The Android tablet market is heating up, with Huawei and Xiaomi both offering compelling options in the premium space. The Huawei MatePad Air (2024) aims for a balance of portability and performance, while the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 prioritizes raw power and a larger display. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers significantly more processing power, complemented by incredibly fast 120W charging. While the MatePad Air offers a more streamlined experience, it can't match the Pro's capabilities.
| 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, August 06 | 2024, February 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 13 | Available. Released 2024, February 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 270 x 183 x 5.9 mm (10.63 x 7.20 x 0.23 in) | 278.7 x 191.6 x 6.3 mm (10.97 x 7.54 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 555 g (1.22 lb) | 590 g (1.30 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 2800 x 1840 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~279 ppi density) | 2032 x 3048 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.0 inches, 426.4 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 457.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 144Hz, 1000 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 68B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 900 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 740 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 4.2 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| 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 | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.6", 0.61µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (6 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (6 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, LHDC |
| NFC | No | Yes (file transfer only) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | 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/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only) | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only), compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired | 120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 45% in 10 min, 100% in 35 min |
| Type | Li-Po 10100 mAh | 10000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pink, Green, White, Gray | Black, Blue, Green |
| Models | - | 24018RPACG |
| Price | About 370 EUR | About 700 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Huawei MatePad Air (2024)
- Potentially more portable design
- Huawei’s ecosystem integration (if applicable)
- Likely focus on color accurate display
- Inferior processing power
- Slower charging speed
- Limited information available
Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
- Ultra-fast 120W charging
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Larger and potentially less portable
- Xiaomi’s MIUI for Pad may not appeal to all users
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 boasts a superior display, achieving a measured peak brightness of 848 nits and a 1378:1 contrast ratio. This translates to a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience, especially in bright environments. While the MatePad Air’s display specs are currently unavailable, Huawei typically focuses on color accuracy, but likely won’t reach the same peak brightness. The larger 12.4-inch screen on the Xiaomi model also provides more screen real estate for multitasking and creative work. The absence of LTPO technology in either device suggests both will rely on adaptive refresh rates to conserve battery, but the Xiaomi’s higher brightness offers a more impactful HDR experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a primary concern for tablet users, but the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 likely holds an edge. While specific camera specs for both devices are limited, Xiaomi generally equips its tablets with capable sensors. The absence of details regarding the MatePad Air’s camera suggests a more basic implementation. The focus should be on video conferencing quality rather than photography, and the larger screen of the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro will be beneficial for video calls.
Performance
The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) chipset is the defining performance advantage. This octa-core processor, with its Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, offers a substantial leap in CPU and GPU performance compared to any chipset likely found in the MatePad Air. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s 4nm fabrication process also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling during sustained workloads. The MatePad Air’s processor is currently unknown, but given its positioning, it’s likely to be a mid-range chip, suitable for everyday tasks but not demanding applications. The Xiaomi’s LPDDR5x RAM further enhances performance, enabling faster data access and smoother multitasking.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 delivers a compelling battery and charging combination. Its active use score of 11:14 hours demonstrates solid endurance, and the 120W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving 45% charge in just 10 minutes and a full charge in 35 minutes. The Huawei MatePad Air (2024) offers 66W wired charging, which is respectable, but significantly slower. While the MatePad Air’s battery capacity is unknown, the Xiaomi’s faster charging mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage, making it more convenient for users who need to quickly top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei MatePad Air (2024) if you need a highly portable tablet for everyday tasks like note-taking, media consumption, and light productivity. Buy the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 if you prioritize demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or running multiple applications simultaneously, and value the convenience of extremely fast charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at max settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a flagship-level chipset capable of running even the most demanding mobile games at maximum settings with consistently high frame rates. Its advanced cooling system should also prevent significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How does the 120W charging on the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 compare to standard tablet charging speeds?
120W charging is exceptionally fast for a tablet. Most tablets charge at 20-45W. The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 can go from 0 to 100% in just 35 minutes, offering a significant convenience advantage over slower-charging alternatives.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs for the Huawei MatePad Air (2024) a major concern?
For most tablet users, camera quality is not a primary concern. However, the lack of information suggests Huawei is not prioritizing camera performance in this model. If you frequently use your tablet for photography, the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 is likely the better choice.
