Xiaomi’s latest tablet under its Redmi sub-brand, the Redmi Pad Pro 5G, promises exceptional value for money. Despite being a mid-range Android device, the Pad Pro offers flagship-level features such as Dolby Vision HDR support on a 2.5K resolution display, a premium metal build with a sleek profile, and 5G connectivity. However, has Xiaomi made too many compromises to keep the price competitive? Let’s find out:
Design
The Redmi Pad Pro has an all-metal body with a dual-tone design, a flat frame, and a sleek profile. It feels sturdy and premium in the hand, with a matte texture that enhances grip. On the back, the tablet houses two large circular modules for the camera sensor and flash. Despite the noticeable camera bump, the tablet remains relatively stable when placed on a flat surface.
On the front, the display is wrapped in a metal frame, though a thin plastic border does detract a little from the overall look and feel. While fit and finish is generally impressive, the placement of the 3.5mm audio jack seems a little misaligned. The circular jack is located at the bottom, with a portion of it sticking out from the edge of the device.
Overall, the Redmi Pad Pro feels lightweight and well-balanced. It’s comfortable to hold the tablet in one hand for extended periods, and the back panel resists fingerprints and smudges, keeping it looking clean.
Display and audio
The Redmi Pad Pro features a 12.1-inch LCD panel with uniformly sized bezels. Its 2.5K resolution display delivers crisp images and vibrant colors. By default, the screen has a slightly warmer tone, but this can be adjusted in the Color Schemes section under Display Settings. The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling, and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
While there aren’t many extra features to enhance the display, Xiaomi has included Dolby Vision HDR support for compatible content on streaming platforms like Netflix. YouTube lacks HDR viewing options, though. The display offers adequate brightness indoors but falls short when used outdoors.
In terms of audio, the Redmi Pad Pro is equipped with a quad-speaker system, with two speakers on either side for a stereo effect. Complemented by Dolby Atmos surround sound, this setup provides an immersive audio experience. The built-in speakers deliver clear, crisp sound for streaming content and work well for music playback, offering a hint of bass. They can also reach high volume levels without noticeable distortion.
Performance and utility
Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, coupled with up to 8GB of RAM, the Redmi Pad Pro handles everyday tasks with ease. It runs smoothly when multitasking or during casual gaming. During testing, three apps were handled in a multi-view setup without any hitches or overheating. While the tablet handles casual gaming well, heavy titles like Call of Duty: Mobile or Genshin Impact at the highest graphics settings don’t offer the smoothest experience.
The Redmi Pad Pro runs Android 14 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS on top. The UI is clean and free of bloatware or unnecessary third-party apps, aside from a few useful ones like WPS Office and Netflix. There are no intrusive notifications or hidden ads within native apps. In terms of usability, though, you can only open two apps in split-screen mode, with a third app limited to a floating window.
Accessories
Xiaomi offers two specific accessories for the Redmi Pad Pro: the Redmi Smart Pen and the Redmi Pad Pro Keyboard. While neither of them support auto-pairing or magnetic charging, once connected via Bluetooth, the connection remains stable and seamless.
The Redmi Pad Pro keyboard has a full-size layout with well-spaced keys. The keys offer sufficient travel and feedback, ensuring a comfortable typing experience. However, the absence of a touchpad and the need to charge the keyboard separately via USB-C detract from its overall usefulness.
The Redmi Smart Pen is a pleasure to use. During testing, I didn’t notice any significant lag when drawing or taking notes. It offers enough battery life for about a week with moderate use, but you’ll need to remember to turn it off when not in use. Like the keyboard, the Smart Pen also requires charging via USB-C.
Battery
The Redmi Pad Pro is equipped with a 10,000mAh battery and supports 33W wired charging. For everyday tasks like watching YouTube videos, taking notes, reading articles, and browsing social media, the Pad Pro easily lasts more than two days. Even when playing games and watching TV shows, the battery comfortably lasts a full day before needing a recharge. When needed, the 33W charger takes about an hour and 50 minutes to fully charge from five percent.
Verdict
The Redmi Pad Pro, which starts at Rs 21,999, offers a practical everyday tablet experience with a vibrant display, impressive speakers, long battery life, and enough performance for regular tasks. The inclusion of 5G SIM support is a welcome addition. However, if you’re looking for a high-performance tablet or portable workstation, there are other alternatives in the market that better suit those needs.
First published: September 11, 2024 | 15:48 IS
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