The tablet market offers a diverse range of options, but finding the right balance between performance and price can be challenging. We pit the Huawei MediaPad M6 Turbo 8.4, powered by the Kirin 980, against the Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 Plus, featuring the Snapdragon 660, to determine which tablet delivers the best experience for demanding users and casual consumers alike.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Huawei MediaPad M6 Turbo 8.4 is the clear winner. Its Kirin 980 chipset provides a substantial performance leap over the Snapdragon 660 in the Mi Pad 4 Plus, making it better suited for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications. While the Mi Pad 4 Plus offers a more affordable entry point, the performance trade-offs are significant.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | - |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/75 Mbps - cellular model only | LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2018, August. Released 2018, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 206.4 x 125.2 x 8.2 mm (8.13 x 4.93 x 0.32 in) | 245.6 x 149.1 x 8 mm (9.67 x 5.87 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 340 g (11.99 oz) | 485 g (1.07 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~359 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.4 inches, 204.6 cm2 (~79.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 980 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP10 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), MIUI 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | 13 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | Tuned by Harman Kardon
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS (LTE model only) |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass (LTE model only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6100 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 8620 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Phantom Red, Phantom Blue | Black, Rose Gold |
| Models | VRD-AL10, VRD-W10, VRD-W09, VRD-AL09 | - |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 260 EUR |
Huawei MediaPad M6 Turbo 8.4
- Significantly faster processor (Kirin 980)
- Likely better display quality
- Potentially faster charging speeds
- Likely higher price point
- May have limited software updates (Huawei ecosystem)
Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 Plus
- More affordable price
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Lightweight and portable
- Slower processor (Snapdragon 660)
- Slower charging (10W)
- Potentially lower display quality
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 8.4-inch displays, detailed specifications like resolution, panel type (IPS vs. AMOLED), and brightness are missing. However, given the MediaPad M6 Turbo's positioning, it likely boasts a higher quality panel with better color accuracy and potentially higher peak brightness. The Mi Pad 4 Plus, being a more budget-oriented device, likely utilizes a standard IPS panel. Bezels are also a factor; the MediaPad M6 Turbo, being a later model, likely features slimmer bezels for a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are unavailable. However, given the market positioning, the MediaPad M6 Turbo likely features a more advanced camera system with a larger sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS). The Mi Pad 4 Plus likely features a more basic camera setup focused on casual photography. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Mi Pad 4 Plus is unlikely to provide significant value due to its limited resolution and image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei MediaPad M6 Turbo 8.4’s Kirin 980 (7nm) is a flagship-level processor, featuring a complex octa-core configuration (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55). This architecture prioritizes both performance and efficiency. In contrast, the Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 Plus utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm). While the Snapdragon 660 is a capable mid-range chip (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver), its larger manufacturing process and less sophisticated core design result in significantly lower performance. The Kirin 980 will excel in CPU-intensive tasks, multitasking, and graphically demanding games. The 7nm process also translates to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Mi Pad 4 Plus is limited to 10W wired charging, which is considerably slower than what the MediaPad M6 Turbo likely supports (based on Huawei’s typical charging speeds). While a larger battery capacity on the Mi Pad 4 Plus could offset the slower charging, the Kirin 980’s superior power efficiency means the MediaPad M6 Turbo will likely deliver comparable or even better battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei MediaPad M6 Turbo 8.4 if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding tasks like video editing, graphic-intensive games, or heavy multitasking. Its Kirin 980 processor ensures a smooth and responsive experience. Buy the Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 Plus if you prioritize affordability and primarily use your tablet for basic tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and light productivity. It's a solid option for casual users on a tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 660 in the Mi Pad 4 Plus struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 660 is a mid-range processor and will likely struggle to deliver a smooth gaming experience in graphically intensive titles like PUBG or Genshin Impact, even at lower settings. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential lag. The Kirin 980 in the MediaPad M6 Turbo 8.4 is far better equipped to handle these games.
❓ Does the Huawei MediaPad M6 Turbo 8.4 support Huawei's M-Pencil stylus, and if so, is it included in the box?
Yes, the Huawei MediaPad M6 Turbo 8.4 supports the Huawei M-Pencil. However, the M-Pencil is typically sold separately and is not included in the box. This is a common practice for Huawei tablets, allowing users to choose whether or not they need the stylus functionality.
❓ How does the 14nm process of the Snapdragon 660 affect battery life compared to the 7nm Kirin 980?
The 14nm process used in the Snapdragon 660 is less efficient than the 7nm process of the Kirin 980. This means the Snapdragon 660 consumes more power for the same level of performance, resulting in shorter battery life. The Kirin 980's efficiency allows it to deliver comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity.
