Xiaomi Redmi Pad Pro Review: Next Best Budget Tablet

Xiaomi Redmi Pad Pro

4

Overall

4.0/5

The Good Stuff

• High-res Dolby Vision display
• Impressive battery life
• Good performance & audio output
• Includes microSD slot & headphone jack
• Includes 120Hz display
• Budget price tag

The Bad Stuff

• Stylus & keyboard case not cheap
• Accessories sold separately

Redmi Pad Pro review

Redmi Pad Pro

The Next Best Budget Tablet

“Xiaomi has made some key improvements with the Redmi Pad Pro, giving it a clear edge”

Overview

Xiaomi’s back in the tablet game, and this time they’re targeting budget-conscious buyers with a larger screen. After their successful budget tablet, the Redmi Pad, Xiaomi is launching the Redmi Pad Pro. Here’s why it might be the best budget option: 

Firstly, the Redmi Pad Pro boasts a massive 12.1-inch display with a sharp QHD resolution, perfect for entertainment and productivity. Next, while not top-of-the-line, the upgraded hardware ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks. Thirdly, the tablet features a 10000mAh battery that promises extended use on a single charge. All of this is encased inside an aluminium frame, that gives the tablet a premium feel that belies its budget price tag.

Unlike some of their recent devices, the Redmi Pad Pro comes with the latest Android 14 pre-installed, saving you from update hassles. Input ports, the Redmi Pad Pro includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and expandable storage via a MicroSD slot.

The Redmi Pad Pro, unveiled in China back in April 2024, is now available worldwide. As of May 20th, you can get your hands on this new tablet in most regions. Three model choices are depending on storage: entry model: 6GB RAM + 128GB storage; Mid-tier: 8GB RAM + 128GB storage; Top-range: 8GB RAM + 256GB storage. 

Price-wise, it starts at £269 ($340) for the base model in the UK, increasing to £299 ($380) for the top-tier model. Unlike China, global markets don’t include the keyboard case and stylus in the box. However, in the UK, Xiaomi is offering a free case and a pair of Redmi Buds 5 earbuds with every purchase. The stylus and the Redmi Smart Keyboard case are sold separately.  

Overall, the Redmi Pad Pro seems to be a compelling choice for those seeking a large, feature-packed tablet without breaking the bank. It offers excellent value for the price, making it a strong contender in the budget tablet market.

Specs

Design

The Redmi Pad Pro has a unique look that sets it apart from its sibling, the Redmi Pad SE. While the SE borrows design cues from the Xiaomi 12 series, the Pro takes a bolder approach. The most striking aspect of the design is the oversized camera housing on the back. It’s reminiscent of the Asus Zenfone 10, with large rings encircling the single 8MP camera and flash. While some might find it comical due to the small camera components, it has the advantage of sitting flush with the body, preventing wobbling.

The Redmi Pad Pro comes in three colours: Grey, Mint Green, and Ocean Blue. The green and blue have subtle pastel tones, keeping with the conservative design style of most tablets. Build quality is excellent – the aluminium chassis feels premium and comfortable to hold. Rounded edges and bevelled sides add to the comfortable feel, and while it’s a bit heavy at 571g, the weight is well-balanced for extended use.

The tablet skips the SIM card slot for cellular connectivity but offers a MicroSD slot for expandable storage up to 1.5TB. A welcome feature for many is the retention of the 3.5mm headphone jack, and the four speakers deliver great sound quality. Despite being a budget tablet, the Redmi Pad Pro’s design punches above its weight. It feels well-made and avoids the typical budget tablet look and feel.

Display

The Redmi Pad Pro boasts a large 12.1-inch IPS LCD, perfect for streaming your favourite shows and movies. Here’s a breakdown of its key features. The 2560 x 1600 resolution delivers crisp visuals, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and navigating incredibly smooth. Dolby Vision support enhances your viewing experience, and Widevine L1 certification allows you to stream high-quality content from services like Netflix and YouTube.

Xiaomi’s excellent Reading mode offers various colour adjustments for comfortable reading experiences, including a monochrome option for e-books. While not top-of-the-line hardware, the tablet can handle casual gaming. Just be aware that demanding titles might not run at peak performance. The maximum brightness of 500 nits is sufficient for most indoor and outdoor use. However, a slight bump in brightness wouldn’t hurt. The default Vivid mode offers stunning colours and good contrast, with the option to adjust settings to your preference.

While the display offers a lot to like, the bezels surrounding the screen are quite large. Xiaomi could have aimed for a sleeker look by minimizing them. The front-facing camera, located on the top bezel, gets the job done for video calls. Overall, the Redmi Pad Pro’s display delivers a great entertainment experience with its large size, smooth visuals, and support for high-quality content. While the bezels could be smaller, it’s a minor drawback in an otherwise impressive display, especially considering the tablet’s budget price tag.

Performance

The Redmi Pad Pro’s processor, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, might be its weak spot. While it can handle daily tasks like browsing and using apps, there can be occasional lag. This might not be a dealbreaker, but it’s something to consider if you prioritize smooth performance.

Here’s a quick rundown of the other specs. With storage and memory, both RAM options (6GB and 8GB) use slightly older LPDDR4X technology, and storage uses UFS 2.2 across all models. In terms of connectivity, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 are included, but there’s no NFC for contactless payments, no support for high-resolution audio codecs, and no water resistance rating.

Overall, the Redmi Pad Pro’s performance is adequate for everyday use, but keep in mind that it might not be ideal for power users who require top-tier performance or features like high-resolution audio.

Battery Life

The Redmi Pad Pro boasts a massive 10,000mAh battery, one of the largest in its price range. From initial use, it outlasts the previous Redmi Pad SE and other recent budget tablets I’ve tested by a significant margin. Another plus is the 33W fast charging support. While a full charge takes around two hours, it’s a noticeable improvement over the 18W charging found in most of Xiaomi’s other budget tablets.

Camera

Don’t expect amazing photos from the Redmi Pad Pro. The 8MP selfie or webcam camera and the 8MP rear camera are just average. The front camera is mainly suitable for video calls, while the rear camera can capture decent pictures in good lighting with its Night mode. But for the best photo quality, you’ll be better off sticking to your smartphone.

Verdict

Xiaomi has made some key improvements to the Redmi Pad Pro, giving it a clear edge over the Redmi Pad SE. The larger 120Hz display, massive battery, and overall performance upgrade make it a more compelling choice. While it won’t compete with the top-tier iPad, the Redmi Pad Pro surpasses most budget tablets in user experience. It excels at everyday tasks, and the optional keyboard and stylus make it a productivity powerhouse on a budget.

There are a few drawbacks: the hardware might not be ideal for demanding games, and it lacks a secure authentication system like fingerprint unlock. However, these are minor quibbles considering the overall package. 

So the question is: Should you buy this Redmi Pad Pro? If you want a budget tablet with a large screen, impressive battery life, and a fantastic keyboard case, then the Redmi Pad Pro is most definitely for you. If you don’t mind a tablet without biometrics or don’t mind waiting too long for updates,  The Redmi Pad Pro is a top contender.

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