The tablet market is booming, and budget options are increasingly appealing. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Huawei MatePad SE and the Xiaomi Redmi Pad. Both promise a lot for their price point, but which one truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Pad edges out the MatePad SE thanks to its superior display brightness, faster charging, and more modern chipset. While the MatePad SE offers Huawei's ecosystem integration, the Redmi Pad provides a more well-rounded experience 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 | N/A |
| EDGE | - | N/A |
| GPRS | - | N/A |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 28 | 2022, October 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 10 | Available. Released 2022, October 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 240.2 x 159 x 7.9 mm (9.46 x 6.26 x 0.31 in) | 250.5 x 158.1 x 7.1 mm (9.86 x 6.22 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 450 g (0.99 lb) | 465 g (1.03 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.61 inches, 320.4 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4 | 8 MP, f/2.3, 105° (ultrawide) |
| 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 | 5.2, 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, OTG |
| 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
5W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 8000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue | Graphite Gray, Moonlight Silver, Mint Green |
| Models | Ags3K-W20, Ags3K-AL20, AGS5-W09 | 22081283G |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.36 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1529:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-23.9 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 319077 (v9)
GeekBench: 1852 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei MatePad SE
- Huawei ecosystem integration
- Reverse wired charging
- Compact and portable design
- Slower charging
- Older chipset
- Lower display brightness
Xiaomi Redmi Pad
- Brighter display
- Faster charging (18W)
- More powerful chipset (Helio G99)
- Generally better value
- Less integrated ecosystem (compared to Huawei)
- No reverse charging
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi Pad boasts a measured 402 nits of brightness, significantly outperforming the MatePad SE. Both tablets share a 1529:1 contrast ratio, but the Redmi Pad's brightness makes for a more vibrant and enjoyable viewing experience, especially in well-lit environments. The Redmi Pad's display is generally considered superior.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on budget tablets is rarely a highlight. Both devices likely feature modest cameras suitable for basic video calls and casual snapshots. Detailed camera comparisons are difficult without specific testing data, but neither is expected to excel.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Pad's Mediatek Helio G99, built on a 6nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Huawei MatePad SE's Kirin 710A (14nm). The G99's Cortex-A76 cores provide better single-core performance, while the overall architecture is more efficient. Expect smoother multitasking and better gaming performance on the Redmi Pad.
Battery Life
The Redmi Pad's 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the MatePad SE's 10W charging. While both tablets likely have similar battery capacities (around 7000-8000 mAh), the faster charging speeds on the Redmi Pad will result in quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Huawei MatePad SE is ideal for users deeply invested in the Huawei ecosystem, prioritizing Huawei's software features, and needing reverse charging capabilities. The Xiaomi Redmi Pad is a better choice for those seeking a brighter display, faster charging, and a more powerful processor for smoother performance in everyday tasks and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi Pad is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G99 chipset.
❓ Does the Huawei MatePad SE support Google Play Services?
The Huawei MatePad SE may have limited access to Google Play Services depending on your region. It often relies on Huawei's AppGallery.
❓ What is the battery life like on each tablet?
Both tablets offer decent battery life, typically lasting a full day with moderate usage. The Redmi Pad's faster charging helps offset any potential battery drain.
