Redmi’s new tablet—the Redmi Pad Pro 5G—strikes an impressive balance between a smartphone and a laptop. With its enlarged smartphone-like design and 5G connectivity, it combines portability with functionality. Additionally, it includes accessories such as a magnetic keyboard case and a smart pen, blending the best of both worlds.
Redmi Pad Pro 5G
Rs 21,999
What Is Good?
- Smooth display, 120Hz
- Balanced performance
- Good software features
- Xiaomi Interconnectivity
- Split screen, productivity focussed
- Reliable battery life
What Is Bad?
- Room for improvement in selfie camera
- Slow charging
- Bloatware
- Missing trackpad on keyboard
Priced under Rs 25,000, it represents exceptional mid-range value. But does it genuinely fulfill its “Pro” designation, or is it merely a clever marketing ploy? Read on to see if this tablet truly lives up to its impressive promises in this review.
Redmi Pad Pro 5G Review: Pricing and Availability in India
The Redmi Pad Pro 5G is available in three variants on Redmi eStore, Amazon and Flipkart.
| Variants | Pricing |
| 6GB RAM + 128GB Storage (WiFi) | Rs 21,999 |
| 8GB RAM + 128GB Storage | Rs 24,999 |
| 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage | Rs 26,999 |
Redmi Pad Pro 5G Review: Design and Build Quality
I managed to get my hands on the Graphite Grey version of the Redmi Pad Pro 5G, and let me tell you, it looks pretty snazzy. The design is reminiscent of the OnePlus Nord CE3 Lite—basically a larger, tablet-sized sibling with the same camera module.
| Design | Specifications |
| Weight | 571 grams |
| Thickness | 7.52mm |
| Colours | Graphite Grey and Quick Silver |
| Port and Button Placements | Bottom: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB port, Two speaker grilles
Top: Two speaker grilles, Power button Right Side: SIM tray, Volume buttons, Two microphones |
This pad is so slim it’s almost a marvel of modern engineering—easy to hold and lug around in a backpack.
The Pad feels robust, though I haven’t had the chance to test its drop resistance—fortunately, there have been no accidental dives off the table so far. Keeping it in a case should keep it safe from unintended acrobatics.
The 3.5mm headphone jack is a lifesaver for those who still cling to wired earphones for gaming or streaming. On the downside, there’s no word on the IP rating—some indication would have been nice. In an ideal world, everyone would be careful around water, but let’s face it, there can be some mishaps.
Redmi Pad Pro 5G Review: Display and Audio
The Redmi Pad Pro features an IPS LCD display that’s also found on the OnePlus Pad Go and Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+. In this price range, no other tablet boasts an AMOLED display. But thankfully, the 120Hz refresh rate is a lifesaver—it enhances the overall display and scrolling experience.
| Display | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Size | 12.1-inch |
| Type | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1600×2560 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz |
| Peak Brightness | Claimed: 600 nits, Tested: 437 nits |
| Minimum Brightness | 01 nits |
Indoors, the tablet’s brightness is pretty decent. Redmi claims 600 nits of brightness, but I clocked in at 163 nits less. Still, it’s bright enough to not squint. The minimum brightness is also quite low, so using it in a completely dark room should also be pleasant as you won’t feel like staring into a bright tube light. Step outside, though, and under direct sunlight, the display is only slightly more visible than a chameleon in camouflage. However, tablets are designed to use indoors, so this won’t be a recurring issue for most.
Watching content on this tablet was enjoyable. I reached for the Pad whenever I wasn’t in the mood to squint at a tiny screen. The magnetic keyboard keeps the Pad in place like a well-behaved pet, and when you elevate it a bit, the whole viewing experience feels even more immersive.
On Netflix, this tablet supports Widevine L1 with Dolby Vision. I watched The Big Bang Theory and Tarot on the tablet. The colours are good, accurate, and quite consistent. For multimedia use, this tablet is a perfect option.
The quad-speaker system is like having a mini surround sound system—so you’ll never miss out on the dialogues and other aspects of a movie. The audio isn’t distorted or too loud; it’s right where it should be.
Redmi Pad Pro 5G Review: Keyboard and Stylus
The Redmi Pad Pro 5G offers additional accessories, such as a keyboard case and a smart pen. Both the keyboard and the stylus are priced at Rs 3,999 each, meaning you’ll need to spend an extra 8,000 rupees for an enhanced tablet experience. It’s something I would personally recommend if you are looking at this tablet from a productivity point of view.
| Keyboard | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 10.9mm |
| Weight | 460 grams |
| Keys Quantity | 64 keys |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
| Languages | US English, Thai, Russian, Arabic, French, Italian, UK English, German, Spanish |
The keyboard includes a stand that keeps the tablet stable when you want to use it like a mini laptop. I found it to be quite reliable, with no issues of accidental key presses, making it well worth the cost. However, the missing trackpad can be a dealbreaker for some. The keyboard requires charging with a USB Type-C cable every four days, although this may vary based on usage.
Regarding the smart pen, I’m not overly impressed. It’s adequate for everyday tasks like jotting down notes or multitasking. However, my experience with sketching and colouring wasn’t great.
I found it difficult to rest my hand on the pad without causing accidental inputs. When working near the bezels, the stylus would sometimes exit the page and return to the home screen. Moreover, I had to constantly keep track of the smart pen to avoid losing it, as it can’t be magnetically attached to the keyboard due to the Type-C design.
Redmi Pad Pro 5G Review: Performance and Software
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC on the Redmi Pad Pro also powers the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion and Realme 12 Pro Plus.
| Hardware | Specifications |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC |
| RAM | Up to 8GB |
| Storage | Up to 256GB |
| Storage Test | 592465 |
| CPU Throttling Test | 87 per cent of its max performance |
| Software Version | Xiaomi HyperOS, based on Android 14
Two years of OS updates and three years of security patches |
| Connectivity Details | Dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2 |
It handles everyday tasks like browsing Instagram, taking notes, or even ordering groceries from Blinkit smoothly and efficiently. On top of that, I could use two apps simultaneously in split-screen mode along with two floating windows, allowing me to run four apps at once.
I played Subway Surfers and Candy Crush, and there were no lags while playing the former—the gameplay was smooth.
This tablet also includes a SIM slot, enabling 5G connectivity, so if you want to make calls and use it like a smartphone, you can. Just be prepared for some surprised looks when using it in public.
The Redmi Pad Pro offers great lock screen customisation, floating windows, and Xiaomi Interconnectivity features. The split-screen function is particularly useful, enhancing productivity throughout the day.
Xiaomi Interconnectivity is part of the company’s effort to create a seamless Xiaomi ecosystem. The Shared Clipboard feature allows you to copy text or images on your Xiaomi phone and paste them directly onto your tablet, making many tasks more convenient. The only pre-requisite is you’ll need an active Xiaomi account on both your devices.
Overall, the software experience is excellent, although you should be ready for some pre-installed apps.
Redmi Pad Pro 5G Review: Cameras
This tablet has a single rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera for selfies.
Both cameras deliver average performance. The rear camera is unlikely to be used much for serious photography. It does show some noise in both daylight and low-light conditions. When photographing people, the skin tones are overly smoothed, resulting in an artificial appearance. However, the colour accuracy of sample shots is generally good.
| Camera | Specifications |
| Primary Camera | 8-megapixel rear camera, HDR f/2.0 aperture |
| Selfie Camera | 8-megapixel selfie camera, f/2.28 aperture |
| Video Recording Capabilities | Up to 2K at 30fps |
The selfie camera also smooths skin tones, even without filters, so don’t expect perfectly natural selfies. That said, they are ready for social media, so no extra editing is needed before posting. The front camera is mainly suited for video calls or important Zoom meetings, and it performs adequately for these purposes.
Redmi Pad Pro 5G Review: Battery and Charging
This tablet has a large battery and comes with a 33W charger. Unfortunately, it takes 1 hour and 45 minutes to charge from empty, which feels lengthy for 2024.
| Battery | Specifications |
| Battery | 10,000mAh |
| Charging Adapter | 33W, charger in the box |
| Charging Time | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| PCMark Battery Test | 12 hours 4 minutes |
In the PCMark battery test, it lasted 12 hours and 4 minutes—less than I expected given the battery size. I was hoping it would last at least 15-16 hours.
In real-world usage, the battery lasted over two days. Overall, the battery life is good and should be sufficient for most users.
Redmi Pad Pro 5G Review: Verdict
The Redmi Pad Pro 5G flaunts a large, stunning display with a 120Hz refresh rate, balanced performance, and a hefty 10,000mAh battery. Plus, it throws in 5G connectivity, just in case you want to use it for calling.
But if you’re aiming for a laptop-like experience, you’ll need to splurge on the extra accessories. This extra investment makes it a bit pricier, but it delivers a ‘pro’-ductive performance. For better audio or more seamless stylus connectivity, though, you might want to consider the Xiaomi Pad 6. If you have a more flexible budget, going for the OnePlus Pad will also prove fruitful.
