Xiaomi Pad 6 Review
I instantly said “yes” to Xiaomi’s invitation to review the Xiaomi Pad 6 a couple of weeks ago. I was really hoping for them to reach out because a lot of our readers have been waiting for this device. It was two years ago when they launched the last Pad, and you can just imagine why some consumers have been eagerly waiting for this one.
Hardware and Design
The Xiaomi Pad 6 is light. It only weighs 490g and bears design similarities to Xiaomi 13 smartphone line. The device looks and feels like it can withstand some beating, and shows minor flex when I tried bending it.
The review unit I received is in Gravity Gray colorway, which looks magnificent and matches very well with my Xiaomi 13 Pro. It is also available in Champage and Mist Blue colors. The back panel is not much of a fingerprint magnet, which is a good thing especially if you are not into putting cases on your tablets.
The camera unit of the Xiaomi Pad 6 is thick. It protrudes from the panel, which makes difficult to lay it down on flat surface. It wobbles slightly so it is a good idea to put a case on day one.
Display
The display of Xiaomi Pad 6 is magnificent. It is tailored for work, study, and leisure purposes. Its standout feature is the WQHD+ (2880 x 1800) display, boasting a pixel density of 309 PPI. Text and images appear sharp and clear, as expected.
The display is able to reproduce 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and 1.07 billion colors. For gamers, the tablet claims to provide a fluid gaming experience with up to a 144Hz refresh rate display. I need to be very clear on this one though. None of the games I tried reached 144fps. However, I noticed that navigating through the UI and browsing social feed and web is a smooth experience, overall.
Performance
The Xiaomi Pad 6 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 Mobile Platform, a minor bump from the Snapdragon 860 on the Pad 5. RAM is 8GB and you can extend it additional 5GB more. Default is set at 8GB + 3GB, which performed great in my synthetic and game benchmarks.
You have the option to choose between 128GB and 256GB storage options. If size is not an issue, 128GB is a sweet option; but if you think that it is not enough for your needs, get the 256GB variant. The device does not support storage extension, which is quite a bummer.
Synthetic Benchmark
Antutu Benchmark
Antutu Benchmark is a widely used and popular benchmarking tool for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. It evaluates the performance of a device by measuring its CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage capabilities, as well as testing its UX (user experience) and overall performance. The benchmark provides a comprehensive score that helps users compare the performance of different devices and make informed decisions based on their specific needs and preferences.
Geekbench 6
Geekbench 6 serves as an indispensable tool for individuals who seek reliable and comprehensive information about the performance capabilities of their devices. By providing accurate and standardized benchmarks, Geekbench 6 enables users to choose devices that cater to their specific requirements, ensuring a seamless and efficient user experience.
3D Mark Wild Life Extreme:
3D Mark Wild Life Extreme is a benchmarking test that measures the performance of graphics cards in mobile devices. It is designed to push graphics cards to their limits, simulating demanding gaming scenarios and providing an accurate assessment of their capabilities. With Wild Life Extreme, users can evaluate the graphical performance of their devices and compare them to other devices on the market. It is a reliable and comprehensive tool for assessing the gaming potential of a mobile device and making informed decisions about their hardware choices.
PCMark Work 3.0 for Smartphones
PCMark Work 3.0 is a benchmarking tool specifically designed for smartphones. It assesses the performance of various aspects of a smartphone’s functionality, focusing on work-related tasks. This benchmark evaluates the device’s ability to handle daily productivity tasks such as document editing, web browsing, video conferencing, and data manipulation. By running PCMark Work 3.0, users can accurately gauge their smartphone’s efficiency and compare it to other devices on the market. This information enables users to make informed decisions regarding their smartphone choices, ensuring optimal productivity and performance in their daily work routines.
Game Benchmark (4 Games)
Mobile Legends
Honkai Star Rail
Diablo Immortal
Farlight 84
Sound
It’s amazing how Xiaomi managed to put loud quad speakers on the Xiaomi Pad 6. It even supports Dolby Atmos for both wired and wireless hi-res audio. The Pad 6 also has quad microphones, which makes it a great device for Zoom or Google Meet calls.
With Sound Assistant, you can individually adjust the sound volume per application. This is a neat addition built in to the system, and it further adds value to its already premium looks and appeal.
Software and Battery
The Xiaomi Pad 6 is installed with MIUI Pad Global 14.0.4 software. It offers a standard fork of features usually found on mobile software version.
MIUI 14 bringing a range of exciting new features. Interconnectivity allows you to seamlessly connect and switch between devices, with the ability to sync apps between your smartphone and tablet. Transferring files between devices is made simple with drag and drop.
One notable feature found on Xiaomi Pad 6 is “Super Icons,” which allows you to set custom sizes for home screen icons. By holding an icon and tapping “set icon,” you will enter a feature page where you can adjust the icon sizing and select supported icons. Currently, there are four icon layouts available.
MIUI 14 also introduces new folder customization options. You can choose different folder layouts, making them appear larger or smaller on the home screen. Creating a widget and accessing its corresponding edit interface provides you with the option to change the folder layout, along with a preview. The feature also offers the ability to enable “suggest highlighted apps” based on your usage within the folder. 14.0.4 also introduces enlarged folders, which looks fantastic on the Xiaomi Pad 6.
MIUI 14 also introduces new widgets, which can be quickly switched between. Another feature is “Pets & Plants,” allowing you to add virtual pets or plants to your home screen. Although this feature currently provides animations when tapped, there is no further interaction available yet. Additional functions may be introduced in future updates.
Xiaomi also added extra features for tablets. It has Floating Windows, Connected Devices (which plays well with my Xiaomi 13 Pro), and Conference Tools. The latter helps in putting additional layer to beautify skin, subtitle transcription, and audiovisual enhancements during calls.
Its 8840mAh battery of the Xiaomi Pad 6 is a treat for power users as well. A single charge can give you max of two days at moderate usage. For heavy usage, it can last for more than 18 hours. To give you a clearer picture: from full charge more than 24 hours ago, I still have 35% battery remaining, which gives me more 16 hours of total usage. Wild.
Camera
The Xiaomi Pad 6 packs a 13MP Rear Camera and 8MP Camera. Both cameras are surprisingly good, but I don’t think that it’s something you’ll use most of the time. It’s something that is “nice” to have especially in certain cases.
Price
Xiaomi is also offering an early bird promo which lowers the price for both variants. These are available at:
- 8GB+128GB (August 12-20)
- PHP 16,999 (August 11, 2023; online only)
- PHP 17,999 (August 12-20, 2023; online only)
- 8GB+256GB (August 18-27, 2023)
- PHP 19,999
The first 50 online buyers will get a free Xiaomi Smart Pen on a first-come, first-served basis starting August 11, 2023.
There are also accessories namely the Pad 6 Keyboard priced at PHP 3,499 and Xiaomi Smart Pen available for PHP 3,999. You can also pick these up at a discount during the early bird promo for:
- Xiaomi Pad 6 Keyboard (August 12-27, 2023) – PHP 2,999.30
- Xiaomi Smart Pen (August 12-27, 2023) – PHP 2,799.30
Verdict
The Xiaomi Pad 6 is a clear stunner with its impressive performance at a price it asks for. Regardless if you’re getting this during the pre-order, early bird, or regular selling periods, this is a total banger. Consumers waited for 2 years to get their hands on this one and do crazy stuff with it. Now that it is on shelves, go grab one and enjoy the best tablet within its price range.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
