Redmi Pad Pro Review
A few days ago, Xiaomi sent over a Redmi Pad Pro for us to review. This tablet was already launched globally, but it is only now that Xiaomi officially made it available in the country. You can check our unboxing article on this link. We also posted a short video on our TikTok and Instagram channels.
In this article, we are going to dig deeper into the performance and features of this tablet. It is certainly not the most high-end tablet in the market, and I know that there are plenty of choices around. However, I believe that some of you have been eyeing this tablet for quite some time now, and I’m here to give you my thoughts about it.
Build and Design
Right off the bat, the Redmi Pad Pro impresses with its sleek unibody metal frame. It’s got that premium feel you’d expect from a much pricier tablet, which is a pleasant surprise. At 571g, it’s not exactly featherlight, but Xiaomi has done a good job balancing the weight, so it doesn’t feel too cumbersome during extended use. Slap it on its keyboarc case, and you get a tablet that almost weighs 1kg. Keep that in mind because it matters especially if you are looking for a tablet that you would want to take around in your leisure or business trips.
The tablet comes in three color options: Graphite Gray, Mint Green, and Ocean Blue. I’ve got the Graphite Gray version here, and while it’s not the most exciting color, it does look professional and understated. The mint green and ocean blue options add a nice pop of color if you’re into that. There is also a Harry Potter edition for Potterheads, but unfortunately, it will not be officially launched here in the Philippines;
One thing that caught my eye (and not necessarily in a good way) is the oversized camera housing on the back. It’s giving me Zenfone 10 vibes, and honestly, it looks a bit comical given the small size of the actual camera lens. At least it doesn’t protrude too much, so you won’t get that annoying wobble when using the tablet on a flat surface.
Display
Now, let’s talk about the star of the show – that massive 12.1-inch IPS LCD display. While it is only an LCD, it shows really striking colors that definitely pop. I will talk more about it in a little bit. There is no matte setup to minimize glare unlike the Huawei MatePad 11.5S
With a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and a 16:10 aspect ratio, it’s a feast for the eyes. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything buttery smooth, from scrolling through web pages to playing games.
One of the standout features is the Dolby Vision support, which really makes HDR content pop. The maximum brightness of 600 nits might not be the highest out there, but it’s more than adequate for most indoor and outdoor use cases. Still, I would have preferred it to have brighter display.
The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which should keep it safe from minor scratches and bumps. It’s not the latest version of Gorilla Glass, but at this price point, it’s a welcome addition.
Hardware
Under the hood, the Redmi Pad Pro is packing some decent mid-range hardware. It’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, which is built on a 4nm process. This octa-core processor, with its mix of Cortex-A78 and Cortex-A55 cores, provides a good balance between performance and power efficiency.
You’ve got options when it comes to memory and storage. The tablet comes in configurations of 6GB or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, paired with either 128GB or 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. If that’s not enough for you, there’s also a microSD card slot that supports up to a whopping 1.5TB of additional storage. Note, however, that the unit that Xiaomi sent us for review is the 6GB RAM/128GB ROM variant, which is not launching in the Philippines. We were informed that Xiaomi will only be making the 8GB/256GB variant available in the Philippines.
Connectivity-wise, you’re looking at Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, which should keep you well-connected for all your streaming and wireless accessory needs.
Performance
In day-to-day use, the Redmi Pad Pro holds its own pretty well. It’s not going to compete with flagship tablets, but for its price range, it’s a solid performer. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset handles most tasks with ease, from web browsing and video streaming to light productivity work.
Gaming performance is decent, too. You can play most popular mobile games without much issue, though you might need to dial down the graphics settings on more demanding titles. The 120Hz refresh rate really shines here, making games feel smooth and responsive.
One area where the Redmi Pad Pro really excels is in multitasking. The combination of the large display, decent amount of RAM, and Xiaomi’s software optimizations make it a breeze to run multiple apps side by side. Though I have to take note that I needed to increase its RAM using HyperOS’ RAM Extension feature since the unit I have only has 6GB RAM; 12GB total with RAM extension enabled.
With these setups, I encourage you to check out the performance benchmark results below for your reference:
Software
The Redmi Pad Pro runs on Xiaomi’s new HyperOS, which is based on Android 14. If you’re familiar with Xiaomi’s MIUI, you’ll feel right at home here. HyperOS brings a bunch of tablet-specific optimizations and features that really enhance the user experience.
One of the standout features is the improved multitasking capabilities. You can easily run apps in split-screen mode or use floating windows for a more desktop-like experience. The tablet also supports Xiaomi’s cross-device collaboration features, allowing for seamless file sharing and screen mirroring with other Xiaomi devices.
Xiaomi promises two major Android updates and three years of security patches for the Redmi Pad Pro, which is pretty standard for this price range.
Available Accessories
Xiaomi has released a range of accessories to complement the Redmi Pad Pro, and they really extend the tablet’s functionality. The star of the show is the Redmi Smart Pen, which is the first active stylus for a Redmi tablet. It boasts 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and a 240Hz touch sampling rate, making it great for note-taking and digital art.
It is just a bummer that this digital stylus can only be charged via Type C USB unlike the M-Pencil and Apple Pencil that can be charged via the magnetic part of the tablets. This setup often results to having the pen charged once every two days if it is persistently connected to the tablet via Bluetooth. You have the option to disconnect it
There’s also the Redmi Pad Pro Keyboard, which turns the tablet into a mini laptop. It offers a comfortable typing experience with large 16mm x 16mm keys. The keyboard connects via Bluetooth and has an estimated battery life of about 59 hours, which is pretty impressive.
For those who just want some basic protection, there’s the Redmi Pad Pro Cover. It’s a simple case that also allows the tablet to stand upright in landscape mode.
Sound
Audio is an area where the Redmi Pad Pro really shines. It comes equipped with a quad-speaker setup that supports Dolby Atmos, delivering an immersive audio experience that’s surprisingly good for a tablet in this price range.
Whether you’re watching movies, playing games, or just listening to music, the audio quality is clear and well-balanced. The speakers get plenty loud without distorting, and there’s even a decent amount of bass for a tablet.
For those who prefer wired audio, there’s good news – the Redmi Pad Pro retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare these days.
Battery
Battery life is another strong point for the Redmi Pad Pro. It’s packing a massive 10,000mAh battery, which Xiaomi claims can provide up to 12.1 hours of video playback. Our PC Mark Benchmark Battery test seemed faulty though as our second test showed that its battery only lasted 5.15 hours.
In real-world use, however, you can easily get through a full day of heavy use, or even stretch it to multiple days with more moderate usage. Standby time battery discharge rate is only 5% per day.
When it comes time to recharge, the tablet supports 33W fast charging. While it’s not the fastest charging speed out there, it’s more than adequate for a tablet of this size. You can expect to get a significant charge in about an hour. However, you have to take note that the Redmi Pad Pro does not come with a charger inside its box. Be sure to keep this in mind as you will need to buy a charger separately; and it needs to support 33W, at least, to maximize the Redmi Pad Pro’s charging capability,
Verdict
So, is the Redmi Pad Pro worth your hard-earned cash? If you’re in the market for a large-screen tablet that won’t break the bank, it’s definitely worth considering especially at its starting price of PhP14,999 SRP (for the 8+128GB variant). If you want one with a bigger storage, you will have to shell out PhP1K more, which is still very reasonable.
Accessories for the Redmi Pad Pro are also available as exclusive Shopee add-on deals: the Redmi Smart Keyboard is available for P3,099 (from P3,599 SRP), the Redmi Smart Pen for P2,499 (from P2,999 SRP), and the Redmi Pad Pro Cover for P599 (from P1,199 SRP).
The Redmi Pad Pro offers a lot of value for its price point. You’re getting a massive, high-quality display, decent performance for everyday tasks and light gaming, impressive audio, and excellent battery life. The inclusion of the headphone jack and expandable storage are nice bonuses that aren’t always found on more expensive tablets.
Sure, it’s not perfect. The camera setup is basic at best, and the performance might not satisfy power users or hardcore gamers. The lack of cellular connectivity might be a dealbreaker for some, and the accessory ecosystem, while nice to have, adds to the overall cost.
But for what it sets out to do – provide a great entertainment experience and handle everyday tasks with ease – the Redmi Pad Pro excels. It’s a solid choice for students, casual users, or anyone who wants a big-screen tablet experience without splurging on a premium device.
In the end, Xiaomi’s tagline for the Redmi Pad Pro – “Fun made bigger” – feels pretty apt. It’s a tablet that punches above its weight class in many areas, offering a fun, engaging experience that belies its budget-friendly price tag. If you can get your hands on one (availability might be limited in some regions), the Redmi Pad Pro is definitely worth a look.
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.
