The tablet market has a new contender in the Poco Pad, aiming to disrupt the established mid-range segment dominated by Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024). Both tablets target users seeking a portable entertainment and productivity device, but they take different approaches to achieving that goal. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications to determine which tablet offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and battery life, the Xiaomi Poco Pad emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset and impressive 9:15 hour active use battery score provide a noticeable advantage over the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024)'s Exynos 1280, despite the Samsung's more established brand reputation.
| 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, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | N/A | - |
| GPRS | N/A | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, May 23 | 2024, March 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May 23 | Available. Released 2024, March 28 |
| 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) | 244.5 x 154.3 x 7 mm (9.63 x 6.07 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 571 g (1.26 lb) | 465/467 g (1.03 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (HBM) | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 14, HyperOS | Android 14, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only), compass | Accelerometer, proximity, gyro (wi-fi model only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3+ | 15W wired |
| Type | 10000 mAh | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray, Blue | Gray, Mint, Rose Gold |
| Models | 2405CPCFBG | SM-P620, SM-P625 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | $ 215.00 |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (body) | 0.95 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.99 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Poco Pad
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
- Longer battery life (9:15h active use)
- Faster 33W charging with PD3.0/QC3+
- Software experience may not be as polished as Samsung's
- Brand recognition is lower than Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024)
- Refined Samsung One UI software experience
- Lighter and more portable design
- Strong integration with Samsung ecosystem
- Less powerful Exynos 1280 chipset
- Slower 15W charging
- Likely shorter battery life
Display Comparison
The Poco Pad boasts a display capable of reaching 564 nits of peak brightness, significantly outshining the likely lower brightness of the Tab S6 Lite (2024) – Samsung doesn’t publish this spec. This makes the Poco Pad more usable outdoors or in brightly lit environments. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Poco Pad’s 1356:1 contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and a more vibrant image. The Tab S6 Lite (2024) benefits from Samsung’s display expertise, potentially offering more accurate color calibration, but the Poco Pad’s brightness advantage is a key differentiator.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is a photography powerhouse, but the Poco Pad likely has an advantage due to its potential for a larger main sensor (spec not provided). The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) is known to have a basic camera setup, and the Poco Pad’s focus on overall value suggests a similar, or potentially improved, camera experience. Given the primary use case of these tablets, camera quality is a lower priority, but the Poco Pad’s potential for better image quality is worth noting.
Performance
The core of the performance difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco Pad’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) is built on a more efficient node than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024)’s Exynos 1280 (5nm). While both are octa-core CPUs with a similar Cortex-A78 prime core configuration (2 vs 4 cores on the Poco), the Snapdragon’s architecture and node advantage translate to better sustained performance and thermal management. The Poco Pad’s GPU is also likely more powerful, offering a smoother gaming experience. The Exynos 1280 is a capable chip, but the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 provides a clear edge in demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Poco Pad’s 9:15 hour active use battery score is a significant win. While the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024)’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Poco Pad’s combination of a more efficient chipset (Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, 4nm) and faster 33W charging (with PD3.0 and QC3+ support) provides a substantial advantage. The Tab S6 Lite (2024) is limited to 15W charging, meaning significantly longer recharge times. This difference is crucial for users who rely on their tablets throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco Pad if you need a tablet for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and value long battery life for extended use. It’s ideal for users who prioritize performance-per-dollar. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) if you prefer a more refined software experience, a lighter design, and integration within the Samsung ecosystem, even if it means sacrificing some raw power and battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280 is a capable chip, but it's known to throttle under sustained load. While it won't necessarily overheat to the point of being unusable, you may experience frame drops and reduced performance during extended gaming sessions. The Poco Pad’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, with its more efficient 4nm process, is better equipped to handle prolonged gaming without significant throttling.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Poco Pad compared to the 15W charging on the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024)?
The difference is substantial. 33W charging will significantly reduce the time it takes to fully recharge the Poco Pad. While exact 0-100% times aren't available, expect the Poco Pad to charge at least twice as fast as the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024). This is a major convenience factor for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the Poco Pad powerful enough for multitasking and running demanding apps?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is a very capable mid-range chipset. It offers excellent performance for multitasking, running productivity apps, and even light video editing. It’s a significant step up from the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) and provides a smooth and responsive user experience.
