iPad Air 13 (2025) vs Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro: A Deep Dive into Tablet Power and Longevity

The tablet market is heating up, with Apple continuing to refine its iPad Air line and Xiaomi aggressively pushing into the premium space with the Pad 7 Pro. This comparison pits Apple’s established ecosystem and silicon against Xiaomi’s focus on raw power and rapid charging, offering distinct choices for different user needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing long-term software support, seamless ecosystem integration, and exceptional battery longevity, the Apple iPad Air 13 (2025) is the superior choice. However, the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro delivers impressive performance and a significantly faster charging experience for those prioritizing speed and value.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPad Air 13 (2025) Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900N/A
3G bandsHSDPA 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, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - A3269-
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3269, A3271-
EDGE-N/A
GPRS-N/A
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only-
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GNo cellular connectivity
Launch
Announced2025, March 042024, October 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, March 12Available. Released 2024, October 29
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back
Dimensions280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.24 in)251.2 x 173.4 x 6.2 mm (9.89 x 6.83 x 0.24 in)
SIMeSIM (cellular model only)No
Weight616 g (Wi-Fi) / 617 g (5G) (1.36 lb)500 g (1.10 lb)
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating, Mohs level 4-
Resolution2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density)2136 x 3200 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~345 ppi density)
Size13.0 inches, 519.3 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)11.2 inches, 371.5 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLiquid Retina IPS LCD, 600 nits (typ)IPS LCD, 68B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetApple M3Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUApple GPU (9-core graphics)Adreno 735
OSiPadOS 18.3.2, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1Android 15, HyperOS 2
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesHDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF-
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single12 MP, f/2.0, 122˚ (ultrawide)32 MP, f/2.2, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 0.61µm
Video1080p@25/30/60fps; gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE, LHDC 5
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS (5G model only)No
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connectorUSB Type-C 3.2, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-67W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 40% in 20 min
TypeLi-Po 9705 mAh (36.59 Wh)8850 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace Gray, Starlight, Purple, BlueGray, Blue, Green
ModelsA3269, A3271, A326824091RPADG
PriceAbout 950 EURAbout 500 EUR
SAR1.09 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU1.48 W/kg (body)0.99 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery72:00h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass G-
Free fallClass E (0 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Apple iPad Air 13 (2025)

  • Exceptional 72-hour battery life
  • Long-term software support from Apple
  • Optimized performance with the M3 chip

  • Likely slower charging speeds
  • Potentially higher price point

Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro

  • 67W fast charging (40% in 20 minutes)
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset
  • Potentially more affordable price

  • Significantly shorter battery life (10:12h)
  • Android update support may be limited compared to Apple

Display Comparison

While display specs are missing for the iPad Air 13 (2025), Apple typically employs high-quality, color-accurate panels. The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro’s display details are also absent, but given its positioning, we can expect a high-resolution LCD or OLED panel. The key differentiator will likely be Apple’s potential for ProMotion (adaptive refresh rate) and potentially higher peak brightness, contributing to better outdoor visibility. The absence of LTPO information for both devices makes it difficult to assess power efficiency gains from variable refresh rates.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are absent for both tablets, which is typical for this category. However, given Apple’s history, the iPad Air 13 (2025) will likely feature a capable rear camera for document scanning and casual photography. Xiaomi often emphasizes camera specs, so the Pad 7 Pro might offer a slightly more feature-rich camera system, but neither is likely to compete with dedicated smartphone cameras. The absence of information prevents a meaningful comparison of sensor sizes, OIS, or lens apertures.

Performance

The core of the performance difference lies in the chipsets. Apple’s M3, an octa-core CPU, is renowned for its efficiency and optimized software integration. The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro counters with the Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, also an octa-core CPU, built on a 4nm process. The Snapdragon’s architecture – 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4, 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720, and 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520 – suggests a focus on peak performance, while the M3 likely prioritizes sustained performance and power efficiency. The M3’s unified memory architecture also gives it an edge in graphics-intensive tasks. The lack of RAM specifications for both devices makes a direct comparison difficult, but Apple typically employs faster LPDDR5X RAM.

Battery Life

Battery life is a significant differentiator. The iPad Air 13 (2025) boasts an impressive 72-hour endurance and a 1000-cycle lifespan, indicating exceptional longevity and battery health retention. The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro, with a 10:12 hour active use score, falls considerably short in endurance. However, Xiaomi compensates with 67W wired charging, achieving 40% charge in just 20 minutes, utilizing PD3.0 and QC3+ standards. This rapid charging is a major advantage for users who need a quick power boost, while the iPad Air likely relies on slower charging speeds, prioritizing battery health over speed.

Buying Guide

Buy the Apple iPad Air 13 (2025) if you need a tablet deeply integrated with the Apple ecosystem, value long-term software updates, and require all-day battery life for productivity and creative tasks. Buy the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro if you prefer a more open Android experience, prioritize fast charging and raw performance for gaming, and are looking for a feature-rich tablet at a potentially lower price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro exhibit thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the 4nm process helps with thermal efficiency, sustained peak performance on the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 can still generate heat. The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro’s thermal management system will be crucial. Expect some performance throttling after prolonged, demanding gaming, but it should remain within acceptable limits for a smooth experience.
❓ How does the Apple M3 chip's unified memory architecture benefit creative workflows on the iPad Air 13 (2025)?
Apple’s unified memory architecture allows the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine to access the same pool of memory, eliminating the need to copy data between them. This results in significantly faster performance in tasks like video editing, photo processing, and 3D rendering, as data access is streamlined and latency is reduced.
❓ Is the 67W charging on the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro compatible with all USB-PD chargers?
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro supports USB-PD 3.0, meaning it *should* be compatible with most USB-PD chargers. However, to achieve the full 67W charging speed, you'll need a charger specifically rated for that wattage and supporting the PD 3.0 protocol. Using a lower-wattage charger will result in slower charging times.