The Android tablet market is heating up, with compelling options at various price points. The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus offers a solid all-around experience, while the Xiaomi Pad 5 aims for a more premium feel with a focus on performance. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two tablets to determine which one best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Pad 5 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset delivers significantly faster performance than the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus’s Helio G90T, making it better suited for gaming and demanding applications. While the P11 Plus offers good value, the Pad 5’s extra power justifies the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| EDGE | - | N/A |
| GPRS | - | N/A |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 28 | 2021, August 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 29 | Available. Released 2021, August 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 258.4 x 163 x 7.5 mm (10.17 x 6.42 x 0.30 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 | 490 g (1.08 lb) | 511 g (1.13 lb) |
| | Stylus support | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), AF | 13 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 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) |
| | - | 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 | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 33W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 7700 mAh | Li-Po 8720 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Slate Grey, Platinum Grey, Modernist teal | Cosmic Gray, Pearl White, Green |
| Models | ZA940124SE | 21051182G, 21051182C |
| Price | About 300 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 Tab P11 Plus
- More affordable price point
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Good value for budget-conscious buyers
- Slower processor compared to the Xiaomi Pad 5
- Slower charging speed
- Display brightness not specified, potentially lower than Pad 5
Xiaomi Pad 5
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 860 processor
- Faster 33W charging with PD3.0
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Higher price tag
- Camera quality likely similar to the P11 Plus
- Battery capacity not specified
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Pad 5 boasts a brighter display, measured at 478 nits, compared to the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus (brightness not specified). This translates to better visibility outdoors. Both tablets share a contrast ratio of 1271:1 (nominal), suggesting similar color depth and black levels. However, the Pad 5’s higher brightness is a clear advantage for users who frequently use their tablets in well-lit environments. The lack of information on the P11 Plus’s panel type makes a direct comparison of color accuracy difficult, but Xiaomi typically employs high-quality IPS panels.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is a photography powerhouse, but the Xiaomi Pad 5 likely holds an edge due to its brand reputation for camera optimization. Specific sensor details are missing for both, but the focus should be on video conferencing and casual snapshots rather than high-quality photography. The absence of detailed camera specs for both devices suggests they are not primary selling points.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Pad 5’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a significant upgrade over the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm). The Snapdragon 860 features a Kryo 485 Gold CPU configuration (1x2.96 GHz & 3x2.42 GHz & 4x1.78 GHz) which provides a substantial performance boost over the G90T’s (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 860 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming sessions. This makes the Pad 5 the clear winner for demanding tasks.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the charging speeds are markedly different. The Xiaomi Pad 5 supports 33W wired charging with PD3.0, allowing for significantly faster charging times compared to the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus’s 20W charging. This means less downtime and more time using the tablet. The faster charging of the Pad 5 partially offsets any potential difference in battery capacity, making it more convenient for on-the-go users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus if you prioritize a budget-friendly option for basic tasks like media consumption, web browsing, and light productivity. It’s ideal for families or users who don’t need cutting-edge performance. Buy the Xiaomi Pad 5 if you value speed and responsiveness, especially for gaming, creative work, or multitasking. Its superior chipset and faster charging make it a more future-proof investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 860 in the Xiaomi Pad 5 powerful enough for demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 860 is capable of running Genshin Impact and other graphically intensive games at medium to high settings. While it's not the latest flagship chipset, its performance is more than sufficient for a smooth gaming experience on a tablet.
❓ Does the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus support stylus input or a keyboard cover for increased productivity?
Yes, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus supports optional accessories like a stylus and keyboard cover, enhancing its productivity capabilities. However, the experience won't be as refined as on higher-end tablets with dedicated stylus support and optimized software.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Xiaomi Pad 5 from 0% to 100%?
With its 33W fast charging and PD3.0 support, the Xiaomi Pad 5 can be fully charged from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, depending on usage during charging. This is significantly faster than the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus.
❓ What type of storage does the Xiaomi Pad 5 use, and is it expandable?
The Xiaomi Pad 5 utilizes UFS 3.1 storage, which is known for its fast read and write speeds. Unfortunately, it does *not* offer expandable storage via microSD card, so you'll need to choose a storage capacity that meets your needs upfront.
