The tablet market is booming, and choosing the right one can be tough. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro, known for its power, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, celebrated for its versatility and S Pen support. Let's dive in to see which tablet comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro delivers significantly more performance thanks to its Snapdragon 870 chipset and faster charging. However, the Tab S6 Lite’s S Pen integration and more refined software experience make it a strong contender, especially for creative users. The Pad 5 Pro wins on raw power, but the S6 Lite offers unique features.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE-A |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 10 | 2020, April 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 10 | Available. Released 2020, May 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 254.7 x 166.3 x 6.9 mm (10.03 x 6.55 x 0.27 in) | 244.5 x 154.3 x 7 mm (9.63 x 6.07 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 515 g (1.14 lb) | 467 g (1.03 lb) |
| | Stylus support (magnetic) | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 5G model:
50 MP, 1/2.5", 0.7µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens
Wi-Fi model
13 MP, f/2.0, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, gyro |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4 | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 8600 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Chiffon Pink, Angora Blue, Oxford Gray |
| Models | M2105K81AC, M2105K81C | SM-P610N, SM-P615, SM-P610 |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 380 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.45 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 870)
- 120Hz Display for Smooth Visuals
- Fast 67W Charging
- Generally better camera hardware
- Software can be less polished than Samsung's
- No included stylus
- Potentially larger and heavier
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
- Included S Pen for Note-Taking & Drawing
- Refined Samsung Software Experience (One UI)
- Slim and Lightweight Design
- Good Value for Money
- Slower Performance (Exynos 9611)
- Standard 60Hz Display
- Slow 15W Charging
- Less powerful chipset
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro boasts a 11-inch 120Hz LCD display, offering smoother visuals and a more immersive experience, particularly for gaming and scrolling. The Tab S6 Lite features a 10.4-inch LCD display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. While the S6 Lite's display is vibrant, the Pro's higher refresh rate gives it an edge.
Camera Comparison
The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro generally has better camera hardware, but tablet cameras aren't a primary focus. Both offer decent image quality for video calls and casual snapshots. The Tab S6 Lite's software might offer slightly better image processing in some scenarios.
Performance
Here's where the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro truly shines. The Snapdragon 870 is a powerhouse, easily handling demanding games and applications. The Tab S6 Lite's Exynos 9611 is capable, but noticeably slower, especially when multitasking or running graphically intensive apps. Expect smoother performance across the board on the Pro.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro's 67W fast charging is a significant advantage, allowing for much quicker top-ups compared to the Tab S6 Lite's 15W charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro? Gamers, power users, and those seeking a high-performance tablet for demanding tasks like video editing. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite? Students, artists, and anyone who values the S Pen for note-taking, sketching, and general productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro good for gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 870 chipset makes the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro an excellent choice for mobile gaming, handling most titles with ease.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite come with a stylus?
Yes, the Tab S6 Lite includes an S Pen, making it ideal for note-taking, sketching, and creative tasks.