Xiaomi’s venture into the budget tablet arena with the Poco Pad has been generating buzz for its impressive blend of features and affordability. Positioned competitively, this Android device aims to deliver a premium experience without the steep price tag associated with higher-end tablets.
Design & Build
The Poco Pad features a sleek squared design crafted from aluminium, offering a robust and premium feel. While lacking an official IP rating for water and dust resistance, its Gorilla Glass 3 screen ensures durability for daily use. Available in Grey or Blue, its minimalist design appeals to users seeking simplicity and functionality in their devices.
Screen & Speakers
With a spacious 12.1-inch IPS LCD display boasting a 120Hz refresh rate, the Poco Pad provides smooth scrolling and enjoyable viewing experiences.
Despite not matching the vividness of OLED displays, its 2560 x 1560 pixel resolution delivers decent clarity for multimedia consumption and productivity tasks.
The tablet’s quad speakers with Dolby Atmos support enhance the experience with rich, immersive sound quality ideal for casual listening and video streaming.
Specs & Performance
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage (expandable up to 1.5TB via microSDXC), the Poco Pad handles daily tasks smoothly.
While it excels in browsing and social media, more demanding applications and games may experience occasional lag and slowdowns.
Cameras
Equipped with an 8MP rear camera and an 8MP front-facing camera, the Poco Pad captures decent photos and videos under well-lit conditions. While not comparable to flagship smartphone cameras, they perform adequately for everyday photography and video calls.
Battery Life & Charging
A standout feature of the Poco Pad is its substantial 10,000mAh battery, supporting up to 16 hours of continuous video playback under optimal conditions. Charging is efficient with the included 33W fast charger, delivering significant power in a short timeframe.
Software & Apps
Running on Android 14 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS overlay, the Poco Pad offers a user-friendly interface with minimal bloatware.
It supports stylus input via the optional POCO Smart Pen, enhancing productivity for note-taking and creative tasks. The software strikes a balance with customization options, ensuring ease of navigation and operation for users.
Price & Conclusion
Priced competitively at £239.79, the Poco Pad presents exceptional value with its large display, durable build, and reliable performance. While it may not match high-end tablets in gaming capabilities or camera quality, it excels as a dependable option for everyday use.
In summary, the Xiaomi Poco Pad emerges as a commendable choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking a capable Android tablet.
Its solid construction, impressive display, and long-lasting battery make it a compelling contender in the competitive mid-range tablet market, catering well to users looking for functionality without compromising on quality.