Realme Pad vs Xiaomi Pad 5: Which Tablet Reigns Supreme?

The Android tablet market is heating up, and the Realme Pad and Xiaomi Pad 5 are two compelling contenders. Both offer a blend of affordability and features, but cater to slightly different users. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Pad 5 takes the crown thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 860 chipset, faster charging, and generally more premium feel. While the Realme Pad is a budget-friendly option, the Xiaomi Pad 5 delivers a superior overall experience for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Realme Pad	Xiaomi Pad 5

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	N/A
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100	N/A
4G bands	1, 3, 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, September 09	2021, August 10
Status	Available. Released 2021, September 16	Available. Released 2021, August 10

Body
Build	Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back	Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions	246.1 x 155.9 x 6.9 mm (9.69 x 6.14 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	440 g (15.52 oz)	511 g (1.13 lb)
	-	Stylus support (magnetic)

Display
Resolution	1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density)	1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density)
Size	10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio)	11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 360 nits (typ)	IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 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 MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm)
GPU	Mali-G52 MC2	Adreno 640
OS	Android 11	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	No
Internal	32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
	-	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Features	-	Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	8 MP	13 MP, f/2.0
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	8 MP, 105˚ (ultrawide)	8 MP, f/2.0
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)	Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
	24-bit/192kHz audio	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	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	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	18W wired 5W reverse wired	33W wired, PD3.0
Type	7100 mAh	Li-Po 8720 mAh

Misc
Colors	Gray, Gold	Cosmic Gray, Pearl White, Green
Models	RMP2102, RMP2103	21051182G, 21051182C
Price	About 160 EUR	About 350 EUR

Tests
Display	Contrast ratio: 1554:1 (nominal)	Contrast ratio: 1271:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-22.4 LUFS (Excellent)	-24.4 LUFS (Very good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 187913 (v8), 226474 (v9) GeekBench: 1236 (v5.1) GFXBench: 8.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 473819 (v8), 555079 (v9) GeekBench: 2583 (v5.1) GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Realme Pad

Affordable
Decent display for media consumption
Reverse wired charging

Underpowered chipset
Slow charging
No 120Hz refresh rate

Xiaomi Pad 5

Powerful Snapdragon 860 chipset
Fast charging (33W)
120Hz refresh rate display
Premium build quality

Slightly more expensive
Camera performance is average

Display Comparison

Both tablets feature LCD displays, but the Xiaomi Pad 5 edges out the Realme Pad with a slightly higher peak brightness (478 nits vs 455 nits) and a slightly better contrast ratio (1271:1 vs 1554:1 - though the Realme's is nominal). The Xiaomi Pad 5 also boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, providing a noticeably smoother scrolling and gaming experience, a feature absent in the Realme Pad.

Camera Comparison

Neither tablet excels in the camera department. Both feature rear cameras suitable for casual snapshots, but image quality is generally unremarkable. The Xiaomi Pad 5's camera might offer slightly better detail and dynamic range, but the difference is minimal. Front-facing cameras are adequate for video calls.

Performance

This is where the Xiaomi Pad 5 truly shines. The Snapdragon 860 is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G80 in the Realme Pad. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Xiaomi Pad 5. The Realme Pad is adequate for basic tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Pad 5 has a larger battery capacity (8720 mAh vs 8340 mAh in the Realme Pad) and significantly faster charging (33W vs 18W). This translates to longer battery life and quicker top-ups on the Xiaomi Pad 5.

Buying Guide

The Realme Pad is ideal for casual users, students, or those on a tight budget who primarily need a tablet for media consumption and light tasks. The Xiaomi Pad 5 is better suited for users who want a smoother, faster experience for gaming, multitasking, and more demanding applications.