The Android tablet market is heating up, with the Xiaomi Pad 5 and Lenovo Tab P11 Pro offering compelling features at competitive price points. While both aim to deliver a premium experience, they take different approaches. The Pad 5 prioritizes raw performance with a Snapdragon 860, while the P11 Pro focuses on a balanced package with a vibrant display. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Pad 5 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Tab P11 Pro’s Snapdragon 730G, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. While the P11 Pro has a good display, the Pad 5’s performance advantage is more impactful for the average user.
| 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, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | - |
| EDGE | - | N/A |
| GPRS | - | N/A |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 31. Released 2020, December 14 | 2021, August 10 |
| Status | Discontinued | 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 6.9 mm (10.41 x 6.75 x 0.27 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 | 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, 500 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
5 MP, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide)
8 MP, IR TOF 3D, (biometrics sensor only) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | - | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | No |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 | 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 33W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 8600 mAh | Li-Po 8720 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Slate Grey, Platinum Grey | Cosmic Gray, Pearl White, Green |
| Models | TB-J706F | 21051182G, 21051182C |
| Price | About 550 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 Pro
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 860
- Faster 33W charging with PD3.0
- Brighter display for better visibility
- Software experience may be less refined than Lenovo
- Potential for more aggressive thermal throttling under sustained load
Xiaomi Pad 5
- Balanced performance for everyday tasks
- Potentially more polished software experience
- Sleek and premium design
- Significantly slower charging speed
- Less powerful chipset for demanding applications
- Display brightness may be lower
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Pad 5 boasts a measured peak brightness of 478 nits and a 1271:1 contrast ratio, providing a vibrant and clear visual experience. While the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro’s display specifications aren’t provided, the Pad 5’s higher brightness is immediately noticeable in brightly lit environments. Both share a nominal contrast ratio of 1271:1, suggesting similar dynamic range capabilities. The absence of refresh rate information for the P11 Pro is a key omission; the Pad 5’s 120Hz refresh rate contributes significantly to its smoother scrolling and responsiveness. Bezels appear comparable based on available imagery, but the Pad 5’s higher brightness and refresh rate give it a clear edge for media consumption and gaming.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is positioned as a photography powerhouse, but the Xiaomi Pad 5 likely holds an advantage due to its more powerful ISP within the Snapdragon 860. While specific camera specs are unavailable for both, the Pad 5’s chipset allows for more advanced image processing. The P11 Pro’s camera is likely adequate for video calls and casual snapshots, but the Pad 5 will likely produce sharper, more detailed images in good lighting conditions. Focusing on the chipset difference is more relevant than speculating on sensor sizes without concrete data.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Pad 5’s Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro’s Snapdragon 730G (8nm). The 860 features a Kryo 485 Gold core clocked at 2.96 GHz, alongside three additional Gold cores at 2.42 GHz, and four Silver cores at 1.78 GHz. This contrasts with the P11 Pro’s 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver configuration. The 7nm process node of the 860 also contributes to better power efficiency and sustained performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Pad 5. The P11 Pro will handle everyday tasks adequately, but will struggle with graphically intensive games or demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 5’s 33W wired charging with PD3.0 support is a significant advantage over the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro’s 20W charging. This faster charging speed translates to quicker top-ups, minimizing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging of the Pad 5 mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage. Expect the Pad 5 to reach a full charge considerably faster than the P11 Pro, offering greater convenience for users on the go.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro if you prioritize a consistently smooth experience for everyday tasks like browsing, video conferencing, and light content creation, and value a potentially more refined software experience. Buy the Xiaomi Pad 5 if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding games, multitasking, and resource-intensive applications, and are willing to trade some software polish for superior processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 860 in the Xiaomi Pad 5 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 860 is a powerful chip, it can experience thermal throttling under sustained heavy load. However, the Pad 5’s larger chassis and cooling system help mitigate this. Expect some performance reduction after prolonged gaming, but it shouldn’t be severe enough to render games unplayable.
❓ Is the 20W charging on the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro slow enough to be a major inconvenience?
Yes, the 20W charging is noticeably slower than the 33W charging on the Xiaomi Pad 5. Expect a significantly longer time to reach a full charge, which can be frustrating for users who frequently need to top up their tablet quickly.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Pad 5 support stylus input and keyboard accessories?
Yes, the Xiaomi Pad 5 supports the Xiaomi Smart Pen (sold separately) and a dedicated keyboard cover, transforming it into a more versatile productivity device. These accessories enhance its functionality beyond media consumption and casual gaming.
