The Android tablet market is heating up, with options ranging from budget-friendly media consumption devices to full-fledged productivity powerhouses. We’re pitting the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4, a new contender boasting a flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, against the more accessible vivo Pad SE, powered by the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to help you determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and fast charging, the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 is the clear winner. However, the vivo Pad SE provides a surprisingly capable experience at a lower price point, making it ideal for casual users and students who don't demand top-tier processing power.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 4G bands | N/A | - |
| EDGE | No | N/A |
| GPRS | No | N/A |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, April 21 | 2024, February 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, April 25 | Available. Released 2024, February 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 277.1 x 185.6 x 6.8 mm (10.91 x 7.31 x 0.27 in) | 278.7 x 191.6 x 6.3 mm (10.97 x 7.54 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 559 g or 569 g (1.23 lb) | 590 g (1.30 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2464 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~239 ppi density) | 2032 x 3048 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.3 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 457.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 600 nits | IPS LCD, 68B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 900 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 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 | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 613 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 15, OriginOS 5 HD | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.6", 0.61µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (6 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.3, A2DP, LE, LHDC |
| NFC | No | Yes (file transfer only) |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only) | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only), compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 45% in 10 min, 100% in 35 min |
| Type | 8500 mAh | 10000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, Titanium | Black, Blue, Green |
| Models | - | 24018RPACG |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 700 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (body) |
vivo Pad SE
- Excellent value for money
- Efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset
- Suitable for everyday tasks
- Slow 15W charging
- Lower performance compared to flagship tablets
Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
- Incredibly fast 120W charging
- Bright and vibrant 12.4-inch display
- Higher price point
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load (despite good score)
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 848 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the vivo Pad SE. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. While the vivo Pad SE’s panel details are missing, the Xiaomi’s 1378:1 contrast ratio suggests a vibrant and immersive viewing experience. The larger 12.4-inch screen on the Xiaomi also provides more screen real estate for multitasking and content creation. We expect the Xiaomi to have a higher resolution as well, given its larger size and premium positioning.
Camera Comparison
Given the context data, a detailed camera comparison is limited. Both tablets likely feature basic camera setups geared towards video calls and occasional snapshots. The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4, being a higher-end device, may have a slightly more capable main sensor, but neither tablet is likely to excel in photography. We anticipate the Xiaomi will have better image processing capabilities due to its more powerful ISP within the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
Performance
The performance gap between these tablets is substantial. The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a flagship chipset featuring a prime Cortex-X3 core clocked at 3.2 GHz, alongside high-performance Cortex-A715 and A710 cores. This architecture delivers a massive leap in CPU and GPU performance compared to the vivo Pad SE’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm). The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, with its Cortex-A78 and A55 cores, is designed for efficiency and everyday tasks, not demanding applications. The Xiaomi’s superior processing power will be noticeable in gaming, video editing, and running multiple apps simultaneously. The Xiaomi also benefits from faster LPDDR5x RAM, further enhancing performance.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 shines in the battery and charging department. Its active use score of 11:14h demonstrates excellent battery life, and the 120W wired charging is a game-changer. Reaching 45% charge in just 10 minutes and a full charge in 35 minutes minimizes downtime. The vivo Pad SE’s 15W charging is comparatively slow, requiring significantly longer to reach a full charge. While the vivo Pad SE’s battery capacity is unknown, the Xiaomi’s efficient chipset and fast charging mitigate concerns about battery drain.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Pad SE if you need a reliable tablet for everyday tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and light productivity, and value affordability above all else. Buy the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 if you’re a power user who demands the fastest possible performance for demanding apps, gaming, or professional workflows, and appreciate the convenience of incredibly fast 120W charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in the vivo Pad SE powerful enough for multitasking?
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is capable of handling moderate multitasking, such as switching between web browsing, email, and light social media apps. However, it may struggle with demanding tasks like video editing or running multiple resource-intensive applications simultaneously. It's best suited for users who primarily need a tablet for basic productivity and entertainment.
❓ How much faster is the 120W charging on the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 compared to the vivo Pad SE's 15W charging?
The difference is substantial. The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 can reach 45% charge in 10 minutes and 100% in 35 minutes. The vivo Pad SE’s 15W charging will take several hours to fully charge the device, making it less convenient for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Will the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a powerful chip, and some heat generation is expected during prolonged gaming. However, the 4nm process node and Xiaomi’s thermal management system should help mitigate throttling and maintain stable performance. Real-world testing would be needed to determine the extent of heat buildup.
