Choosing between Xiaomi and Samsung is not just a brand issue, it’s a struggle between two philosophies: affordable power vs. the premium ecosystem. In 2026, both manufacturers offer devices that cover every price niche, from budget reading and video models to flagships for work and creativity. But which one is right for you?
Many users mistakenly believe that Samsung is automatically better because of its “premium brand” status, and Xiaomi is a “cheap alternative.” In fact, it’s getting harder: Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro beats the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE in performance, and the Galaxy Tab A9+ is cheaper than the Redmi Pad SE>, but loses in autonomy. In this article, we’ll discuss 7 key criteria (from screen to software) so you can make an informed decision without marketing traps.
Spoiler: If you want a tablet to draw or multitask, the answer is not obvious, and if you want to spend a long time on the battery, the leader will not be the one you expect.
1.Performance: Snapdragon vs Exynos/Dimensity
The main myth is that all Samsung tablets are slow except flagships. In fact, the Galaxy Tab S9 on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is even ahead of the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro (the same chip, but with less cooling), but in the middle segment the picture is different.
An important nuance: Samsung uses its own Exynos chips in some models (for example, Tab S9 FE), which are warmed stronger than Snapdragon. Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro on SD 8+ Gen 1 shows a stable 120 FPS in Genshin Impact, while the Tab S9 FE on Exynos 1380 “sinks” to 90 FPS after 20 minutes of play. If you need a tablet for gaming – look at Xiaomi or Samsung flagships on Snapdragon.
But it's not so clear: One UI Samsung is better optimized for S Pen and multitasking (e.g. splitting the screen into 3 windows). MIUI Xiaomi is still lagging behind in this regard.
Screen: AMOLED vs IPS – What is more important to your tasks?
Here Samsung traditionally leads: all models of the Tab S series are equipped with Super AMOLED-display-in-display HDR10+ Upgrades up to 120 Hz. Xiaomi only has flagships (Pad) 6S Pro received AMOLED, others — IPS-matrix.
| Model | Screen type | Permission | Frequency (Hz) | Brightness (thread) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 2960×1848 | 120 | 600 (peak 900) |
| Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro | AMOLED | 2880×1800 | 144 | 500 (peak 800) |
| Galaxy Tab S9 FE | LCD (IPS) | 2304×1440 | 90 | 400 |
| Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro | IPS | 2880×1800 | 144 | 550 |
Key findings:
- 🎨 For artists: AMOLED tab S9 Ultra or Pad 6S Pro gives more accurate color reproduction (100% DCI-P3 against 95% IPS).
- 📺 For the video: OLED-Samsung screens better transmit black, but Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro wins due to 144 Hz and smoother scrolling.
- ☀️ For the street: The maximum brightness of the Tab S9 Ultra (900 nits) vs 800 nits in Pad 6S Pro – the difference is noticeable only under the direct sun.
⚠️ Note: If you choose a tablet for reading books, pay attention to the Xiaomi Pad 6 S IPS-screen - it flickers less at low brightness than AMOLED tab S9 FE, What is important for the eyes for long use.
Battery and autonomy: who will last longer?
According to paper characteristics, Xiaomi always wins: the Pad 6 Pro has an 8600 mAh battery, and the Galaxy Tab S9+ – only 10090 mAh.
- 🔋 Flagships: Tab S9 Ultra (11200 mAh holds 12-14 hours at mixed load, and Pad 6S Pro — 10-12 hours.
- ⚡ Budget: Redmi Pad SE (8000mAh bypasses Galaxy Tab A9 (5100 mAh) almost 2 times!
- 🔌 Fast charging: Xiaomi offers a fast charging 67W (Full charge in 1 hour, and Samsung — 45W (1.5 hours).
In real-life tests (youtube videos + instant messengers), the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro discharges 15% in 2 hours, and the Galaxy Tab S9+ discharges 20%. The difference is uncritical, but noticeable. However, Samsung has the advantage of supporting reverse wireless charging (you can charge a smartphone from a tablet).
Study YouTube tests with real-time | Compare battery capacity (mAh) and screen type | Check support for fast charging | Pay attention to firmware optimization-->
4.Stylus and accessories: S Pen vs Xiaomi Smart Pen
If you need a tablet to draw or take notes, this section is the most important. Samsung has historically led the way here thanks to the S Pen with Wacom technology, but Xiaomi is actively catching up:
| Characteristics | Samsung S Pen (Pro) | Xiaomi Smart Pen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure levels | 4096 | 4096 |
| Delay (MS) | 2.8 | 5.5 |
| Magnetic anchorage | Yes (charges) | Yes (storage only) |
| Additional buttons | 2 programmable | 1 button |
| Price (rupe) | 8 000–12 000 | 4 500–6 000 |
The main differences are:
- ✍️ Accuracy: S Pen is better suited for professional design (less latency, tilt support).
- 🎨 Features: Samsung has Air Actions, and Xiaomi has only basic features.
- 💰 Price: Xiaomi Smart Pen 2 is 2 times cheaper, but requires a separate purchase (included only in the Pad) 6S Pro).
⚠️ Note: If you are buying a Galaxy Tab S9 FE tab A9+, Make sure the model supports the S Pen – not all budget Samsung tablets are stylus compatible!
How to check the compatibility of the stylus with the tablet?
5.Software: MIUI vs One UI
Here, Samsung is the undisputed leader - One UI is better adapted for tablets than MIUI.
- 🖥️ Multitasking: Samsung can open up to 3 apps at a time (including floating windows), while Xiaomi can only open 2 apps at a time.
- 📱 Ecosystem: Galaxy Tab seamlessly syncs with Samsung smartphones (like Quick Share for instant file transfer). Xiaomi has a similar feature (Mi Share) works worse.
- 🔄 Updates: Samsung guarantees 4 Android Update Year, Xiaomi — 2-3 year (depending on model).
However, MIUI has its advantages:
- 🎮 Game Mode: Xiaomi has better optimized performance in games (you can manually allocate resources for a specific application).
- 🔧 Flexibility: More customization settings (themes, animations, gestures).
If you want to work with Microsoft Office or Samsung DeX, choose the Galaxy Tab.
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Before buying, check whether the tablet supports DeX (only Samsung) or Desktop Mode (on Xiaomi), which will turn your tablet into a near-full computer when you connect your keyboard and mouse.
Price and price-quality ratio
The most obvious criterion, but with a catch: Yes, Xiaomi is cheaper, but not always more profitable.
| Model | Price (rupe) | What's included | Best offer. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra | 120 000–140 000 | S Pen, 45W charge | For professionals |
| Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro | 65 000–75 000 | Stylus, 67W charging | Best flagship for the price |
| Galaxy Tab S9 FE | 50 000–60 000 | 25W Charge (S Pen purchased separately) | Balanced choice |
| Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro | 45 000–55 000 | Charging 67W (steel separately) | Best screen in the segment |
| Redmi Pad SE | 18 000–22 000 | Charging 10W | Budgetary option |
Where Xiaomi wins:
- 💎 Flagships: Pad 6S Pro cheaper than Tab S9+ on 30-40%, It only loses in the ecosystem.
- 📦 Package: In a box with Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro already has a stylus and fast charging, and Samsung will have to pay extra for it.
Where Samsung justifies the price:
- 🖊️ S Pen: If you need a stylus to work, it's cheaper to buy a Tab S9 FE + S Pen than Pad 6 Pro + Xiaomi Smart Pen (difference) ~2000 rubles.).
- 🔄 Durability: 4 years of updates vs 2 Xiaomi – this is +2 years of device relevance.
💡
If you have a budget of 30,000 rubles, choose between Redmi Pad SE (for video/reading) and Galaxy Tab A9+ (for notes), both of which lose in performance but cope with basic tasks.
7. Which tablet is for: final recommendations
To avoid confusion, here is a checklist for the main use cases:
🎮 For gaming: Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro or Galaxy Tab S9+|✍️ For drawing: Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (S Pen) or Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro (Smart Pen 2)|📚 For study: Galaxy Tab S9 FE (Samsung Notes ecosystem or Xiaomi Pad 6 (autonomous)|📺 For video and reading: Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro (144 Hz) or Galaxy Tab A9+ (AMOLED)|💼 To work: Galaxy Tab S9+ (DeX and multitasking)-->
If you are still in doubt, answer 3 questions:
- Do you need a stylus for drawing/notes?
- Are you willing to overpay for Samsung’s ecosystem (phone sync, DeX)?
- Do you want maximum autonomy or productivity?
If you answered yes to one question, lean to Samsung. If price, 144Hz screen, or gaming capabilities matter, go with Xiaomi.
⚠️ Note: Before buying, check for a global version (especially Xiaomi). models for China may not support Google Services or have problems with the company. 4G Russia!