The Android tablet market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for your attention: the Xiaomi Pad 6 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8. Both offer impressive features and performance, but cater to slightly different needs and budgets. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 boasts a more premium feel, superior display, and slightly faster chipset. However, the Xiaomi Pad 6 offers incredible value with a competitive processor, excellent battery life, and a more affordable price point. For raw power and features, the S8 wins, but the Pad 6 is a fantastic budget-friendly option.
| 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 18 | 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 (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 13, MIUI Pad 14 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 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 |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | 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/6, 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 | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC4 | 45W wired, 100% in 80 min |
| Type | Li-Po 8840 mAh | Li-Po 8000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | 23043RP34C, 23043RP34G, 23043RP34I | SM-X700, SM-X706, SM-X706B, SM-X706U, SM-X706N |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.87 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Pad 6
- Excellent value for money
- Long battery life
- Capable performance
- Good display
- Less premium build quality
- Camera performance could be better
- Slower charging
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
- Premium design and build
- Stunning AMOLED display
- Powerful performance
- Versatile camera system
- Higher price
- Battery life slightly shorter than Pad 6
- Can get warm under heavy load
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 takes the display crown with its vibrant AMOLED panel, offering deeper blacks, richer colors, and a smoother 120Hz refresh rate. While the Xiaomi Pad 6's LCD display is respectable with a 1060:1 contrast ratio and 500 nits brightness, it lacks the visual pop and fluidity of the S8's AMOLED screen. The S8 also generally has better color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 generally has a better camera system, offering more versatile shooting options and improved image quality. While neither tablet is a photography powerhouse, the S8's cameras are noticeably better in various lighting conditions. The Xiaomi Pad 6's cameras are adequate for basic video calls and casual snapshots.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Galaxy Tab S8 holds a slight edge in raw processing power compared to the Snapdragon 870 in the Xiaomi Pad 6. While the 870 is still a very capable chip, the 8 Gen 1 offers a bit more headroom for demanding games and multitasking. Both tablets handle everyday tasks with ease, but the S8's GPU provides a smoother experience in graphically intensive applications.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 6 shines in battery life, consistently delivering around 9 hours 39 minutes of active use. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, while still offering good battery life, doesn't quite match the Pad 6's endurance. The S8's 45W charging is faster than the Pad 6's 33W, but the Pad 6's larger battery capacity means it will last longer overall.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Pad 6 is ideal for students, casual users, and those on a budget who want a capable tablet for media consumption, light gaming, and productivity. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is perfect for power users, creative professionals, and anyone who demands the best possible performance, display quality, and features in an Android tablet.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 generally offers a smoother gaming experience due to its more powerful GPU and higher refresh rate display.
❓ Is the Xiaomi Pad 6 worth buying if I'm on a budget?
Absolutely! The Xiaomi Pad 6 provides excellent value for money, offering a great balance of performance, features, and battery life at a more affordable price point.
