The tablet market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for your attention: the ZTE Axon Pad and the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro. Both offer premium features and performance, but which one is the better choice for your needs? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Axon Pad boasts a more powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, offering a noticeable performance edge. However, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro provides a more refined software experience and potentially better value. Ultimately, the Axon Pad wins on raw power, while the Pad 5 Pro excels in overall usability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 4, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 12 | 2021, August 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May | Available. Released 2021, August 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 279 x 181 x 6.5 mm (10.98 x 7.13 x 0.26 in) | 254.7 x 166.3 x 6.9 mm (10.03 x 6.55 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 605 g (1.33 lb) | 515 g (1.14 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 13, MyOS 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 5G model:
50 MP, 1/2.5", 0.7µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens
Wi-Fi model
13 MP, f/2.0, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (8 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only) | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4 |
| Type | Li-Po 10000 mAh | Li-Po 8600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold | Black, White |
| Models | - | M2105K81AC, M2105K81C |
| Price | About 460 EUR | About 330 EUR |
ZTE Axon Pad
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
- Faster Charging (80W)
- Potentially better cooling
- Software experience may be less polished
- Camera may be less impressive
- Potentially higher price
Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro
- Excellent Value
- Refined Software Experience (MIUI)
- Good Camera System
- Slightly larger battery capacity
- Less Powerful Processor (Snapdragon 870)
- Slower Charging (67W)
- May not handle demanding games as well
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature excellent displays. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro typically has an 11-inch 120Hz LCD, known for its vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Axon Pad is expected to have a similar display, potentially with slightly improved brightness. Resolution is likely to be comparable (around 2560x1600).
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is often secondary on tablets. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro generally has a better camera setup, often including a higher resolution main sensor and potentially improved image processing. The Axon Pad's camera is likely adequate but not a standout feature. Expect both to offer decent video recording capabilities.
Performance
Here's where the Axon Pad truly shines. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is significantly faster than the Snapdragon 870. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Axon Pad. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro is still capable, but it won't match the raw power of the Axon Pad.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro has a slightly larger battery capacity (around 8720mAh) and benefits from 67W fast charging. The Axon Pad has a large battery as well (around 8840mAh) and 80W charging. While the Axon Pad's charging is faster, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro's battery life is likely comparable due to its slightly larger capacity and efficient processor.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Axon Pad is ideal for power users, gamers, and those who demand the absolute best performance from their tablet. The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro is a great choice for everyday users, students, and those seeking a well-rounded tablet experience with a focus on value.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The ZTE Axon Pad is the clear winner for gaming due to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset.
❓ Is the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro worth buying in 2024?
Yes, the Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro remains a compelling option in 2024, offering excellent value and a well-rounded experience, especially for everyday use and media consumption.
