The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, while a 2020 release, remains a compelling option in the Android tablet space, particularly as prices have fallen. However, the newer Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4, boasting a more recent Snapdragon 870 chipset and significantly faster charging, presents a strong challenge. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 870 offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Tab S7’s Snapdragon 865, coupled with a dramatically faster 67W charging solution. While the Tab S7 remains capable, the Pad 5 Pro 12.4 provides a more future-proof and convenient experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | N/A |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 05 | 2022, August 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, August 21 | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 in) | 285 x 185.2 x 6.7 mm (11.22 x 7.29 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 498 g (Wi-Fi), 500 g (LTE), 502 g (5G) (1.10 lb) | 620 g (1.37 lb) |
| | Stylus support, 9ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz, HDR10+ | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 500 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.09 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 | Android 12, MIUI Pad 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm | 50 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | HDR, panorama | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| 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 AKG | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.2 video output |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Samsung DeX | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 60% in 36 min, 100% in 68 min |
| Type | Li-Po 8000 mAh | Li-Po 10000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mystic Black, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Silver, Phantom Navy | Black, Silver, Green |
| Models | SM-T870, SM-T875, SM-T876B | - |
| Price | About 700 EUR | About 400 EUR |
| SAR | 1.26 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.38 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
- Potentially lower price point due to age.
- Established Samsung ecosystem and software support.
- Solid overall performance for everyday tasks.
- Slower 45W charging.
- Older Snapdragon 865 chipset.
- May receive fewer software updates.
Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4
- Significantly faster 67W charging.
- More powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset.
- Larger 12.4-inch display.
- Xiaomi’s software experience may not appeal to all.
- Potentially higher price.
- Long-term software support is less certain than Samsung.
Display Comparison
While both tablets likely feature high-quality LCD panels (specific panel tech not provided), the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4’s larger 12.4-inch screen offers more screen real estate for multitasking and media consumption. Neither spec sheet details refresh rates, but Xiaomi typically includes 120Hz displays in its Pro models, potentially offering smoother scrolling and animations. The absence of LTPO technology in either device suggests both will rely on adaptive refresh rate switching to conserve battery. Bezels are likely comparable, given both aim for a premium aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for most tablet buyers. Neither device is known for its photographic prowess. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison. However, Xiaomi generally prioritizes camera hardware more than Samsung in its tablet lineup, suggesting the Pad 5 Pro 12.4 may have a slight edge in image quality. Focus should be on video conferencing capabilities rather than still photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4’s Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) represents a significant step up from the Galaxy Tab S7’s Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7nm+). The 870 features a higher clocked Kryo 585 core (3.2 GHz vs 3.09 GHz) and benefits from architectural improvements, resulting in approximately 10-15% better CPU performance in benchmarks. Both utilize an Octa-core configuration with the same Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, but the 870’s enhanced GPU will deliver a more fluid gaming experience. The 7nm process node on the 870 is slightly less refined than the 7nm+ on the 865, but the architectural gains outweigh this difference. Both likely utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the Pad 5 Pro’s superior chipset will better leverage its bandwidth.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4’s 67W wired charging is a game-changer. Xiaomi claims 60% charge in 36 minutes and 100% in 68 minutes – a massive improvement over the Tab S7’s 45W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging significantly reduces downtime. The Snapdragon 870’s improved efficiency may partially offset any capacity difference, but the charging speed advantage is undeniable. Both support PD3.0 and QC4, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of chargers.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 if you prioritize a well-established ecosystem, potentially lower price due to its age, and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Buy the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 if you value raw performance, incredibly fast charging, and a more modern feature set, even if it means navigating a less mature software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 870 in the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 870 is well-equipped to handle Genshin Impact and other graphically intensive games at high settings. Its Adreno 660 GPU provides a significant performance boost over the Adreno 650 in the Tab S7, resulting in smoother frame rates and a more enjoyable gaming experience. Expect to be able to maintain stable 60fps with some settings adjustments.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 compared to the 45W charging on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 in real-world use?
The 67W charging on the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 is substantially faster. While the Tab S7 takes well over an hour to fully charge, the Pad 5 Pro 12.4 can reach 100% in approximately 68 minutes. More importantly, it can gain a significant charge in a short amount of time – 60% in just 36 minutes – making it ideal for users who need to quickly top up their battery before heading out.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 support stylus input and keyboard accessories, and how does the experience compare to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7?
Yes, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 supports stylus input (sold separately) and keyboard accessories. While the S Pen experience on the Tab S7 is more refined due to Samsung’s long-standing stylus expertise, Xiaomi’s stylus offers a comparable level of precision and responsiveness. Keyboard accessory quality is similar between the two, offering a comfortable typing experience for productivity tasks.
