Are the 200 euros difference worth it or has Apple been left behind?

Xiaomi has released not one, not two, but three tablets that once again embrace the quality-price ratio that we have seen so many other times within the brand. Therefore, we are going to stop a little to see if they really are as attractive as they seem at first glance, and what better way to do it than by comparing the Xiaomi Pad 8 with the iPad Air M4since Xiaomi usually uses Apple as a reference, mentioning the brand in its presentations. Can it compete head to head with the iPad? Let’s see it.

The differences between Xiaomi and Apple tablets

Big differences in screens

While it is true that in any case we are talking about tablets that offer good image quality, both Xiaomi and Apple have small peculiarities.

All Xiaomi tablets come with an 11.2-inch screen that offers both a 3.2K resolution and a 144 Hz refresh rate, thus achieving greater fluidity when navigating the menus, when we want to play a video game or even if we read an article on a website.

The Xiaomi Pad 8 Mate adds a very interesting feature, and that is that this model has anti-reflective treatmentwhich means that if you are going to use it outdoors, the sun will not reflect as much on the screen.

Instead, the iPad Air M4 is available in two sizes of 11 and 13 inches respectively. While it is true that it also includes a good Liquid Retina screen, the refresh rate remains at 60 Hz, so it does not offer the same fluidity as the screens of Xiaomi tablets.

In short, if you are going to use the tablet at home, you will have a good experience with any of them, even if the Xiaomi screens offer better fluidity. Things change if you are going to use it outdoors: the iPad Air offers a maximum brightness of 500 nits, which is a fairly fair figure. Xiaomi tablets raise that figure to 800 nits, so in these cases it is better to bet on Xiaomi tablets, especially the Pad 8 Pro Mate if we are going to use it a lot outside the home.

Processors and operating systems

What are you going to use the tablet for? If you want to buy one of these tablets to watch multimedia content, you will have a good experience with any of them. But If you want to play demanding titles, choose the iPad. Because? Basically because it comes with a more powerful processor than Qualcomm, even allowing you to move console games.

Not all models of the current generation of Xiaomi come with the same chip: the Xiaomi Pad 8 incorporates the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, while the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro and 8 Pro Mate come with the Snapdragon 8 Eliteone of the most powerful processors in Android devices.

Instead, the new iPad Air comes with the M4 chipa processor that is capable of moving many titles, as we have seen many other times in Apple computers.

On the other hand, both brands have different operating systems. Xiaomi tablets come with Android under the customization layer HyperOS 3while the iPad Air M4 comes with iPadOS. The choice is very particular, but we can mention two things:

• HyperOS has better artificial intelligence functions, since Apple Intelligence It’s still a little green.
• iPadOS has some very interesting productivity apps, such as Final Cut Pro.

Depending on the use we are going to give to the tablet, we may be interested in making the jump to one operating system or another. If we want artificial intelligence functions, right now Xiaomi tablets offer better options. On the other hand, if we want to play, study or work with the tablet, we may be more interested in opting for the iPad.

All RAM and storage configurations

Depending on the model we want to buy, we can find very different RAM configurations. The Xiaomi Pad 8 and Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro are available in two versions of 8 and 12 GB, and the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro Mate and iPad Air M4 are only available in a 12 GB version.

Take into account the RAM memory It is important in the era we are living in when it comes to artificial intelligence. The more a device has to process AI locally, the more RAM it will need to avoid being fried.

Various storage configurations are also available, although here Apple offers a more interesting option:

• The Xiaomi Pad 8 is available in two versions of 128 GB and 256 GB.
• The Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro adds a 512 GB version.
• The Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro Mate is only available in a 512 GB version.
• The iPad Air M4 can be purchased in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB versions.

In this case, the interesting thing about Apple is that it offers a configuration with double the storage than the Xiaomi models. If you are going to save a lot of photos, videos or files, especially if you want to use the iPad as an alternative to a computeryou may be more interested in the 1 TB model. In the case of Xiaomi tablets, with the 512 GB configuration you can get by for a while, but you may fall short in the long term.

What your batteries say

Although at the moment we do not know too many details about the battery of the iPad Air M4, Apple has mentioned that its theoretical autonomy is up to 10 hours of browsing, which means that it does not vary too much compared to previous generations.

The three Xiaomi tablets come with 9,200 mAh batteries, but with different fast charging: 45W for the Xiaomi Pad 8 and 67W for the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro and Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro Mate.

Taking all this into account, The strong point of the iPad Air M4 is autonomy (at least the theoretical one), allowing the battery to last an entire day of study or work. The good thing about Xiaomi tablets is that they charge their batteries very quickly, especially the more expensive models.

In summary: which tablet to choose according to your tastes and needs

Why choose the Xiaomi Pad 8

He Xiaomi Pad 8 It is the most economical model of the new generation of Xiaomi. It is interesting for its price (starts from the 449 euros) and incorporates a good processor. It may not have the fast charging of its older brothers, but the 45W is not bad at all.

The processor is decent for the price and will allow you to play many video games. In addition, we cannot leave aside its screen that offers a 3.5K resolution, which allows you to view compatible content at very good quality.

Why choose the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro

He Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro (from 599.99 euros) is the most attractive model for those people looking for both a good refresh rate and good power for playing, since it incorporates the best processor of the Xiaomi tablet generation. It also offers much faster charging and comes with the same screen as its smaller brother.

Furthermore, in this case it starts with 256 GB of internal storage and not 128 GB like the Pad 8. And, as if that were not enough, there is the option of buying the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro Mate (699 euros), which adds anti-reflective treatment, a perfect feature if we want to use the tablet outdoors.

Why choose the iPad Air

He iPad Air M4 It is the perfect tablet for those who are not looking to play, but rather better productivity. It will not have the refresh rate, resolution or fast charging of Xiaomi tablets, but its M4 chip is very efficient and the theoretical autonomy is very good, reaching up to 10 hours. The good thing is that this iPad is available with a 1 TB version which is ideal if we are looking to store many photos, videos or files.

On the other hand, it can be purchased in two sizes, 11 inches (from 649 euros) or 13 inches (from 849 euros), the latter being perfect if we want a tablet as a substitute for a computer. Furthermore, in general Apple products hold up well to resale over the years, while with Android it doesn’t happen as much.

Technical sheet with the main differences between Xiaomi and Apple tablets

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Images | Patrick Tomasso in UnsplashXiaomi, Apple

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