Xiaomi Pad 6 vs iPad Air (2022): The Ultimate Tablet Battle
| Phones Images | |||||
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad Air (2022) wins on raw power and ecosystem integration thanks to the M1 chip. However, the Xiaomi Pad 6 delivers exceptional value with a vibrant display, solid performance, and a lower price point, making it a compelling alternative for budget-conscious users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Pad 6 | Apple iPad Air (2022) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 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 |
| EDGE | N/A | - |
| GPRS | N/A | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 18 | 2022, March 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 18 | Available. Released 2022, March 18 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 254 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) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 490 g (1.08 lb) | 461 g (Wi-Fi) / 462 g (5G) (1.02 lb) |
| Stylus support (magnetic) | Stylus support (2nd gen) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1800 x 2880 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~309 ppi density) | 1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 550 nits | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Apple M1 |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 13, MIUI Pad 14 | iPadOS 15.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | GPS, GLONASS (5G model only) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, accessory connector | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only) | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC4 | - |
| Type | Li-Po 8840 mAh | Li-Ion 7600 mAh (28.6 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold | Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue |
| Models | 23043RP34C, 23043RP34G, 23043RP34I | A2588, A2589, A2591, iPad13,16, iPad13,17 |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 550 EUR |
Xiaomi Pad 6
- Excellent Value
- Vibrant Display
- Solid Performance
- Long Battery Life
- Performance not as powerful as iPad Air
- Camera quality not top-tier
- Android ecosystem limitations
Apple iPad Air (2022)
- Blazing Fast Performance (M1 Chip)
- Seamless Ecosystem Integration
- Excellent Camera System
- Premium Build Quality
- Higher Price
- Less Customizable than Android
- Potential for iOS limitations
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Pad 6 boasts a vibrant display with a 1060:1 contrast ratio and 500 nits brightness, offering excellent viewing angles and color accuracy. The iPad Air (2022) features a Liquid Retina display known for its color accuracy and sharpness, though brightness is comparable. Both offer excellent visual experiences, but the Xiaomi Pad 6's contrast might give it a slight edge in some scenarios.
Camera Comparison
The iPad Air (2022) generally has a better camera system, offering improved image quality and video recording capabilities. While the Xiaomi Pad 6's cameras are adequate for basic use, the iPad Air's cameras are more versatile and produce more detailed results. Specific megapixel counts are not provided for the Xiaomi Pad 6, but the iPad Air's front camera is particularly strong for video calls.
Performance
Here's where the iPad Air (2022) truly shines. The Apple M1 chip provides significantly faster performance than the Snapdragon 870 in the Xiaomi Pad 6. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and superior performance in demanding games and creative applications. The Snapdragon 870 is still capable, but it's not in the same league as the M1.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 6 demonstrates a strong battery life with an active use score of 9:39h. The iPad Air (2022) also offers excellent battery life, typically lasting around 10 hours of mixed usage. While the Xiaomi Pad 6's score is impressive, the iPad Air's efficiency with the M1 chip keeps it competitive.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Pad 6 is ideal for students, casual users, and those seeking a large-screen device for media consumption and light productivity without breaking the bank. The iPad Air (2022) is best suited for creative professionals, power users, and those deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem who demand top-tier performance and seamless integration.