The Android tablet market is heating up, with the Lenovo Pad Pro and Xiaomi Pad 5 offering compelling features at competitive price points. Both devices aim to deliver a premium experience, but they take different approaches. The Lenovo Pad Pro leverages the more powerful Snapdragon 870 5G, while the Xiaomi Pad 5 focuses on a balanced package with a bright display and fast charging. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and sustained workloads, the Lenovo Pad Pro emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 870 5G chipset provides a noticeable edge over the Xiaomi Pad 5’s Snapdragon 860. However, the Xiaomi Pad 5’s faster 33W charging and bright display make it a strong contender for media consumption and everyday tasks.
| 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 | 2021, May 24 | 2021, August 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 31 | Available. Released 2021, August 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 264.3 x 171.4 x 5.8 mm (10.41 x 6.75 x 0.23 in) | 254.7 x 166.3 x 6.9 mm (10.03 x 6.55 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 485 g (1.07 lb) | 511 g (1.13 lb) |
| | Stylus support | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~263 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.5 inches, 383.5 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 90Hz, 420 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 11, ZUI 12.5 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
5 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP
8 MP, IR TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | Tuned by JBL | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Infrared Face ID, fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, QC3 | 33W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 8600 mAh | Li-Po 8720 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver | Cosmic Gray, Pearl White, Green |
| Models | ZA910001CN, TB-J716F | 21051182G, 21051182C |
| Price | About 320 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) |
Lenovo Pad Pro
- More powerful Snapdragon 870 5G processor
- Potentially better sustained performance
- 5G connectivity (potential, based on chipset)
- Slower 20W charging
- Display specifications largely unknown
Xiaomi Pad 5
- Brighter 478 nit display
- Faster 33W charging with PD3.0
- 1271:1 contrast ratio for vibrant visuals
- Less powerful Snapdragon 860 processor
- Potentially more throttling under heavy load
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Pad 5 boasts a bright display, achieving a measured peak brightness of 478 nits, and a 1271:1 contrast ratio. While the Lenovo Pad Pro’s display specifications aren’t provided, the Xiaomi Pad 5’s brightness is a significant advantage for outdoor visibility. Both share the same contrast ratio, suggesting similar panel technology in terms of black levels. The absence of LTPO or high refresh rate information for the Lenovo Pad Pro suggests the Xiaomi Pad 5 may offer a smoother visual experience if it supports a higher refresh rate (a common feature in this segment).
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is less critical on tablets, but the Lenovo Pad Pro’s potential camera configuration (details not provided) could offer advantages if it incorporates a larger sensor or more advanced image processing. The Xiaomi Pad 5’s camera specs are also unavailable, making a direct comparison difficult. Without specific details, it’s safe to assume both tablets will deliver adequate image quality for casual snapshots and video calls, but shouldn’t be considered replacements for dedicated cameras.
Performance
The Lenovo Pad Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G chipset represents a clear performance advantage over the Xiaomi Pad 5’s Snapdragon 860. The 870 features a more modern CPU architecture with a faster prime core (3.2 GHz Kryo 585 vs 2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold). This translates to quicker app launches, smoother multitasking, and improved performance in demanding games. While both utilize a 7nm process, the 870’s architectural improvements provide a tangible benefit. The Xiaomi Pad 5’s Snapdragon 860 is still capable, but will exhibit more throttling under sustained load. RAM specifications are not provided for either device, but LPDDR5 is expected in both, minimizing memory-related bottlenecks.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 5’s 33W wired charging with PD3.0 support is a significant advantage over the Lenovo Pad Pro’s 20W charging with QC3. This faster charging speed will result in considerably quicker top-ups, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging of the Xiaomi Pad 5 partially offsets any potential capacity difference. The Lenovo Pad Pro’s QC3 standard is older and less efficient than the Xiaomi Pad 5’s PD3.0, further emphasizing the charging speed disparity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Pad Pro if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding applications, multitasking, and extended gaming sessions. Its Snapdragon 870 offers superior processing power. Buy the Xiaomi Pad 5 if you prioritize a vibrant display for media consumption, faster charging speeds, and a slightly more streamlined user experience. It’s ideal for students, casual gamers, and those who value portability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 860 in the Xiaomi Pad 5 struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 860 is capable, it may require reduced graphics settings in demanding titles like Genshin Impact to maintain a stable frame rate. The Lenovo Pad Pro’s Snapdragon 870 will offer a smoother experience at higher settings, but both tablets will likely experience some level of thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Xiaomi Pad 5 compared to the 20W charging on the Lenovo Pad Pro in real-world use?
The 33W charging on the Xiaomi Pad 5 will likely reduce a 0-100% charge time by approximately 30-45 minutes compared to the Lenovo Pad Pro’s 20W charging. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly top up their tablet’s battery.
❓ Does the lack of detailed display specifications for the Lenovo Pad Pro suggest a lower quality panel compared to the Xiaomi Pad 5?
The absence of information regarding the Lenovo Pad Pro’s display technology (LTPO, refresh rate) raises concerns. The Xiaomi Pad 5’s 478 nits brightness and 1271:1 contrast ratio are known quantities, indicating a vibrant and visible display. Without comparable data for the Lenovo Pad Pro, it’s reasonable to assume the Xiaomi Pad 5 has a display advantage.
