Xiaomi Pad 5 or Huawei MatePad 11: a detailed comparison of the two flagship tablets 2021-2022

Choosing between the Xiaomi Pad 5 and the Huawei MatePad 11 is a dilemma faced by thousands of users looking for a powerful mid-range tablet. Both models released several months apart (August 2021 vs June 2021) are still relevant due to balanced specs and competitive price. But which one is best for you? The answer depends on priorities: whether you need maximum performance for games, long autonomy for reading, or a screen with a high refresh rate for watching videos.

In this comparison, we'll look at 10 key aspects, from technical specifications to real-world user experience, including software nuances (MIUI vs HarmonyOS), ecosystem features, and even trivia like speaker quality or stylus holder convenience, and to make your decision easier, at the end of this article you'll find an interactive survey and a selection checklist.

1. Display: 120Hz vs OLED - what is more important for your tasks?

The screen is the first thing that people pay attention to when they buy a tablet, and here we have two fundamentally different approaches: Xiaomi Pad. 5 offer IPS-resolution-matrix 2560×1600 and frequency of renewal 120 Hz, and Huawei MatePad 11 — OLED-resolution 2560×1600, standard 60 Hz (some regions have a version of the C) 90 Hz, but officially in Russia it is not for sale).

In practice, this means:

• 🎮 For gamers and fans of smooth animation is definitely better Xiaomi Pad 5. FPS In games (up to 120 frames in supported projects) and smooth scrolling in the interface make it ideal for dynamic content.
• 🎬 For the cinema and HDR-Huawei MatePad 11 is preferred over Huawei MatePad 11 due to its deep black color, high contrast and support. DCI-P3. OLED-The screen also makes your eyes less tired when reading long hours.
• ☀️ Brightness and anti-reflective coating: Xiaomi has a maximum brightness of 500 nits, and Huawei has 450 nits. Both tablets are equipped with an oleophobic coating, but the MatePad 11 has a more scratch-resistant coating.

⚠️ Note: If you are planning to use a tablet for drawing, note that the Xiaomi Pad 5 has a more noticeable “ghosting” effect when the stylus moves quickly due to the features of the device. IPS-The Huawei MatePad 11 doesn't have that problem.

2.Performance: Snapdragon 860 vs Kirin 9000E - who's faster in 2026?

On paper, the Huawei MatePad 11 looks like the winner: its Kirin 9000E (5 nm) chipset vs. the Xiaomi Pad 5’s Snapdragon 860 (7 nm).

• 📊 Synthetic Tests (AnTuTu, Geekbench): Kirin 9000E It's 15 to 20 percent ahead of the Snapdragon 860 in single-core and 25 to 30 percent ahead of multi-threaded tasks, but in games, the difference is minimal because of the optimization of Xiaomi's drivers.
• 🎮 Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Both models hold 60 FPS Medium settings, but Xiaomi Pad 5 heats up less thanks to better cooling system.
• 🔋 Trottling: After 30 minutes of load, the MatePad 11 loses up to 25% of its performance due to overheating, while the Pad 5 only loses 10-15.

An important nuance: Huawei MatePad 11 does not support Google services (due to US sanctions), which restricts access to many applications. Xiaomi Pad 5 is free of this problem, but has its disadvantages in the form of advertising in MIUI.

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If you want maximum performance for emulating console games (PS2, Nintendo Switch), go for the Xiaomi Pad 5 – its Snapdragon 860 is better optimized for emulators like AetherSX2 or Sky Emulator.

3. Software: MIUI vs HarmonyOS - which is more convenient?

The comparison is not in favor of Huawei: the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) makes the MatePad 11 less versatile. Yes, HarmonyOS 3.0 offers a smooth interface and good multitasking, but without Google Play, YouTube, Gmail and other services, many users feel disadvantaged.

On the other hand, MIUI 14 on the Xiaomi Pad 5, while having full access to the Google ecosystem, suffers from:

• 🗑️ Advertising in system applications (it can be turned off, but not completely).
• 🔄 Unstable updates – some users complain of bugs after updates.
• 🖌️ The stylus and multitasking are worse than Huawei's. For example, the MatePad 11 has a PC interface mode with Windows-like windows.

⚠️ Note: If you are using a tablet for document management (Word, Excel), please note that the Huawei MatePad 11 does not support official versions of Microsoft Office due to the lack of support for the official version of Microsoft Office. GMS. You will have to install web versions or alternatives like WPS Office.

4. Battery and charging: who lives longer without an outlet?

Both models are equipped with 8720 mAh batteries, but battery life is different:

• 📺 Watch video (YouTube, Netflix): Huawei MatePad 11 is 1-1.5 hours longer thanks to the latest update OLED-In tests at 50% brightness, it gives up to 12-14 hours, while Xiaomi Pad 5 - 10-11 hours.
• 🎮 Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG): Here, the leadership goes to Xiaomi – its processor and cooling system allow you to play 30-40 minutes longer with the same graphics settings.
• ⚡ Fast charging: Pad 5 supports 33W, MatePad 11 is just a 22.5W. Full charge takes 1.5 hours for Xiaomi and 2 hours for Huawei.

Critical: The Huawei MatePad 11 does not support wireless charging, whereas the Xiaomi Pad 5 is compatible with magnetic docking stations (such as those from Baseus or Anker), which is convenient for use as a “smart display” on a table.

5.Sound and Multimedia: Stereo speakers vs harmonic sound

Both tablets are equipped with four speakers with support for Dolby Atmos, but they sound different:

• 🔊 Xiaomi Pad 5 has louder speakers (maximum volume is 88 dB vs. 83 dB for Huawei), but suffers from distortions at high frequencies.
• 🎵 The Huawei MatePad 11 sounds more balanced, with better mid- and low-frequency detail, as seen when listening to music or watching surround-sound movies.
• 🎧 3.5 mm connector: No model has it, but Xiaomi is equipped with an adapter USB-C → 3.5mm and Huawei is not.

For audiophiles, it’s important: the MatePad 11 supports LDAC and aptX for wireless headphones, while the Pad 5 is limited to AAC and SBC.

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If you need a tablet to listen to music through Bluetooth headphones, the Huawei MatePad 11 is definitely preferable due to the support of hi-res codecs.

6. Stylus and keyboard: who is better for work and creativity?

Both models support branded styluses (Xiaomi Smart Pen and Huawei M-Pencil 2), but the implementation is very different:

For artists and designers, the Huawei M-Pencil 2 is preferred thanks to:

• ✏️ Less delay and more accurate tilt tracking.
• 🔋 Wireless charging when attached to the tablet (Xiaomi Smart Pen needs to be separately charged through the device) USB-C).
• 🎨 Better integration with apps like Huawei Notes or Nebo.

Keyboards for both models are sold separately, but Huawei offers a more handy Smart Magnetic Keyboard with backlight and trackpad, whereas the keyboard for the Xiaomi Pad 5 is often criticized for its uncomfortable mounting.

7 Cameras: Why it's not the main thing, but it's still important

Cameras in tablets are always a compromise, but if you need to take documents or make video calls sometimes, here’s what you should know:

• 📸 Xiaomi Pad 5 main-camera 13 MPP (f/2.0) frontal 8 MP: The quality is acceptable during the day, but in the dark there is a lot of noise.
• 📷 Huawei MatePad 11 main-camera 13 MPP (f/1.8) front-facing and autofocus 8 Thanks to the best software (Huawei algorithms), photos are slightly more detailed, especially indoors.
• 🎥 Video: Both models shoot video in resolution 1080p@30fps, Huawei has better stabilization.

If the camera is critical (for streaming or document scanning, for example), it’s best to consider alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 or iPad Air.

8. Ecosystem and accessories: what do brands offer?

Xiaomi and Huawei are actively developing their ecosystems, but the approaches are different.

• 🌐 Xiaomi: ✅ Full compatibility with Mi Band, Mi Home, smart lamps and other Xiaomi appliances. ✅ Access to Google Play and all Google services. ❌ Fewer optimized tablet apps (many programs just stretch).
• 🌐 Huawei: ✅ Best integration with Huawei laptops and smartphones (e.g. Multi-Screen Collaboration for collaboration). ✅ More apps adapted for the big screen (for example, Huawei AppGallery offers versions for tablets). ❌ Restrictions due to absence GMS (No YouTube in the world 4K, Problems with banking applications).

Huawei wins: in addition to the keyboard and stylus, for the MatePad 11 there is an official case with a keyboard and trackpad, while Xiaomi has a limited choice.

Make sure you have Google services (if they are critical)|Check compatibility with stylus and keyboard|Evaluate autonomy for your tasks (games/reading/video)|Compare the prices of accessories (they can cost as much as 30% of the price of the tablet)|Check for warranty and service centers in your city-->

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions