The Android tablet market is heating up, with both Huawei and Xiaomi offering compelling options. The Huawei MatePad 12 X aims for a premium experience with its focus on display quality, while the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro aggressively targets performance with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and gaming capabilities, the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset delivers a significant advantage. However, the Huawei MatePad 12 X remains a strong contender for those valuing a bright, high-quality display and a potentially more refined software experience, despite the chipset difference.
| 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 | 2024, September 19 | 2023, April 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, October 22 | Available. Released 2023, April 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 270 x 183 x 5.9 mm (10.63 x 7.20 x 0.23 in) | 254 x 165.2 x 6.5 mm (10.0 x 6.50 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 555 g (1.22 lb) | 490 g (1.08 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 2800 x 1840 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~279 ppi density) | 1800 x 2880 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~309 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.0 inches, 426.4 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 144Hz, 1000 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 550 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Kirin T90A | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 730 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 4.2 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (6 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, magnetic accessory connector | USB Type-C 3.2, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only) | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 1 hour |
| Type | Li-Po 10100 mAh | Li-Po 8600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Greenery | Black, Blue, Gold |
| Models | - | 23046RP50C |
| Price | About 850 EUR | About 330 EUR |
Huawei MatePad 12 X
- High peak brightness for excellent outdoor visibility
- Potentially refined software experience (Huawei ecosystem)
- Fast 66W wired charging
- Kirin T90A chipset is outperformed by Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
- Limited information on camera capabilities
Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor
- 67W charging with PD3.0 and QC4 support
- Likely superior gaming performance
- Display brightness not specified
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be polarizing
Display Comparison
The Huawei MatePad 12 X boasts a measured peak brightness of 686 nits, suggesting excellent outdoor visibility. While the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro’s display specifications aren’t provided, Xiaomi typically equips its ‘Pro’ tablets with high-quality panels. The MatePad 12 X’s brightness advantage is a tangible benefit for users frequently using the tablet in brightly lit environments. Without knowing the panel technology of the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro (LTPO or not), it’s difficult to assess power efficiency differences, but the MatePad’s brightness is a known quantity.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is positioned as a photography powerhouse, but the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro’s camera specifications are likely to be more competitive given Xiaomi’s broader smartphone portfolio. Without specific details on the MatePad 12 X’s camera sensors, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s image signal processor (ISP) generally offers superior image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance on the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro. We can assume both tablets will have adequate cameras for video conferencing and casual snapshots.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) is a significant step up from the Huawei MatePad 12 X’s Kirin T90A. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s architecture – 1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510 – provides superior multi-core and single-core performance. The 4nm process node also translates to better thermal efficiency, meaning the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro is likely to sustain peak performance for longer periods during demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. The Kirin T90A, while an octa-core processor, simply cannot compete with the raw power of the Snapdragon.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer fast charging with 66W and 67W wired charging respectively. The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro adds support for PD3.0 and QC4, offering broader compatibility with chargers. Xiaomi claims a 100% charge in 1 hour, while Huawei doesn’t provide a specific timeframe for the MatePad 12 X. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging and wider compatibility of the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro give it a slight edge in convenience. The Snapdragon’s efficiency may also contribute to better real-world battery life despite potentially similar capacities.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei MatePad 12 X if you need a tablet primarily for media consumption, note-taking, and light productivity tasks, and value a bright, vibrant display. Buy the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro if you prioritize gaming, demanding multitasking, and future-proofing your tablet with a more powerful processor. The Xiaomi is the better choice for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro throttle under sustained load?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is known for its improved thermal efficiency compared to previous generations. While some throttling is inevitable during prolonged, demanding tasks like gaming, the 4nm process node and Xiaomi’s cooling solutions should mitigate this, allowing for longer periods of peak performance than the Kirin T90A.
❓ Does the Huawei MatePad 12 X support the Huawei Pencil and keyboard accessories?
Yes, the Huawei MatePad 12 X is fully compatible with the Huawei M-Pencil (2nd generation) and the Huawei Smart Magnetic Keyboard. These accessories enhance the tablet’s productivity capabilities, making it a viable option for note-taking and document editing.
❓ What kind of storage options are available for the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro?
While specific configurations vary by region, the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro is typically available with storage options ranging from 128GB to 512GB. It's important to note that neither device currently offers microSD card expansion, so choosing the appropriate storage capacity upfront is crucial.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Huawei MatePad 12 X and the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro?
The Huawei MatePad 12 X runs on HarmonyOS, offering a unique user interface and integration with Huawei’s ecosystem. The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro runs on Xiaomi’s MIUI for Pad, which is based on Android. MIUI is known for its customization options but can also be more resource-intensive and include pre-installed bloatware.
