The choice between Samsung and Xiaomi tablets in 2026 has become more difficult than ever. Both brands offer devices on every budget, from affordable reading and surfing models to flagship gadgets for professional work. But which one is really better? The answer depends on your priorities: some people care about screen quality and stylus, and others — the ratio of price to performance.
In this article, we’ll make an honest comparison of 7 key criteria, from specs to the accessories ecosystem. S9 Bypasses Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro in multimedia, but loses in autonomy, and also reveal the secrets of how to save on purchase without losing quality. MIUI on Xiaomi tablets, which the manufacturer does not mention in advertising.
1.Performance: Who is faster in 2026?
On paper, the flagship models of both brands look equally powerful: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is equipped with a chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro – its modification of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. However, in real-world tests, the difference is noticeable.
According to AnTuTu Benchmark (January 2026), Galaxy Tab S9 It averages 1,350,000 points, while the Pad 6 Pro averages about 1,180,000, and a 15 percent difference becomes critical when working with heavy-duty applications like Adobe Photoshop or LumaFusion. Xiaomi optimized cooling better – their tablet is less than trottlite (reduces performance) at long loads.
- 🔥 Samsung: Best Single Threaded Performance (Geekbench 6: 2100 vs 1950 by Xiaomi)
- ⚡ Xiaomi: More stable under-load operation thanks to liquid cooling system
- 💰 Budget models: Xiaomi Pad 6 (Snapdragon 870) bypasses the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (Helio G99) by all means
⚠️ Note: In the tablets Xiaomi on MIUI Global does not support Google Widevine L1 It's for some models. It means Netflix, Disney.+ Other services will only show content in SD-quality (480p), though 2K-The only solution is to flash it to the Chinese version. MIUI.
2. Screen: AMOLED vs LCD — What's best for the eyes?
Samsung is the undisputed leader: all models of the Tab series S9 equipped with Dynamic AMOLED 2X-screen-support HDR10+ And refresh rate of 120 Hz. For comparison, even the flagship Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro uses IPS LCD more modestly:
| Parameter | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ | Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Type of matrix | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | IPS LCD |
| Permission | 2960×1848 (16:10) | 2880×1800 (16:10) |
| Brightness (max.) | 900 nits (HDR) | 550 nits |
| Stylus support | S Pen (complete) | Xiaomi Smart Pen 2 (bought separately) |
But Xiaomi has a trump card: their screens are covered with glass Gorilla Glass 5, while Samsung has a more fragile one. UTG-This means that the Pad 6 Pro is better at handling falls, but less color. Another critical point for artists and designers is that Samsung’s S Pen has 4,096 sensitivity levels against the Xiaomi Smart Pen 2’s 4,096, but with less latency (6ms vs 9ms).
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If you often work with text, turn on the screen settings “Paper Mode” on the Xiaomi Pad 6 – it simulates electronic ink and reduces eye strain by 30% according to research. TÜV Rheinland.
3.Software: Android with a twist
Both manufacturers use Android 13 (with the promise of upgrading to Android 14), but with radically different shells.Samsung offers One UI 5.1, optimized for large screens, with support:
- 🖥️ DeX Mode – a full desktop interface when connected to a monitor
- 📱 Second Screen – Using the tablet as a second screen for PC
- 🎮 Game Launcher with Optimization for Gamers
Xiaomi responds to the shell MIUI 14 for Pad, which has improved but still suffers from the:
- ❌ Lack of normal multitasking (split screen works sloppy)
- ❌ Delays in switching between applications
- ❌ Advertising in system applications (even in settings!) in the global version
The key difference is app support. Samsung is working with Google and Microsoft, so on Tab. S9 Out of the box, optimized versions of Office 365, Chrome and YouTube are running with a large screen interface. Xiaomi does not have such partnerships - many apps open in stretched phone mode.
How to turn on DeX mode on Samsung?
Battery and autonomy: who will live longer?
On paper, Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro will win with an 8600mAh battery against the 8400mAh Galaxy Tab S9+. But real tests show otherwise:
- 📺 Video viewing (YouTube, 50% brightness): Samsung – 14 hours, Xiaomi – 12 hours 30 minutes
- 🎮 Games (Genshin Impact, max settings): Samsung – 5 hours 10 minutes, Xiaomi – 6 hours 20 minutes
- 📖 Reading (Kindle, power saving mode): Samsung - 28 hours, Xiaomi - 22 hours
The secret to optimizing: Samsung is using more energy efficient 6-Nanometer processor, while Xiaomi — 4-It's a nanometer, it's warmer than that. 6 Pro has a quick charge. 67 Watt (0-100% post 67 minutes, whereas Tab S9+ charger only 45 Watt (0-100% post 100 minute).
⚠️ Note: In Xiaomi tablets with MIUI Global artificially limited maximum charging speed to 33 watts, even if the power supply supports 67 watts. To unlock full power, you need to switch to Chinese firmware or use workaround solutions (risky for warranty).
5. Ecosystem and accessories: which is more profitable?
Here, Samsung offers a closed but honed ecosystem:
- 🖋️ The S Pen comes bundled with flagship models (cost separately — ~10 000₽)
- 🔗 Samsung Knox for secure business data management
- 📦 Official Keyboard Cases (Book Cover Keyboard) ~15 000₽)
Xiaomi, on the other hand, is betting on openness and compatibility:
- 🎮 Controller support (including Xbox and PlayStation)
- 🔌 Universal connector USB-C DisplayPort and Thunderbolt 3 support only USB 3.2)
- 💡 Compatibility with a smart home (Mi Home, Home Assistant)
The main pitfall is the price of accessories. For example, Xiaomi Smart Pen 2 is worth it. ~6 000₽, But you have to buy it separately, even for flagship models, but the keyboard Xiaomi Pad 6 Keyboard will cost you a lot. ~8 000₽ against ~15 000₽ Samsung.
☑️ What to check before buying accessories
6. Price and value ratio: where is more profitable?
Let’s compare prices for flagship models (according to Yandex Market, March 2026):
| Model | Price (₽) | What's included | Best offer. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (128GB) | 79 990 | S Pen, 45W charge | 10% discount on the trade-in of the old tablet |
| Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro (128GB) | 54 990 | Charging. 67W (Stylus and keyboard optionally) | Free delivery + gift (case) |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ (256GB) | 104 990 | S Pen, 45W charge | Instalments 0-0-12 |
| Xiaomi Pad 6 (128GB) | 39 990 | Charging. 33W | 15% discount on promotional code |
At first glance, Xiaomi is cheaper, but there are nuances:
- Hidden expenses: Stylus (+6 000₽) keyboard (+8 000₽) The final price is comparable to Samsung.
- Updates: Samsung guarantees 4 Android updates, Xiaomi – only 2-3.
- Samsung has an official warranty of 24 months, Xiaomi in Russia – often only 12.
It is most profitable to buy tablets during sales:
- 🛒 Samsung: Best discounts on Black Friday (November) and before New Year.
- 🛒 Xiaomi: Maximum 11.11 and AliExpress downgrades (but be careful with certification).
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If the budget is limited to 40,000₽, Xiaomi Pad 6 (Snapdragon 870) is objectively better than the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (Helio G99) All things except the ecosystem, but if you need a stylus for painting, you better pay extra for Tab. S9 FE (65 000₽) full-fledged S Pen.
7. For what tasks is the tablet suitable?
The choice depends on your goals. Here are some clear recommendations:
| The challenge | Best choice. | Why? | The alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drawing/design | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ | AMOLED-screen with accurate color reproduction, S Pen without delay | Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro (if color reproduction is not critical) |
| Study/summaries | Xiaomi Pad 6 | Cheaper, lighter, and productive enough for OneNote | Samsung Tab S9 FE (If you need a S Pen) |
| Games | Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro | Better cooling, controller support | Samsung Tab S9 (If graphic detail is important) |
| Multimedia (movies, YouTube) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra | Best screen, speakers AKG, Support for Dolby Atmos | Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro (if not critical) HDR) |
| Documentation work | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 | DeX Mode, optimized Office, keyboard included | Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro (if you use an external keyboard) |
Children and the elderly are a special case, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab is better suited for them. A9 (25 000₽) s:
- 👶 Childhood with parental control
- 👵 Simplified interface of Easy Mode
- 🛡️ Strong hull (certificate) MIL-STD-810G)
For Xiaomi, there is no analogue – their budget tablets (Pad 5) have already been discontinued, and new models start from 40 000.₽.