Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 vs Xiaomi Pad 5: The Ultimate Tablet Battle

The Android tablet market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for your attention: the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and the Xiaomi Pad 5. Both offer impressive features and performance, but cater to slightly different needs and budgets. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy Tab S8 boasts a more powerful processor, a superior display, and S Pen support, making it the overall winner for power users. However, the Xiaomi Pad 5 offers incredible value with a stunning display and solid performance at a more accessible price point.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy Tab S8	Xiaomi Pad 5

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	N/A
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	N/A
4G bands	LTE	-
5G bands	SA/NSA	-
EDGE	-	N/A
GPRS	-	N/A
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only	-
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	No cellular connectivity

Launch
Announced	2022, February 09	2021, August 10
Status	Available. Released 2022, March 22	Available. Released 2021, August 10

Body
Build	-	Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions	253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 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	503 g (Wi-Fi), 507 g (5G) (1.11 lb)	511 g (1.13 lb)
	Stylus, 6.2ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro)	Stylus support (magnetic)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 5	-
Resolution	1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density)	1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density)
Size	11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)	11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT LCD, 120Hz	IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)	Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm)
GPU	Adreno 730	Adreno 640
OS	Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
	UFS	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Dual	13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF 6 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)	-
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	-	13 MP, f/2.0
Video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Dual	12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)	-
Features	HDR	-
Single	-	8 MP, f/2.0
Video	4K@30/60fps, 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)
	Tuned by AKG	24-bit/192kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE	5.0, 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
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, 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, compass	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
	Wireless Samsung DeX	-

Battery
Charging	45W wired, 100% in 80 min	33W wired, PD3.0
Type	Li-Po 8000 mAh	Li-Po 8720 mAh

Misc
Colors	Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold	Cosmic Gray, Pearl White, Green
Models	SM-X700, SM-X706, SM-X706B, SM-X706U, SM-X706N	21051182G, 21051182C
Price	About 350 EUR	About 350 EUR
SAR EU	0.87 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 S8

Superior Performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)
Excellent Display (likely higher resolution)
S Pen Support
Faster Charging (45W)
Premium Build Quality

Higher Price
Can get warm under heavy load

Xiaomi Pad 5

Exceptional Value for Money
Stunning Display (1271:1 contrast)
Smooth Performance (Snapdragon 860)
PD3.0 Charging

Slightly older chipset
Lower peak brightness than Tab S8 (estimated)
Less premium build

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Pad 5 impresses with its 1271:1 contrast ratio and 478 nits brightness, delivering vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles. The Galaxy Tab S8’s display is likely slightly better, offering a higher resolution and potentially better color accuracy, though specific measurements are needed for a definitive comparison. Both offer a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.

Camera Comparison

While neither tablet excels in camera quality, the Galaxy Tab S8 generally offers slightly better image processing and low-light performance. Both cameras are primarily for video calls and casual snapshots, not serious photography.

Performance

The Galaxy Tab S8’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 provides a significant performance advantage over the Xiaomi Pad 5’s Snapdragon 860. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Tab S8. The Pad 5 is still capable, but the Tab S8 is in a different league.

Battery Life

The Galaxy Tab S8 has a larger battery capacity (10900 mAh) compared to the Xiaomi Pad 5 (8720 mAh). Coupled with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1's efficiency, it should offer longer battery life, though real-world usage will vary.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8? Creative professionals, students needing a stylus, and those prioritizing top-tier performance. Who should buy the Xiaomi Pad 5? Budget-conscious users seeking a premium display and smooth performance for everyday tasks and entertainment.