Xiaomi Pad 6 VS iPad Air (2022) tablet: features, differences and price

Apple is the undisputed queen of tablets. Their iPads have managed to be the preferred option of many users for having good performance, a large catalog of applications, good support for updates and compatibility with such interesting accessories as the Apple Pencil.

And it is that tablets with Android operating system have been in the doldrums for a long time, being Samsung the only company that has launched interesting proposals with corresponding software (One UI has tablet-only features not available on other layers or Android stock).

But that is changing as Google has promised to pamper tablets again and with the return to the arena of brands like Xiaomi, which is redeveloping Android tablets with MIUI which stand out for their good performance and “adjusted” price.

The latest proposal from the firm is the Xiaomi Pad 6, which seeks to gain a foothold in the premium mid-range with its good specifications. Is it a worthy rival to the iPad Air (2022)? We put them face to face to know their characteristics, their differences and their prices.

Features iPad Air (2022) and Xiaomi Pad 6

• Filter: Both tablets are equipped with LCD screens. That of the iPad is 10.9 inches at 60 Hz and with a resolution of 1640 x 2460 pixels. The Xiaomi Pad 6 measures 11 inches at 144 Hz and with a resolution of 2.8K.
• Processor: The Xiaomi Pad 6 comes with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870, while the iPad Air (2022) comes with Apple’s M1 chip.
• RAM and storage: The iPad has “only” 8 GB of RAM and 64 or 256 GB of storage. The Xiaomi can be configured with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage or 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage.
• cameras: The iPad incorporates 12 MP cameras, the front panel being ultra wide-angle with Centered Framing. Those of the Xiaomi are 13 MP (rear) and 8 MP (front).
• connectivity: The Xiaomi Pad 6 has WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 and high-speed USB-C. The iPad also has WiFi 6 and USB-C, but Bluetooth 5.0 and the option to add 5G (a more expensive model).
• Battery: Apple ensures that your iPad has enough battery life to last all day. The Xiaomi Pad 6 incorporates an 8,840 mAh battery with 33W fast charging.
• Operating system: Android 13 with MIUI for Pad on Xiaomi and iPadOS 16 on iPad.
• Price: the iPad Air (2022) starts at 769 dollars and the Xiaomi Pad 6 can be purchased from 399.99 dollars.

Xiaomi Pad 6 VS iPad Air (2022), which tablet to buy?

The Xiaomi Pad 6 is a tablet to consider if you are looking for a beautiful, powerful and entertainment-oriented model, as it has an interesting high-resolution screen that supports high dynamic range. In addition, its price is not as high as that of the iPad Air (2022), but there are a few things to keep in mind before making the decision.

Screens of (almost) the same size, but different refresh rates

iPad Air (2022) and Xiaomi Pad 6 have similar screens (there is a 0.1 inch difference) and the quality of both is quite good because their resolutions are high and they are compatible with Dolby Vision high dynamic range, the reproduction of compatible series and films is therefore very satisfactory.

However, there is one point where they differ: the refresh rate. Apple reserves ProMotion technology (as the company calls this feature) for the iPad Pro, so iPad Air (2022) display is limited to 60Hz.

For its part, the Xiaomi Pad 6 has a 144 Hz panel (The Xiaomi Pad 5 was 120Hz), which translates to greater fluidity in all sorts of situations: from navigating the system to playing compatible titles. This feature is quite present even in relatively low priced smartphones and tablets, which is why its absence in the 5th generation iPad Air stings.

a lot of power

Although the Xiaomi Pad 6 is a powerful tablet, it does not incorporate the latest processors, and that is why the chip Snapdragon 870 from Qualcomm that it integrates, although it is top of the range in 2021, it has been overtaken by other SoCs such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or its successor. That’s not to say the tablet won’t perform badly, far from it, since for typical use it’s more than enough, even for demanding games (although the graphics options might need to be tweaked), but it’s not the sharpest processor of 2023.

For its part, the iPad Air (2022) integrates the M1 chip, developed by Apple and which the company has used in several of its computers. That’s why there will be no problem running the operating system or such demanding and professional applications as Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Adobe Photoshop or Procreate.

Cameras

The photographic section on a tablet is secondary for many manufacturers since the cameras are not used as often as those of a smartphone. But that doesn’t mean they should be neglected, as they are useful for making video calls or getting us out of trouble.

Apple is aware of this and has equipped the iPad Air (2022) with two 12 MP cameras. The back offers good quality for occasional photos or even document scanning. The front has an ultra-wide angle and features Centered Framingvideo calls are therefore of high quality.

The Xiaomi cameras are 8 MP (front) and capable of recording video in Full HD resolution at 30 frames per second. The rear is 13 MP and can record in 4K at 30 frames per second. Its quality is correct; They’re nothing fancy, but they work well.

Autonomy

Apple promises that its 5th generation iPad Air has autonomy for the whole day, which usually means per charge it easily lasts 10 hours. This of course depends on usage, as browsing the internet is not the same as consuming streaming or playing video.

The Xiaomi Pad 6 incorporates a 8840mAh battery, a figure that is within the usual. With sporadic domestic use, it lasts several days without using the charger, and with more demanding continuous use, it is capable of reaching eight hours of use.

Whether the battery drains sooner or later also depends on whether the display is set to 60Hz, 90Hz, or 144Hz, which saves a bit more power with the first two settings. the difference is not so great as to do without the fluidity provided by the 144 Hz.

Operating system and apps

Apple is taking the lead in its iPad tablets due to the software glitch as it is suitable for large screens and there are very interesting apps which are not found in Android and which take full advantage of these devices, such as Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro or Procreate.

However, iPadOS needs a boostbecause Apple wants its tablets to be used for work as well and some tasks become more tedious than with macOS (the simple file management in iPadOS is very unintuitive compared to that of the brand’s computers).

Besides, the accessories like the 2nd generation Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard keyboard and trackpad case are good tools to be more productive with the tablet, especially artists and students.

Xiaomi is also working on the development MIUI for Pad to make the experience with your tablets more comfortable and enjoyable. The result is an operating system reminiscent of iPadOS, making it easy to use. On the other hand, it is the question of the applications, that there is not as much interesting variety as in iPadOS. Of course, it also has its own official stylus and keyboard.

And the price

Hay a noticeable price difference between the iPad Air (2022) and the Xiaomi Pad 6. Apple’s proposal is officially purchased from 769 dollars, while that of Xiaomi starts at 399.99 dollars in its basic configuration.

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