Redmi Pad Pro 5G Review: A Mid-Range Marvel or Just Another Tablet?

The Redmi Pad Pro 5G steps into the spotlight with a bold claim: to offer premium features at a mid-range price. With 5G connectivity now part of the package, this tablet could be the perfect balance of power and affordability. Let's explore whether it truly delivers on its promises.

Build and Design

The Redmi Pad Pro 5G features a sleek design with a metal unibody frame, although a polycarbonate rectangular band covers about one-fifth of the rear panel towards the camera side. The rest of the rear panel is metal, giving it a sturdy feel. Despite its robust build, the tablet is not overly heavy, but the back panel does attract fingerprints. Using a case can help mitigate this issue.

PROS

• Large, high-refresh-rate display: Offers immersive viewing experience.
• Strong battery life: Long-lasting usage without frequent charging.
• 5G connectivity: No need to look for a mobile hotspot.
• Decent performance: Handles everyday tasks and light gaming well.
• Multitasking features: Split-screen and floating windows enhance productivity.
• Affordable: Offers good value for money compared to competitors.

CONS

• Audio quality could be better: Speakers lack depth and clarity.
• Security: Lacks a fingerprint sensor
• Accessories: Keyboard lacks a trackpad and has limited viewing angles.

The camera setup on the top left may initially appear to house dual cameras, but only one is functional, with the second cutout housing a flash. This design choice is somewhat misleading. A side-mounted fingerprint sensor could have been a better choice for security, as it is quicker and more secure compared to standard pattern or face unlock methods.

Display

The Redmi Pad Pro 5G features a 12.1-inch LCD display that offers a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 600 nits. This large display is one of the tablet's key selling points, providing ample screen real estate for a variety of tasks, from browsing the web to watching movies and working on documents. The high refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations, enhancing the overall user experience.

In terms of brightness, the 600 nits peak brightness is sufficient for most indoor settings and even holds up reasonably well in outdoor conditions, although direct sunlight might still pose a challenge. The display's resolution of 1600 x 2560 pixels results in a pixel density of approximately 249 ppi, which ensures that text and images are sharp and clear.

The color reproduction on the Redmi Pad Pro 5G is quite good for an LCD panel, though it doesn't quite match the vibrancy and deep blacks of an AMOLED display. The colors are vivid and the contrast is decent, making it a suitable choice for media consumption. Whether you're watching YouTube videos, streaming Netflix, or playing games, the display delivers a satisfying visual experience.

The inclusion of Dolby Vision support is another highlight, enhancing the video quality by offering better color accuracy, increased contrast, and more dynamic range. This feature is particularly noticeable when watching HDR content, making the colors pop and the details more pronounced.

One aspect that could be improved is the bezels, which are on the thicker side compared to some of its competitors. While they are not overly distracting, slimmer bezels would contribute to a more modern look and a slightly more immersive viewing experience.

Performance & Software

The Redmi Pad Pro 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, coupled with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. This combination provides a solid foundation for day-to-day tasks and moderate multitasking. During my time with the tablet, I found it to be quite responsive and capable of handling a variety of applications simultaneously.

One of the standout features of the Redmi Pad Pro 5G is its multitasking capability. The tablet offers a split-screen mode that allows you to run two apps side by side, which is particularly useful for tasks like taking notes while browsing the web or watching videos.

Additionally, the tablet supports floating windows, enabling you to have multiple apps open and accessible at the same time. This makes it a handy tool for productivity, whether you're working on documents, conducting research, or managing your emails.

For general performance, the Redmi Pad Pro 5G handles tasks like browsing, streaming, and social media with ease. Apps open quickly, and navigating the interface is smooth. However, when it comes to gaming, the tablet's performance is a bit of a mixed bag. Casual games like Crossy Road and Subway Surfers run smoothly without any issues.

I also tested the tablet with Devil May Cry and New State Mobile. In Devil May Cry, I got an average of 55 FPS, with the tablet getting warm but not uncomfortably hot. The graphics were set to low quality. In New State Mobile, the tablet delivered around 75 FPS with performance mode enabled. Xiaomi's Game Turbo mode is a useful addition, offering functions like clearing memory, boosting performance, and monitoring the current FPS. This mode also provides features such as do-not-disturb, screenshot capture, gameplay recording, and display adjustments, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

In terms of software, the Redmi Pad Pro 5G runs on HyperOS based on Android 14, which is clean and intuitive. Xiaomi has included several useful apps and features, like the ability to group apps in split-screen mode, saving specific layouts for quick access later. This is particularly handy for users who frequently multitask.

Camera

The camera setup on the Redmi Pad Pro 5G is adequate for basic tasks but nothing exceptional. It features an 8MP front-facing camera and an 8MP rear camera.

While not suitable for professional photography, these cameras are sufficient for document scanning, quick snapshots, video calls, and online meetings. The front camera performs well enough for Zoom calls and other video conferencing needs.

Battery

The Redmi Pad Pro 5G houses a substantial 10,000 mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging. It takes around 2 hours to fully charge the tablet, which is quite reasonable given the battery size.

With light to moderate use, the tablet easily lasts 3-4 days on a single charge, making it a reliable option for extended use without frequent recharging.

Audio

The audio experience on the Redmi Pad Pro 5G is a mixed bag. The tablet is equipped with quad speakers, with two speakers on each edge, which theoretically provide a rich, immersive sound experience. These speakers support 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res audio and include Dolby Atmos, promising clear and high-quality sound output.

However, in practical use, the audio performance falls somewhat short of expectations. While the speakers are capable of producing decent sound, they lack the punch and depth found in some of the tablet's competitors. For instance, when compared to the Lenovo Tab Plus (review), which boasts eight JBL-tuned speakers, the Redmi Pad Pro 5G's audio output feels less impressive.

During my time with the tablet, I found the audio to be adequate for casual listening and watching videos. The volume is sufficient for indoor use, but it can struggle in noisier environments. At maximum volume, the sound quality tends to degrade, with noticeable distortion creeping in, which can detract from the overall experience.

One of the redeeming features is the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack. This is a significant advantage for users who prefer using wired headphones or have a high-quality audio setup that relies on this connection. Additionally, the tablet supports Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring stable and high-quality wireless audio streaming.

5G Capabilities

The Redmi Pad Pro 5G stands out with its 5G connectivity, which provides a significant advantage for users seeking fast and reliable internet on the go. With 5G support, the tablet can leverage the high-speed data capabilities of the latest network technology, ensuring faster download and upload speeds, smoother streaming, and more responsive online interactions.

Accessories

Redmi Smart Pen

The Redmi Smart Pen, priced at ₹3,999, is an excellent addition to the tablet. It is smooth, easy to use, and ideal for note-taking, drawing, and other creative tasks. The pen offers good pressure sensitivity and low latency, making it feel quite responsive.

The buttons on the pen add functionality, such as changing input modes and taking screenshots. However, it needs to be charged separately using a USB-C charger, unlike the magnetic charging offered by high-end styluses like Apple's.

Redmi Pad Pro Keyboard

The Redmi Pad Pro Keyboard, also priced at ₹3,999, is a useful accessory for those looking to enhance their productivity. It attaches magnetically to the tablet and provides a good typing experience. However, it lacks a trackpad, which would have made it a more complete mobile desktop solution.

Additionally, the keyboard stand only allows for one viewing angle, which can be limiting in certain situations. Despite these drawbacks, the keyboard is well-built and charges quickly via USB-C.

Price

The Redmi Pad Pro 5G is priced at ₹24,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant and ₹26,999 for the 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant. Accessories are sold separately: the Redmi Smart Pen is ₹3,999, the Redmi Keyboard is ₹3,999, and the Redmi Pad Pro Cover is ₹1,499.

Should You Buy the Redmi Pad Pro 5G?

The Redmi Pad Pro 5G delivers solid performance, a vibrant display, and impressive battery life at a competitive price. It's a great choice for students and casual users, though those seeking superior audio, advanced cameras, or heavy gaming might want to look at higher-end options.

While accessories come at an extra cost, they enhance the overall experience. For a well-rounded mid-range tablet, the Redmi Pad Pro 5G is definitely worth considering.