Xiaomi Pad 6 vs Apple iPad 10.2 (2021): The Ultimate Tablet Battle

The tablet market is heating up! The Xiaomi Pad 6 offers impressive specs at a competitive price, while the Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) remains a popular choice for its ecosystem and ease of use. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which tablet comes out on top.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Pad 6 delivers exceptional value with its Snapdragon 870 processor and vibrant display, often outperforming the iPad 10.2 in raw power. However, the iPad's iOS ecosystem and seamless integration with other Apple devices give it a distinct advantage for many users.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Pad 6 Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)
Network
2G bandsN/AGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsN/AHSDPA 800 / 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, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - A2603
EDGEN/A-
GPRSN/A-
Speed-HSPA, LTE - cellular model only
TechnologyNo cellular connectivityGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - A2604
Launch
Announced2023, April 182021, September 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, April 18Available. Released 2021, September 24
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)250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm (9.87 x 6.85 x 0.30 in)
SIMNoNano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only)
Weight490 g (1.08 lb)487 g (Wi-Fi) / 498 g (LTE) (1.07 lb)
 Stylus support (magnetic)Stylus support (1st gen only)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution1800 x 2880 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~309 ppi density)1620 x 2160 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density)
Size11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)10.2 inches, 322.2 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 550 nitsRetina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 650Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OSAndroid 13, MIUI Pad 14iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF8 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard), 1.12µm, AF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@25/30fps, 720p@120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, 1/4.0", 1.12µm12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)Yes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningUnspecifiedGPS, GLONASS - cellular model only
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, accessory connectorLightning, USB 2.0; magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only)Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD3.0, QC4-
TypeLi-Po 8840 mAhLi-Ion 8557 mAh (32.4 Wh)
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, GoldSilver, Space Gray
Models23043RP34C, 23043RP34G, 23043RP34IA2603, A2604, iPad12,1, iPad12,2
PriceAbout 400 EURAbout 430 EUR
Tests
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1123:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -29.4 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 617292(v9) GeekBench: 3124 (v5.1) GFXBench: 44fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Pad 6

  • Powerful Snapdragon 870 processor
  • Excellent value for money
  • Vibrant display
  • Long battery life
  • Fast charging (33W)

  • Android ecosystem may not appeal to all
  • Build quality slightly less premium than iPad
  • Camera performance is average

Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)

  • Seamless iOS ecosystem integration
  • Wide app availability
  • User-friendly interface
  • Good camera performance
  • Strong resale value

  • Higher price point
  • Less powerful processor than Xiaomi Pad 6
  • Slower charging speed
  • Limited customization options

Display Comparison

Both tablets offer excellent displays, but the Xiaomi Pad 6 boasts a slightly higher contrast ratio (1060:1 vs 1123:1 nominal) and a measured brightness of 500 nits, while the iPad 10.2 hits 513 nits. Color accuracy is generally good on both, though Apple's displays often have a slight edge in calibration. The iPad's laminated display also provides a more premium feel.

Camera Comparison

Camera quality is a secondary consideration for most tablet users. Both devices offer basic photo and video capabilities. The iPad generally has a slight edge in image processing and video stabilization, but neither tablet excels in this area. Expect decent results for casual snapshots.

Performance

The Xiaomi Pad 6's Snapdragon 870 is a significant performer, offering noticeably faster processing speeds than the iPad 10.2's A13 Bionic, especially in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. While the A13 is still capable, the 870 provides a smoother, more responsive experience overall. The iPad benefits from iOS optimization, however.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Pad 6 demonstrates impressive battery life, achieving 9 hours 39 minutes of active use. The iPad 10.2's battery life is generally good, but typically falls slightly short of the Xiaomi Pad 6 in real-world usage, though this can vary greatly depending on usage patterns.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Pad 6 is ideal for users seeking a powerful Android tablet for gaming, productivity, and media consumption on a budget. The Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) is best suited for those already invested in the Apple ecosystem, prioritizing ease of use, app availability, and seamless integration with other Apple devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Pad 6's Snapdragon 870 offers significantly better gaming performance than the iPad 10.2's A13 Bionic.
❓ Is the iPad 10.2 worth the extra cost?
If you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem and value ease of use and app availability, the iPad 10.2 is a worthwhile investment. However, if you're on a budget and prioritize performance, the Xiaomi Pad 6 offers exceptional value.