There are not much companies worldwide that can compete with Apple’s Product Series. Xiaomi Mi Pad, their first tablet was announced t o the public last month. Xiaomi’s Mi Pad has the same 7.9-inch screen size and even the same 2048 x 1536 resolution as the Apple Ipad Mini Retina for only RM776. 

At the official launch event, both Xiaomi Founder Bin Lin and Global VP were seen using their MiPads and Mi3’s, Xiaomi is definitely not shy when presenting the MiPad to the press – so it might be soon that it comes to Malaysia.

Xiaomi Mipad Vs The Apple Ipad Mini Retina

Design

Both the Xiaomi MiPad and Apple Ipad Mini 2 look remarkably similiar. In fact the front of the two devices looks so similar that if you the user doesnt notice the Android’s classic 3 control buttons you might really think its an iPad Mini.

The Differences really start with the material of the Xiaomi MiPad. Xiaomi openly admits that they are using the same cover technology as with the iPhone 5C series. That means that the Xiaomi MiPad will be availaible in a lot of colors from quiet blue to passion pink.

The iPad Mini on the other hand uses typical Apple Aluminium which gives it a very premium feel, that we are used to from Apple. The rest of the specs are very comparable, with 360 gramm weight on the Xiaomi Mi Pad and 341 gramm weight on the iPad Mini and 7.9 inches display, both are easily portable.

Winner: Apple iPad Mini. While Xiaomi is doing a very good job in copying Apple’s design, its hard to beat Apple. Apple’s aluminium just looks more premium then the iPhone 5c technology used on the Xiaomi MiPad. The MiPad still looks great, especially through all the color choices.

Xiaomi Mipad Vs The Apple Ipad Mini Retina Display

The Xiaomi Mi Tablet and Apple Ipad Mini utilize both an 7.9 inches retina display with a resolution of amazing 2048 × 1536.
The Pixel Density is the same on both as well with up to 326 ppi.

For the price of under RM1000 this is simply amazing. Please see some screenshots of The Amazing Spider-Man, Dungeon Hunter 4 HD played on the MiPad. We tend to say that the game quality looks even better on the Xiaomi MiPad then on the iPad Mini with 2048 × 1536 resolution and mighty Nvidia Graphics included.

Winner: Tie. Both the MiPad and Ipad Mini come with an amazing 7.9 inches retina display with a resolution of amazing 2048 × 1536 and 326 ppi. Who ever tested an iPad Mini before knows about the amazing display quality and in our first hand on, the MiPad is at least similar to the Mini. We would even say in combination with the strong Graphics CPU the Xiaomi MiPad is slightly better.

Xiaomi Mipad Vs The Apple Ipad Mini Hardware and Specs

Lets come to the most important part, the hardware and specs. The Xiaomi MiPad is the first tablet ever to use an NVIDIA Tegra K1 quad-core 2.2GHz ARM Cortex-A15 processor. The really special thing about the Tegra K1 is the 192-core NVIDIA Kepler GPU, the same Graphic Unit, found on the most powerful PC gaming systems.

Xiaomi MiPad Specs
SCREEN: 7.9inch, IPS,2048 x 1536 , 326ppi.
CPU: NVIDIA Tegra K1 (Quad core processors) 2 .2GHz ARM Cortex-A15
GPU: 192 pieces NVIDIA CUDA® (core) NVIDIA Kepler(architecture) GPU
RAM: 2GB LPDDR3
ROM: 16GB/64GB(2 kind editions) ,Micro SD（TF）was supported(0-128GB).
WLAN: AC dual band 2X2 antennas,802.11/b/g/n/ac was supported.
Bluetooth: Bluetooth® 4.0, Bluetooth HID
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi Display，Wi-Fi Direct，5GHz Wi-Fi
Camera(back): 8 Megapixels
Aperture: f2.0
Camera (front): 5 Megapixels
Both cameras (front and back) support 1080p HD video recording
Battery: 6700mAh lithium-ion battery
Sensors: Gyroscope; Light sensor; Accelerometer; Proximity sensor; Electronic compass;
Video Recording: 1080p HD video recording
Operating System: MIUI for Pad (based on Android 4.4.2)

According to Nvidia The K1 is better then the Xbox 360 and the PS3, while consuming much less energy. That means in combination with the 2048 × 1536 Retina Display the Xiaomi Mi Tablet is the ultimate Gaming Tablet.

Lets get back to the comparison of Xiaomi Mipad Vs The Apple Ipad Mini. The Nvidia Tegra K1 Quad Core processor is definitely much more powerful then Apple’s dual core Apple A7 with 64-bit architecture at 1.3 Ghz. On Top Of that the Xiaomi Mi Tablet features 2GB of RAM vs the 1GB of RAM on the Ipad Mini. The Xiaomi MIPad gets an impressive Antutu Score of 40010.

For internal storage the Xiaomi Tablet comes with 16GB or 64GB. The internal storage can be extended via Micro SD. The iPad Mini has a internal storage sells in version from 16GB to 128GB and cannot be extended via Micro SD.

The Xiaomi Mi Tablet comes with an huge 6700 mAH battery. This huge battery should definitely last more then two days at full usage. The Ipad mini uses a 23.8 Wh battery which will give you ca 10 hours of full usage.

Winner: Xiaomi MiPad. The Xiaomi Tablet is hardcore specs packed. Especially the Tegra K1 with 192 Core Kepler GPU beats in benchmarks not only Apple but also easily the Snapdragon 801 on the Samsung S5 and LG G3. In combination with the Retina Display the Xiaomi Mi Tablet is a real Gaming Machine.

Camera and Pictures

The Xiaomi Mi Tablet comes with a 8 Megapixel Rear Camera from Sony F2.0 large aperture and a 5 Megapixel front Camera for Selfies. First tests seem to show some problems with focus and noise. The Camera Sensor from Sony and Hardware seem to be allright so its most likely an Software problem of the beta version.

Pictures taken with Xiaomi MiPad 

The iPad Mini on the other Hand uses a 5 Megapixel Rear Camera and an 1.2 MP Front Camera for Selfies. The Picture Quality on the iPad Mini is great, like we know it from Apple. Even though it has only 5 Megapixel versus the 8 Megapixel of the Xiaomi Tablet it makes great pictures in astonishing definition.

Apple Ipad Mini Retina Camera Sample

Winner: Xiaomi Mi Tablet. While there are still some software problems Xiaomi’s 8Megapixel and 5MP Front Camera just beat Apple’s 5MP and 1.2 MP for Selfies. Especially in times of Selfies, 1.2 Megapixel is not enough for the iPad Mini Price in malaysia.

Xiaomi Mipad Vs The Apple Ipad Mini Retina Software

Xiaomi’s Tablet runs on MIUI V5 which is a CUSTOM ROM and combination of Stock Android and Android 4.4. Xiaomi made quite some changes like removing the App Drawer and other design tweaks. They are shooting for maximum customization options while keeping it simple for new Android users. The MIUI V5 is a great OS and reminds actually a lot on iOS 7.

The Apple iPad Mini runs on iOS 7. I guess we dont have to say to much for iOS 7. Android fans will criticize that there are not much customization options. But iOS 7 and generally Apple’s OS is flat out the best operating systems out there. Things just work.

Winner: Apple iPad Mini 2. That was a close one. MIUI V5 is very good, especially with the customization options. It is definitely much better then Samsung’s Touch Wiz or HTC Sense. Apple’s iOS is still a tad better and just works 99% of the time, while Android has still some inherent problems.

Xiaomi Mipad Vs The Apple Ipad Mini PRICE in Malaysia

Lets come to the most interesting part. According to Xiaomi Global VP Barra, their product pricing will be as close as possible to China in Malaysia. That means that the Xiaomi Mi Tablet Price in Malaysia will be as low as RM776 for 16GB Version. The iPad Mini with Retina sells at RM1279 for the basic WiFi 16GB version. The iPad Mini Retina 128GB version sells for RM2249.

Winner: Clearly Xiaomi MI Pad. On the Mi Pad the user get much better specs for 40% less price. Thats a clear one.

Overall Winner:

Xiaomi MiPad. Taking the danger that Apple fanboys will hate us, the Xiaomi Tablet is clearly the Winner in this Comparison. At a Price of RM776 for the basic version you get the a Retina Display, and the most powerful mobile processor in the market.

This Combination makes the Xiaomi Mi Pad an enormous powerful Gaming machine. And also for every day use it is a clearly better choice then most other Android tablets on the market. Lets hope it will launch in Malaysia soon with enough stock as well.