After a short hiatus, Xiaomi reentered the pill phase with the launch of the Pad 6 final yr. That specific mannequin was aimed on the mid-range class, and continues to be a strong selection in order for you a big pill with highly effective {hardware} and stellar battery life. The model’s more moderen Pad 6s Pro 12.4 has even higher {hardware} and a 3K panel with 144Hz.But Xiaomi is all the time at its finest when making finances merchandise, and that is true with regards to tablets as effectively; final yr’s Redmi Pad was among the finest finances tablets round, and the newest Redmi Pad SE has a number of tweaks to the design and upgraded {hardware}. Xiaomi is constructing on that basis with the introduction of the Redmi Pad Pro, which has a bigger 12.1-inch panel with an elevated QHD decision, 10000mAh battery, and a brand new design that makes use of aluminum liberally.What’s attention-grabbing is that Xiaomi has retained the 3.5mm jack and MicroSD slot, and the Redmi Pad Pro remains to be aimed on the finances phase, making it among the finest value-focused tablets you should buy in the present day. My favourite function is that it runs Android 14 out of the field; Xiaomi has been underhanded on this regard, launching a number of gadgets — together with the Redmi Pad SE and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — with Android 13 so it would not must roll out as many software program updates, and that fortunately is not a difficulty with the Redmi Pad Pro.If you are seeking to purchase a finances pill with an enormous display screen, this is why the Redmi Pad Pro could be the best choice presently accessible.Redmi Pad Pro: Pricing and availability(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Xiaomi unveiled the Redmi Pad Pro in China on April 10, 2024, and the pill made its international debut on May 20. It is accessible in three configurations: a base mannequin with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, an 8GB/128GB model, and a mannequin with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.Xiaomi sells the Redmi Pad Pro with the keyboard case and stylus as a bundle in China, however that is not the case in international markets. The pill begins at £269 ($340) for the 6GB/128GB model within the U.Ok., going as much as £299 ($380) for the 8GB/256GB mannequin. Xiaomi is bundling a case in addition to the Redmi Buds 5 with each order within the U.Ok. The stylus prices an extra £59 ($75), and the Redmi Smart Keyboard is debuting at £89 ($113).In different international locations within the area, the Redmi Pad Pro is ready to start out off at €299 ($325), with pre-orders kicking off May 21 and common availability from June 3. Xiaomi will launch the pill in India, however as of now, there is no telling when that would be the case.Redmi Pad Pro: Design(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The Redmi Pad SE has a definite resemblance to the Xiaomi 12 collection, and whereas the Redmi Pad Pro has the same aesthetic, the brand new digital camera housing is visually distinctive. The outsized rings across the digital camera evoke reminiscences of the Zenfone 10, and so they dominate consideration on the again.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)There’s a single 8MP digital camera on the again, so the LED flash will get the identical adornment, and contemplating the digital camera lens and flash module are slightly small, the outsizes housing appears virtually comical. But what issues is that it would not protrude an excessive amount of from the chassis, so there isn’t a wobble when utilizing the Redmi Pad Pro on a desk.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Xiaomi sells the Redmi Pad Pro in three coloration variants — Grey, Mint Green, and Ocean Blue — and the inexperienced and blue fashions have very delicate pastel shades. That’s comprehensible on condition that pill designs are usually extra conservative, and to Xiaomi’s credit score, there are completely no points with the construct high quality.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Although the pill is aimed on the finances phase, you get an aluminum chassis that feels nice to carry and use. The rounded edges and beveled sides make an enormous distinction on this space, and whereas it’s heavy at 571g, the pill balances the burden evenly, so it would not get uncomfortable with prolonged use.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The energy button is positioned on the high, with the quantity buttons on the appropriate. You do not get the flexibility to fit in a SIM card and hook up with mobile networks, however there’s a MicroSD slot that allows you to prolong the storage by an extra 1.5TB. What I like is that the Redmi Pad Pro has a 3.5mm jack, and there are not any points when utilizing IEMs just like the Fiio FA19.On the audio aspect of issues, Xiaomi provides 4 audio system on the Redmi Pad Pro — two on both aspect — and so they sound nice in their very own proper. Overall, the pill will get lots proper on the design entrance, and it would not really feel like a finances product.Redmi Pad Pro: Screen(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The Redmi Pad Pro comes with a 12.1-inch IPS LCD panel that’s splendid for streaming content material. The panel has a decision of 2560 x 1600 with a typical 16:10 ratio, and it has Dolby Vision integration and a layer of Gorilla Glass 3. The most brightness is not significantly excessive at 500 nits, however I did not have any points utilizing the Redmi Pad Pro open air. The pill goes as much as 600 nits in HBM mode, however there is no noticeable distinction when streaming movies.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)On that be aware, the Redmi Pad Pro has Widevine L1, and it is ready to stream 1080p and HDR content material from the likes of Netflix and YouTube with none problem. While coloration constancy is not clearly nearly as good as an OLED panel, the Redmi Pad Pro has a lot to supply on this space, and Xiaomi’s manufacturing facility calibration continues to be among the many finest round. The default Vivid mode has vibrant colours and good distinction, and you may tweak the colour steadiness in response to your tastes.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Larger tablets are nice for studying, and the Redmi Pad Pro contains Xiaomi’s wonderful Reading mode. The function permits you to change the depth of the colours, or change to a monochrome palette, and that is splendid if you wish to learn an e-book. The pill is first rate sufficient with regards to enjoying video games as effectively — you’ll be able to join a Bluetooth controller with ease — however the {hardware} would not have as a lot grunt, limiting the potential to take pleasure in demanding titles.The better part concerning the display screen on the Redmi Pad Pro is that it has a 120Hz refresh fee; navigating the UI is easy, and the distinction is noticeable even when switching from the 90Hz Redmi Pad SE. That mentioned, you may want to enter the settings to allow 120Hz mode, as it’s set to Auto out of the field.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)I haven’t got any points with the panel on the Redmi Pad Pro, and my solely quibble has to do with the appreciable bezels across the display screen. I get that it is a finances pill, however Xiaomi ought to have performed extra to trim the bezels. Talking concerning the bezels, the entrance digital camera is positioned on the forefront, and whereas it is not the most effective I’ve used, it holds up effectively in video calls.Redmi Pad Pro: Hardware(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Xiaomi outfitted the Redmi Pad Pro with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, and though the chipset is nice sufficient in each day use, it is not precisely highly effective. I seen lag sporadically in mundane duties like looking in Chrome or switching between apps, and whereas it would not hinder usability an excessive amount of, it’s irksome.The reminiscence and storage modules are equally dated, with Xiaomi utilizing LPDDR4X modules with each the 6GB and 8GB fashions, and UFS 2.2 storage throughout the board. Thankfully, there’s Wi-Fi 6 this time round, and also you get Bluetooth 5.2. There’s no NFC, you aren’t getting any high-res codecs, and there is no ingress safety.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryRedmi Pad ProPCMark Work 3.0 (Overall)12296PCMark Work 3.0 (Web Browsing)10859PCMark Work 3.0 (Video Editing)6867PCMark Work 3.0 (Writing)14612PCMark Work 3.0 (Photo Editing)22420Geekbench 6 (single-core)950Geekbench 6 (multi-core)2926Annoyingly, you aren’t getting fingerprint authentication on the Redmi Pad Pro both; you may want to make use of face unlock or the same old passcode to log in to the gadget, and that is annoying. Xiaomi makes use of a side-mounted fingerprint reader that is baked into the ability button on loads of its finances and mid-range telephones, and that might have been splendid on the pill. That mentioned, face unlock has been dependable, and whereas it is not as safe,The cameras are strictly common as effectively, and outdoors of video calls, the 8MP digital camera on the entrance would not have a lot utility. The 8MP digital camera on the again has a devoted Night mode and takes usable pictures in daylight, however you are higher off utilizing your telephone cameras as an alternative.Switching over to the battery, the Redmi Pad Pro has a 10000mAh unit that’s among the many largest on this phase. I have not used the pill sufficient to evaluate battery life, however in lower than per week of utilization, it has lasted significantly longer than the Redmi Pad SE and another finances pill I used just lately. I additionally like the truth that it has 33W charging, and whereas it takes almost two hours to cost, it’s noticeably sooner than the 18W tech that Xiaomi provides on the remainder of its finances tablets.Redmi Pad Pro: Accessories(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Xiaomi sells two equipment with the Redmi Pad Pro: a typical folio case that has first rate safety, and a keyboard accent dubbed the Redmi Smart Keyboard. I used the Xiaomi Pad 6 extensively with its keyboard case, and Xiaomi is doing issues a bit otherwise with the Redmi Pad Pro; the case would not hook up with the pill utilizing pogo pins on the again, as an alternative counting on Bluetooth.Image 1 of 3(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Pairing the case to the Redmi Pad Pro is about as seamless because it will get; there is a toggle on the appropriate that permits Bluetooth connectivity, and it mechanically reveals up within the gadget checklist. The case securely holds the Redmi Pad Pro, and the keys have good tactility. There’s no backlighting, however exterior of that, the Redmi Smart Keyboard nails the fundamentals.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The different accent is a stylus known as the Redmi Smart Pen, and it’s equally first rate. It has 4096 ranges of strain sensitivity, and there is no noticeable latency when utilizing the stylus to take notes or doodle. The bundled sketching utility is fairly primary, however you should utilize one thing like Infinite Painter and make detailed sketches.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)While the stylus itself is sort of good, it would not connect magnetically to the Redmi Pad Pro, and that limits its usability. I additionally seen connectivity points, and needed to toggle the Bluetooth modem on the pill to have the ability to use the stylus once more. Redmi Pad Pro: Software(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)There is not an excessive amount of to speak about on the software program aspect of issues, with Xiaomi providing HyperOS 1.0.3.0 based mostly on Android 14 out of the field. That in itself is an enormous deal, as Xiaomi has to this point been unwilling to pre-install Android 14 on its 2024 finances gadgets.You get a lot of the identical options because the telephone construct, and there’s a first rate quantity of customizability. Xiaomi would not embrace many tablet-focused utilities; you continue to get a break up notification pane with the toggles accessible through the appropriate aspect, and there is not a gesture to launch split-screen multitasking.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)You might want to press down on an app card inside the overview menu and choose the mode manually, however when you pull up two home windows side-by-side, you’ll be able to simply resize and alter the width of every window, and shut each on the identical time. The overview menu makes use of Xiaomi’s customary vertical configuration, and there is not a setting to change it to horizontal scrolling.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The leftmost pane reveals Google’s Discover feed, and there is no method to disable it. The interface is in want of a visible overhaul, however it’s higher optimized than MIUI; Xiaomi now wants to show its consideration to sharpening the visuals. On the entire, it’s simple to navigate and use, and though there’s numerous overt styling, it is not wherever as cumbersome as earlier variations of the pores and skin. My largest quibble is that the toggles within the Control Center haven’t any labels.When it involves updates, the Redmi Pad Pro will get two platform updates together with three years of safety updates. That is according to different finances tablets, however contemplating Xiaomi’s lackadaisical perspective with regards to platform updates, the pill is unlikely to make the change to Android 15 someday this yr — and even in Q1 2025. That mentioned, a minimum of you may get the replace in some unspecified time in the future, in addition to Android 16 when that turns into accessible.Redmi Pad Pro: The competitors(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)There’s no scarcity of finances tablets, and in the event you’re seeking to maximize worth, Xiaomi’s Redmi Pad SE ticks numerous the appropriate bins. It additionally has a big display screen, and whereas the {hardware} is not as highly effective because the Redmi Pad Pro and also you miss out on the equipment, it’s rather more inexpensive. If you want highly effective {hardware}, the Xiaomi Pad 6 remains to be an excellent selection in 2024. It has a brighter panel, is terrific at gaming, and whereas the battery would not final as lengthy, it has a leg up over the Redmi Pad Pro in all different areas.Redmi Pad Pro: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)You can buy this if:You want a big pillYou need the most effective battery life on this phaseYou need a good keyboard accentYou should not purchase this if:You want biometric authenticationYou need long-term updatesXiaomi did all the appropriate issues with the Redmi Pad Pro. The change to a bigger display screen, 120Hz panel, and growing the battery measurement provides the pill a definite benefit over the Redmi Pad SE. While it will not dethrone the iPad, it’s noticeably higher to make use of than most finances tablets, and that in itself is a sizeable achievement.The Redmi Pad Pro does an excellent job on the fundamentals, and whereas you aren’t getting the equipment bundled with the pill, the keyboard is well worth the funding in the event you want a finances pill for productiveness. In the same vein, the stylus is an efficient selection if you wish to sketch on the go.I haven’t got many negatives to share; the {hardware} is not splendid for gaming, and the shortage of a safe authentication system is irksome. But exterior of that, there actually is not a lot lacking right here, and in the event you want a dependable finances pill with a 12.1-inch display screen, the Redmi Pad Pro is a standout possibility.
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