The tablet market offers a wide spectrum of choices, from affordable everyday devices to premium powerhouses. This comparison pits the Huawei MatePad SE, a budget-friendly option, against the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4, a tablet aiming for a more premium experience. We'll dissect their core components to determine which device delivers the best value and performance for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 870 chipset and 67W fast charging significantly outperform the MatePad SE's Kirin 710A and 10W charging. However, the MatePad SE remains a viable option for basic tasks and users on a tight budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | LTE | N/A |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 28 | 2022, August 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 10 | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 240.2 x 159 x 7.9 mm (9.46 x 6.26 x 0.31 in) | 285 x 185.2 x 6.7 mm (11.22 x 7.29 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 450 g (0.99 lb) | 620 g (1.37 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 500 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | Android 12, MIUI Pad 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB 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 | HDR | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4 | 20 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| 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 | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, 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 3.2 video output |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
5W reverse wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 60% in 36 min, 100% in 68 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 10000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue | Black, Silver, Green |
| Models | Ags3K-W20, Ags3K-AL20, AGS5-W09 | - |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 400 EUR |
Huawei MatePad SE
- More affordable price point
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Lightweight and portable
- Significantly slower processor
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely limited long-term software support
Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4
- Powerful Snapdragon 870 processor
- Ultra-fast 67W charging
- Superior multitasking and gaming performance
- Higher price tag
- Larger size and weight
- May require additional accessories (stylus, keyboard)
Display Comparison
While display specifications are missing for the MatePad SE, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 boasts a large 12.4-inch display. The key differentiator here is processing power impacting UI responsiveness. The Snapdragon 870 will deliver a smoother experience with animations and scrolling. The MatePad SE's older Kirin 710A may exhibit slight lag in these areas. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4's larger screen also benefits from its more powerful GPU for graphically intensive tasks.
Camera Comparison
Given the context data, a detailed camera comparison is limited. Both tablets likely feature modest camera setups geared towards video calls rather than photography. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4, being a higher-end device, likely benefits from more sophisticated image processing algorithms, but without specific sensor details, it's difficult to quantify the difference. The MatePad SE's camera is likely adequate for basic video conferencing.
Performance
The performance gap between these tablets is substantial. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is built on a significantly more advanced process node than the Huawei MatePad SE’s Kirin 710A (14nm). This translates to greater efficiency and significantly higher performance. The Snapdragon 870’s octa-core configuration, with a prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, dwarfs the Kirin 710A’s 2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 cores. This difference is particularly noticeable in demanding applications like games and video editing. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 will handle multitasking and resource-intensive apps with ease, while the MatePad SE may struggle.
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 drastically reduces downtime compared to the MatePad SE’s slow 10W charging. While battery capacity isn't specified for either device, the faster charging of the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage. The reverse wired charging feature on the MatePad SE, while present, is limited to 5W and is unlikely to be a primary charging method for other devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei MatePad SE if you need a simple, affordable tablet for basic tasks like web browsing, email, and light media consumption, and aren't concerned with demanding applications or long-term performance. Buy the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 if you prioritize performance for gaming, multitasking, and creative work, and value features like fast charging and a more responsive user experience. It's the better choice for power users and those seeking a tablet that will remain relevant for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 710A in the MatePad SE struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Kirin 710A is a relatively older and less powerful chipset. While it can handle less demanding games, Genshin Impact and similar titles will likely require significant graphics settings reductions and may still experience frame rate drops. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4’s Snapdragon 870 will provide a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 compared to the MatePad SE's 10W charging in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 can go from 0% to 60% in approximately 36 minutes, while the MatePad SE will take several hours to reach the same level with its 10W charging. This means you can quickly top up the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 during short breaks, whereas the MatePad SE requires overnight charging for a full refill.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 support stylus and keyboard accessories, and are they sold separately?
Yes, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 is compatible with Xiaomi's Smart Pen and Smart Keyboard Folio, which are sold separately. These accessories enhance productivity and provide a more versatile tablet experience, transforming it into a laptop-like device.
