The tablet market is heating up, with Xiaomi’s new Pad 8 Pro challenging established players like Huawei. While the MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) offered a premium experience upon release, the Pad 8 Pro arrives with a significantly newer chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, built on a 3nm process, delivers a substantial performance leap over the Kirin 9000E/9000 in the MatePad Pro 12.6, alongside significantly faster 67W charging. While the MatePad Pro boasts a larger screen, the performance and efficiency gains of the Xiaomi tablet are more impactful for the average user.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79, 80, 84 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 | 2025, September 25 | 2021, June 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 25 | Available. Released 2021, June 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 251.2 x 173.4 x 5.8 mm (9.89 x 6.83 x 0.23 in) | 286.5 x 184.7 x 6.7 mm (11.28 x 7.27 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 485 g or 494 g (1.07 lb) | 609 g (1.34 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 2136 x 3200 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~344 ppi density) | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.2 inches, 373.7 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.6 inches, 460.3 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 68B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HDR Vivid, 800 nits (peak) | OLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) | Octa-core (1x3.13 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.54 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.05 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) | Kirin 9000E 5G (5 nm) - Wi-Fi modelKirin 9000 5G (5 nm) - 5G model |
| GPU | Adreno 830 | Mali-G78 MP22 - Wi-Fi modelMali-G78 MP24 - 5G model |
| OS | Android 16, HyperOS 3 | HarmonyOS 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | Nano Memory (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide)
TOF 3D |
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 0.61µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, LHDC 5 | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, accessory connector | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3+
22.5W reverse wired | 40W wired
27W wireless
10W wireless reversed
5W reverse wired |
| Type | 9200 mAh | Li-Po 10,050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, Green | Matte Gray, Green, Silver |
| Models | - | WGR-W09, WGR-W19, WGR-AN19 |
| Price | About 340 EUR | About 800 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-23.1 LUFS (Very good)
|
Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Elite processor
- 67W fast charging for quick top-ups
- Potentially better thermal management due to 3nm process
- Display size and specifications are currently unknown
- Camera details are currently unavailable
Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021)
- Larger 12.6-inch display for immersive viewing
- Wireless charging support
- Established Huawei ecosystem integration
- Older Kirin 9000E/9000 chipset is outperformed by Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Slower 40W wired charging
Display Comparison
The Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) features a larger 12.6-inch display, offering more screen real estate for multitasking and media consumption. However, its measured peak brightness of 382 nits is noticeably lower than what we expect from modern tablets, potentially impacting outdoor visibility. The Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro’s display size is not specified, but the focus is on the underlying processing power. While the MatePad Pro boasts an 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), this is a common marketing claim and doesn’t necessarily translate to a superior viewing experience without detailed testing. The absence of refresh rate information for the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro is a key omission, but the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s ISP is capable of supporting high refresh rate panels.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is positioned as a photography powerhouse. Detailed camera specifications for the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro are unavailable, making a direct comparison difficult. The Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) likely features a competent camera system, but details are scarce. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess image quality beyond general expectations for a tablet in this class. We can assume both tablets will perform adequately in well-lit conditions, but low-light performance is likely to be limited.
Performance
This is where the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro truly shines. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, fabricated on a cutting-edge 3nm process, represents a generational leap over the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6’s Kirin 9000E/9000 (5nm). The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s octa-core CPU, featuring Oryon V2 Phoenix cores clocked up to 4.32 GHz, will significantly outperform the Kirin’s Cortex-A77 based architecture. The 3nm node provides superior thermal efficiency, meaning the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro is likely to sustain peak performance for longer periods without throttling. The Kirin 9000E/9000, while capable, is simply outmatched in both raw power and efficiency.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro’s 67W wired charging is a significant advantage, allowing for much faster top-ups compared to the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6’s 40W wired charging. The Xiaomi also supports 22.5W reverse wired charging, a useful feature for topping up other devices. The Huawei MatePad Pro offers 27W wireless charging and 10W/5W reverse wireless charging. While the Huawei offers wireless charging, the Xiaomi’s faster wired charging is more practical for most users. Battery capacity for both devices is not specified, but the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s efficiency should translate to comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro if you prioritize raw performance for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and value faster charging speeds for minimal downtime. Buy the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) if a larger 12.6-inch display is paramount, and you are already invested in the Huawei ecosystem, potentially benefiting from seamless integration with other Huawei devices. However, be aware of the performance limitations compared to the newer Xiaomi offering.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 9000E/9000 in the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 (2021) struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Kirin 9000E/9000, while a capable chip in its time, will likely exhibit noticeable performance throttling and lower frame rates in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro. The 5nm process and older CPU architecture simply can't compete with the 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro support stylus input and keyboard accessories?
While not explicitly stated in the provided specifications, Xiaomi typically offers stylus and keyboard accessories for its Pad series. Given the Pad 8 Pro’s focus on performance, it’s highly probable that these accessories will be available, enhancing its productivity capabilities. However, compatibility with third-party accessories remains unknown.
❓ How does the reverse charging feature on each tablet compare in practical use?
The Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro’s 22.5W reverse wired charging is significantly faster than the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6’s 5W reverse wired charging. This means the Xiaomi can more effectively charge a smartphone or other small device in a pinch, while the Huawei’s reverse charging is more of a convenience feature than a practical solution.
