Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021) vs Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4: A Deep Dive into Tablet Power
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For demanding creative professionals and those deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the iPad Pro 11 (2021) remains the superior choice thanks to the unmatched performance of the M1 chip. However, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 offers a compelling blend of performance, a larger display, and incredibly fast 67W charging at a significantly lower price point, making it ideal for mainstream users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021) | Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 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, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2301, A2459, A2460 | N/A |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A2301 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, 5G | - |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | No cellular connectivity |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2459, A2460 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 20 | 2022, August 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 21 | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 in) | 285 x 185.2 x 6.7 mm (11.22 x 7.29 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | No |
| Weight | 466 g (Wi-Fi), 470 g (5G) (1.03 lb) | 620 g (1.37 lb) |
| Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic) | Stylus support (magnetic) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1668 x 2388 pixels (~265 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 366.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 500 nits |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Apple M1 | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) | Adreno 650 |
| OS | iPadOS 14.5.1, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | Android 12, MIUI Pad 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 2TB 16GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF 10 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) | 50 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Face detection, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 20 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only) | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 4), DisplayPort, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.2 video output |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 60% in 36 min, 100% in 68 min |
| Type | Li-Po 7538 mAh (28.65 Wh) | Li-Po 10000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray | Black, Silver, Green |
| Models | A2301, A2459, A2460, iPad13,4, iPad13,5, iPad13,6, iPad13,7 | - |
| Price | About 870 EUR | About 400 EUR |
Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021)
- Unmatched M1 chip performance
- Superior software optimization and ecosystem integration
- Excellent display quality and ProMotion technology
- Higher price point
- Slower charging speeds
- Smaller screen size compared to Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4
Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4
- Larger 12.4-inch display
- Incredibly fast 67W charging
- More affordable price
- Less powerful Snapdragon 870 chip
- Potentially lower display color accuracy
- Android tablet ecosystem limitations
Display Comparison
The iPad Pro 11 (2021) features a Liquid Retina display, while the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 boasts a 12.4-inch IPS LCD. While peak brightness figures aren't provided for the iPad Pro, Apple's displays are known for excellent color accuracy and calibration. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4’s larger size is immediately noticeable, offering more screen real estate for multitasking. Both likely employ high refresh rates, though the iPad Pro’s ProMotion technology (LTPO) dynamically adjusts the refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and animations, potentially offering better power efficiency. Bezels appear comparable, but the larger screen of the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro impacts overall portability.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is primarily a photography device, but the iPad Pro generally offers a more refined camera experience. Details on the iPad Pro’s camera specs are limited in the provided data, but Apple typically prioritizes image signal processing and computational photography. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro’s camera specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult. However, given the tablet’s price point, it’s unlikely to match the iPad Pro’s image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. We can assume both tablets feature adequate cameras for video conferencing and casual snapshots.
Performance
This is where the core difference lies. The Apple M1 is an 8-core chip built on a 5nm process, delivering exceptional CPU and GPU performance. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm). While the Snapdragon 870 is a capable processor, the M1’s unified memory architecture and optimized software integration give it a significant edge in tasks like video encoding and complex app usage. The iPad Pro’s CPU features 4 performance cores clocked at 3.2 GHz, while the Snapdragon 870 has a single Kryo 585 core at the same speed. The M1’s GPU is also substantially more powerful. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro benefits from 5G connectivity, a feature absent in the iPad Pro, and likely utilizes LPDDR5 RAM, though the iPad Pro’s memory bandwidth is likely higher due to the M1’s architecture.
Battery Life
Battery capacity figures are unavailable for both devices. However, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4’s 67W wired charging is a standout feature, capable of charging from 0 to 60% in 36 minutes and fully charging in 68 minutes. This is significantly faster than the iPad Pro’s charging speed, which typically relies on 20W or 30W charging. While the iPad Pro may offer slightly better overall battery life due to the M1’s efficiency, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro’s rapid charging mitigates concerns about running out of power.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021) if you require the absolute best performance for demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, or professional-grade graphic design, and if seamless integration with other Apple devices is crucial. Buy the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 if you prioritize a larger screen for media consumption and multitasking, value fast charging, and seek a high-performing tablet experience without the premium Apple price tag.