Huawei MateBook 16s (2023) Review: Playing It Safe

Greatest Costs At the moment: Huawei MateBook 16s (2023)

£1499.99

Whereas Huawei’s smartphone division continues to wrestle in Europe, its laptops appear to be going from power to power. The corporate continues to be free to make use of Home windows 11, and plenty of MateBook gadgets are straightforward to suggest.  

That features 2022’s MateBook 16s, which comfortably ranks as among the best 16in laptops you should purchase. However it wasn’t fairly good, so what has Huawei modified on the follow-up? 

Sadly, virtually nothing. Apart from a brand new Intel CPU, there aren’t any different modifications on the up to date MateBook 16s. Whereas that’s largely an excellent factor, Huawei has failed to deal with the problems that stop it from turning into finest in school.

Design & construct

• Premium, minimalist design
• Not significantly skinny or gentle
• Good vary of ports

The MateBook 16s is a standout gadget in a number of methods, however design isn’t one in all them. It’s the usual mix of gray aluminium and glass that Huawei has caught with for some time, however I can perceive why it isn’t switching issues up.  

This minimalist aesthetic nonetheless seems slick and fashionable, which is essential for a tool you’ll wish to maintain for just a few years. It’s additionally versatile – the MateBook 16s wouldn’t look misplaced in a boardroom, scholar backpack or something in between. 

Nevertheless, my essential frustration is the continued lack of color choices. If you happen to don’t like House Gray, you’re out of luck. Why is it solely the MateBook X Professional that will get thrilling colors?

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At 1.99kg, the MateBook 16s isn’t probably the most light-weight laptop computer. However it doesn’t weigh as a lot because the MacBook Professional 16, and stays moveable sufficient to take virtually wherever with you. 

The LG Gram 16 (1.29kg) and Gram Model (1.25kg) have set new weight requirements for 16in laptops, however there’s no want for most individuals to pay additional merely for a tool that’s a bit lighter. 

Nevertheless, in case you are used to smaller laptops, the MateBook 16s will really feel each large and ponderous. A thickness of 17.8mm definitely contributes to that, however it has two different advantages: loads of room for ports, and an sturdiness you usually don’t get with so-called ‘ultrathin’ gadgets. 

The laptop computer has a tricky hinge, which feels prefer it may comfortably final for years of use. In contrast to many laptops, there’s additionally minimal wobble when typing on a flat floor. 

Huawei has additionally made the a lot of the additional area for ports. Whereas solely one of many MateBook 16s’ USB-C ports helps Thunderbolt 4 (for quick charging, fast information switch and exterior show assist on the similar time), it’s joined by two USB-A, one HDMI and a 3.5mm audio jack.

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Except you intend on connecting a lot of equipment on the similar time, you’ll in all probability solely want an adapter or dongle for an SD card. When some laptops are restricted to USB-C, it’s exhausting to complain in regards to the choice right here. 

Display & audio system

• Glorious 16in LCD show
• Touchscreen, however no excessive refresh price
• Nice front-facing audio system

With such a big show, there wasn’t a lot margin for error on the MateBook 16s. Thankfully, Huawei has delivered among the best screens you’ll discover on any 16in laptop computer. 

Choosing IPS LCD relatively than OLED is commonly seen as a compromise, however it doesn’t really feel like one right here. You’re definitely not lacking out on deep blacks or wealthy, vibrant colors which can be the standard strengths of an OLED. This can be a wonderful LCD.

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Every thing I used the MateBook 16s for regarded unbelievable, from social media photographs and YouTube movies to video calls and on-line articles. Content material actually comes alive on this huge display screen.

However color accuracy benchmarks don’t essentially mirror that. In testing, I recorded 97% of the sRGB color gamut, but solely 75% of AdobeRGB and 74% of P3. That’s nothing particular, however colors on the MateBook 16s look higher than the figures counsel, so I’d nonetheless be completely satisfied utilizing it each day.

It’s additionally price noting the excessive 2560×1680 decision, which suggests all content material seems very clear and crisp. The tall 4:3 side ratio takes some getting used to, however permits extra data to be displayed on display screen than a conventional 16:9 widescreen. 

Contact assist isn’t a very powerful function on a laptop computer of this dimension, however I used to be stunned by how a lot I used it. Even with out convertible performance, tapping on the display screen simply beats utilizing the trackpad generally. It’s a pleasant function to have. 

Nevertheless, there’s one different premium function you gained’t discover on the MateBook 16s show: a excessive refresh price. You’re restricted to 60Hz right here, though the impact is nowhere close to as noticeable as on a smartphone. Transferring between apps and menus nonetheless feels clean and responsive. 

The one different side of the show to say is brightness. I recorded a good most of 500 nits, however that doesn’t imply out of doors visibility is sweet. Because it’s a big show that’s additionally extremely reflective, it may be tough to make out what’s on the display screen if the solar is out. 

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As quickly as you open the MateBook 16s, you’ll discover the place the audio is coming from. There are giant audio system on both aspect of the keyboard, which means sound is directed in the direction of you. 

It’s uncommon to see laptop computer sound prioritised like this, however it’s price it. Each music and sound results are impressively wealthy and full-bodied, full with a pleasant hit of bass. In the meantime, podcasts and different voice-based content material sounds clear and crisp, with each avoiding distortion at excessive volumes. 

Keyboard, trackpad & webcam

• Full keyboard, no separate quantity pad
• Giant, exact trackpad
• Strong 1080p webcam and fingerprint sensor

The scale of the MateBook 16s means there’s loads of room for a full-size keyboard. Nevertheless, on account of the speaker placement, you’ll must do and not using a separate quantity pad. It’s uncommon to see the function lacking on a giant laptop computer, particularly when the cheaper MateBook D 16 consists of it. 

This isn’t a giant deal, although. I very not often use the quantity pad, a lot desire to see audio prioritised. Even when the previous is way more essential to you, its omission shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. 

That’s very true when you think about the standard of the keyboard itself. With a clicky, tactile really feel and 1.5mm of journey, it’s one of the crucial spectacular laptop computer keyboards round.  

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The keys really feel good to sort on and are quiet when tapped. A standard structure makes it straightforward to get used to, even in case you’re used to smaller laptops. I used to be again typing at my typical pace inside a couple of minutes. 

The row of perform keys double as fast settings, together with the choice to regulate the quantity of backlighting. Whereas there are solely two ranges to select from, you may nonetheless comfortably sort in a variety of various lighting circumstances. Nevertheless, it’ll solely activate whenever you begin typing, with no choice to maintain it on completely.

Beneath the keyboard is a large glass trackpad that bodily strikes when clicked, and is clean to the contact and simple to make use of. It lets you rapidly transfer round a doc or internet web page, but stays exact sufficient to pick out a selected button or piece of textual content with out an excessive amount of trouble. 

However whereas Home windows 11’s core vary of gestures are supported, it lacks the haptic suggestions you’ll discover on the MateBook X Professional. You miss out on additional controls for the likes of quantity, brightness, display screen seize and shutting open home windows because of this, however current shortcuts already work for all of those. 

The ability button might be discovered within the top-right, simply above the speaker grille. It doubles as a fingerprint scanner, which is straightforward to arrange and quick and dependable. It’s one of many higher sensors I’ve tried. 

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I’m glad it really works so effectively, as there’s no different various to coming into a PIN or password. The 1080p webcam is lacking a separate IR sensor for face unlock, which is disappointing for a laptop computer at this value. 

The standard of the front-facing digital camera goes some strategy to making up for it. The Full HD video it produces presents loads of element and vibrant colors, even when publicity is usually a wrestle.  

It makes the MateBook 16s an excellent choice for digital conferences, particularly when mixed with the crystal-clear twin mics. For informal use, you gained’t want any separate equipment. 

Specs & efficiency

• Intel Core i9-13900H and 16GB of RAM
• Nice CPU efficiency, however no discrete GPU
• 1TB SSD

Unusually for Huawei, the one MateBook 16s configuration out there within the UK has very high-end specs. 

It’s powered by Intel’s Core i9-13900H, one of the crucial highly effective processors in its newest (on the time of writing) 13^th-gen vary. Alongside a beneficiant 16GB of RAM, you’re getting among the finest CPU efficiency of any 2023 laptop computer. 

I examined the MateBook 16s throughout all my typical each day duties, together with internet searching, phrase processing, watching movies and a few picture modifying. All through all my time with the gadget, there was no slowdown or hesitation in any way. 

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Multitasking is one other key power, whether or not it’s rapidly switching between open apps or utilizing a number of side-by-side. Even with these extra demanding workloads, you’ll not often hear the followers kick in. It at all times feels just like the MateBook 16s had loads of energy in hand, and it’s tough to push the gadget near its limits throughout on a regular basis duties.

This can be a laptop computer that’s designed for common productiveness, plus some gentle content material creation. With Intel’s Iris Xe built-in graphics relatively than a discrete GPU, demanding duties comparable to 4K video modifying or 3D modelling are typically out of attain. I additionally wouldn’t suggest it for something greater than informal gaming. 

On a tool that prices this a lot, the dearth of top-tier efficiency is irritating. Whereas not technically designed for it, such a premium laptop computer ought to have the ability to do extra. 

Nonetheless, because the benchmarks present, it stays one of the crucial highly effective 16in client laptops you should purchase: 

One good thing about solely promoting a high-end configuration is that there’s loads of storage – 1TB, to be precise. That’s greater than sufficient for most individuals, particularly as you gained’t be downloading many large gaming information. 

There’s nothing a lot to report in the case of connections, with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. Neither are absolutely the newest and biggest, however greater than ok for a few years to come back. 

Battery & charging

• 84Wh battery
• Strong, all-day battery life
• 135W charging nonetheless not the quickest

Huawei hasn’t elevated the MateBook 16s battery capability, however battery life has improved. Whereas the 84Wh cell is unchanged, the improved energy effectivity of the 13^th-gen Intel CPU seems to be behind the progress. 

In our 720p video loop take a look at, it lasted 13 hours and 46 minutes – an above common outcome. Examine that to final yr’s mannequin, which ran out after 12 hours and 6 minutes, and it’s a major achieve.  

When you may get it to final even longer with battery saver mode turning on at 20% (the default setting), there are some key caveats right here. The brightness was set to 120 nits, decrease than is typical for most individuals. It additionally doesn’t embrace the additional energy drain of taking part in audio or switching between extra intensive duties. 

In actuality, you’re taking a look at a couple of full day of typical utilization earlier than needing to achieve for the charger. An eight-hour workday is effectively inside attain, however not an excessive amount of extra. Standby time is strong, although, so it could stretch to a few or 4 days in case you solely use it within the evenings. 

While you do run out, there’s a 135W USB-C charger included within the field. This sounds spectacular, however speeds aren’t the quickest. I recorded 33% in half-hour, with a full cost taking between 2-2.5 hours. Whereas the battery capability is greater than common, I used to be nonetheless hoping for higher. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Software program

• Runs full Home windows 11 Dwelling
• Just a few additional Huawei apps
• Simple to disregard in case you don’t wish to use them

Huawei has large software program issues in the case of telephones within the UK and mainland Europe, however not with its laptops. The MateBook 16s run a full model of Home windows 11, an expertise that many will now be aware of. 

Thankfully, the corporate hasn’t diluted this with a lot software program of its personal. In actual fact, there are solely three apps in whole, all of which serve a selected goal. Management Panel presents fast entry to a variety of settings, whereas PC Supervisor and Cellular Cloud are targeted on sharing information with different Huawei gadgets. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

If you happen to personal a Huawei telephone or pill, there’s some highly effective performance right here. However in case you don’t, all three are straightforward to cover and neglect about. In contrast to another Home windows 11 laptops, there’s no additional pre-installed antivirus software program or different apps that maintain bugging you. 

Worth and availability

There’s just one mannequin of the MateBook 16s within the UK. It combines the Core i9-13900H processor with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, however will set you again £1,499.99. 

Huawei is presently providing a free pair of FreeBuds 5 wi-fi earbuds with all purchases, which might normally price £139.99. However like all Huawei merchandise, the laptop computer isn’t out there within the US. 

That pricing places it up in opposition to among the highest laptops you should purchase.

The LG Gram 16 (from £1,299) and Samsung’s Galaxy E-book 3 Professional (from £1,349) are the obvious 16in alternate options, with Apple’s MacBook Professional 16 (from £2,699) considerably dearer. In the meantime, Huawei’s personal 2022 MateBook D 16 (from £749.99) is a extra inexpensive choice.

The MateBook 16s isn’t unhealthy worth for cash, however it definitely doesn’t come low-cost.

Verdict

Huawei’s up to date MateBook 16s stays a superb 16in laptop computer, however not a lot has modified in comparison with final yr. 

In actual fact, the one improve is a brand new 13^th-gen Intel CPU. Whereas efficiency and battery life are noticeably improved because of this, it nonetheless lacks the devoted GPU required for top-tier graphical output. 

Energy effectivity is behind the battery life positive aspects, with no modifications to the capability or mediocre charging speeds. There’s additionally nonetheless no face unlock, SD card slot or separate quantity pad. 

However I’m additionally hesitant to be too harsh right here. The 16in touchscreen, keyboard and port choice are all glorious, whereas the minimalist design seems nice in virtually any state of affairs. Its webcam and audio are spectacular, too. 

All which means the 2023 MateBook 16s is a superb laptop computer that can serve many individuals effectively. However it may’ve been even higher. 

Specs

• 254.9 x 351 x 17.8mm  
• 1.99kg  
• 16in 2.5K IPS show (3:2 side ratio, 2520 x 1680)  
• Full-size keyboard with backlighting  
• 1080p webcam  
• Giant glass trackpad  
• Entrance-firing stereo audio system  
• Fingerprint energy button  
• Intel Core i9-13900H 
• Intel Iris Xe graphics  
• 16GB LPDDR5 RAM  
• 1TB SSD 
• Wi-Fi 6 
• Bluetooth 5.2 
• 2x USB-A 3.2 
• 2x USB-C (1 Thunderbolt 4) 
• 1x HDMI 
• 1x 3.5mm audio jack  
• 84Wh battery with 135W USB-C charger  
• Wi-Fi 6E  
• Bluetooth 5.2  
• Home windows 11