Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro vs. Apple iPad Air (2022): Which Tablet Reigns Supreme?

The tablet market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for your attention: the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro and the Apple iPad Air (2022). Both offer premium features and performance, but cater to different user preferences. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPad Air (2022) boasts the M1 chip, providing exceptional performance and seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem. However, the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro offers incredible value with its powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, faster charging, and competitive price, making it a strong contender for Android users.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro Apple iPad Air (2022)
Network
2G bandsN/AGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsN/AHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2589
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2589, A2591
EDGEN/A-
GPRSN/A-
Speed-HSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyNo cellular connectivityGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2591
Launch
Announced2023, April 182022, March 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, April 30Available. Released 2022, March 18
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum backGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions254 x 165.2 x 6.5 mm (10.0 x 6.50 x 0.26 in)247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in)
SIMNoNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight490 g (1.08 lb)461 g (Wi-Fi) / 462 g (5G) (1.02 lb)
 Stylus support (magnetic)Stylus support (2nd gen)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution1800 x 2880 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~309 ppi density)1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density)
Size11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 550 nitsLiquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Apple M1
GPUAdreno 730Apple GPU (8-core graphics)
OSAndroid 13, MIUI 14iPadOS 15.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM64GB, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaHDR
Single-12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)Yes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, EDR
NFCNoNo
PositioningNoGPS, GLONASS (5G model only)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, accessory connectorUSB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only)Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 1 hour-
TypeLi-Po 8600 mAhLi-Ion 7600 mAh (28.6 Wh)
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, GoldSpace Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue
Models23046RP50CA2588, A2589, A2591, iPad13,16, iPad13,17
PriceAbout 330 EURAbout 550 EUR

Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro

  • Excellent value for money
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
  • Fast 67W charging
  • Vibrant 120Hz display
  • Competitive camera system

  • iPadOS ecosystem integration is lacking
  • Camera image processing not as refined as iPad
  • Battery life slightly shorter than iPad

Apple iPad Air (2022)

  • Blazing-fast M1 chip performance
  • Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem
  • Excellent camera quality
  • Premium build quality
  • Long-lasting battery life

  • Higher price point
  • Limited customization options compared to Android
  • Slower charging speeds

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro features an 11-inch 2.880 x 1800 LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering vibrant colors and smooth visuals. The iPad Air (2022) has an 10.9-inch 2360 x 1640 Liquid Retina display, known for its color accuracy and sharpness. While both are excellent, the Xiaomi's higher resolution and refresh rate give it a slight edge for media consumption.

Camera Comparison

The iPad Air (2022) has a 12MP rear camera and a 12MP front camera. The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro features a 50MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera. While the Xiaomi boasts higher megapixel counts, the iPad's image processing and overall camera quality are generally considered superior, especially for video recording.

Performance

Here's where the biggest difference lies. The iPad Air (2022)'s M1 chip is a powerhouse, easily handling demanding tasks like video editing and gaming. The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is no slouch either, providing excellent performance for everyday use and most games, but the M1 maintains a noticeable lead in raw power.

Battery Life

The iPad Air (2022) packs a 10,078 mAh battery, offering all-day battery life. The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro has an 8,600 mAh battery, which still provides solid battery life, but may require charging more frequently with intensive use. Both offer excellent longevity for typical tablet usage.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro is ideal for Android enthusiasts seeking a high-performance tablet at a more accessible price point, particularly those who value fast charging and a vibrant display. The Apple iPad Air (2022) is perfect for users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, prioritizing top-tier performance, and appreciating the iPadOS experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro good for gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is capable of handling most mobile games smoothly. However, the iPad Air (2022)'s M1 chip offers a more consistent high-performance experience for demanding titles.
❓ Which tablet has better software support?
The Apple iPad Air (2022) benefits from Apple's long-term software support and iPadOS, known for its tablet-optimized features. Xiaomi's Android updates can be less consistent.