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Business Standard
10 hours ago
- Business Standard
Redmi Pad 2 review: A budget tablet that excels at multimedia and doodling
Xiaomi expanded its tablet lineup in India with the launch of the Redmi Pad 2. This tablet is powered by the Mediatek Helio G100-Ultra, sports an 11-inch screen, and boasts four speakers with Dolby Atmos sound. Moreover, the Redmi Pad 2 supports Redmi Smart Pen for doodling, note-taking, and more. There is no keyboard accessory offered, but Xiaomi has a case accessories to go with it. That said, the Redmi Pad 2 seems to be a feature-packed proposition in budget segment. Is it? Let us find out: Redmi Pad 2: Variants and pricing Wi-Fi only (4GB+128GB): Rs 13,999 Wifi + Cellular (6GB+128GB): Rs 15,999 Wifi + Cellular (8GB+256GB): Rs 17,999 Accessories Redmi Smart Pen: Rs 3,999 Redmi Pad 2 Cover: Rs 1,299 Design and Build The Redmi Pad 2 features a slim 7.52 mm profile and a minimalistic design. The back panel of the tablet features a clean and almost monochromatic look except for the 10 per cent area that sports a lighter shade of the colour variant (Graphite Grey or Sky Blue) that you will choose. The clean and minimalist look of the Redmi Pad 2 exude a sophisticated feel and looks premium. The Redmi branding rests vertically on the bottom left corner of the back panel. The top left corner is captured by the camera module that features one lens. The side frames of the panel feature the volume button and SIM tray on the right, and the left frame remains spotless. The bottom frame houses two speaker grille, a 3.5mm jack and a USB-C type port, whereas the upper frame sports a power button, two speaker grille and a Dolby Atmos branding. The Redmi Pad 2 weighs 510 grams but it features equal weight distribution due to which it doesn't become uncomfortable to use. The back comes with a matte finish which makes it prone to fingerprints, smudges and scratches. The build seems sturdy which would easily endure a few drops without taking much damage. It can be placed in the hands of children however, still getting a back cover to ensure higher protection against drops might be a good idea. Display and Audio The Redmi Pad 2 features an 11-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and support for adaptive refresh rates up to 90Hz. The display panel sports a punch-hole camera on the ride side and offers a peak brightness of 600 nits. A common trend I've noticed with tablets recently is that none of them, whether it's the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro (review), Motorola Pad 60 Pro (review), or the Redmi Pad 2, are bright enough to be used comfortably under harsh sunlight. Their peak brightness typically falls in the range of 400 to 600 nits, which may suffice for indoor or shaded use, but proves to be limiting if you're planning to use the device outdoors during the day. That said, the 90Hz refresh rate keeps things running smoothly. Animations, like opening and closing apps, feel fluid and responsive. The display's colour reproduction is quite satisfactory, delivering tones that are close to real-life colours. The wet touch technology on the display is impressive. While the bezels on the Redmi Pad 2 are noticeably thick, the overall multimedia experience remains enjoyable thanks to the expansive screen and good colour accuracy. This is further enhanced by the Dolby Atmos-tuned quad speakers, which deliver clear, well-balanced sound, elevating the content consumption experience considerably. Doodling on the Redmi Pad 2 can be fun, especially with the Redmi Smart Pen, which is sold separately. Performance and Software The Redmi Pad 2 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G100-Ultra processor, paired with a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. It is coupled with a up to 6GB RAM and up to 256GB storage. My experience of multitasking and continuously switching between applications like YouTube, Google Chrome, Photos, EA Sports FC Mobile Football, and Asphalt was without hiccups. There weren't many noticeable lags that I encountered. There were slight heating issues that I faced, especially while indulging in intensive multitasking and gaming sessions. If someone uses the Redmi Pad 2 to play high-demanding games like BGMI, COD Mobile, or Asphalt, then they will notice frame drops though. If you push the visual settings to maximum and switch on HDR in BGMI, you'll likely run into performance hiccups—especially during intense moments when every frame counts. Frame drops and noticeable lag can easily put you at a disadvantage in firefights. The overall gameplay experience becomes much smoother when the settings are dialed down to 'Balanced' mode. As for software, the Redmi Pad 2 runs on Xiaomi's HyperOS 2, which is based on Android 15. It comes with a clean user interface with not much bloatware. The Redmi Pad 2 comes equipped with AI-powered tools like Circle to Search and Gemini integration, aimed at enhancing productivity and ease of use. With Circle to Search, users can simply draw a circle around text or images on the screen to instantly look them up online—without needing to switch apps or copy-paste. Gemini, on the other hand, serves as an AI assistant that can help with tasks such as summarising content, answering queries, or generating text, directly within supported apps. Camera The Redmi Pad 2 features an 8MP camera on the rear and a 5MP camera on the front. The primary camera captures images but fails to retain a lot of details. The tendency to soften the image around sharp edges and make it look processed is quite evident. The selfie camera does a fair job of conducting video calls. If someone is expecting much from a 5MP camera, then they surely will be disappointed. It can capture a few selfies, but the output will look heavily processed and softened. Overall, the cameras just serve their purpose, casual photography occasionally, and being able to talk to people virtually through video calls. The photographs will be comparatively better in well-lit conditions, and the tablet will struggle in low-light conditions. Battery and Charging The Redmi Pad 2 is shipped with a 9000mAh battery and supports 18W fast charging. However, it is shipped with a 15W charging adapter in the box and uses a USB Type-C port with USB 2.0 support. On moderate to heavy usage, the tablet will go from 100 per cent to 0 per cent in around six to eight hours. If a user sticks to just note-taking or doodling, then the battery will last significantly longer. The Redmi Pad 2 would take a bit more than two hours to fully charge as the charging adapter is of 15W only. Accessories The Redmi Pad 2 comes with optional accessories that consumers can purchase if they wish. The accessories that can be purchased along with the Redmi Pad 2 are the Redmi Smart Pen and the Redmi Pad 2 cover. The purpose of a cover is pretty self explanatory, it will add a layer of protection to your tablet and also act as a stand for the tablet. As for the Redmi Smart Pen, it is designed with an ergonomic grip and ultra-low latency of under 10 milliseconds. The Redmi Smart Pen is practical and does what it's supposed to without trying to overdo it. Writing with it feels natural, and the pen responds well to different pressure levels. There's very little delay between input and output—especially on Xiaomi's own apps—and even longer writing sessions don't feel uncomfortable, thanks to the grip and overall build. The design is simple to work with however, it might take some time to get used to if you're coming from magnetic styluses. The shortcut buttons are useful in specific apps like Mi Canvas, but their functionality is limited outside Xiaomi's ecosystem. You can take quick screenshots or switch tools, and the option to write with the screen off does come in handy for quick notes. It also works decently with third-party drawing apps, but you'll still notice occasional lag depending on the app's compatibility. Overall, it's a straightforward tool—not flashy, but reliable if you mostly stick to supported apps and want something for everyday writing or basic sketching. Notably, both accessories don't come bundled with the tablet and consumers will need to purchase them separately. Verdict The Redmi Pad 2 is a solid pick for users looking for a dependable, budget-friendly tablet mainly for media consumption, casual browsing, note-taking, and online classes. With its 11-inch display, Dolby Atmos quad speakers, and a capable processor for everyday use, it handles most non-intensive tasks smoothly. The support for AI features like Circle to Search and Gemini adds a nice touch for productivity. If paired with the separately sold Redmi Smart Pen, it also becomes a decent option for students or professionals who want basic sketching or handwriting capabilities without spending too much. However, those expecting strong gaming performance or high-end camera output will find the Pad 2 lacking. The performance dips during graphically intensive games, and both the front and rear cameras are serviceable at best. If your primary use case includes competitive gaming, advanced multitasking, or serious creative work, you might want to explore more powerful options in a higher price bracket. The Redmi Pad 2 excels in the basics, but it's not designed to punch above its weight.
India Today
6 days ago
- India Today
Redmi Pad 2 quick review: Big specs, small price tag
It's been a while since Redmi launched a proper budget tablet. I remember trying out the original Redmi Pad back in 2022 — it was decent for its time, but of course, there was room for improvement. So, when I heard about the Redmi Pad 2, I was curious. Three years is a long time, and you'd hope the company would use that gap to polish things up and bring something that feels a bit more complete and blows you away with its value been using the new Redmi Pad 2 for a few days now — not enough to call it a full review, but just enough to get a feel of what it's like to live with. And so far, honestly, it's been pretty refreshing. Here are my first enthusiasts are going to love itRight out of the box, it's clear this tablet means business. It's got a clean, minimal design — the kind that doesn't scream 'budget' the second you hold it. Sure, it's a bit thicker and heavier than the first-gen model, but that is okay. It still feels light enough to hold comfortably with one hand and prop up on your lap while watching something. I've been using the Sky Blue variant, which looks quite nice and refreshing. There's also a Graphite Grey finish, for folks who prefer a more subdued look. Also, just the way it feels in the hand — the flat edges, the metal-like back — it gives off the premium tablet vibes without costing like thing I wasn't expecting to say, but the display is probably my favourite part so far. It's an 11-inch LCD panel with 2.5K resolution, and it supports a 90Hz refresh rate — and that combination really shows in day-to-day use. Everything looks crisp, the animations are smooth, and just scrolling through stuff feels of my use has been casual — YouTube, Netflix, a bit of Chrome, nothing too heavy — and the display's held up beautifully. The colours are punchy, and the brightness is good enough for indoor use. Outdoors, it struggles a bit, but I guess that's fair at this has gone with four speakers again, and they've partnered with Dolby Atmos for tuning. It's not crazy loud, but the clarity is good. Vocals are sharp, background scores don't get lost, and there's even a bit of bass — just enough to enjoy a movie or a podcast without needing headphones all the time. For a tablet that costs under Rs 15,000, I'd say the audio is definitely above average. Of course, you won't get home-theatre-level sound, but it doesn't sound tinny or hollow makes it feel more fluidThis is also one of the first budget tablets I've tried that runs HyperOS 2.0 atop Android 15. And honestly, I quite liked it. It actually feels smoother than MIUI ever did on a tablet. Transitions are quick, the 90Hz helps, and general apps — YouTube, Chrome, Notes, WhatsApp — all feel fairly well optimised for a bigger are some pre-installed apps, which is typical Redmi, but nothing that annoyed me enough to uninstall right away. If anything, the whole UI feels a bit more performance throughoutThis one's powered by the MediaTek Helio G100 — and while it's not the kind of chipset that'll blow benchmarks out of the water, it's held up okay so far. I've mostly used it for media, casual browsing, and a bit of video calling — and in all of that, the tablet didn't stutter or course, I'm not gaming on this thing (and I don't think it's meant for that), but for basic stuff, it seems to handle things fine. I'll obviously push it more in the coming weeks, but as far as first impressions go, it feels steady, not coming to one of the biggest highlights — this tablet comes with a 9,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, and that's quite a bit — especially paired with a low-power chip and a clean UI. I've been using it for a couple of hours each day, and I still haven't had to charge it after four days. So far, it looks like this thing could easily go five days between charges for casual isn't blazing fast, though, so if you run it dry, expect to wait a bit. But the trade-off for long battery life feels fair also supports Redmi's own stylus (sold separately), and while I've only tested it briefly, it works well enough for casual note-taking or sketching. It's nowhere near as precise as Samsung's S Pen or the Apple Pencil, but again — this is a budget tablet. Just the fact that it has stylus support at all feels like a win at this for the cameras, well, they are basic. The 8-megapixel rear one is fine for scanning documents or clicking something quickly, and the 5-megapixel front camera — placed in landscape — is way better for video calls. It doesn't make you look awkwardly off-centre, and the quality is the Redmi Pad 2 has LTE support if you get the right variant, and that's good for people who want to stay connected on the upThe Redmi Pad 2 starts at Rs 13,999 for the Wi-Fi-only version with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage. LTE models go higher — Rs 15,999 and Rs 17,999, for the 6GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB variants, what I've seen so far, it feels like Redmi's taken a measured, sensible approach with this one. They didn't try to do too much, and instead focused on getting the important stuff right — the display, battery life, and a cleaner software experience.I'll be testing it more over the next week or so — pushing it with heavier tasks, trying out the stylus more, and seeing how it holds up over time. But as of now, it's been a pretty pleasant tuned to India Today Tech for our full review of the Redmi Pad 2.
