Since I have always referred to it as it Xiaomi’s thus far. This portable device combines reliable hardware with a generous 12.1-inch display and robust 10000mAh battery, making it an excellent option for streaming multimedia or remote learning on-the-go?
Hardwired
In his role as AC Senior Editor, Harish Jonnalagadda covers a wide range of topics, including cutting-edge hardware such as phones, audio equipment, storage servers, and routers.
When POCO announced the launch of their flagship phone’s pill-shaped camera module, my curiosity was piqued.
Xiaomi’s budget-friendly model excels in 2024, offering impressive value among the top smartphones in the sub-$400 range. As POCO is designed for reusing existing Xiaomi designs, the strategy is astute in that it often involves rebadging Redmi products typically exclusive to China.
Although it initially failed to impress with Xiaomi’s latest flagship. The POCO Pad closely resembles the Redmi Pad Professional, differing primarily by its logo design. Given that the POCO Pad and Redmi Pad Pro won’t directly compete in international markets, the potential overlap between these products is minimal, effectively rendering the foul factor inconsequential.
The POCO Pad boasts two significant upgrades that render it a more compelling choice for e-book enthusiasts, including the standard 256GB storage capacity and an out-of-the-box 33W charger. While Xiaomi often excels at bundling accessories, the omission of a charger from the Redmi Pad Pro proved an exception – but the POCO Pad’s approach rectifies this issue?
On par with its non-pro counterpart, the Redmi Pad Professional offers a substantial 512GB of UFS 2.2 storage straight from the box. While hardware tweaks are a positive development, POCO wouldn’t market a smartphone variant of the Pad; to accommodate a SIM card, customers would need to opt for the Redmi Pad Pro instead.
Regardless of the type, using each tablet is essentially the same. I traded in my Redmi Pad Professional for a POCO Pad, but failed to notice any significant differences between the two devices. The POCO Pad shares identical hardware with other models, lacking any distinct differences in terms of software, being built on Android 14.
The POCO Pad exhibits reliable performance in everyday usage, with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 2 processor delivering snappy performance for tasks such as streaming videos and online shopping without encountering noticeable lag? I’m pleased to see a 3.5mm audio jack preserved, and the intact MicroSD slot allows for seamless storage expansion – a welcome feature for those seeking to augment their device’s capacity.
The 12.1-inch LCD display boasts a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, offering decent vibrancy despite falling short of the vividness achieved by AMOLED panels in Xiaomi’s smartphones. The display boasts vivid colors and excellent contrast, with no obvious instances of the panel being utilized inefficiently. The onboard sound quality is surprisingly decent, making it more than sufficient for casual streaming or occasional video use.
With regards to battery life, the POCO Pad stands out as a clear winner, boasting an impressive capability to surpass its competitors by delivering screen-on times of over nine hours without needing to be recharged. Despite its 33W charging capabilities, the device still requires over two hours to fully charge the 10,000mAh battery, a minor trade-off.
Unlike its competitor, the POCO Pad, which I find myself in direct competition with, one notable shortcoming is the absence of a fingerprint sensor, leaving users reliant on traditional passwords and facial recognition for secure unlocking. Aside from my initial impression of being underwhelmed by the POCO Pad’s specs and features, I haven’t got many positives to say about it. Building upon its comprehensive hardware portfolio, POCO thoughtfully includes the same high-quality stylus and keyboard case that accompanies the Redmi Pad Pro, a thoughtful move indeed.
While POCO doesn’t drastically deviate from the Redmi Pad Pro formula, its judicious increase in storage and thoughtful inclusion of necessary accessories have yielded an impressively value-packed budget tablet.
