Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+: The Ultimate Tablet Battle

The Android tablet market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for the top spot: the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+. Both offer large, beautiful displays and powerful performance, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ edges out the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 thanks to its superior display, S Pen support, and refined software experience. However, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro offers incredible value with its blazing-fast charging and competitive performance at a lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4	Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+

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 14

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)	285 x 185 x 5.7 mm (11.22 x 7.28 x 0.22 in)
SIM	No	Nano-SIM (cellular model only)
Weight	620 g (1.37 lb)	567 g (Wi-Fi), 572 g (5G) (1.25 lb)
	Stylus support (magnetic)	Stylus, 6.2ms 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)	1752 x 2800 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~266 ppi density)
Size	12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)	12.4 inches, 446.1 cm2 (~84.6% 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, 512GB 8GB 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/2.4, 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 10090 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Silver, Green	Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold
Models	-	SM-X800, SM-X806, SM-X806B, SM-X806U, SM-X806N
Price	About 400 EUR	About 950 EUR
SAR EU	-	0.68 W/kg (body)

Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4

Blazing-fast 67W charging
Excellent performance for the price
Smooth 120Hz display
Good value

IPS LCD display not as vibrant as AMOLED
Camera performance lags behind Tab S8+
No S Pen support

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+

Stunning Super AMOLED display
S Pen support included
Refined software experience
Versatile camera system
Slightly better sustained performance

Slower charging speed
Higher price
Can get warm under heavy load

Display Comparison

Both tablets boast stunning displays. The Tab S8+ features a 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display with vibrant colors and deep blacks, offering a more immersive viewing experience. The Pad 5 Pro has a 12.4-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and animations, but lacks the contrast and color accuracy of the AMOLED panel. The Tab S8+ also has a slightly higher resolution.

Camera Comparison

The Tab S8+ has a more versatile camera system with a wider ultrawide lens and generally better image processing. The Pad 5 Pro's cameras are decent but don't match the Tab S8+'s overall quality. Video recording capabilities are also stronger on the Tab S8+.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Tab S8+ generally offers slightly better sustained performance than the Snapdragon 870 in the Pad 5 Pro, especially during prolonged intensive tasks. However, the 870 is still a very capable chip, and day-to-day performance is excellent on both devices. The Tab S8+ benefits from Samsung's optimized software.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro takes a significant lead in charging speed with its 67W wired charging, reaching 100% in just 68 minutes. The Tab S8+'s 45W charging takes considerably longer (82 minutes). Battery capacity is similar, so the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro offers faster top-ups.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 is ideal for users seeking a large-screen tablet with excellent performance and fast charging on a budget. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ is perfect for creative professionals, students, and anyone who values a premium display, S Pen functionality, and a seamless Android experience.