The tablet market is booming, offering options for every budget and need. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the budget-friendly Blackview Tab 16 and the more premium Xiaomi Pad 5. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Pad 5 is the clear winner, boasting a significantly more powerful processor, brighter display, and faster charging. While the Blackview Tab 16 offers a more affordable entry point, the Xiaomi Pad 5 delivers a superior overall experience for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | - |
| EDGE | - | N/A |
| GPRS | - | N/A |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 28 | 2021, August 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 20 | Available. Released 2021, August 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 260.1 x 164.7 x 8 mm (10.24 x 6.48 x 0.31 in) | 254.7 x 166.3 x 6.9 mm (10.03 x 6.55 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 533 g (1.18 lb) | 511 g (1.13 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke OS_P 3.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | No |
| Radio | FM Radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | 7680 mAh | Li-Po 8720 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Meteorite Gray, Twilight Blue, Mint Green | Cosmic Gray, Pearl White, Green |
| Models | - | 21051182G, 21051182C |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1271:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 473819 (v8), 555079 (v9)
GeekBench: 2583 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Blackview Tab 16
- Affordable price
- Decent battery life
- Large display
- Underpowered processor
- Mediocre display quality
- Slow charging
Xiaomi Pad 5
- Powerful processor
- Excellent display
- Fast charging
- Premium design
- Higher price
- Camera is average
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Pad 5’s display is a standout feature. Its 1271:1 contrast ratio and 478 nits brightness provide vibrant colors and excellent visibility, even in bright sunlight. The Blackview Tab 16’s display is adequate but lacks the same level of brightness and color accuracy. The Xiaomi Pad 5 also benefits from a higher resolution, resulting in sharper visuals.
Camera Comparison
While neither tablet excels in camera quality, the Xiaomi Pad 5 generally produces slightly better images and videos due to its superior processing power. Both cameras are primarily intended for video calls rather than serious photography.
Performance
Here, the Xiaomi Pad 5 truly shines. The Snapdragon 860 chipset is significantly faster than the Unisoc Tiger T616, offering smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a much better gaming experience. The Blackview Tab 16 can handle basic tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer decent battery life for everyday use. The Xiaomi Pad 5's 33W fast charging provides a significant advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups compared to the Blackview Tab 16.
Buying Guide
The Blackview Tab 16 is ideal for users on a tight budget who primarily need a tablet for basic tasks like browsing, email, and light media consumption. The Xiaomi Pad 5 is perfect for those seeking a more powerful tablet for gaming, content creation, and demanding applications, and who appreciate a premium display and faster charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Blackview Tab 16 good for gaming?
The Blackview Tab 16 can handle basic games, but it will struggle with more demanding titles. The Xiaomi Pad 5 is a much better choice for gamers.
❓ Which tablet has better build quality?
The Xiaomi Pad 5 generally has a more premium feel with its better materials and design.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Pad 5 support a stylus?
Yes, the Xiaomi Pad 5 supports a stylus (sold separately), making it suitable for note-taking and drawing.