The sub-$300 5G tablet market is heating up, with the Xiaomi Poco Pad 5G and Realme Pad X vying for dominance. Both offer cellular connectivity in a typically Wi-Fi-only segment, but they take different approaches to performance and features. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which tablet delivers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco Pad 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its newer Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Realme Pad X’s Snapdragon 695, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While the Realme Pad X boasts a slightly brighter display, the Poco Pad 5G’s superior processing power offers a more well-rounded experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August 23 | 2022, May 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 27 | Available. Released 2022, June 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 280 x 181.9 x 7.5 mm (11.02 x 7.16 x 0.30 in) | 256.5 x 161.1 x 7.1 mm (10.10 x 6.34 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 568 g (1.25 lb) | 499 g / 506 g (1.10 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support (magnetic charging) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~213 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.95 inches, 341.3 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 450 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 14, HyperOS | Android, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 105˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only), compass | Accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3+ | 33W wired, PD
5W reverse wired |
| Type | 10000 mAh | 8340 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray, Blue | Glowing Gray, Glacier Blue, Green |
| Models | - | RMP2107, RMP2108 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1664:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-22.5 LUFS (Excellent)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 395824 (v9)
GeekBench: 2026 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Poco Pad 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset
- Potentially better battery life due to 4nm process
- Faster overall performance for demanding tasks
- Display specifications are less detailed
- Camera details are unknown
Realme Pad X
- Brighter display (496 nits)
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Slightly more detailed display specs
- Less powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Potentially lower sustained performance
- Less efficient 6nm process
Display Comparison
The Realme Pad X features a display capable of reaching 496 nits of peak brightness, offering excellent visibility outdoors. Both tablets share a similar 1664:1 contrast ratio, indicating comparable color depth and black levels. However, the Poco Pad 5G’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult. Given the Poco Pad’s focus on value, it likely utilizes an IPS LCD panel, potentially with slightly lower peak brightness than the Realme Pad X. The Realme Pad X’s measured brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is positioned as a photography powerhouse, and detailed camera specs are absent. Given the market segment, image quality will likely be adequate for casual use and video calls. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to declare a winner. However, the focus should be on video conferencing capabilities rather than photographic prowess for both devices.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco Pad 5G’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) is a significant step up from the Realme Pad X’s Snapdragon 695 (6nm). The 4nm process node of the 7s Gen 2 translates to improved power efficiency and thermal management, allowing for sustained performance under load. The Poco Pad 5G’s CPU configuration – 4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 – offers a more potent combination of performance and efficiency compared to the Realme Pad X’s 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience on the Poco Pad 5G.
Battery Life
Both tablets support 33W wired charging with PD3.0/QC3+ (Poco) and PD (Realme). The Realme Pad X adds 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for smaller devices. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either, the more efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the Poco Pad 5G should translate to longer battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity. The 33W charging speed should provide reasonably quick top-ups for both devices, achieving a full charge in approximately 90-120 minutes.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco Pad 5G if you prioritize performance for gaming, demanding apps, or future-proofing. Its more powerful chipset will handle heavier workloads with greater ease. Buy the Realme Pad X if display brightness is paramount and you primarily use your tablet for media consumption in well-lit environments, and your workload is light. The reverse wired charging is a niche benefit for those with compatible devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Realme Pad X struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 695 is a capable chipset, but it will likely require significant graphics settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates in demanding titles like Genshin Impact. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Poco Pad 5G’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 offers a much smoother experience for gaming.
❓ Does the Poco Pad 5G support stylus input or a keyboard cover?
While Xiaomi doesn't heavily market these accessories for the Poco Pad 5G, it is likely compatible with standard USB-C keyboards and mice. Stylus support is unconfirmed, and would likely require a third-party stylus. The Realme Pad X also lacks official stylus support, and accessory availability is limited.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity perform on both tablets in real-world scenarios?
Both tablets utilize the Snapdragon X51 5G modem, offering similar 5G capabilities. Real-world 5G performance will depend heavily on network coverage and signal strength. Expect download speeds ranging from 50Mbps to several hundred Mbps in areas with strong 5G coverage. Both tablets support sub-6GHz 5G bands.
