps it will also be one of the directions for the future industry advancement.
WatchFit3: Maximum Recognition, Noticeable Narrowing of Bezels
Currently, a smartwatch suspected to be the Huawei WatchFit3 has passed CQC product certification, wireless radio approval, and SIRIM certification. The certification information indicates that the product has audio storage and playback functions, supports Bluetooth connectivity, and is sold without a power adapter.
Renowned leaker Evan Blass shared new images of this watch. From the appearance, the watch adopts a square design with noticeably narrowed bezels. The design with equal-width borders on all four sides not only enhances the overall visual effect but also increases the screen-to-body ratio, improving screen visibility. It is worth noting that the knob and auxiliary buttons of the Huawei WatchFit3 are roughly positioned similar to the Apple Watch.
Source: Evan Blass
In terms of system, the Huawei WatchFit 3 is expected to debut with the latest UI of HarmonyOS for wearables. The new system will bring users a completely new interactive experience while enabling seamless connectivity with other HarmonyOS ecosystem devices.
For reference, the Huawei WatchFit 2 was released in July 2022, featuring an optical heart rate sensor, intelligent heart rhythm monitoring, all-day blood oxygen monitoring, sleep tracking, and more. The strengths of Huawei smartwatches lie in sports and health, reflected in their comprehensive features and platform advantages. The Huawei WatchFit 2 leans towards practicality in terms of design and product functions, essentially being a revamped version of the Watch GT3.
Judging by the price point, the Huawei WatchFit 2 is positioned between the Huawei Watch GT3 and WatchFit mini within the Huawei smartwatch lineup. The initial price of the WatchFit 2 is 799 yuan, marking an increase of around 400 yuan compared to the previous generation. The price of the WatchFit 3 may potentially rise further to the thousand-yuan level, but it is likely to first launch in international markets such as Malaysia. Those interested may want to keep an eye out for updates.
MetaPad: Focusing on the professional drawing field
The specific parameters of MetaPad's new product are currently unknown and are likely to be revealed during the launch event. In addition to hardware devices, there are reports that Huawei will introduce a brand-new self-developed drawing software called "Tiansheng Huihua App" at this event. This software offers various styles of brushes, multiple efficient tools, and complete software tutorials tailored for users with zero drawing experience.
Image Source: Huawei
While Huawei tablets have shown good drawing performance through apps like Drawing World Pro and the HUAWEI M-Pencil with Starlight technology, the drawing software unveiled separately by Huawei at the event seems to be more sophisticated. It might be more appropriate to view it as a creative ecosystem built through the integration of software, hardware, and accessories.
Similarly, the combination of the Apple Pencil and iPad has been a key focus of Apple's special events. Drawing performance has always been a highlight of the iPad, and the combination of MetaPad with drawing apps and the HUAWEI M-Pencil will directly compete with the Apple Pencil and iPad. Little Lei predicts this will be the biggest highlight of the two events on that day.
With Huawei and Apple holding events simultaneously, which one will attract more attention?
Since the release of the Huawei Mate 60 series last year, Huawei and Apple have been quietly competing in various aspects. Whether in the domestic smartphone market or the tablet market, Huawei has generally outperformed its competitors.
In terms of the smartphone market, IDC, Canalys, and Counterpoint have all released data for the first quarter of 2024 in the Chinese smartphone market. While there are differences in the details of the three reports, they all share a common point: Huawei has once again become a major player in the domestic smartphone market in terms of sales volume. In comparison, Apple's declining shipments appear dimmer.
The situation in the tablet market is even more straightforward. According to the latest report on the Chinese tablet market released by IDC, in the fourth quarter of 2023, Huawei's market share reached 30.8%, surpassing Apple for the first time in terms of tablet market shipments in China, with Apple holding a market share of 30.5%. This marks the first change in the top brand in quarterly tablet shipments in China since 2010.
Image Source: Apple, Huawei (produced by Lei Technology)
Looking at the global market, the shipment volume of Apple's smartphones and tablets still reigns supreme, but no one can ignore the rapid rise of domestic brands like Huawei. At least in the domestic market, the buzz around Huawei's product launches is definitely on par with Apple, and sometimes even surpasses it. We witnessed this last year during the release of the Mate60 series.
Both companies' product launches revolve around PC & Pad products. Factors such as product performance, innovation, and value for money will all be compared side by side. Ultimately, it will come down to the most essential competition, with the buzz determining the outcome.
If you ask me which product launch to watch on May 7th, I would choose to watch all three simultaneously. That's right, even MediaTek is holding the MDDC 2024 developer conference on that day, announcing the Dimensity 9300+ flagship chip. With three well-known manufacturers coinciding, May 7th might just be a great day. Let's hope it brings us more surprises.
