The Android tablet market is heating up, with options ranging from budget-friendly productivity tools to high-performance media centers. The TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro focuses on a unique paper-like display experience and portability, while the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 aims for flagship performance and a premium feature set. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset offers a substantial leap in processing power compared to the TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro’s Mediatek MT8771, coupled with incredibly fast 120W charging. However, the NxtPaper’s unique display may appeal to specific users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | - |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 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 | 2023, January 05 | 2024, February 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 05 | Available. Released 2024, February 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 279 x 192.5 x 6.9 mm (10.98 x 7.58 x 0.27 in) | 278.7 x 191.6 x 6.3 mm (10.97 x 7.54 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 599 g (1.32 lb) | 590 g (1.30 lb) |
| | Stylus support | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2160 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~213 ppi density) | 2032 x 3048 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.2 inches, 443.2 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 457.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | NCVM IPS, 370 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 68B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 900 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8771 | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP
8 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP
8 MP | - |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.6", 0.61µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (6 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, LHDC |
| NFC | No | Yes (file transfer only) |
| Positioning | GPS - cellular model only | No |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.2, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only), compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 45% in 10 min, 100% in 35 min |
| Type | Li-Po 8000 mAh | 10000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Navy Blue | Black, Blue, Green |
| Models | 9494G | 24018RPACG |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 700 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (body) |
TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro
- Unique paper-like display for comfortable reading
- Potentially lighter and more portable
- More affordable price point (likely)
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Slow 18W charging
- Lower display brightness and contrast
Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
- Incredibly fast 120W charging
- Bright and vibrant display with high contrast
- Higher price point
- Potentially heavier and less portable
- May not appeal to users specifically seeking a paper-like display
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 848 nits, compared to the TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro’s unspecified brightness. The 1378:1 contrast ratio on the Xiaomi further enhances visual fidelity. While the NxtPaper 12 Pro’s display is its defining feature, aiming for a paper-like texture, it sacrifices peak brightness and contrast. The Xiaomi’s larger screen size (12.4” vs 12.3”) and higher resolution likely contribute to a sharper image. We expect the Xiaomi to have a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience, especially for HDR content.
Camera Comparison
Given the tablet form factor, camera performance isn't a primary concern for most users. However, the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro is likely to offer a more capable camera system due to its flagship positioning. While specific camera specs are unavailable for both devices, Xiaomi typically prioritizes camera quality in its higher-end products. The TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro likely features a more basic camera setup geared towards video calls and casual snapshots. We'll assume the Xiaomi has a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing capabilities.
Performance
The performance gap between these tablets is substantial. The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (SM8550-AB), a 4nm chipset featuring a prime Cortex-X3 core clocked at 3.2 GHz. This is a significant upgrade over the TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro’s Mediatek MT8771, which utilizes a combination of Cortex-A78 and A55 cores peaking at 2.4 GHz. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s architecture and fabrication process deliver superior CPU and GPU performance, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a much better gaming experience. The Xiaomi’s likely use of LPDDR5x RAM further enhances memory bandwidth, contributing to overall system responsiveness.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 excels in charging speed, supporting 120W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4 standards, achieving 45% charge in just 10 minutes and a full charge in 35 minutes. The TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro is limited to 18W wired charging, resulting in a significantly slower charging experience. While the NxtPaper 12 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, the Xiaomi’s active use score of 11:14h suggests good battery life despite its powerful processor and bright display. The faster charging of the Xiaomi mitigates any potential battery life concerns.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro if you prioritize a comfortable, paper-like reading experience and extended portability, and don't require demanding performance for gaming or intensive tasks. Buy the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 if you need a powerful tablet for gaming, video editing, multitasking, and appreciate incredibly fast charging and a brighter, more vibrant display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek MT8771 in the TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro sufficient for demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Mediatek MT8771 is unlikely to provide a smooth gaming experience in graphically intensive titles like Genshin Impact. While it can handle less demanding games, you'll likely need to lower graphics settings significantly or experience noticeable frame rate drops. The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is designed for high-end gaming.
❓ How does the 120W charging on the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 compare to standard tablet charging speeds?
120W charging is exceptionally fast for a tablet. Most tablets charge at 20-30W. The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 can go from 0 to 100% in just 35 minutes, minimizing downtime and making it ideal for users who need to quickly top up their battery before heading out.
❓ Is the paper-like display on the TCL NxtPaper 12 Pro suitable for watching videos or viewing photos?
The paper-like display prioritizes reading comfort over vibrant visuals. While it's excellent for text-based content, the reduced brightness and contrast may result in a less immersive experience when watching videos or viewing photos. The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4’s brighter and more colorful display is better suited for multimedia consumption.
