Redmi Pad 2 Review: Suits users who want a tablet for routine daily tasks

The Hindu

4 days ago

Redmi is back in the budget tablet arena with its latest offering — the Redmi Pad 2. Positioned as a sequel to the original Redmi Pad and Redmi Pad SE, this version aims to pack more power, features, and versatility, all while staying comfortably under the ₹20,000 bracket. I am testing the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant, priced at ₹17,999 in the Sky Blue colourway — a device that instantly catches the eye with its sleek design. But does the user experience match its premium look? Let's find out!
Design
The Redmi Pad 2 makes a solid first impression with its aluminium unibody chassis that doesn't scream budget at all. It feels refined in hand, thanks to its slim 7.52mm profile and a smooth matte finish. The back panel is mostly monochrome, with just a subtle shade variation on one side, adding a hint of visual flair without overdoing it.
You'll find the Redmi branding neatly placed in the bottom-left corner, and a solitary rear camera in the top-left. The side frame placement is practical — volume rocker and SIM tray on the right, while the left stays clean. The top side features two speaker grilles, a power button, and Dolby Atmos branding, whereas the bottom houses another two speakers, a USB-C port, and even a 3.5mm headphone jack — a rare treat these days.
Despite weighing 510g, the Pad 2 doesn't feel cumbersome, thanks to excellent weight distribution. The matte finish, while premium to the touch, is prone to fingerprints and smudges, so you'll want a case. Good news — the build feels sturdy enough for everyday rough-and-tumble use.
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Display
The Redmi Pad 2 features an 11-inch LCD panel with a 2.5K (2000 x 1200) resolution and a 90 Hz refresh rate. On paper, it seems impressive — and to some extent, it is. The visuals are crisp, colours are decent, and the 10-bit colour support helps make videos and games pop with slightly more depth.
But here's where it falters: brightness. Rated at 600 nits (outdoor mode), it struggles in brighter environments, especially outdoors or near a window on a sunny day. Even at full brightness, the screen feels dim compared to what other brands are offering in similar price brackets. The Triple TÜV Rheinland certification is reassuring for eye protection, but that doesn't help much if you can't see the screen clearly in all conditions.
Software & AI
The Redmi Pad 2 runs on Android 15 with Xiaomi's HyperOS 2 on top, offering a largely clean and straightforward experience. The large screen layout is intuitive, and split-screen multitasking works fine. HyperOS 2 brings subtle refinements to multitasking and visual fluidity, enhancing usability without overcomplicating the interface. Redmi has done well to keep the bloatware minimal, and the overall experience remains responsive and smooth.
As for AI features, this tablet becomes the first to offer 'Circle to Search' out of the box, which is a neat touch — albeit one that might not see frequent use by casual users. Gemini AI integration promises smart suggestions and productivity boosts, but again, these feel more like add-ons than essentials. They work, but they don't really elevate the overall experience in any meaningful way.
Performance
The latest Redmi Pad 2 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G100 Ultra processor, a capable mid-range chipset that's built for everyday performance. Redmi claims an 80% GPU boost over its predecessor, and it shows. Paired with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage, our review unit easily juggled web browsing, HD streaming, and app multitasking without noticeable lag.
App launches are fast, UI transitions are fluid, and basic editing or note-taking is a breeze. The LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage ensure smooth read/write speeds. Heavy apps do take a second longer to open, but there's no stuttering in day-to-day use. The Geekbench scores — 729 (single-core), 1974 (multi-core) — reflect its upper-entry-level performance bracket.
Gaming performance, while not top-tier, is still decent. Lighter titles like Subway Surfers and Clash Royale run without hiccups. Graphic-intensive games like Asphalt 9 are playable but with occasional frame drops. The GPU score of 1291 indicates it's fine for casual gaming but not your go-to device for demanding FPS titles.
Camera
Let's face it — tablets are rarely known for their camera prowess, and the Redmi Pad 2 follows that script closely. It sports an 8 MP rear shooter, which captures usable images in daylight but lacks detail and struggles with edge sharpness. There's a noticeable softness in the output, especially around high-contrast areas, giving photos a processed look.
The shutter speed is a bit slow, which can lead to blurred results if you're not steady. Low-light conditions make things worse, with noise and colour bleeding evident in most shots. The rear camera does a decent job doubling as a document scanner or for casual photography when you have no other option.
Up front, the 5 MP selfie camera performs fine for video calls — which, to be fair, is its main job. The quality is decent enough for Zoom or Google Meet, but don't expect detail-rich selfies. The shots come out soft and heavily smoothed, even in well-lit conditions.
HDR support is available but inconsistent. Sometimes it helps bring out the dynamic range, but more often than not, the results are hit or miss. The teleprompter feature is a fun add-on for content creators, though it feels like a software band-aid rather than a hardware strength.
Overall, the cameras are serviceable. They won't wow you, but they'll get the job done when needed — whether that's a quick scan, a video call, or a family picture in bright daylight.
Battery
If there's one department where the Redmi Pad 2 truly excels, it's battery life. The tablet packs a massive 9,000 mAh battery, which easily pushes through two full days of casual use. Whether you're watching videos, reading, or doing some light productivity work, battery anxiety is never on the cards.
Redmi claims up to 19 hours of video playback and 22 hours of reading, and in real-world testing, it comfortably lives up to that promise. However, the 18 W fast charging feels more 'moderate' than 'fast' by 2025 standards. Topping up the battery from near empty to full takes nearly 3 hours, so overnight charging is still the best bet.
Verdict
At ₹17,999, the Redmi Pad 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular variant tries to check many boxes, but falls short in several key areas. Yes, it looks great. The aluminium build is commendable, the quad speakers are solid, and the battery life is reliable. But once you move past the surface, the shortcomings start showing.
The display is sharp but underwhelming in brightness, performance is passable but unremarkable, and the cameras are below average. While it introduces some useful AI tricks and stylus support, these don't make up for the hardware compromises, especially when there are other tablets in the same segment offering better all-around value.
The Redmi Pad 2 will suit users who just want a tablet for normal daily tasks like streaming, watching movies, or playing games. But for everyone else, this one might require more convincing — or a second look at the competition.