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Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Redmi Pad 2 review: Best budget Android tablet under ₹15,000?
Redmi Pad 2 review: In recent times, the budget tablet market in India has not evolved significantly when it comes to offering powerful performance, features, and swift multitasking capabilities. If we look at the under ₹20000 segment, the options are very limited, and again, it's very easy to find flaws when you compare them with mid-ranger or flagship-grade tablets. However, if you're looking for a balance between decent performance and a smooth UI experience, then the Redmi Pad 2 at just Rs.13999 could be a great choice. Xiaomi's Redmi tablet has drastically improved over the years, bringing features and abilities that are widely demanded and used by users. Redmi Pad 2 shines in the affordable segment with impressive offerings.(Aishwarya Panda-HT) I have been using the Redmi Pad 2 for over two weeks, and it surprises me that a budget tablet could offer such smooth performance. The MediaTek Helio G100 Ultra chipset powers the tablet, which has provided an impressive day-to-day experience, and the HyperOS 2 on the tablet feels premium. Therefore, if you are looking for an affordable tablet, the Redmi Pad 2 could come as a great option. Read on to know in detail about its performance and daily experiences. Also read: Redmi Watch Move launched at ₹1999, Xiaomi's first made-in-India smartwatch Redmi Pad 2 review: Design The Redmi Pad 2 WiFi version is 7.52 mm in thickness, and it weighs about 510 grams.(Aishwarya Panda-HT) Redmi Pad 2's sleek and attractive design will instantly grab your attention. It has a cool-looking factor that just feels comfortable in the hand. The tablet is just 7.52 mm in thickness, and it weighs just 510 grams for the WiFi version. Although the design is simplistic, it does feature a dual-tone rear panel with a pill-shaped camera module. One disadvantage of the tablet is that it's quite slippery, and you will have to get a tablet case, which is sold separately at Rs.1299. However, it does not attract fingerprints or smudges due to the matte finish. Apart from these features, the Redmi Pad 2 includes a volume button, SIM tray, two speaker grilles, a 3.5mm jack and a USB-C type port. However, the speaker and microphone placed on top and bottom look odd, and it's quite confusing to find the power button. Lastly, the tablet offers an IP52 rating for water and dust resistance, making it adequate considering the price. Also read: Meta and Oakley's new AI smart glasses: Are Americans ready for wearable AI in everyday life? Redmi Pad 2 review: Display Redmi Pad 2 features an 11-inch 2.5K IPS LCD display.(Aishwarya Panda-HT) The main attraction of the Redmi Pad 2 is its 11-inch 2.5K IPS LCD display, which is a visual delight at the given price. It includes a 10-bit display that is capable of producing about 1.07 billion colours and 274 PPI for greater clarity. Since I mainly used the tablet for my entertainment purposes, I thoroughly enjoyed watching content on Prime Video and YouTube. I also streamed on Netflix; however, I experienced some jitters for a few seconds, but it settled instantly. While it's not much of a problem, but surely noticeable. Additionally, the bezels on display are quite thick, which can be distracting at times. In terms of usage, the display offers a 90Hz refresh rate, making navigation responsive and smooth with fingers or with the supported Redmi S pen that sells separately at Rs.3999. Additionally, it offers up to 600nits peak brightness, which is quite promising even when you are using the tablet outdoors in daylight. Lastly, the Redmi Pad 2 features a quad-speaker with support for Dolby Atmos and Hi-res audio, offering a great and clear sound quality. Redmi Pad 2 review: Performance Redmi Pad 2 offers u to 6GB RAM and up to 256GB of storage.(Aishwarya Panda) The Redmi Pad 2 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G100 Ultra processor paired with up to 6GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. Well, the chip is built to handle every task, and it offers just that perfectly. My day-to-day activity with the tablet mostly included playing light games, binge-watching OTT content, making work or study notes, and a bit of multitasking for work. To my surprise, I did not face any major stutter or lag, and the tablet performed smoothly throughout the time of usage. Even after option three apps at once, the tablet did not show any hiccups, and switching between apps was butterfly smooth. As I said, multitasking was also a breeze; however, you may notice slight heating after about 40 minutes of continuous usage. However, if you are planning to play heavy and graphic load games such as BGMI, then the Redmi Pad 2 might not be the one for you. While the gaming experience was not choppy, but the frame drops were frequent, and at times the tablet struggled to provide smoothness, which may hamper your experience. Overall, the Redmi Pad 2 is perfect for everyday usage with multitasking, light gaming, and content viewing, making it a perfect multimedia tablet on a budget. The Redmi Pad 2 runs on HyperOS 2 based on Android 15, which provides several productivity features such as split screens, and you can also open three apps at once via the floating window. Apart from this, it does not come with bloatware and ads, making the experience clutter-free and smooth throughout. Redmi Pad 2 review: Battery Redmi Pad 2 offers all-day usage with a 9000mAh battery.(Aishwarya Panda) The Redmi Pad 2 is backed by a 9000mAh battery, which provides decent battery life. It provided a run time of about 10 to 12 hours with low to medium usage. Therefore, if you are a casual user, then the Redmi Pad 2 would easily last you an entire day. One pain point you may notice is the charging time, as it supports 18W charging. You will have to wait for more than 3 hours for the device to fully charge. Redmi Pad 2 review: Verdict Now, who should buy the Redmi Pad 2? Well, in my opinion, the tablet is perfect for people who prefer big-screen entertainment, casual usage, with some multitasking. However, the tablet is not suitable for heavy gamers as they will stutter in high graphics settings or during long gaming sessions. Otherwise, the Redmi Pad 2 at just Rs.13999 is a stunning device one could ask for in the budget segment. Rating: 3.5/ 5
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Nothing Phone 3 overpriced? Three mobiles with Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 SoC at less than half the price
The Nothing Phone 3, along with the Headphone 1, launched yesterday on 1 July. The brand has notably launched a flagship phone for the very first time, which also happens to be the successor to the Nothing Phone 2, launched almost two years ago. Poco F7 (left), Realme GT 7 (right).(Shaurya Sharma / HT) Expectations for this phone have been quite high, but popular sentiment online suggests that people are unhappy about the price: ₹ 79,999 for the base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. That said, the primary dissatisfaction stems from the fact that, despite being positioned as a flagship, the phone ships with a processor that isn't flagship-grade: the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 instead of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which can, in fact, be found in phones that cost several thousand rupees less. Now, if you're looking for a phone with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 but aren't keen on spending ₹ 80,000, we've got you covered. Here are two alternatives from other brands that feature the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and offer a similar set of specifications. There's also a third model, but it's not yet available in India. Read on for the details. Poco F7 The Poco F7 was launched last month in June. For ₹ 31,999, you get 12 GB of RAM alongside the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset and even UFS 4.1 storage. If you want the phone for performance-centric needs, for your gaming, and want a huge 7,550 mAh battery, a triple IP rating, and a glass and metal finish with a large display, the Poco F7 is certainly a phone you should have a look at. However, do note that it has Xiaomi's HyperOS 2, and there will be a lot of bloatware to deal with. Luckily, most of it is uninstallable, so if you can work with Xiaomi's HyperOS 2, the Poco F7 is definitely a great option. iQOO Neo 10 The next option on the list is the iQOO Neo 10, which was also launched in India recently. For the base model, you have to pay ₹ 31,999, which comes with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. You can also opt for the 12 GB RAM plus 256 GB storage option, and that will set you back ₹ 35,999. This phone also packs the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, and it too, like the Poco F7, gets a super-large battery in the form of a 7,000 mAh cell. The display is certainly a highlight, being 144 Hz, so you can, in theory, play games at 144 FPS if they are supported. There is also a large vapour cooling chamber that helps keep temperatures down for long hours. Xiaomi Civi 5 Pro (Not Available In India) Xiaomi Civi 5 Pro, which could come to India as the Xiaomi 15 Civi, is expected to be the successor to the Xiaomi 14 Civi and feature Leica optics. It, too, gets the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset and comes with a 6.55-inch display, a triple camera setup tuned by Leica, and a large 6,000 mAh battery. Again, this is not available in India as of now, and there is no word as to when or if it will launch in the country. However, the good news is that the last-generation model, the Xiaomi 14 Civi, did make its way to the Indian market. MOBILE FINDER: iPhone 16 LATEST Price In India
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- The Hindu
Redmi Pad 2 Review: Suits users who want a tablet for routine daily tasks
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. (For top technology news of the day, subscribe to our tech newsletter Today's Cache) 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.
India Today
26-06-2025
- India Today
Poco made a last-minute change to the Poco F7, says it's all for the fans
The Poco F7 is generating a lot of buzz for its long list of upgrades and fairly aggressive pricing. Many of them were presumably pre-planned as is the nature of these things but turns out, Poco also made some last-minute changes to make the Poco F7 more appealing to fans and enthusiasts. According to Poco India country head, Himanshu Tandon, the Xiaomi spin-off brand initially planned to support the Poco F7 for only four years at the max. That is, it was supposed to get three years of major operating system and up to four years of security updates. But fans asked, or were asking the brand for more, and so Poco 'obliged' and decided to extend it by another two years. This means the Poco F7 will - now - get four years of major OS and six years of security updates from Poco. advertisement'It will be 4 years OS +6 years Security updates. Earlier we planned for 3+4 but fans asked us to extend it to 4+6. Hence we obliged. Hope that settles the confusion,' Tandon wrote on X, the platform previously known as Twitter. He acknowledged that the change would add extra cost to the company, but seemingly, it is ready to absorb it because it is focusing on giving long term value. 'There is cost associated with everything. But believe in giving long term value rather than focus on short term benefits.' The Poco F7 is shipping with Android 15 based Hyper OS 2. With Poco ramping up support, buyers are good to go for until Android 19, plus two more years until support runs out which adds another feather to an already feature-packed showing. The Poco F7 packs tremendous value overall but it all really narrows down to two key features. The phone is among the first to bag Qualcomm's freshly minted Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset and in India, Poco has put a massive 7,550mAh Silicon-Carbon battery inside it even as the global variant makes do with a smaller 6,500mAh. The Poco F7 also supports 90W charging and fast reverse charging up to 22.5W. There are other niceties too like a large and vibrant 6.83-inch AMOLED display with 1.5K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, stereo speakers, 50-megapixel main camera, and a stunning glass and metal design with IP69 dust and water resistance rating. The Poco F7 starts at Rs 31,999 in India for a variant with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. - Ends
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Business Standard
25-06-2025
- Business Standard
POCO F7 debuts with Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, 7,550mAh battery, from Rs 31,999
POCO F7 launched in India with Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, 6.83-inch AMOLED display, 7,550mAh battery, 90W charging and Android 15-based HyperOS 2. Prices start at Rs 31,999 and sales begin July 1 POCO has launched the F7 smartphone in India, priced from Rs 31,999. One of the first smartphones in the country to feature a 7,550mAh battery, the POCO F7 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor and features a 6.83-inch AMOLED display. The company claims the ultra-slim bezels make it the segment's largest and most immersive display for gaming, streaming, and creative tasks. POCO F7: Price and variants 12GB + 256GB: Rs 31,999 12GB + 512GB: Rs 33,999 Colours: White, black, silver POCO F7: Availability and launch offers The POCO F7 will go on sale in India from July 1 via Flipkart. As an introductory offer, buyers can avail of a Rs 2,000 bank discount on select cards or a Rs 2,000 exchange bonus on trade-ins. No-cost EMI options are available for up to 12 months. Additionally, the company is offering one-year screen damage protection and an extended one-year warranty at no extra cost. POCO F7: Features The smartphone sports a 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 3,200 nits. It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, the F7 comes with 12GB RAM and up to 512GB storage. The device runs on Xiaomi's HyperOS 2 based on Android 15. On the camera front, the POCO F7 offers a 50MP Sony IMX882 primary sensor with optical image stabilisation, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. It supports 4K video recording on both the rear and 20MP front camera. The phone packs a 7,550mAh battery with 90W wired charging support and up to 22.5W reverse charging. It is also IP66, IP68 and IP69 certified for dust and water resistance. To ensure consistent performance, the device features POCO's IceLoop cooling system for improved heat dissipation, which helps maintain stable frame rates and low latency during prolonged usage. POCO F7: Specifications Display: 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, 3200nits of peak brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass 7i Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip RAM: 12GB Storage: up to 512GB Rear camera: 50MP primary (Sony IMX882) + 8MP ultrawide Front camera: 20MP Battery: 7550mAh Charging: 90W wired charging OS: Xiaomi HyperOS 2 based on Android 15 Protection: IP66/68/69
