Xiaomi Poco Pad Review: Deceptively Affordable Tablet

Xiaomi’s Poco model has been steadily constructing a repute for high-performing funds smartphones over the previous few years, but it surely’s determined 2024 is the time to develop into funds tablets.

Such a transfer comes at a time when mid-range and funds tablets are plentiful, with Xiaomi Pad 6, Lenovo Tab M11, Samsung Galaxy A9 and Google Pixel Pill all providing one thing for customers who need an Android pill with out having to spend an excessive amount of.

Whereas the Poco Pad does clearly transfer away from the compact type of the F6 and X6 Professional smartphones, it retains lots of the hallmarks featured in these Poco units, together with an enormous 120Hz show, robust battery life, and stable efficiency. However simply how a lot worth for cash does it supply? And is it value selecting over extra established names?

We put it to the check on this evaluate, discovering simply how a lot of a premium pill expertise Poco can supply for a fraction of the same old worth.

Design & Construct

• Squared design with aluminium body and rear
• Pin-hole selfie digital camera mounted in bezel
• No IP ranking

The Poco Pad sports activities an understated but quietly fashionable design, characterised by flat sides, rounded corners, and a smooth aluminium body.

The pill’s rear incorporates a vertical lens-and-flashlight array in its top-left nook, with the remainder of the floor taken up by nothing greater than the Poco brand within the backside left. As for the entrance, it’s equally minimal, with the 12.1-inch show surrounded by pretty thick 8mm bezels, which on the rear digital camera aspect home the selfie lens.

The pill is obtainable in solely two colors, Gray or Blue. These each match the pared-down aesthetic of the system nicely, even when the absence of livelier choices might disappoint some potential consumers.

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Nonetheless, the Poco Pad definitely punches above its weight within the look division, though when it comes to literal weight, it’s truly comparatively heavy. In comparison with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 and Lenovo Tab M11, which weigh in at 332g and 465g respectively, the Poco Pad suggestions the scales at 571g (or 1.26lbs).

Stemming from the larger show and battery, this additional baggage arguably provides to the premium really feel of the system. And on condition that the burden is evenly distributed, holding the pill for extended durations of time doesn’t actually really feel like a chore.

The Poco Pad will even show pretty sturdy, because it includes a sturdy aluminium body and a Gorilla Glass 3 display. One draw back, nonetheless, is that there’s no official IP ranking for water and dirt resistance, though that is just about normal for the huge bulk of tablets.

Display screen & Audio system

• 12.1-inch IPS LCD show
• 120Hz refresh fee
• Quad audio system

Maybe it’s not stunning for a pill at this worth level, however the Poco Pad’s show is a blended bag. On the one hand, its 12.1-inch display is massive and vivid, and it even comes with an adaptive 120Hz refresh fee, making it good and clean for scrolling.

Alternatively, its use of an IPS LCD panel means it lacks the sharpness and vividness of extra luxurious OLED tablets. Positive, you possibly can simply watch Netflix, YouTube and different streaming companies on the system because of the dimensions of its display, however if you happen to’re a correct movie buff, you’ll miss a few of that readability and element. 

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Simon Chandler / Foundry

That is even if its decision is fairly beneficiant at 2560 x 1560 pixels, which offers roughly 249 pixels per inch. That is higher than that supplied by many different tablets (together with one thing just like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9), but watching on the Poco Pad by no means actually takes your breath away, even whether it is principally adequate.

Nevertheless, because of the Poco Pad boasting such an ample 12.1-inch show, it does make for extra snug internet searching and basic productiveness. This isn’t one thing that many tablets in its vary can lay declare to, so even when its display isn’t dazzling, it undoubtedly performs.

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Simon Chandler / Foundry

What additionally performs are the Poco Pad’s 4 stereo audio system, which assist Dolby Atmos encompass sound. It accordingly produces some appreciably full and wealthy audio, with a pleasant steadiness of EQs (equalizers) and the power to layer clearly.

Whereas it might not attain the volumes that some folks would really like, it’s greater than sufficient to serve for informal residence listening and viewing.

Specs & Efficiency

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
• 8GB RAM and 256GB storage
• Slot for microSDXC card: expandable as much as 1.5TB

The Poco Pad hides the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 below its hood, with the mid-range chip a more moderen sibling to the 7 Gen 1 and seven+ Gen 2, that are all constructed utilizing a 4nm manufacturing course of.

In idea, this could make the Poco Pad extremely succesful for a tool in its vary, with the pill additionally carrying 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM.

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Simon Chandler / Foundry

But in apply, the Poco Pad isn’t as nimble as you may think. Sure, on a regular basis duties and apps are often dealt with with relative ease, with the system serving nicely for searching, social media and light-weight productiveness.

However whenever you transfer as much as video games, notably among the extra power-hungry titles, you’ll discover slowdown and lag.

To be truthful, most informal video games I attempted ran fairly easily, however staples equivalent to Fortnite and Asphalt 9 might usually stutter. In the meantime, graphically formidable video games equivalent to Genshin Impression and Sky: Youngsters of Gentle have been extra irritating, affected by frequent points.

This can be a disgrace, however the Poco Pad hardly payments itself as a devoted gaming system, so its audience in all probability received’t be too bothered. They may discover the pill completely usable for streaming, messaging, and even working.

Poco Pad benchmarks

The system additionally makes up for its relative weaknesses by coming with a beneficiant 256GB of RAM as normal. Maybe much more generously, it does have a Micro-SD card slot, enabling customers to increase this inner storage to 1.5TB. As such, you possibly can take as many images and obtain practically as a lot as you need with the system.

Cameras

• 8Mp important rear digital camera
• 8Mp selfie digital camera
• 1080p video at 30fps

Now, tablets hardly have the very best repute for his or her cameras, so it can maybe come as no shock to study that the 8Mp rear lens on the Poco Pad doesn’t measure as much as its nearest smartphone equivalents. Nevertheless, having come to the pill fearing the worst, I used to be pleasantly stunned to seek out that you would take shareable images in kinder environments.

You will have to indicate just a little endurance and faucet the display every so often for focusing, however panorama pictures below good daylight do prove fairly nicely. The rear 8Mp lens additionally captures element and texture properly at nearer ranges, although the digital zoom is just about redundant, sadly.

The pill’s entrance digital camera additionally affords a portrait mode and varied filters that, in idea, make for extra flattering selfies than it might usually seize.

In my expertise, it wasn’t as efficient as mid-range and high-end smartphones in attaining this aim, with most of my selfies wanting just a little washed out and nonetheless not fully flattering.

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Whereas the portrait mode is usually usable, the identical can’t actually be stated for the night time mode. Regardless of the identify, it nonetheless wants a bit of sunshine to perform correctly, and even then its pictures are typically so grainy and missing intimately that most individuals in all probability received’t wish to preserve them, besides maybe as items of avant-garde images.

There’s additionally an 8Mp front-facing lens, which (very like the rear digital camera) is serviceable with out being notably spectacular. It really works nicely for video calls and selfies, but there’s additionally a definite drop-off in readability, even when in comparison with the pretty modest rear lens.

The Poco Pad may also seize HD (1080p) video at 30 frames per second. Once more, that is nothing to shout about, though it does imply that the system retains tempo with its rivals within the funds style, such because the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 and Lenovo Tab M11.

Battery Life & Charging

• 10,000mAh battery
• 33W wired charging
• No wi-fi charging

The Poco Pad comes with a hefty 10,000mAh battery, with Xiaomi promoting as much as 16 hours of steady video playback.

This was achieved below lab circumstances, in fact, but my time with the pill discovered that it does have fairly good endurance, even when an enormous chunk of the capability is taken up supporting such a big display (with an adaptive 120Hz refresh fee).

Gentle utilization of the Poco Pad permits the system to simply about make it into a 3rd day without having a recharge, though the overwhelming majority of customers will get solely as far as a second day. As for the declare you could play 16 hours of video with out the pill dying on you, I discovered that watching Netflix on the pad will deplete its battery pretty shortly. So, my estimate for steady playback is extra within the area of 12 hours on a superb day.

Nonetheless, that is fairly first rate efficiency for a reasonable pill, and an identical story applies to charging. The pill comes with a 33W fast-charging adapter (although my pattern had a European/Swiss adapter somewhat than a UK one), and it does cost pretty shortly. In our assessments it went from 0% to 30% in about quarter-hour, and from 0% to 64% in half an hour.

Some could also be disillusioned that the Poco Pad doesn’t assist or supply wi-fi charging, however for such an reasonably priced pill this shouldn’t actually be a problem.

Software program & Apps

• Android 14 and HyperOS
• 3 OS updates, 4 years of safety updates
• Stylus assist

As with different Poco units launched in 2024 (e.g. the F6 Professional and X6 Professional), the Poco Pad operates on HyperOS, Xiaomi’s rebranding of its MIUI system. Returning customers will due to this fact be accustomed to its tackle Android 14, together with its iOS-aping residence display, app dock and notification shades.

In comparison with Poco’s telephones, bloatware is pretty minimal on the pill, with the consumer in a position to uninstall most of Xiaomi’s native apps (e.g. Mi Canvas, Mi Mover, Xiaomi Residence). Whereas some have criticised it for being just a little niggly, I discovered the stripped-back structure and design of the HyperOS software program snug to make use of.

It’s customisable to a helpful extent, with out providing a wealth of choices which will confuse or overwhelm informal customers. There’s the power to decide on between utilizing old style Android buttons or gestures for navigation, as an example, whereas you too can add or take away the app drawer for additional simplicity. 

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Simon Chandler / Foundry

Additionally welcome is the inclusion of assist for the POCO Sensible Pen, which AliExpress is promoting for £33.36 on the time of writing. You should utilize the Sensible Pen to attract and take notes with Mi Canvas and different suitable native apps, whereas it’s additionally good for taking fast screenshots.

The stylus does have fairly low latency and in addition 4096 ranges of strain sensitivity, so whereas it doesn’t have as many potential makes use of as different pens, it’s enjoyable and rewarding to make use of. It additionally goes properly with the Poco Sensible Keyboard (additionally offered individually, unavailable on the time of writing), which inserts snugly with the pill and has satisfyingly stable keys.

Lastly, Xiaomi is treating the Poco Pad to 3 years of core Android updates, in addition to an additional yr of safety updates. This isn’t particularly lengthy, however it’s normal throughout practically all Poco merchandise, whereas there’s much less of a value concerned in upgrading to new funds tablets extra usually than you’d with a premium mannequin.

Value & Availability

The Poco Pad is obtainable by way of AliExpress, and prices £239.79 for UK consumers on the time of writing, although it usually fluctuates. It’s accessible solely as an 8GB and 256GB model.

As regular for Poco merchandise, the system isn’t accessible within the US.

The funds and mid-range pill market is turning into more and more busy, so the Poco Pad isn’t wanting rivals and doable options. These embody the Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE, Xiaomi Pad 6, Lenovo Tab M11, Honor Pad 9, Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ and Nokia T21, with all however the Nokia popping out in both 2023 or 2024.

Must you purchase the Xiaomi Poco Pad?

The Xiaomi Poco Pad is a good choice for anybody searching for a dependable Android pill that received’t price an excessive amount of however will do most issues nicely sufficient. For lower than £300, it affords a generously sized 12.1in show, a high-stamina battery, usable important digital camera and uncomplicated software program, offering a rewarding general bundle.

Positive, its efficiency can generally fall brief if you happen to attempt to play extra superior video games, but it surely’s succesful for many functions. It additionally affords some helpful extras – equivalent to its Sensible Poco Pen and Keyboard – for anybody wanting to make use of the system for work or examine, making it an unassumingly versatile pill.

Specs

• 12.1-inch IPS LCD (2560×1600) 16:10, 120Hz;
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
• 8GB LPDDR4X RAM
• 256GB RAM UFS 2.2 inner storage;
• Cameras:
• 8Mp important/extensive sensor
• 8Mp entrance going through
• Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/a/6 2.4GHz+5GHz
• Bluetooth 5.2
• 10,000mAh battery
• 33W wired charging
• 280 x 181.9 x 7.5 mm
• 571g