September 24, 2026 – Huawei has officially opened pre-orders for its latest tablet, the MatePad Air Z, positioning the device as a productivity-focused tool for students and professionals. The new model marks a significant software milestone as the company’s first tablet to ship with HarmonyOS 7, alongside a suite of AI-powered features designed to streamline digital workflows.
Pricing and Availability
The MatePad Air Z is available in two primary configurations: the standard edition and the “Yuexiang” (Joyful) edition. Pre-orders began today at 10:08 AM local time, with general sales scheduled to commence on September 29.
The Yuexiang edition serves as the entry-level option, starting at 2,999 yuan for the 8GB+128GB model. The standard edition starts at 3,699 yuan for the 8GB+256GB configuration. Both lines offer optional “PaperMatte” display variants, which carry a price premium. For instance, the top-tier 12GB+256GB PaperMatte version of the standard model is priced at 4,999 yuan.
Hardware Specifications
At the heart of the device is Huawei’s latest silicon. The PaperMatte versions of the standard MatePad Air Z are powered by the Kirin T93S chipset, which Huawei claims delivers a 22% improvement in overall performance. The standard glass-screen models and the Yuexiang edition utilize the Kirin T93SD processor.
Visuals are handled by a 12-inch LCD panel with a 2800×1840 resolution, supporting a 144Hz adaptive refresh rate and a peak brightness of 900 nits. The specialized PaperMatte display employs nano-etching technology to reduce glare and screen reflections by 50%, aiming to provide a paper-like writing experience while maintaining image clarity. This display variant has received certifications from TÜV Rheinland for low blue light and flicker-free performance, as well as an SGS Gold Label for low visual fatigue.
Rounding out the hardware, the tablet houses a substantial 10,100mAh battery, a six-speaker audio system, a 50-megapixel rear camera, and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. It also supports Huawei’s NearLink wireless connectivity technology for compatible accessories.
Software and AI Integration
The defining feature of the MatePad Air Z is its deep integration with HarmonyOS 7 and the evolved “Xiaoyi” AI agent. Moving beyond simple voice commands, Xiaoyi functions as a system-level intelligent assistant capable of handling complex tasks.
Key AI functionalities include:
Xiaoyi Smart Notes: Capable of real-time transcription and summarization of meetings or lectures.
Xiaoyi Deep Research: Assists in aggregating information from multiple sources to generate report frameworks.
Dictionary Pen: When used with the M-Pencil Pro, users can tap or select text on the screen for instant translation and pronunciation, supporting over 20 languages.
The device also includes a dedicated “Education Space” that integrates resources from partner TAL Education Group (Xueersi), allowing for a focused learning environment separate from the main interface.
To incentivize early adoption, Huawei is offering a limited-time discount of 200 yuan, which can be combined with educational subsidies and national trade-in allowances, potentially lowering the entry price to approximately 2,252 yuan for eligible buyers.
