The Android tablet market is heating up, and these two contenders – the Huawei MatePad 11 (2023) and the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 – are vying for the top spot. Both offer premium features and performance, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster charging, larger display, and slightly better overall value. However, the MatePad 11 (2023) boasts Huawei's excellent software optimization and a more compact design, making it a strong contender for portability.
| 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 | 2023, March 23 | 2022, August 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 31 | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 253.7 x 165.3 x 7.2 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.28 in) | 285 x 185.2 x 6.7 mm (11.22 x 7.29 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 480 g (1.06 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 (~275 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 348.3 cm2 (~83.1% 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 (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 (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 3.1 | Android 12, MIUI Pad 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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 | No | 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 | 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 | Black, Blue, White, Purple | Black, Silver, Green |
| Models | DBR-W10 | - |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 400 EUR |
Huawei MatePad 11 (2023)
- Compact and portable design
- Excellent software optimization (EMUI)
- Good performance for everyday tasks
- Huawei ecosystem integration
- Slower charging speed
- Potentially slightly less powerful chipset (depending on variant)
- Limited Google Services (due to restrictions)
Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4
- Larger, immersive display
- Blazing-fast 67W charging
- Competitive price
- 120Hz refresh rate (often)
- Generally better camera system
- MIUI can be a bit bloated
- Design might not be as premium as the MatePad 11
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 boasts a larger 12.4-inch display compared to the MatePad 11's 10.95-inch screen. Both feature high resolutions (2K+) and vibrant colors, but the larger size of the Xiaomi gives it an edge for immersive viewing. The Xiaomi also often includes a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations, a feature not always consistently present on the MatePad 11.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is generally not a primary concern for tablets, but the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 typically offers a slightly better camera setup, including a higher resolution main camera. Both offer decent front-facing cameras for video calls.
Performance
Both tablets are powered by the Snapdragon 870, ensuring snappy performance for everyday tasks and gaming. While the MatePad 11 (2023) sometimes uses the Snapdragon 865, the 870 generally offers a slight performance advantage. Software optimization plays a crucial role, and Huawei's EMUI is known for its efficiency, potentially offsetting any minor chipset differences.
Battery Life
This is where the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 truly shines. Its 67W fast charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly quick top-ups. The MatePad 11 (2023) with its 22.5W charging takes considerably longer to reach full capacity. Battery capacity is similar, but the Xiaomi's charging speed makes a significant difference in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
The Huawei MatePad 11 (2023) is ideal for users who prioritize portability, a sleek design, and seamless integration within the Huawei ecosystem. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 is perfect for those seeking a larger screen for media consumption, faster charging, and a more feature-rich experience at a competitive price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Huawei MatePad 11 (2023) have Google Play Services?
No, the Huawei MatePad 11 (2023) does not have Google Play Services. It uses Huawei's AppGallery and Huawei Mobile Services as alternatives. Users can sideload apps, but it's not as seamless as using Google Play.
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
While both offer good performance, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4's larger screen and potentially higher refresh rate give it a slight edge for gaming. However, both can handle most mobile games with ease.
