The Android tablet market is heating up, and two strong contenders are the Huawei MatePad 11 (2023) and the Xiaomi Pad 5. Both offer impressive features and performance, but which one is the better choice for your needs? This comprehensive comparison will break down every aspect, from display quality to battery life.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei MatePad 11 (2023) edges out the Xiaomi Pad 5 thanks to its Snapdragon 870 chipset, offering a noticeable performance boost. However, the Xiaomi Pad 5 boasts faster charging and a slightly more competitive price, making it a strong value proposition for budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 4G bands | N/A | - |
| EDGE | No | N/A |
| GPRS | No | N/A |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 23 | 2021, August 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 31 | Available. Released 2021, August 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 253.7 x 165.3 x 7.2 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.28 in) | 254.7 x 166.3 x 6.9 mm (10.03 x 6.55 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 480 g (1.06 lb) | 511 g (1.13 lb) |
| | Stylus support (magnetic) | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~275 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 348.3 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 3.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | 13 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired
5W reverse wired | 33W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 7250 mAh | Li-Po 8720 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White, Purple | Cosmic Gray, Pearl White, Green |
| Models | DBR-W10 | 21051182G, 21051182C |
| Price | About 300 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) |
Huawei MatePad 11 (2023)
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 870)
- Excellent Display Quality
- Sleek Design
- Huawei HarmonyOS (unique features)
- Slower Charging (22.5W)
- Potentially Higher Price
- Limited Google Services (depending on region)
Xiaomi Pad 5
- Faster Charging (33W)
- Competitive Price
- Vibrant Display
- Good Value for Money
- Less Powerful Processor (Snapdragon 860)
- Software Updates (potentially slower)
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature excellent 11-inch displays with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1271:1 contrast ratio. The Xiaomi Pad 5 measures a slightly higher 478 nits of brightness, potentially offering a marginally better outdoor viewing experience. However, Huawei's display often benefits from excellent color accuracy and calibration.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is generally not a primary concern for tablets. Both devices feature decent rear cameras suitable for casual snapshots. The MatePad 11 (2023) typically offers slightly better image processing, but the difference is minimal. Front-facing cameras are adequate for video calls.
Performance
The Huawei MatePad 11 (2023) holds a clear advantage here. Its Snapdragon 870 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Xiaomi Pad 5's Snapdragon 860. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the MatePad 11 (2023). The Snapdragon 865 variant of the MatePad 11 (2023) further enhances this advantage.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 5 takes the lead in battery charging speed with its 33W wired charging and PD3.0 support. The MatePad 11 (2023) offers 22.5W charging, which is slower. Battery capacity is similar between the two, so real-world battery life will depend on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
The Huawei MatePad 11 (2023) is ideal for users prioritizing performance, especially for demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking. The Xiaomi Pad 5 is a great choice for those seeking a well-rounded tablet with a vibrant display and fast charging at a more affordable price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Huawei MatePad 11 (2023) have Google Play Store?
Due to US sanctions, the Huawei MatePad 11 (2023) typically doesn't have direct access to the Google Play Store. It uses Huawei's AppGallery and supports sideloading apps.
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Huawei MatePad 11 (2023) is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset, which provides smoother gameplay and better performance in demanding titles.