At a lookSkilled’s Ranking
Professionals
- Glorious 144Hz display
- Spectacular efficiency
- Premium construct with IP53
- Good audio system
Cons
- Middling battery life
- No fingerprint sensor
- No software program replace dedication
Our Verdict
The Pad 6 is the most effective mid-range Android pill you should buy, and a convincing rival to the ten.2-inch iPad. Even the pill model of Xiaomi’a MIUI working system is respectable, although software program help is unclear.
Finest Costs At present: Xiaomi Pad 6
365,00 €
For a corporation that primarily focuses on premium merchandise, Apple has been surprisingly good at making low-cost(ish) tablets.
The common iPad was lengthy thought of the gold customary, although the 2022 mannequin noticed a major worth improve. Even on the time of writing, the cheaper 2021 model is a greater decide for most individuals.
It means there’s now a chance for an Android pill to fill the void. Samsung has received the premium pill area principally cornered off, and there are a couple of good choices underneath £250/$250, however what if you’d like one thing in between?
That’s the place the Xiaomi Pad 6 is available in. At £369, it’s not the most cost effective system round, however nonetheless has the potential to supply nice worth for cash. Finally, it delivers on that potential, although that doesn’t imply it’s the appropriate pill for everybody.
Design & Construct
- iPad-style design
- Premium construct high quality
- No fingerprint sensor
If Xiaomi needs the Pad 6 to be the Android equal of the iPad, it makes an excellent begin with the design.
From the entrance, you possibly can simply mistake this for one in all Apple’s tablets, with rounded corners and a slim, constant bezel across the show. Whereas slightly uninspiring, it displays effectively on such an inexpensive system.
And the construct high quality hasn’t been compromised, both. The aluminium again and body feels impressively sturdy, whereas Gorilla Glass 3 ensures the display is effectively protected towards drops and scratches. I had no drawback utilizing the Pad 6 with out a case, which might’t be stated for each pill.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The system additionally has an IP53 ranking, that means it’s protected towards most publicity to mud and sprays of water. Basically, it’ll be positive within the rain or on the seashore, however nothing extra excessive.
In actual fact, the one genuinely fragile space is the digicam module, which protrudes from the again of the system inflicting a wobble when attempting to make use of face up on a desk. I really feel like Xiaomi may have made them sit flush with the again of the system – I personally wouldn’t thoughts a slight improve to the present 6.5mm thickness.
Regardless of the premium supplies, the Pad 6 stays impressively light-weight. At 490g, it’s straightforward to carry with one hand or use for an prolonged gaming session. After all, that weight will improve when you mix it with the official cowl, which is bought individually for £29.
The aluminium again and body feels impressively sturdy, whereas Gorilla Glass 3 ensures the display is effectively protected towards drops and scratches
Nevertheless it’ll cowl up the Pad 6’s engaging rear design. I notably just like the ‘Mist blue’ model I examined, which shimmers within the gentle and is mostly good at avoiding fingerprint smudges. The end on ‘Gold’ and ‘Gravity Grey’ variations appears to be like to be comparable.
Nevertheless, the dearth of a fingerprint sensor is an actual disappointment. There’s an indent on the appropriate aspect of the system which appears to be like similar to one, however it’s merely a part of the design. As an alternative, face unlock is your solely various to an old style PIN, sample or password. It’s very quick at unlocking, however nowhere close to as safe.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Display screen & Audio system
- 11-inch LCD show
- 144Hz refresh price
- Spectacular quad audio system
The Pad 6’s show is essentially the most spectacular factor about it. That’s regardless of the display being LCD fairly than OLED, proving that not all compromise is dangerous.
As an alternative, Xiaomi has targeted on maximising just about every thing else. The 2880×1800 decision may be very excessive for an 11-inch panel, and means textual content and pictures look clear and crisp. You additionally get wealthy, vibrant colors, making it very best for looking social media or watching movies.
Nevertheless it’s the 144Hz refresh price that units the Pad 6 other than most rivals (up from 120Hz on the Pad 5). It’s one of the crucial responsive tablets I’ve ever tried, zipping between screens and throughout menus with glorious fluidity.
With LTPO tech solely out there on OLEDs, it might probably’t mechanically modify all the best way right down to 1Hz (to avoid wasting battery life) although. As an alternative, the default dynamic mode merely strikes between 60-, 90- and 144Hz relying on what you’re doing, or you possibly can manually choose any of those.
It’s one of the crucial responsive tablets I’ve ever tried, zipping between screens and throughout menus with glorious fluidity
Given how moveable the Pad 6 is, you may need to use it exterior. And that’s very potential right here, with a formidable most brightness of 550 nits. There’s additionally a separate ‘Daylight mode’, which helps to enhance visibility even additional.
Total, the Pad 6’s show is a pleasure to make use of. Whereas not fairly top-tier, it’s higher than the overwhelming majority of tablets round this worth (the Galaxy Tab S9 FE is £449 and solely 90Hz LCD). And I’m glad to say that the identical applies to audio.
The quad stereo audio system – one in every nook – pack an actual punch. They’re notably robust for music, the place most tracks have a formidable heat and depth to the sound. However the readability of voice-based content material can be excellent.
The principle factor missing is bass, however the audio system are nonetheless an amazing various to Bluetooth headphones or a speaker. There’s no 3.5mm audio jack for wired connections, although.
Specs & Efficiency
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 and 6GB RAM
- Spectacular efficiency, together with gaming
- Solely 128GB of storage
The Pad 6 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 chipset.
It’s an improve in comparison with the Snapdragon 860 on the Pad 5, however nonetheless debuted in telephones again in 2021. Because of this, I used to be involved that it may be beginning to present its age.
However I needn’t have apprehensive. Efficiency may be very robust, and a key motive to purchase the Pad 6 over many different mid-range tablets.
The one mannequin out there within the UK pairs it with simply 6GB of RAM, however I discovered that to be lots for nearly all on a regular basis duties.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
I used the system for internet looking, messaging, emails, watching movies and listening to music, usually shortly switching between them. There have been some slight hesitations at occasions, however every thing nonetheless felt clean and responsive, particularly when mixed with that 144Hz show.
Xiaomi markets the Pad 6 as a tool for work. I believe it’s a better option for leisure than productiveness, however the spectacular efficiency does make split-screen multitasking straightforward.
Efficiency may be very robust, and a key motive to purchase the Pad 6 over many different low-cost tablets
It’s additionally excellent for cellular gaming. I attempted among the most demanding titles on the Google Play Retailer, together with Name of Obligation: Cellular, PUBG Cellular, Asphalt 9 and EA Sports activities FC Cellular.
Except for a few dropped frames right here and there, gameplay was simply as clean as a flagship pill. And the system solely ever received barely heat to the contact, so the cooling system is doing an excellent job.
Xiaomi Pad 6 benchmarks
When it comes to inside storage, you’re restricted to simply 128GB. This shall be sufficient for most individuals, however round 25GB of that’s taken up with system information, and there’s no choice for growth by way of microSD.
The Snapdragon 870 chip has a built-in 5G modem, however there’s no help for cellular knowledge connections on the Pad 6. As an alternative, you’ll must make do with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, although each work very effectively.
Cameras
- 13Mp rear and 8Mp entrance cameras
- Respectable stills in good lighting
- Disappointing video
Let’s face it, you’re not shopping for a pill for the standard of its rear cameras. However whereas there’s only one 13Mp shooter on the again of the Pad 6, the photographs it produces are a nice shock.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
In well-lit environments, you will get spectacular pictures of each landscapes and structure with out an excessive amount of effort. Element and dynamic vary are usually good, whereas publicity is dealt with effectively.
Like Xiaomi telephones, photographs are often extra contrasty and saturated than actuality. I personally like this, because it means you usually don’t must edit photographs earlier than printing or posting to social media. Look elsewhere if you’d like pictures which are true to life, although.
On all cellular gadgets, there’s a distinction between what you see within the viewfinder and the top consequence. Nevertheless it’s notably dramatic right here, so don’t be postpone by the underwhelming picture you see initially.
In well-lit environments, you will get spectacular pictures of each landscapes and structure with out an excessive amount of effort
Nevertheless, what you lose out on in comparison with smartphones is versatility. No telephoto lens means you’re restricted to low-quality digital zoom, whereas the dearth of an ultrawide sensor could be irritating. You’ll additionally must make do with out portrait or macro modes, although close-up pictures are nonetheless surprisingly good.
The one different core characteristic you’re getting is Evening mode, which does an excellent job of brightening the picture and preserving key particulars.
On the entrance, an 8Mp lens can seize respectable selfies. Element and color accuracy are often good, although backgrounds are typically overexposed – notably skies. There’s additionally a synthetic magnificence mode that’s utilized by default, so I’d extremely advocate turning it off for extra genuine outcomes.
See a variety of digicam samples within the gallery under:
The rear digicam can take video as much as 4K at 30fps, however the default 1080p at 30fps is ok for many conditions. Sadly, a mix of washed-out colors and no picture stabilization (footage is wobbly with any important motion) means it’s solely actually good for the occasional informal house video.
Nevertheless, the Pad 6 continues to be an honest choice for video calls. 1080p footage from the front-facing digicam is respectable, and motion shouldn’t be a giant situation right here for duties like video calls.
Battery Life & Charging
- 8840mAh battery
- Common battery life
- Respectable 33W charging
The Xiaomi Pad 6 is provided with an 8840mAh battery. That’s barely bigger than its predecessor, the Pad 5 (8720mAh), and the common Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (8400mAh).
Whereas all three are 11-inch tablets, the Pad 6 has the best decision and refresh price. This appears to have a transparent impact on battery life, which isn’t fairly pretty much as good as I used to be anticipating.
How lengthy it’ll final on a single cost depends upon what you employ a pill for. With simply a few hours of internet looking or watching movies within the night, it’ll proceed for 2-3 days. However when you’re utilizing the Pad 6 all through the day, or for a protracted gaming session, be ready to cost it earlier than mattress.
That’s mirrored in PCMark’s battery take a look at, which simulates real-world duties at 200 nits of brightness. A time of 8 hours and quarter-hour isn’t dangerous, however a transparent step down from the most effective you’ll discover on tablets.
In case you’re utilizing the Pad 6 all through the day, or for a protracted gaming session, be ready to cost it earlier than mattress
After all, there are some things you are able to do to increase battery life. Turning down the brightness, setting the display refresh price to 60Hz or enabling battery saver mode will all assist, however additionally they make the Pad 6 much less satisfying to make use of.
Happily, charging is quicker than you’d anticipate for a pill. The Pad 6 helps 33W speeds by way of USB-C, and the required adapter is included within the field. From lifeless, it reached 21% in quarter-hour and 40% by the half-hour mark, with a full cost taking just below 90 minutes.
Not dangerous in any respect. There’s no wi-fi charging, however that’s not a shock.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Software program & Apps
- MIUI 14 over Android 13
- Straightforward to get used to
- No particular dedication to updates
The Pad 6 has {hardware} that may go toe-to-toe with the iPad, however don’t anticipate the identical from its software program.
Android merely isn’t optimised for the large display in the identical approach as iPadOS, with many builders not viewing it as a precedence. So, whereas many Xiaomi apps benefit from the massive show, most third-party ones are merely magnified variations of the smartphone app.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Nevertheless, this can be a drawback that impacts all Android tablets, and it’s on no account distinctive to Xiaomi. The corporate’s MIUI 14 pores and skin (over Android 13 right here) actually is, although.
I’m not a fan of MIUI on Xiaomi smartphones, however the pill model is way simpler to get together with. The break up notification shade and fast settings makes loads of sense right here, whereas the two-column Settings app is way simpler to navigate.
I’m not a fan of MIUI on Xiaomi smartphones, however the pill model is way simpler to get together with
Elsewhere, intuitive floating home windows and split-screen multitasking instruments help you benefit from the massive show. With smaller icons, their vivid colors are nowhere close to as distracting.
After all, MIUI is much from excellent. There are nonetheless a great deal of annoying additional apps pre-installed, a lot of that are inferior to the Google equal. And I actually want the ‘Clear all’ apps button didn’t go away one open. However on the entire, it’s no much less intuitive than some other Android pill.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Nevertheless, it’s not clear how lengthy Xiaomi will help the system with updates for. Its official article on smartphones mentions not less than two years, so it’ll in all probability be the identical for tablets. However with no particular dedication, you’ll be shopping for the pill with out figuring out for positive.
It additionally often takes some time for the brand new model of Android to reach. For instance, on the time of writing, there’s no phrase on when the Pad 6 will get Android 14.
Worth & Availability
At launch, the Pad 6 prices £369 within the UK. That will get you 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and it’s out there from Xiaomi, Very or Amazon.
Whereas not formally out there within the US, you possibly can nonetheless purchase one by way of Amazon. Costs begin at $349.99, although there are additionally choices for 8GB of RAM and/or 256GB of storage right here.
There’s no choice for LTE connectivity, and so no networks are promoting the system on contract.
The obvious various continues to be the ten.2-inch iPad from 2021 (from £369/$329. On the Android aspect, contemplate the Lenovo Tab P12 (from £399.99) or OnePlus Pad (£449/$499).
Try our charts for the most effective tablets and greatest Android tablets for extra choices.
Must you purchase the Xiaomi Pad 6?
Need an inexpensive Android pill that also performs to a excessive customary? The Xiaomi Pad 6 is the system for you.
Its Snapdragon 870 chip may be slightly dated, however you possibly can nonetheless anticipate excellent efficiency – together with gaming. Mixed with a wonderful 144Hz show and good audio system, it’s received the basics of an amazing leisure pill coated.
If there’s one factor that may put you off the Pad 6, it’s the middling battery life. And I can’t perceive why Xiaomi hasn’t included a fingerprint sensor.
However not like its smartphones, the excellent {hardware} right here isn’t let down by software program. And that makes the Pad 6 straightforward to advocate if an iPad is off the playing cards for no matter motive.
Specs
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chipset
- 6/8GB RAM
- 128/256GB storage
- 11in 144Hz 2.8K (2880×1800) IPS LCD show
- Quad audio system
- 13Mp most important digicam, f/2.2
- 8Mp entrance digicam, f/2.2
- USB-C
- WiFi 6
- Bluetooth 5.2
- 8840mAh battery
- Wired charging as much as 33W
- 490g
- 253.9 x 166.2 x 6.5mm
- Android 13 with MIUI Pad 14
