The tablet market is heating up, with both Huawei and Xiaomi offering compelling 5G-enabled options. We pit the Huawei MatePad 5G, powered by the Kirin 820, against the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4, boasting the Snapdragon 870, to determine which tablet reigns supreme for power users and everyday tasks.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and convenience, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 870 chipset and blazing-fast 67W charging significantly outperform the Huawei MatePad 5G’s Kirin 820 and 22.5W charging, justifying the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | N/A |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 16. Released 2020, October 13 | 2022, August 11 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 245.2 x 155 x 7.5 mm (9.65 x 6.10 x 0.30 in) | 285 x 185.2 x 6.7 mm (11.22 x 7.29 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 460 g (1.01 lb) | 620 g (1.37 lb) |
| | Stylus support | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 470 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 500 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.22 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Kirin 820 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 (6-core) | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services | Android 12, MIUI Pad 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB 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 | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 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, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, 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, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W 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 | White, Dark Blue | Black, Silver, Green |
| Models | BAH3-AN10 | - |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 400 EUR |
Huawei MatePad 5G
- Potentially lower price point
- Huawei ecosystem integration
- 5G connectivity
- Slower Kirin 820 processor
- Significantly slower 22.5W charging
- Likely less optimized software experience
Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4
- Faster Snapdragon 870 processor
- Ultra-fast 67W charging
- Superior multitasking capabilities
- Potentially higher price
- Xiaomi’s MIUI for Pad may not appeal to all
- Larger size may be less portable
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 7nm chipsets, the display details are missing. Assuming both utilize IPS LCD panels (typical for this price bracket), the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4’s larger 12.4-inch screen offers more screen real estate for multitasking. Without specific brightness or color accuracy data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the larger size inherently benefits productivity tasks. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests standard refresh rate operation.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely similar, given the focus on core functionality in these tablets. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both offer adequate image quality for video calls and casual snapshots. The absence of high-resolution sensors or advanced features suggests neither tablet is designed for serious photography. We can expect similar image processing styles, prioritizing clarity and color accuracy over artistic effects.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Huawei MatePad 5G’s Kirin 820 5G (7nm). The Snapdragon 870’s Kryo 585 cores, clocked up to 3.2 GHz, provide a noticeable performance boost over the Kirin 820’s Cortex-A76 cores (max 2.36 GHz). This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive gaming experience. The Snapdragon 870’s Adreno 660 GPU also offers superior graphics performance. While both use 7nm fabrication, Qualcomm’s architecture is more efficient, potentially leading to better sustained performance under load.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4’s 67W wired charging is a game-changer. Achieving 60% charge in 36 minutes and 100% in 68 minutes significantly reduces downtime compared to the Huawei MatePad 5G’s 22.5W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage. This is crucial for users who need a tablet that can quickly replenish its power during short breaks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei MatePad 5G if you need a more affordable 5G tablet and prioritize brand familiarity within the Huawei ecosystem. It’s a solid choice for basic productivity and media consumption. Buy the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 if you demand faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and value the convenience of incredibly rapid charging – essential for users who rely on their tablet throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 870 in the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 experience thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 870 is known for its efficient thermal management. While some throttling is inevitable during prolonged, demanding gaming, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4’s larger chassis and potential for optimized cooling solutions should minimize performance drops compared to the Kirin 820, which is more prone to throttling under sustained load.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 67W and 22.5W truly noticeable in everyday use?
Absolutely. The 67W charging on the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 transforms the user experience. Going from 0% to 60% in under 40 minutes is a significant time saver, especially for users who rely on their tablet throughout the day. The Huawei MatePad 5G’s 22.5W charging will require considerably longer to achieve a similar charge level.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Xiaomi’s MIUI for Pad and Huawei’s HarmonyOS (or EMUI)?
MIUI for Pad is based on Android and offers a feature-rich experience, but can sometimes feel cluttered with pre-installed apps. Huawei’s HarmonyOS (or EMUI, depending on the region) provides a cleaner interface and tighter integration with Huawei’s ecosystem, but may lack access to the full suite of Google services. The preferred experience is largely a matter of personal preference.
