Xiaomi Pad 5 vs Xiaomi Pad 6: The Ultimate Tablet Showdown

The Xiaomi Pad series has quickly become a favorite among Android tablet enthusiasts, offering premium features at competitive prices. But with the release of the Pad 6, the question arises: is the upgrade worth it? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Xiaomi Pad 5 and Pad 6 to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Pad 6 offers a noticeable upgrade in performance thanks to the Snapdragon 870 and improved battery life. While the Pad 5 remains a solid choice, the Pad 6's enhancements make it the better overall package, especially for those prioritizing speed and longevity. It's a worthwhile upgrade.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Pad 5	Xiaomi Pad 6

Network
2G bands	N/A	N/A
3G bands	N/A	N/A
EDGE	N/A	N/A
GPRS	N/A	N/A
Technology	No cellular connectivity	No cellular connectivity

Launch
Announced	2021, August 10	2023, April 18
Status	Available. Released 2021, August 10	Available. Released 2023, April 18

Body
Build	Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back
Dimensions	254.7 x 166.3 x 6.9 mm (10.03 x 6.55 x 0.27 in)	254 x 165.2 x 6.5 mm (10.0 x 6.50 x 0.26 in)
SIM	No	No
Weight	511 g (1.13 lb)	490 g (1.08 lb)
	Stylus support (magnetic)	Stylus support (magnetic)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density)	1800 x 2880 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~309 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	IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 550 nits

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver)	Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm)	Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPU	Adreno 640	Adreno 650
OS	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14	Android 13, MIUI Pad 14

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
	UFS 3.1	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Features	Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama	Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	13 MP, f/2.0	13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps

Selfie camera
Single	8 MP, f/2.0	8 MP, f/2.2, 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps	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)
	24-bit/192kHz audio	24-bit/192kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	No
Positioning	No	Unspecified
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C	USB Type-C 3.2, accessory connector
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only)

Battery
Charging	33W wired, PD3.0	33W wired, PD3.0, QC4
Type	Li-Po 8720 mAh	Li-Po 8840 mAh

Misc
Colors	Cosmic Gray, Pearl White, Green	Black, Blue, Gold
Models	21051182G, 21051182C	23043RP34C, 23043RP34G, 23043RP34I
Price	About 350 EUR	About 400 EUR

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

Excellent value for money
Good display quality
Solid performance for everyday tasks
Compact and lightweight

Slightly older chipset
Battery life could be better
Camera performance is average

Xiaomi Pad 6

Significantly faster performance
Improved battery life
Slightly brighter display
5G connectivity (on some models)

Slightly higher price
Contrast ratio slightly lower than Pad 5

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Pad 5 boasts a slightly higher contrast ratio (1271:1 vs 1060:1), but the Pad 6 compensates with a marginally brighter display (500 nits vs 478 nits). Both offer excellent color accuracy and sharpness, making them great for media consumption. The Pad 6's display might appear slightly more vibrant due to the increased brightness.

Camera Comparison

Camera quality isn't a primary focus for tablets, but the Pad 6 generally offers slightly improved image processing and low-light performance compared to the Pad 5. Both feature similar camera setups, but the newer processor allows for better computational photography on the Pad 6. Expect decent, but not exceptional, camera performance on both.

Performance

Here's where the Pad 6 truly shines. The Snapdragon 870 chipset in the Pad 6 is significantly faster than the Snapdragon 860 in the Pad 5. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better performance in graphically intensive games. The Kryo 585 architecture in the 870 is more efficient as well.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Pad 6 demonstrates a clear advantage in battery life, achieving a remarkable 9 hours and 39 minutes of active use. The Pad 5's battery life is respectable, but falls short of the Pad 6's endurance. This makes the Pad 6 a better choice for users who need all-day battery life.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Xiaomi Pad 5? If you're on a tighter budget and primarily need a tablet for casual browsing, media consumption, and light gaming, the Pad 5 is still a capable device. Who should buy the Xiaomi Pad 6? Users seeking a faster processor for demanding games, multitasking, and a longer-lasting battery will benefit from the Pad 6's improvements.