Which tablet is better: Samsung or Xiaomi? Full comparison on key parameters

The choice between Samsung and Xiaomi tablets in 2026 has become more difficult than ever: both brands offer premium-specification devices at competitive prices. The Korean giant traditionally relies on the ecosystem and quality screens, while the Chinese manufacturer surprises with price-performance ratio and innovative chips. But what really matters to your tasks?

This article will help you figure out which tablet is right for you, and we will analyze 7 key aspects – from performance to software – and also look at specific models in different price categories. For example, why the Samsung Tab S9 Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro may disappoint gamers, but it is not suitable for professional artists.

Spoiler: There's no universal answer, but after reading it, you'll know exactly what to look for when buying and what pitfalls the popular models are fraught with.

1. Screens: AMOLED against IPS — What's more important to your tasks?

The display is 90% of the tablet experience, where Samsung has traditionally led the way with Dynamic technology. AMOLED 2X, offer:

• 🌈 120 Hz adaptive frequency with support LTPO (energy-saving)
• 🎨 Color coating 100% DCI-P3 (design-intensive)
• 🔦 Brightness up to 900 nits (seen in the sun)
• ✍️ S Pen Support with 2.8 ms latency (for notes and drawing)

Xiaomi has in flagships (Pad) 6 Pro, Pad 7 Pros stand IPS-resolution-matrix 2880×1800 frequency 144 Hz. On paper, it sounds impressive, but in practice:

• 🖥️ Viewing angles are worse than those AMOLED (color "burn out" when looking sideways)
• 🔋 Higher power consumption at maximum brightness
• 🎮 144 Hz gives an advantage in games (if supported)

Critical moment: only Samsung tablets are certified for professional color reproduction (support) HDR10+ And Dolby Vision in the top models. If you're doing graphics or editing videos, that can be a deciding factor.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi tablets below Pad 6 Pro used to be used 90-hertz screen 2560×1600. If you take a cheaper model, be prepared for a noticeable difference in the quality of the picture compared to the flagships.

2 Performance: Snapdragon vs Dimensity in real-world tasks

On paper, both brands use top-end processors:

• 📱 Samsung: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (in Tab) S9) Exynos 1380 (in budget models)
• 📱 Xiaomi: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (Pad 6 Pro) or Dimensity 9000+ (Pad 7 Pro)

But benchmarks are deceptive.

• 🎮 For gamers, the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro is better – thanks to the cooling system with a fan, it keeps high performance longer in Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile.
• 🖥️ For office work and multitasking wins Samsung – One optimization UI For tablets, it is much better than MIUI for Pad
• 📸 When processing video in LumaFusion or Adobe Premiere Rush, there is almost no difference - both chipsets cope with the problem. 4K-rendering

The main pitfall is heat generation.

• Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro Heats Up to 47°C after 30 minutes of play (but not trottlit thanks to cooler)
• Samsung Tab S9 holding up at 42°C, but begins to limit performance under prolonged loads

Launch it. 3DMark Geekbench 6|

Try playing the hard game. 20-30 minute|

Open 10.+ chrome + YouTube in the background|

Check the body temperature after loading

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⚠️ Note: In budget models (Samsung Tab) A9, Xiaomi Pad 6 Lite is an entry-level processor (Helio) G99, Exynos 850 is only for reading, social media and simple games like Among Us.

3. Battery and charging: who will live longer?

Xiaomi has traditionally been able to get ahead of us here thanks to:

• 🔋 10,000mAh capacity in the Pad 7 Pro (vs. 8400mAh in the Tab) S9+)
• ⚡ Quick charge. 120W (full charge 35 minutes)
• 🔌 Support for wireless charging 30W (Samsung only has 15W)

But there are nuances:

• Samsung’s autonomy is often better at optimizing the One UI and AMOLED-screen
• In the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro with active use (video) + game) the battery is down for 6-7 hours, and in Tab S9+ — post 8-9
• Xiaomi fast charging strongly warms the tablet – not recommended for use during games

💡

If you plan to use the tablet for long trips, take with you a powerbank for 20,000 mAh - even flagships will not last more than a day with intensive use.

4. Software: One UI vs MIUI for Pad

It's one of the most controversial moments. one UI Samsung:

• ✅ Optimized for large screens (DeX mode for PC-like interface)
• ✅ 4 Years of Android Updates + 5 years of safety
• ✅ Best integration with other Samsung devices (phones, watches, TVs)
• ❌ Many duplicate services (Samsung Pay, Knox, Bixby)

MIUI For Pad by Xiaomi:

• ✅ A cleaner Android with a minimum amount of bloatware
• ✅ Flexible interface settings (you can disable almost all animations)
• ✅ Support for themes and widgets as on smartphones
• ❌ Only 2 major Android updates but 4 years of security)
• ❌ There is no full-fledged desktop mode (similar to DeX)

A critical moment for students and office workers: only Samsung offers full support for Microsoft Office with optimized versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint for tablets. Xiaomi will have to settle for mobile versions or a web interface.

5.Stylus and accessories: S Pen vs Xiaomi Smart Pen

If you need a tablet to draw or take notes, this section is critical.S Pen from Samsung:

• ✍️ Latency 2.8 ms (indistinguishable from paper)
• 🎨 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity
• 🔋 No charge required (in models up to Tab) S8)
• 🧲 Magnetic fastening and wireless charging from the tablet

Xiaomi Smart Pen (2nd generation):

• ✍️ Latency 7 ms (noticeable with fast writing)
• 🎨 4,096 levels of sensitivity
• 🔋 Charging from USB-C (hold on ~8 hours of active use)
• 💰 V 2-3 less expensive than the S Pen (about five times) 5000-6000 ruble.)

Important test: try to write the word "minimalism" quickly — the letters will be flat on the S Pen, and the Xiaomi Smart Pen can "tear" lines due to delay. For professional artists, this can be critical.

⚠️ Note: In budget tablets Xiaomi Pad 6 Lite and Samsung Tab A9 Styluses are supported only at the basic level - without sensitivity to tilt and with latency 20+ It's good for notes, it's not good for drawing.

Prices and packages: where is the real benefit?

Compare the flagship models (prices are valid for June 2026):

• 💰 Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (11", 128GB - 75,000 rubles.
• 💰 Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro (12.4), 256 GB – 55 000 rubles.

At first glance, Xiaomi is cheaper, but:

• Complete with Tab S9 S Pen (savings of 12 000 rubles.)
• Xiaomi has no official support in Russia – the guarantee is only through “gray” dealers
• Samsung is more likely to participate in trade-in promotions (you can take an old tablet at a discount)

Budget segment (up to 30 000 rubles):

• 📌 Xiaomi Pad 6 Lite (10.01, 128GB) – 22 000 rubles (best screen in the class)
• 📌 Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 64 GB) - 18 000 rubles (but a weak processor)

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If you take a tablet for a child, pay attention to the Xiaomi Pad 6 Lite - it has the best price/quality ratio in the budget segment, and the screen is better. 2K 90Hz makes it more pleasing to the eyes than Tab A9 s HD+ 60 Hz.

7. For what tasks is the tablet suitable?

Summarize recommendations on use cases:

• 🎨 For Artists and Designers: Samsung Tab S9+ (screen + S Pen)
• 🎮 For gamers: Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro (144 Hz) + cooler)
• 📚 For study: Samsung Tab S9 FE (DeX + office-applications)
• 👨‍👩‍👧 For family: Xiaomi Pad 6 (big screen) + low-cost stylus)
• 💼 To work: Samsung Tab S9 Ultra (14.6" + keyboard)
• 👶 For children: Xiaomi Pad 6 Lite (cheaper) + screen)

If you need a universal tablet for all occasions, look at the Samsung Tab S9 — If the priority is price and gaming, then the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro will give more for the same money.

Last tip: before buying, be sure to check the tablet for:

1. Google Play Services (some Xiaomi grays may have problems)
2. The operation of all sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer - important for games)
3. Lack of yellow pixels on the screen (a common problem) AMOLED)
4. Charging speed (plug into original RAM)

FAQ: Frequent questions when choosing a tablet