Xiaomi Pad 6 Review: The best screen and many accessories
The Xiaomi Pad 6 is the latest addition to the mid-range Android tablet market, offering a compelling option for consumers seeking a balance between high-priced iPads and entry-level Android tablets. One of its standout features is its impressive screen.
The tablet boasts an 11-inch IPS LCD panel, which provides vibrant and crisp visuals. Under the hood, the tablet is powered by a Snapdragon 870 chipset, which ensures smooth performance and efficient multitasking.
The Xiaomi Pad 6 aims to strike a balance between premium features and affordability, offering a compelling option for consumers looking for a mid-range Android tablet. With its high-quality display, powerful processor, generous battery capacity, and capable cameras, the Xiaomi Pad 6 is poised to provide an enjoyable multimedia and productivity experience at a more accessible price point.
Xiaomi Pad 6: Video Review
| Specs | Xiaomi Pad 6 |
| Display | 11-inch, 2880×1800 (2.8K) IPS display, 144 Hz, 550 nits brightness |
| CPU | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 |
| RAM memory | 6GB, 8GB |
| Internal memory | 128GB, 256GB |
| Operating system | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Card slot | No |
| SIM cards | No |
| Camera | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1/4", 1.12µm |
| 3.5mm jack | No |
| NFC | No |
| Battery | Li-Po 8840 mAh |
| Charging | 33W wired |
| Dimensions | 254 x 165.2 x 6.5 mm (10.0 x 6.50 x 0.26 in) |
| Weight | 490 g (1.08 lb) |
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold |
Design
The Xiaomi Pad 6 has made notable improvements in terms of design compared to its predecessor. While the Pad 5 featured a plastic back, the Pad 6 comes with a full metal body, giving it a more premium feel. It measures 254mm high, 165.2mm wide and just 6.5mm thick. It weighs 490 grams, which makes it relatively lightweight for comfortable handling.
However, it falls slightly short in terms of overall build quality compared to more expensive competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 or Apple iPad Pro. The transition from the display to the case lacks the same level of elegance found in those premium devices.
One area where Xiaomi seems to have taken inspiration from Apple is in the omission of certain features. The Xiaomi Pad 6 does not include a headphone jack or a microSD card slot, which may disappoint some users who rely on expandable storage or prefer wired audio connections. Additionally, a fingerprint reader is absent, which means users will need to rely on other methods of authentication, such as PIN codes or facial recognition.
On a positive note, the tablet does offer a USB-C 3.2 connection, which allows for connecting external monitors. This feature is particularly useful for productivity purposes, especially when coupled with a mouse and keyboard. However, it is worth mentioning that there is no desktop mode, and the screen is only mirrored rather than extended.
The Xiaomi Pad 6 includes an 8-megapixel front-facing webcam, which enables decent video chats and conferencing. On the back, there is a 13-megapixel camera accompanied by a depth sensor, delivering good picture quality for general photography needs.
For users interested in using a keyboard, the tablet provides magnetic connectors at the back to attach a compatible keyboard, offering a convenient typing experience.
Screen
The Xiaomi Pad 6 brings an important innovation to the table with its screen. It proudly boasts the title of being the first tablet to feature a 144Hz display. This is a significant upgrade compared to its predecessors, as well as flagship offerings from Samsung and Apple, which typically offer a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. The higher refresh rate results in smoother animations and transitions, although it can be challenging to notice a substantial difference beyond 120Hz.
Sporting an 11-inch IPS panel, it delivers a pleasingly high resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels. This translates to sharp and detailed visuals, even when viewing the screen up close. As expected, the display is fully laminated, ensuring minimal air gap and enhancing the overall viewing experience. It offers stable viewing angles and is notably bright, making it suitable for outdoor usage, even in direct sunlight.
The display of the Xiaomi Pad 6 truly stands out, particularly when considering its price range. It possesses qualities that can rival those found in flagship tablets. Its superb visual capabilities make it a great option for multimedia consumption, including watching films and series. Moreover, the tablet supports Widevine level L1, enabling users to stream content from platforms like Netflix in high definition.
In addition to the impressive display, the Xiaomi Pad 6 comes equipped with four side speakers. These speakers deliver excellent audio quality, rivaling the performance of the renowned Samsung Galaxy Tab S8. The combination of a top-notch display and impressive speakers ensures an immersive and enjoyable multimedia experience on the Xiaomi Pad 6.
Xiaomi Pad 6: Performance
The Xiaomi Pad 6 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor. Depending on the variant, it is paired with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM and offers internal storage options ranging from 128GB to 512GB. However, it’s worth noting that the tablet does not provide an LTE option, and GPS functionality is also absent.
The Snapdragon 870 is a slightly older flagship processor that performs better than its predecessor in benchmark tests like Geekbench 5. However, it falls behind the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, and the Apple iPad Pro remains significantly more powerful overall.
The 3D Mark Wild Life test, which assesses graphics performance, demonstrates that the Xiaomi Pad 6 offers significantly better performance compared to more affordable tablets such as the Xiaomi Redmi Pad or Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE. Nevertheless, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 outperforms the Xiaomi Pad 6 in terms of graphics performance. Interestingly, the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 surpasses the Xiaomi Pad 6 in the Geekbench graphics performance test.
In real-world usage, however, it becomes difficult to discern a noticeable difference between the Xiaomi Pad 6, Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, or Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2. The tablet handles multitasking smoothly, even when juggling multiple apps, and swiftly switching between apps poses no significant issues. Similar to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, the Xiaomi Pad 6 delivers reliable performance.
Gaming performance on the Xiaomi Pad 6 is commendable. It handles demanding games like PUBG Mobile with Ultra HD graphics smoothly, offering an enjoyable gaming experience. Games such as Asphalt 9 and Genshin Impact, which require substantial graphics performance, also run smoothly on the tablet. Thus, the Xiaomi Pad 6 proves to be suitable for gaming purposes.
Overall, it provides ample power for smooth app transitions and handles demanding games with ease, making it a viable option for users seeking a capable gaming tablet.
Software
The Xiaomi Pad 6 operates on Android 13, customized with Xiaomi’s own interface called MIUI version 14.
The tablet comes pre-installed with several Xiaomi apps, including a dedicated browser and a notes app that resembles Apple Notes.
Overall, the interface is acceptable, and users can adapt to it. While it may differ from the stock Android experience, Xiaomi’s customization offers its own set of features and visual elements that some users may find appealing.
It’s worth mentioning that the Chinese version of the Xiaomi Pad 6 may not come with the Google Play Store pre-installed. However, installing it manually is a straightforward process and allows users to access a wide range of applications from the Play Store, ensuring a more complete Android experience.
Xiaomi Pen
The Xiaomi Pad 6 offers support for an active pen, allowing users to write directly on the display. However, the active pen needs to be purchased separately, just like with its predecessor. It is unfortunate that the old pen is not compatible with the new tablet, although the new pen is compatible with the Pad 5.
The stylus for the Xiaomi Pad 6 comes in a white color and bears some resemblance to the Apple Pencil. It features a similar hard tip and is equipped with two side buttons. The pen is charged through induction at the top of the tablet.
The quality of the stylus has seen an improvement compared to the predecessor, now reaching the level of the S Pen or Apple Pencil. It offers precision, quick response, and clean handwriting. Drawing and writing with the stylus is a pleasant experience, and even an artist who frequently tests pens and tablets found the Pad 6 to be great.
One drawback, however, lies in the software aspect. While you can install pen-related apps from the Play Store, Xiaomi lacks a dedicated note-taking app like Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S tablets have with Samsung Notes. Apple also provides numerous well-optimized features for the Apple Pencil and a wide selection of optimized apps through the App Store.
Unfortunately, Xiaomi falls short in this regard, with a limited number of apps in the Play Store that are specifically optimized for pen use. Nonetheless, the tablet does come with a few standard features pre-installed, allowing users to create and edit screenshots, among other basic functions. These features work adequately.
Keyboard covers
The optional keyboard cover for the Xiaomi Pad 6 has seen minimal changes compared to its predecessor. However, it is important to note that the cover designed for the previous model is not compatible with the Xiaomi Pad 6, which can be frustrating for users who already own the older version.
The keyboard cover is lightweight and attaches magnetically to the tablet. When folded, it provides protection for the back and display of the device. However, the sides remain exposed and susceptible to scratches. It is disappointing that the cover only offers one angle for setting up the tablet, limiting the flexibility of positioning. Additionally, the absence of a touchpad is noticeable, which could have added convenience and enhanced productivity.
In terms of the keyboard’s performance, it functions adequately. It allows for comfortable typing and has been used successfully to write this test and other content. However, compared to keyboard covers from Samsung and Apple, it does feel slightly cheaper in terms of overall build quality and tactile feedback.
While the keyboard cover for the Xiaomi Pad 6 gets the job done and provides a satisfactory typing experience, it lacks some of the premium features and refinements found in competing brands. Users who value extensive adjustability options or the inclusion of a touchpad may find the keyboard cover to be somewhat underwhelming in comparison.
Battery
The Xiaomi Pad 6 boasts an impressive battery life, offering nearly two days of usage with mixed-moderate usage patterns. This is made possible by the inclusion of an 8840 mAh battery, which provides ample power to keep the tablet running for extended periods.
Furthermore, the tablet supports 33-watt fast charging, allowing users to quickly recharge the battery. With this fast charging capability, it is possible to go from a completely drained battery to a full charge in under 100 minutes, which is quite efficient and convenient.
In a battery test, the Xiaomi Pad 6 showcased a runtime of 8. 25 hours. This result is particularly notable considering the tablet’s bright display and the test being conducted at the maximum 144Hz refresh rate. By adjusting the refresh rate to 90Hz or 60Hz, users can further extend the battery life, allowing for several additional hours of usage.
Xiaomi Pad 6: Conclusion
The Xiaomi Pad 6 presents itself as a competitive mid-range Android tablet option. With its standout features like the high-quality display, including a 144Hz refresh rate, and a sleek metal body, the tablet offers a premium feel at a more accessible price point. The Snapdragon 870 processor delivers reliable performance, although it may fall slightly behind top-tier competitors in terms of benchmark scores.
While the Xiaomi Pad 6 supports an active pen for writing and drawing on the display, it is disappointing that the older pen is not compatible, requiring users to purchase a new one. Additionally, the software for the stylus lacks the robustness and optimized apps seen in rival offerings from Samsung and Apple.
The battery life of the Xiaomi Pad 6 is impressive, providing nearly two days of usage with its 8840 mAh battery. The inclusion of 33-watt fast charging ensures quick recharging times, making it convenient for users on the go.
In terms of value for money, the Xiaomi Pad 6 excels. It offers a compelling combination of features, including a high-quality display, solid performance, and impressive battery life, all at a more affordable price compared to flagship tablets. However, it is essential to consider individual preferences and requirements, especially when comparing it to competing tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 or Apple iPad Pro.
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