The tablet market is heating up with compelling options at increasingly accessible price points. The vivo Pad5e and Realme Pad 2 Lite represent two such contenders, aiming to deliver a balanced experience for everyday use. However, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, with the vivo Pad5e leveraging a more powerful Snapdragon chipset while the Realme Pad 2 Lite opts for a Mediatek Helio G99. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and faster charging, the vivo Pad5e is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers a significant leap in processing power over the Realme Pad 2 Lite’s Helio G99. While the Realme Pad 2 Lite provides a more affordable entry point, the vivo Pad5e’s superior chipset justifies the price difference for demanding tasks and future-proofing.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, October 13 | 2024, September 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October 17 | Available. Released 2024, September 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 266.4 x 192 x 6.6 mm (10.49 x 7.56 x 0.26 in) | 258 x 169.5 x 8.3 mm (10.16 x 6.67 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 584 g or 591 g (1.29 lb) | 525 g (1.16 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1968 x 2800 pixels (~283 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~207 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.1 inches, 444.4 cm2 (~86.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.95 inches, 347.7 cm2 (~79.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, 900 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 90Hz, 450 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 735 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 15, OriginOS 5 HD | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 for Pad |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | Unspecified |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only), gyro | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, PD
5W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 10000 mAh | 8300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, Purple, Green, Gray, Silver | Nebula Purple, Space Grey |
| Models | - | RMP2402 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 160 EUR |
vivo Pad5e
- Significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset
- Much faster 44W wired charging with PD
- 5W reverse wired charging for accessory top-ups
- Likely higher price point
- Battery capacity not specified, potentially smaller than Realme Pad 2 Lite
Realme Pad 2 Lite
- More affordable price
- Efficient Helio G99 chipset for basic tasks
- Potentially larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)
- Slow 15W wired charging
- Less powerful chipset struggles with demanding apps
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Display Comparison
While both tablets likely feature LCD panels (data not provided), the core difference lies in the processing power driving them. Display specs like resolution and refresh rate are missing, but the chipset impacts UI smoothness. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests standard refresh rates, meaning neither will dynamically adjust for power savings like higher-end tablets.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse, but given the market segment, expectations should be tempered. Both tablets likely feature basic camera setups geared towards video calls and casual snapshots. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the processing capabilities of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the vivo Pad5e *could* lead to slightly better image processing, even with similar hardware.
Performance
The vivo Pad5e’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Realme Pad 2 Lite’s MediaTek Helio G99 (6nm). The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 boasts a prime Cortex-X4 core clocked at 3.0 GHz, paired with Cortex-A720 performance cores, offering significantly higher single-core and multi-core performance. The Helio G99, while efficient, relies on older Cortex-A76 cores. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon further enhances thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to smoother gaming, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the vivo Pad5e.
Battery Life
The Realme Pad 2 Lite’s 15W wired charging is a significant drawback compared to the vivo Pad5e’s 44W wired charging with PD support. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed of the vivo Pad5e will drastically reduce downtime. A full charge on the Realme Pad 2 Lite will take considerably longer, impacting usability for users who rely on their tablet throughout the day. The vivo Pad5e also offers 5W reverse wired charging, a convenient feature for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Pad5e if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding applications, multitasking, and occasional gaming with minimal slowdown. It’s ideal for professionals, students, or anyone who values a responsive and future-proof experience. Buy the Realme Pad 2 Lite if you prioritize affordability and primarily need a tablet for basic tasks like media consumption, web browsing, and light productivity. It’s a solid choice for casual users on a tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G99 in the Realme Pad 2 Lite struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Helio G99 is not designed for demanding games. While it can handle less intensive titles, Genshin Impact and similar games will likely experience significant frame drops and require reduced graphics settings for playable performance. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the vivo Pad5e offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Realme Pad 2 Lite with its 15W charging?
Given the 15W charging speed, a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Realme Pad 2 Lite will likely take over 3 hours, potentially even longer depending on battery capacity. This is a considerable amount of downtime compared to the vivo Pad5e’s 44W charging, which can achieve a full charge in around an hour.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the vivo Pad5e prone to overheating during prolonged use?
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a relatively efficient chipset, and the 4nm process node helps to minimize heat generation. While some heat is inevitable during demanding tasks, the vivo Pad5e is unlikely to experience significant throttling issues under normal usage conditions. The thermal design of the tablet itself will also play a role.