The tablet market is heating up, and two titans clash: the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. Both offer large, stunning displays and powerful performance, but cater to different needs and budgets. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra offers a superior overall experience with its brighter display, S Pen support, and refined software. However, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 provides exceptional value with its faster charging and competitive performance at a lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 11 | 2022, February 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 24 | Available. Released 2022, April 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 285 x 185.2 x 6.7 mm (11.22 x 7.29 x 0.26 in) | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm (12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 620 g (1.37 lb) | 726 g (Wi-Fi), 728 g (5G) (1.60 lb) |
| | Stylus support (magnetic) | Stylus, 2.8ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) | 1848 x 2960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 14.6 inches, 612.6 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 500 nits | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI Pad 13 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF
6 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide)
12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", 0.8µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 video output | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Wireless Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 60% in 36 min, 100% in 68 min | 45W wired, 100% in 82 min |
| Type | Li-Po 10000 mAh | Li-Po 11200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Green | Graphite |
| Models | - | SM-X900, SM-X906, SM-X906B, SM-X906U, SM-X906N |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 1150 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.69 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4
- Excellent value for money
- Fast 67W charging
- Smooth performance for most tasks
- Large, sharp display
- LCD display not as vibrant as AMOLED
- Camera performance is average
- Less premium build quality
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- Stunning AMOLED display
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- S Pen support for creativity and note-taking
- Premium design and build quality
- Excellent camera system
- Higher price
- Slower charging speed
- Can experience throttling under sustained heavy load
Display Comparison
Both tablets boast impressive 12.4-inch displays. The Tab S8 Ultra’s AMOLED panel delivers vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and higher peak brightness, making it superior for media consumption and outdoor use. The Pad 5 Pro’s LCD display is still excellent, offering good color accuracy and sharpness, but lacks the contrast and vibrancy of the AMOLED.
Camera Comparison
The Tab S8 Ultra’s camera system is significantly better, featuring a more versatile setup with higher resolution sensors and improved image processing. The Pad 5 Pro’s cameras are adequate for basic use but lack the detail and dynamic range of the Tab S8 Ultra.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Tab S8 Ultra generally edges out the Snapdragon 870 in the Pad 5 Pro in sustained performance, especially during demanding tasks. However, the 870 remains a very capable chip, providing smooth performance for most users. The Tab S8 Ultra's cooling system is also more robust, preventing throttling under heavy load.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 takes a clear lead in charging speed with its 67W wired charging, reaching 100% in just 68 minutes. The Tab S8 Ultra’s 45W charging takes considerably longer (82 minutes). Battery life is comparable between the two, offering a full day of moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 is ideal for users seeking a large-screen tablet with strong performance and fast charging on a budget. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is perfect for creative professionals, note-takers, and those who desire a premium tablet experience with top-tier features like the S Pen and DeX mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 support a stylus?
While the Pad 5 Pro supports a stylus, it's not included and doesn't offer the same level of integration or features as the S Pen on the Tab S8 Ultra.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize a premium display, S Pen support, and top-tier performance, the Tab S8 Ultra is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget and primarily need a large-screen tablet for everyday tasks, the Pad 5 Pro offers excellent value.
