The tablet market is booming, offering options for every budget and need. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Xiaomi Pad 5 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021). Both offer compelling features, but cater to different users. Let's dive in to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Pad 5 is the clear winner for performance and display quality, boasting a Snapdragon 860 and a vibrant screen. The Galaxy Tab A8 offers a more budget-friendly option with a decent display and Samsung's reliable software, but falls short in raw power. If performance matters, choose the Xiaomi.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | N/A | - |
| GPRS | N/A | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 10 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 10 | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| 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) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 511 g (1.13 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| | Stylus support (magnetic) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, AF |
| 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 | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0 | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 8720 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cosmic Gray, Pearl White, Green | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | 21051182G, 21051182C | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1271:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-24.4 LUFS (Very good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 473819 (v8), 555079 (v9)
GeekBench: 2583 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Xiaomi Pad 5
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 860)
- Excellent Display (High Contrast, Brightness)
- Faster Charging (33W)
- Premium Build Quality (Likely)
- Higher Price
- Potentially Less Software Support than Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- More Affordable
- Samsung's User-Friendly Software
- Reliable Brand Reputation
- Decent Display for the Price
- Lower Performance (Unisoc T618)
- Slower Charging (15W)
- Less Vibrant Display
- Less Powerful
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Pad 5 boasts a significantly better display. Its 1271:1 contrast ratio and 478 nits brightness offer a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience compared to the Tab A8's likely lower contrast and brightness (typical of its price range). The Xiaomi also likely has a higher resolution, contributing to sharper visuals. The Tab A8's display is adequate for everyday use, but lacks the premium feel of the Xiaomi.
Camera Comparison
While neither tablet excels in camera quality, the Xiaomi Pad 5 likely has a slightly better camera setup. However, tablet cameras are rarely a priority, and both devices offer acceptable image quality for casual snapshots. Expect decent performance in well-lit conditions, but struggles in low light.
Performance
Here, the Xiaomi Pad 5 absolutely dominates. The Snapdragon 860 is a flagship-level chipset, offering significantly more processing power than the Unisoc Tiger T618 in the Tab A8. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a much better gaming experience. The Tab A8 is sufficient for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding games or applications.
Battery Life
Battery life is likely comparable between the two devices, both offering all-day usage for moderate use. However, the Xiaomi Pad 5's faster 33W charging provides a significant advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups compared to the Tab A8's 15W charging.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Pad 5 is ideal for users who prioritize performance, gaming, and a high-quality display. It's great for students, creatives, and anyone who wants a tablet that can handle demanding tasks. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is a good choice for casual users, families, and those on a tighter budget who need a reliable tablet for browsing, streaming, and light productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xiaomi Pad 5 worth the extra money?
If you value performance and a great display, the Xiaomi Pad 5 is definitely worth the investment. However, if you're on a tight budget and only need a tablet for basic tasks, the Galaxy Tab A8 is a solid option.
❓ Which tablet has better software support?
Samsung generally offers longer software update support than Xiaomi, so the Galaxy Tab A8 is likely to receive updates for a longer period.
