Redmi Pad Review: A versatile tablet | Tech Reddy

Xiaomi seems to want to redefine the budget tablet as the company has introduced the new Redmi Pad as a pocket-friendly tablet. At first glance, the device looks premium and feels nice to hold. Starting at a base price of Rs. 14,999, the new Redmi Pad seems to be setting the bar for a budget tablet. With almost no compromises, the specs look very impressive and unusual, at least on paper, in the budget tablet category. Specs on paper include a 10-bit 2K 90Hz display with quad speakers, 8000mAh battery cell, MediaTek G99 chipset and much more. But how does it actually perform? Does it meet consumer expectations and requirements? For answers to all these questions, read our reviews here. We spent over a week using the Redmi Pad for media consumption, e-reading, casual gaming and web browsing, and here’s our experience.

Redmi Pad display and design

Unlike other budget tablets, the Redmi Pad is a clear standout, offering a standard design for the category. It comes with a sleek metal body and an impressive build quality that we don’t usually see in budget tablets. The back panel of the tablet has a smooth matte texture, the design is very minimal and modern. We have the Mint Green color option and it is eye-catching and refreshing. The tablet also comes in Graphite Gray and Moonlight Silver color options. The rear panel has a vertical camera module and Redmi branding.

Despite being 7.1 mm thin and weighing 465 grams, the 10.61-inch tablet feels light in the hand thanks to intelligent weight distribution.

Now coming to the display, the Redmi Pad features a 10.61-inch 2-K resolution 10-bit LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate (first in its class) and an aspect ratio of 15:09. The display is bright enough for comfortable viewing in the room; However, I had trouble seeing in direct sunlight. Its high resolution 2K display offers decent color accuracy. Sure, it doesn’t have AMOLED-level color saturation, but a 10-bit 2K LCD isn’t bad for a budget tablet. Powered by Dolby Atmos, the four speakers offer decent audio with minimal distortion even at high volumes.

Redmi Pad performance

As for the performance of the new Redmi platform, it is also very impressive here. The device offers a smooth experience whether you are surfing the web or browsing content, reading an e-book or playing games. Although I don’t test high-end games, I played Temple run, Subway surfers, Candy Crush and a few others and surprisingly, unlike the recently released Motorola Tab G62 LTE under Rs. 20000.

It multitasked very well thanks to its MediaTek Helio G99 processor and 6GB of RAM. Apps load quickly and the tablet can handle multiple apps simultaneously without any lag. You can use the tablet in portrait and landscape mode to make video calls.

Now let’s talk about its software. MIUI 13 based on Android 12 allows for efficient tabbing while multitasking on a 15:9 aspect ratio screen. To make the most of the display, the device allowed me to run apps in pop-up windows or in split-screen mode. Furthermore, its multi-window feature allows me to run three applications simultaneously.

Redmi Pad battery life

The Redmi Pad can easily last more than a day of heavy use without searching for a power outlet. With light to moderate usage, the 8,000 mAh battery cell offers up to three days of battery backup. However, its 18W charging support might disappoint you as it takes longer than usual to charge the device. However, considering its price, it can be ignored.

Verdict

After spending more than a week with the Redmi Pad, I can say that the company has set the bar for budget tablets. Priced under Rs. 15000, it surprisingly offers better performance and experience than other tablets in this range. Compared to more expensive Android tablets, it offers a much better value and a great tablet experience. All things considered, this is really the best option we can offer for less than Rs. 20000.