The mid-range tablet market is heating up, with the Xiaomi Poco Pad 5G and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE vying for dominance. The Poco Pad 5G aims to deliver 5G connectivity and solid performance at an aggressive price point, while the Tab S9 FE leverages Samsung’s established ecosystem and offers a more refined experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right tablet.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing value and consistent performance, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE emerges as the better choice. Its Exynos 1380 chipset, built on a more efficient 5nm process, provides a slight edge in sustained performance and potentially better thermal management, coupled with Samsung’s software optimizations.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August 23 | 2023, October 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 27 | Available. Released 2023, October 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 280 x 181.9 x 7.5 mm (11.02 x 7.16 x 0.30 in) | 254.3 x 165.8 x 6.5 mm (10.01 x 6.53 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 568 g (1.25 lb) | 523 g or 524 g (1.15 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) | 1440 x 2304 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.9 inches, 344.5 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | Android 14, HyperOS | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 12 MP, (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only), compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3+ | 45W wired, QC2.0 |
| Type | 10000 mAh | Li-Po 8000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray, Blue | Mint, Silver, Gray, Lavender |
| Models | - | SM-X510, SM-X516B |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Poco Pad 5G
- More affordable price point
- 5G connectivity for on-the-go access
- Supports PD3.0 and QC3+ fast charging
- Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is less efficient than Exynos 1380
- Likely less refined software experience
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
- More efficient Exynos 1380 chipset
- Faster 45W charging
- Samsung’s optimized One UI software
- Higher price tag
- QC2.0 charging standard is older
Display Comparison
While specific display specs are missing, both tablets likely feature LCD panels given their price segments. However, the core difference lies in the chipsets powering them. The Exynos 1380 in the Tab S9 FE, built on 5nm, suggests a potential for more efficient power delivery to the display, potentially resulting in slightly better battery life during video playback. Bezels are likely comparable, typical of this price range. Color accuracy will likely be good on both, but Samsung typically calibrates its displays for more vibrant colors.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a primary focus for either tablet. Given the context data, we can assume both will feature basic camera setups. The absence of detailed sensor information suggests neither will excel in photography. Any differences will likely stem from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, which generally prioritize vibrant colors and detail enhancement. The Poco Pad 5G’s camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots and video calls, but shouldn’t be considered a key selling point.
Performance
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) in the Poco Pad 5G and the Exynos 1380 (5nm) in the Tab S9 FE represent a key battleground. While both CPUs feature the same Cortex-A78 core configuration (4x2.4 GHz), the Exynos benefits from the more advanced 5nm fabrication process. This translates to improved thermal efficiency and potentially sustained performance under load. The 4nm Snapdragon is still efficient, but the 5nm Exynos has a slight advantage. The Tab S9 FE’s potential for faster RAM (likely LPDDR5x) further contributes to smoother multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but the 33W charging on the Poco Pad 5G and 45W on the Tab S9 FE are significant differentiators. The Tab S9 FE’s faster charging will result in quicker top-ups, reducing downtime. While the Poco Pad 5G supports PD3.0 and QC3+, the Tab S9 FE’s QC2.0 is less modern. However, the 5nm Exynos 1380’s efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery capacity in the Tab S9 FE, leading to comparable real-world battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco Pad 5G if you need a highly affordable 5G-enabled tablet for basic tasks like streaming, browsing, and light productivity. It’s ideal for users on a tight budget who want the convenience of cellular connectivity. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE if you prefer a more polished software experience, slightly better performance for demanding apps, and integration with the Samsung ecosystem, even if it comes at a higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1380 in the Tab S9 FE tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1380, built on a 5nm process, is generally efficient and well-managed by Samsung’s thermal design. While some heat generation is inevitable during intensive gaming, it’s unlikely to experience significant throttling or overheating issues, offering a more consistent gaming experience than the Poco Pad 5G.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Poco Pad 5G truly useful, or is it just a marketing gimmick?
The 5G connectivity on the Poco Pad 5G is genuinely useful for users who frequently travel or lack access to reliable Wi-Fi. It allows for seamless streaming, browsing, and video calls on the go, eliminating the need for public Wi-Fi networks. However, 5G availability and data costs should be considered.
❓ How does Samsung’s One UI software compare to Xiaomi’s MIUI on the Poco Pad 5G in terms of bloatware and updates?
Samsung’s One UI is generally considered cleaner and more refined than Xiaomi’s MIUI, with less pre-installed bloatware. Samsung also has a better track record of providing timely software updates and security patches, ensuring a longer lifespan and improved security for the Tab S9 FE.
