The Xiaomi tablet lineup offers options for various budgets and needs. The Mi Pad 2, a legacy device, provided a solid entry point, while the Pad 5 Pro 12.4 represents Xiaomi's current flagship tablet. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 870 chipset, stunning 120Hz display, and incredibly fast charging far surpass the Mi Pad 2's capabilities. The Mi Pad 2 remains a viable option for basic tasks on a tight budget, but the Pro offers a vastly superior experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | - | N/A |
| 4G bands | - | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, November. Released 2015, November | 2022, August 11 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 200.4 x 132.6 x 7 mm (7.89 x 5.22 x 0.28 in) | 285 x 185.2 x 6.7 mm (11.22 x 7.29 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 322 g (11.36 oz) | 620 g (1.37 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~326 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.9 inches, 190.9 cm2 (~71.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 500 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.24 GHz | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Intel Atom X5-Z8500 | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android OS/ Optional Windows 10 (64 GB model), MIUI 7 | Android 12, MIUI Pad 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes | - |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | - | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 20 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 3.2 video output |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | Downloadable | - |
| Java | Yes | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, IM | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 60% in 36 min, 100% in 68 min |
| Music play | Up to 100 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 649 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h 30 min (multimedia) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 6190 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 10000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark grey, Champagne gold | Black, Silver, Green |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 400 EUR |
Xiaomi Mi Pad 2
- Affordable
- Compact size
- Decent display for the price
- Outdated chipset
- Slow performance
- Short battery life
- Slow charging
Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4
- Powerful Snapdragon 870
- Stunning 120Hz display
- Long battery life
- Fast charging (67W)
- Excellent performance
- More expensive
- Larger size may not be ideal for everyone
Display Comparison
The Pad 5 Pro 12.4 boasts a massive 12.4-inch 2560x1600 LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Mi Pad 2 has a smaller 7.9-inch 2048x1536 IPS display, which is still sharp but lacks the Pro's size and refresh rate advantage. The Pro's display is significantly more immersive and enjoyable for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
The Pad 5 Pro 12.4 features a 13MP main camera and a 5MP front camera, offering decent image quality for a tablet. The Mi Pad 2 has a 5MP main and front camera, which are adequate for video calls but produce mediocre photos. The Pro's cameras are noticeably better.
Performance
Here's where the difference is most stark. The Pad 5 Pro 12.4's Snapdragon 870 is a powerhouse, handling demanding games and multitasking with ease. The Mi Pad 2's Intel Atom X5-Z8500 struggles with anything beyond basic tasks, exhibiting noticeable lag and slowdowns. The Pro's performance is in a different league.
Battery Life
The Pad 5 Pro 12.4 packs a large 10000mAh battery and supports 67W fast charging, delivering all-day battery life and incredibly quick top-ups. The Mi Pad 2 has a smaller battery and slower 10W charging, resulting in shorter battery life and longer charging times. The Pro's battery performance is a major advantage.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Mi Pad 2 is ideal for students or users needing a basic tablet for web browsing, email, and light media consumption on a very limited budget. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 is perfect for power users, creatives, and anyone wanting a premium tablet experience with excellent performance, a vibrant display, and long battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mi Pad 2 still worth buying in 2024?
Only if you're on a very tight budget and only need a basic tablet for simple tasks. Otherwise, the Pad 5 Pro 12.4 offers significantly better value.
❓ What is the difference between the Snapdragon 870 and the Intel Atom X5-Z8500?
The Snapdragon 870 is a modern, high-performance mobile chipset designed for flagship smartphones and tablets. The Intel Atom X5-Z8500 is an older, low-power chipset found in budget tablets and 2-in-1 devices. The Snapdragon 870 offers vastly superior performance.
