The tablet market is heating up, and these two contenders – the Huawei MatePad 11 (2021) and the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 – are vying for your attention. Both offer compelling features, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 takes the crown with its larger, higher-resolution display, significantly faster charging, and slightly more powerful processor. However, the MatePad 11’s HarmonyOS and potential ecosystem integration might appeal to some. Ultimately, the Pad 5 Pro offers more raw power and features for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 4G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 02 | 2022, August 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 13 | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 253.8 x 165.3 x 7.3 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.29 in) | 285 x 185.2 x 6.7 mm (11.22 x 7.29 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 485 g (1.07 lb) | 620 g (1.37 lb) |
| | Stylus support (magnetic) | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~276 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.95 inches, 347.7 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 500 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0, upgradable to 3.0 | Android 12, MIUI Pad 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 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 |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 20 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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) |
| | Tuned by Harman Kardon | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 video output |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired
5W reverse wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 60% in 36 min, 100% in 68 min |
| Type | Li-Po 7250 mAh | Li-Po 10000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Gray | Black, Silver, Green |
| Models | DBY-W09 | - |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 400 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1200:1 | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-21.1 LUFS (Excellent)
| - |
Huawei MatePad 11 (2021)
- Compact and portable design
- Excellent display quality
- HarmonyOS features
- Good performance for everyday tasks
- Slower charging speed
- Less powerful processor than Xiaomi
- Limited app availability compared to Google Play
Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4
- Large, high-resolution display
- Faster charging (67W)
- More powerful Snapdragon 870 processor
- Excellent value for money
- Larger size may be less portable
- MIUI can be a bit bloated
- Potential software update delays
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 boasts a significantly larger 12.4-inch display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution, compared to the MatePad 11's 10.95-inch display at 2560 x 1600. While both offer excellent contrast ratios (1200:1), the larger size and potentially brighter panel on the Xiaomi give it an edge for immersive viewing. Both support 120Hz refresh rates for smooth scrolling.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is generally not a primary concern for tablets, but the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 typically offers slightly better camera performance due to its more advanced hardware. Both feature front and rear cameras suitable for video calls and casual photography.
Performance
While both tablets utilize the Snapdragon 865, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 features the 870 variant, offering a noticeable performance boost. The 870 has a slightly higher clock speed and improved efficiency. Expect smoother multitasking and better gaming performance on the Xiaomi. Both handle everyday tasks with ease.
Battery Life
This is a major differentiator. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4’s 67W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times (60% in 36 minutes, 100% in 68 minutes). The MatePad 11’s 22.5W charging is considerably slower. Battery capacity is similar, but the Xiaomi’s charging speed provides a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
The Huawei MatePad 11 (2021) is ideal for users deeply invested in the Huawei ecosystem, those prioritizing a compact and portable design, and those who appreciate HarmonyOS's unique features. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 is perfect for those seeking a large, immersive display for media consumption, demanding performance for gaming and productivity, and incredibly fast charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Huawei MatePad 11 (2021) have Google Play Store?
No, the MatePad 11 (2021) uses Huawei's AppGallery. While it's improving, app availability is still limited compared to Google Play Store. You can sideload apps, but it's not as seamless.
❓ Is the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 good for gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 870 and 120Hz display make the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 a great choice for mobile gaming. It can handle most games at high settings.
