The Android tablet market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for the top spot: the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8. Both offer premium features and impressive performance, but cater to slightly different needs and budgets. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 offers a more premium experience with its superior display, S Pen support, and refined software. However, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro delivers exceptional value with its powerful Snapdragon 870 and blazing-fast charging, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious users.
| 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) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 Sub6 | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 10 | 2022, February 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 10 | Available. Released 2022, March 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 254.7 x 166.3 x 6.9 mm (10.03 x 6.55 x 0.27 in) | 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 515 g (1.14 lb) | 503 g (Wi-Fi), 507 g (5G) (1.11 lb) |
| | Stylus support (magnetic) | Stylus, 6.2ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision | TFT LCD, 120Hz |
| 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 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 | 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 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS |
| 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 | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF
6 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Wireless Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4 | 45W wired, 100% in 80 min |
| Type | Li-Po 8600 mAh | Li-Po 8000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | M2105K81AC, M2105K81C | SM-X700, SM-X706, SM-X706B, SM-X706U, SM-X706N |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.87 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro
- Exceptional value for money
- Blazing-fast 67W charging
- Powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset
- Good display for the price
- Less premium build quality
- Cameras not as good as Tab S8
- Software experience less refined
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
- Superior display quality
- S Pen included and supported
- Refined software experience (One UI)
- Versatile camera system
- Higher price point
- Slower charging speed
- Performance gains over Pad 5 Pro are marginal for most users
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 boasts a stunning 11-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and excellent color accuracy. It's brighter and offers a more vibrant visual experience than the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro's 11-inch IPS LCD. The Tab S8's display is simply a cut above, especially for media consumption and creative work. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro's display is still good, but lacks the Tab S8's premium feel.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 features a more versatile camera system with a wider ultrawide lens, offering greater flexibility for photography. Image quality is generally better across all lenses. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro's cameras are adequate for casual snapshots, but don't compete with the Tab S8's capabilities.
Performance
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Tab S8 technically has an edge on paper, the Snapdragon 870 in the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro remains incredibly capable. Both tablets handle demanding games and multitasking with ease. The Tab S8 might show slightly better sustained performance under heavy load due to its improved cooling, but in everyday use, the difference is minimal. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro's efficiency is also noteworthy.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro's 67W charging is a significant advantage, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. The Tab S8's 45W charging is still respectable, but takes considerably longer. Battery life itself is comparable between the two, offering a full day of moderate use.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro? Users seeking a high-performance tablet at a more affordable price point, particularly gamers and those who prioritize fast charging. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8? Creative professionals, students, and anyone who values a top-tier display, S Pen functionality, and a polished software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 come with the S Pen?
Yes, the S Pen is included with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, making it a great option for note-taking and creative tasks.
❓ Is the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro good for gaming?
Absolutely! The Snapdragon 870 chipset in the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro provides excellent gaming performance, even for demanding titles.
