The tablet market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for your attention: the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) and the Xiaomi Pad 5. Both offer compelling features at competitive prices, but which one is the better choice for your needs? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Pad 5 takes the crown with its superior performance thanks to the Snapdragon 860, brighter display, and faster charging. However, the Tab S6 Lite offers a more refined S Pen experience and Samsung's reliable software, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious creatives.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | - |
| EDGE | - | N/A |
| GPRS | - | N/A |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 14 | 2021, August 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 23 | Available. Released 2021, August 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 244.5 x 154.3 x 7 mm (9.63 x 6.07 x 0.28 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 | 465/467 g (1.03 lb) | 511 g (1.13 lb) |
| | Stylus support | 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 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 | 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, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 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 | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | Tuned by AKG | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | 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, proximity, gyro | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 33W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 7040 mAh | Li-Po 8720 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Chiffon Pink, Angora Blue, Oxford Gray | Cosmic Gray, Pearl White, Green |
| Models | SM-P613, SM-P619 | 21051182G, 21051182C |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| SAR | 1.01 W/kg (body) | - |
| 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) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022)
- Included S Pen for note-taking and drawing
- Samsung's One UI software (reliable and feature-rich)
- Slim and lightweight design
- Good build quality
- Less powerful processor
- Slower charging
- Display not as bright as Xiaomi Pad 5
- Lower resolution display
Xiaomi Pad 5
- Powerful Snapdragon 860 processor
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster 33W charging
- Competitive price
- MIUI software can be a bit bloated
- S Pen not included
- Camera performance is average
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Pad 5 boasts a brighter display (478 nits vs. estimated 350 nits for the S6 Lite) and a slightly better contrast ratio. Both offer excellent color reproduction, but the Xiaomi's screen is noticeably more vibrant, especially in brighter environments. The S6 Lite's display is still good, but doesn't quite match the Xiaomi's visual punch.
Camera Comparison
Both tablets feature decent cameras, but neither excels. The Xiaomi Pad 5 generally captures slightly better images in good lighting conditions. However, low-light performance is underwhelming on both devices. Don't expect to use these tablets as your primary camera.
Performance
Here's where the Xiaomi Pad 5 truly shines. The Snapdragon 860 is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 732G (or 720G) found in the S6 Lite. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a better gaming experience on the Xiaomi. The S6 Lite is adequate for everyday tasks, but struggles with demanding games.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 5's 33W charging is a significant advantage, allowing for much faster top-ups compared to the S6 Lite's 15W charging. Battery life itself is comparable between the two, offering around 8-10 hours of mixed usage.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022)? Students, casual users, and those who value the S Pen for note-taking and sketching. Who should buy the Xiaomi Pad 5? Gamers, power users, and anyone seeking a high-performance tablet with a vibrant display and fast charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the S Pen worth the extra cost?
If you plan on taking notes, sketching, or doing any creative work, the S Pen is a valuable addition. Otherwise, you might not need it.
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Pad 5 is the clear winner for gaming due to its more powerful processor and better cooling.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Pad 5 have expandable storage?
Yes, the Xiaomi Pad 5 supports microSD card expansion.