iPad 10.2 (2021) vs Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4: The Ultimate Tablet Battle

The tablet market is heating up! Apple's iPad 10.2 (2021) remains a popular choice for its ease of use and ecosystem integration, while the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 offers a larger screen and impressive specs at a competitive price. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which tablet comes out on top.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 delivers significantly more power and a larger, higher-resolution display for a lower price. However, the iPad 10.2's seamless iOS integration and extensive app ecosystem remain compelling advantages for Apple users. It's a win for value and performance, leaning towards the Xiaomi.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900N/A
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100N/A
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - A2603N/A
EDGE-No
GPRS-No
SpeedHSPA, LTE - cellular model only-
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTENo cellular connectivity
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - A2604-
Launch
Announced2021, September 142022, August 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 24Available. Released 2022, August 24
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back
Dimensions250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm (9.87 x 6.85 x 0.30 in)285 x 185.2 x 6.7 mm (11.22 x 7.29 x 0.26 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only)No
Weight487 g (Wi-Fi) / 498 g (LTE) (1.07 lb)620 g (1.37 lb)
 Stylus support (1st gen only)Stylus support (magnetic)
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coatingCorning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1620 x 2160 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density)1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density)
Size10.2 inches, 322.2 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio)12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeRetina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 500 nits
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
ChipsetApple A13 Bionic (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Adreno 650
OSiPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1Android 12, MIUI Pad 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal64GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesHDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard), 1.12µm, AF-
Video1080p@25/30fps, 720p@120fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)20 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS - cellular model onlyNo
RadioNoNo
USBLightning, USB 2.0; magnetic connectorUSB Type-C 3.2 video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometerAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 60% in 36 min, 100% in 68 min
TypeLi-Ion 8557 mAh (32.4 Wh)Li-Po 10000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, Space GrayBlack, Silver, Green
ModelsA2603, A2604, iPad12,1, iPad12,2-
PriceAbout 430 EURAbout 400 EUR
Tests
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1123:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -29.4 LUFS (Average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 617292(v9) GeekBench: 3124 (v5.1) GFXBench: 44fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)

  • Seamless iOS integration
  • Extensive app ecosystem
  • User-friendly interface
  • Reliable performance

  • Slower charging
  • Older chipset
  • Less screen real estate
  • Higher price relative to performance

Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4

  • Large, high-resolution display
  • Powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset
  • Fast 67W charging
  • Excellent value for money
  • 120Hz refresh rate

  • Android operating system (preference-based)
  • Potentially less polished software experience compared to iOS

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 boasts a significantly larger 12.4-inch display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution, offering a more immersive viewing experience. The iPad 10.2's 10.2-inch display (2160 x 1620) is still good, but lacks the sheer size and pixel density of the Xiaomi. Both offer excellent contrast ratios, but the Xiaomi's display often features a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

Camera quality is generally not a primary concern for tablets, but the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 likely offers slightly better camera performance due to its more modern hardware. Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but neither is a standout in the tablet market. Detailed camera specs are missing for the iPad, making a direct comparison difficult.

Performance

The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4's Snapdragon 870 5G chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the iPad 10.2's A13 Bionic. The Snapdragon 870 handles demanding games and multitasking with ease, while the A13, though still capable, shows its age. The Xiaomi's octa-core CPU also generally outperforms the iPad's hexa-core processor.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4's 67W fast charging is a major advantage, allowing for incredibly quick top-ups. The iPad 10.2's charging speed is considerably slower. While battery capacity isn't explicitly stated for either device, the Xiaomi's faster charging suggests a potentially larger battery or more efficient power management.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)? Users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, those prioritizing ease of use and a vast app library, and those needing a reliable, familiar tablet experience. Who should buy the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4? Users seeking a large, high-resolution display, powerful performance for gaming and multitasking, and excellent value for money, especially those open to Android.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPad 10.2 good for students?
Yes, the iPad 10.2 is a solid choice for students due to its ease of use, access to educational apps, and reliable performance for note-taking and research.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro support Apple Pencil?
No, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro uses its own proprietary stylus and does not support the Apple Pencil.