The Android tablet market is heating up, and two heavyweights are battling for dominance: the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. Both offer premium features and impressive performance, but which one is the better choice for your needs? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro delivers exceptional value with its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip and blazing-fast charging. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra boasts a stunning display and S Pen integration, but comes at a higher price. For raw power and budget, the Xiaomi wins; for a complete premium experience, 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, April 30 |
| 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) | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm (12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 490 g (1.08 lb) | 726 g (Wi-Fi), 728 g (5G) (1.60 lb) |
| | Stylus support (magnetic) | Stylus, 2.8ms 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) | 1848 x 2960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 14.6 inches, 612.6 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 550 nits | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| 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, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB 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/2.2, 26mm (wide)
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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Wireless Samsung DeX |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 1 hour | 45W wired, 100% in 82 min |
| Type | Li-Po 8600 mAh | Li-Po 11200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold | Graphite |
| Models | 23046RP50C | SM-X900, SM-X906, SM-X906B, SM-X906U, SM-X906N |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 1150 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.69 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro
- Excellent performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
- Blazing-fast 67W charging
- High 144Hz refresh rate
- Competitive price
- LCD display (not as vibrant as AMOLED)
- Camera performance is average
- Software support may not be as long as Samsung's
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- Stunning 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display
- S Pen integration (included)
- Versatile camera system
- Premium design and build quality
- Long-term software support
- Higher price
- Slower 45W charging
- Performance slightly behind Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra features a massive 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and incredible detail. The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro has an 11-inch LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate, providing smooth visuals but lacking the AMOLED's contrast and color accuracy. Samsung wins here.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has a more versatile camera system with multiple lenses and better image processing. The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro's cameras are decent but not a standout feature. Samsung takes the win for camera quality.
Performance
The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 generally outperforms the Tab S8 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in benchmarks and real-world usage, thanks to its slightly higher clock speeds and improved efficiency. Both handle demanding tasks with ease, but the Xiaomi has a slight edge.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro's 67W charging is significantly faster than the Tab S8 Ultra's 45W charging. While both offer all-day battery life, the Xiaomi's faster charging provides a considerable convenience advantage.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro is ideal for users seeking a high-performance tablet at a competitive price, particularly gamers and those who prioritize fast charging. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is perfect for creative professionals, note-takers, and anyone who values a top-tier display, S Pen functionality, and a more polished software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro generally offers slightly better gaming performance due to its more powerful chipset and higher refresh rate display.
❓ Is the S Pen worth the extra cost on the Tab S8 Ultra?
If you're a note-taker, artist, or enjoy stylus-based input, the S Pen is a significant value add. Otherwise, it might not be necessary.