The tablet market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for your attention: the Huawei MatePad SE and the Xiaomi Pad 5. Both offer compelling features at different price points, but which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison will break down every aspect, from display quality to performance and battery life.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Pad 5 is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster processor, brighter display, and faster charging. While the MatePad SE offers a more budget-friendly option, the Pad 5's superior performance and features justify its higher price for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | LTE | - |
| EDGE | - | N/A |
| GPRS | - | N/A |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 28 | 2021, August 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 10 | Available. Released 2021, August 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 240.2 x 159 x 7.9 mm (9.46 x 6.26 x 0.31 in) | 254.7 x 166.3 x 6.9 mm (10.03 x 6.55 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 450 g (0.99 lb) | 511 g (1.13 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo 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 | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
5W reverse wired | 33W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 8720 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue | Cosmic Gray, Pearl White, Green |
| Models | Ags3K-W20, Ags3K-AL20, AGS5-W09 | 21051182G, 21051182C |
| Price | About 190 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 SE
- Affordable
- Compact and portable
- Reverse wired charging
- Slower performance
- Likely lower display quality
- Slow charging
- Missing camera specs
Xiaomi Pad 5
- Fast performance
- Bright and vibrant display
- Fast charging (33W)
- Good camera
- More expensive
- Potentially larger size
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Pad 5 takes a commanding lead in the display department. Its 1271:1 contrast ratio and 478 nits brightness provide a much more immersive and enjoyable viewing experience compared to the MatePad SE's likely less impressive display (specs not provided, but generally lower). The Pad 5's display is also likely to have a higher resolution, further enhancing visual clarity.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is often secondary on tablets, but the Xiaomi Pad 5 likely has a slightly better camera setup. While neither tablet is expected to excel in photography, the Pad 5's hardware is generally superior. Specific camera specs for the MatePad SE are missing, making a definitive comparison difficult.
Performance
The Snapdragon 860 in the Xiaomi Pad 5 is a powerhouse compared to the Kirin 710A in the MatePad SE. The 860's 7nm process and superior CPU architecture deliver significantly faster performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. Expect noticeable lag on the MatePad SE when handling intensive tasks.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 5's 33W fast charging is a major advantage. The MatePad SE's 10W charging is considerably slower. While both tablets likely have similar battery capacities (around 8000mAh), the Pad 5 will charge much faster, reducing downtime.
Buying Guide
The Huawei MatePad SE is ideal for students or casual users who prioritize affordability and basic tablet functionality. The Xiaomi Pad 5 is perfect for gamers, content creators, or anyone who demands a smooth, responsive experience and a vibrant display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei MatePad SE good for gaming?
The MatePad SE is suitable for casual games, but its processor may struggle with demanding titles. The Xiaomi Pad 5 is a much better choice for gamers.
❓ Which tablet has better battery life?
Both likely have similar battery capacities, but the Xiaomi Pad 5's faster charging means less time spent plugged in.
❓ What is the difference between the Kirin 710A and Snapdragon 860?
The Snapdragon 860 is significantly more powerful than the Kirin 710A, offering better performance for all tasks.
