The Android tablet market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for the top spot: the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8. Both offer premium features and impressive performance, but which one is the better choice for your needs? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro delivers exceptional value with its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and blazing-fast 67W charging. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 boasts a superior display and S Pen integration, but comes at a higher price. For raw power and charging speed, the Xiaomi wins; for a more complete premium experience, the Samsung takes the lead.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| EDGE | N/A | - |
| GPRS | N/A | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 18 | 2022, February 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 30 | Available. Released 2022, March 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 254 x 165.2 x 6.5 mm (10.0 x 6.50 x 0.26 in) | 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 490 g (1.08 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 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1800 x 2880 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~309 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 550 nits | TFT LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | 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 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
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, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 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 | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, accessory connector | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6e, 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 (accessories only) | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Wireless Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 1 hour | 45W wired, 100% in 80 min |
| Type | Li-Po 8600 mAh | Li-Po 8000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | 23046RP50C | 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 6 Pro
- Blazing-fast 67W charging
- Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
- High 144Hz refresh rate display
- Excellent value for money
- Effective cooling system
- Camera performance not top-tier
- Less vibrant display compared to Tab S8
- No included stylus
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
- Stunning display with S Pen support
- Versatile camera system
- Premium build quality
- Samsung ecosystem integration
- Excellent software support
- Slower 45W charging
- Higher price point
- Performance slightly behind Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 features a stunning 11-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and excellent color accuracy. It also includes the S Pen for note-taking and drawing. The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro has an 11-inch LCD with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering smoother visuals, but the Samsung's display is generally considered more vibrant and color-accurate. The Tab S8's S Pen is a significant advantage for creative tasks.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 has a more versatile camera system with a wider ultrawide lens. Image quality is generally better, especially in low light. The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro's cameras are decent but not exceptional, prioritizing functionality over top-tier image quality. The Tab S8 wins here.
Performance
The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro holds a slight edge in performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, which is marginally faster than the Tab S8's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Both tablets handle demanding games and multitasking with ease, but the 8+ Gen 1 provides a bit more headroom. The Xiaomi's cooling system also appears to be more effective, preventing throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro's 67W charging is a game-changer, allowing for a full charge in just about an hour. The Tab S8's 45W charging takes considerably longer. While both tablets offer respectable battery life for typical usage, the Xiaomi's faster charging provides a significant convenience advantage.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro? Gamers, power users on a budget, and those prioritizing fast charging will love the Pad 6 Pro. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8? Creative professionals, students needing S Pen functionality, and users seeking a top-tier display and Samsung's ecosystem integration will find the Tab S8 ideal.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro good for gaming?
Yes, the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and efficient cooling system make it an excellent choice for mobile gaming, even demanding titles.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 come with a stylus?
Yes, the S Pen is included with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, offering a seamless experience for note-taking, drawing, and navigation.
