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February 15, 2025
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Xiaomi Pad 7: One More Player Joins The Tablet Wars

Xiaomi Pad 7

Following an experiment or two with notebooks, Xiaomi has fully committed to tablets. The company has gradually increased its tablet offerings in India over the last few years. With the launch of Xiaomi Pad 7, it seems that Xiaomi is keen to retain its legacy of high value for money products. Brand has also introduced some budget accessories to the tablet which aim to promote productivity. But can these features be enough to consolidate Xiaomi’s presence in the Andriod tablet market or even supplant the goading presence of the iPad?

Design and Build: Relatively Broader Display

The Xiaomi Pad 7 doesn’t look particularly special at first glance. It has a flat back, squared camera module with an overall simplistic design. Examining the device more closely, however, results in one major change being noted: The aspect ratio has changed from a 16:10 format to a far more square like 3:2 one. It may not be as wide as the 4:3 aspect ratio on the 10th generation iPad, but alongside the Xiaomi Pad 6, it does widen its display capabilities from 165.2 mm to 173.4 mm.

The Pad 7 weighs 500 grams which is 10 grams more than Pad 6, however, the bigger screen justifies the weight. In terms of dimensions, the Pad 7 is shorter at 251.2 mm and slimmer at 6.2 mm, compared to the Pad 6 which had a dimension of 254 mm and 6.5 mm thick.

The variant we had was Mirage Purple, which from a distance looks grey, but from a closer range shows hints of purple. Apart from the color looks, the device has an aluminum frame with front Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and has a sturdy build. It looks premium, but does not have an eye catching design.

Specifications: Strengths of Performance and Display

The Xiaomi Pad 7 targets a premium market with a few mid-range features. This allows for its performance to be great, though not define breaking. A remarkable aspect of the product is the display. The tablet comes in two types: the standard model, and a nano-texture version designed to reduce glare and improve usability in bright conditions, similar to the high-end iPad Pro models.

Our unit has an 11.2-inch LCD display with a resolution of 2136 x 3200, a 144 Hz refresh rate, and peak brightness of 800 nits. The nano-texture model, which is available only with the 12GB/256GB variant, certainly makes those long stretches of reading easier to do by decreasing the amount of reflections off the screen and is ideal for users that work in harsh lighting situations.

The Pad 7 is built using a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset. It might not be flagship-level potent, but it’s certainly an improvement over the Snapdragon 870 found on the Pad 6. The tablet comes in two options: 8GB RAM with 128GB of storage on UFS 3.1, or 12GB of RAM with 256GB of storage on UFS 4.0. Providing different levels of storage speed and capacity across the range of models is likely to help keep the price of the entry model at under Rs 30,000.

As far as the cameras go, Pad 7 sports an 8MP front shutter and a single 13MP rear camera which is better suited for video calls when the device is held in panorama orientation. It also comes with eight single speakers with Dolby Atmos, BLE 5.4, an infrared port, and Wi-Fi. The device is powered by an 8,850 mAh battery with 45W fast charging and runs on HyperOS 2 based on Android 15. A charger is included with the device, which is nice.

Accessories: Tools and Mechanisms to Generate Productivity

Xiaomi has added several accessories that make the Pad 7 more attractive. The Focus Keyboard that looks like Apple’s Magic Keyboard is the most notable one. It connects to the tablet using pogo pins, letting the tablet ‘float’ on the keyboard. This means you can view the screen from any angle you find comfortable. The Focus Keyboard has backlit keys and a trackpad, but weighs 589 grams. This is more than the tablet itself. It is quite expensive, costing Rs 8,999.

A more affordable alternative is the Xiaomi Pad 7 Keyboard which is priced at Rs 4999. Unlike the Focus Keyboard, it does not have backlighting or a trackpad, but it is easier to carry around because it weighs 320 grams.

There are built-in buttons on the Focus Pen stylus that allow you to easily navigate and take screenshots. It sticks to the tablet’s side, so you don’t have the worry about losing it. The Pen charges magnetically and can be very useful for those who like to sketch and take notes. It provides unmatched palm and pressure sensitivity. According to Xiaomi, on a single charge, the pen can last for up to 150 hours. The price is Rs 5,999.

A Mixed Experience in Performance

Xiaomi promotes the Xiaomi Pad 7 as a possible substitution for both a tablet and a notebook computer. The device “does the job” in all areas, but it performs best as a tablet. Watching shows and reading is perfect with the wider display, and multitasking is done easily with the use of a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor. I would rate gaming performance as slightly above average, with Genshin Impact and Call of Duty running decently with a few adjustments.

Tablets are best dealt with on HyperOS 2 due to a lack of unwanted applications, and with the presence of notes and Mi Canvas. Furthermore, split screens, floating windows, and Workstation mode is supported for multitasking. User experience is also improved with the 144 Hz refresh rate.

Gemini assistant, text summarization, and handwriting recognition are some of the AI features that can extend capabilities. Also, cross-device access with Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones can be connected, so users can conveniently manage calls.

Bridging the Gap Between Tablet and Laptop with a Stylus and Keyboard

The Focus Pen stylus is a great addition as it is compatible with the Xiaomi Pad 7, which has a larger screen that makes the stylus easier to use for writing and drawing. While we did not test it on the standard model, we did on the nano-texture display and found it performed excellently.

While the Focus Keyboard does increase productivity, it also has some downsides. The keys are responsive to touch and light up, but the trackpad is rather small. In addition, the keyboard greatly boosts the overall weight of the device to over a kilogram. Although typing is great, some users might be content with cheaper Bluetooth keyboards made by other brands.

Pricing and Competition

Pricing of the Xiaomi Pad 7 is as follows:

  • 8GB/128GB: ₹ 27999
  • 12GB/256GB: ₹ 30999
  • 12GB/256GB (Nano-texture display): ₹ 32999

The cheapest display model comes at only ₹ 2000 less than the rest, which suggests that the difference is indeed quite small for those wanting a premium model.

Other tablets that need to be considered in this range are:

  • Redmi Pad Pro (₹ 26,999): Slightly under the lower price range with a higher display but lower performance. This also comes with a headphone jack, additional storage slot, and 5G.
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE (₹ 27,999): Comes with Exynos 1380 processor, extra space for memory, an S Pen, and IP68 rating for dust and water protection.
  • OnePlus Pad (Around ₹ 31000): Digs deeper into the budget with better screen size, impressive looks, more battery capacity, and MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset.
  • Apple iPad (10th Gen) (₹ 32000): Competes with great software and a lot of accessories made by other brands.

Final Score: Undoubtedly, a Key Player in the Tablet Industry.

The Xiaomi Pad 7, an Android tablet, executes a skilled mix of performance, productivity, and display quality, all bundled at a competitive price. The tablet compiler may not be exceptionally presented due to fierce competition, but still excels at being one of the best multipurpose tablets bound at being a productivity machine.

Recommended for those who would like to own a focus pen, bluetooth keyboard and the Pad 7 as a budget friendly productivity combo. Focus Keyboard Pencil works remarkably well, but the value may not appeal to all.

Advantages:

  • Supreme display features nano-texture
  • Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 for seamless operations
  • HyperOS 2 for tablet evolution
  • Accessories that emphasize productivity
  • Affordable pricing

Disadvantages:

  • Lacking 5G capabilities
  • Absence of fingerprint scanner
  • Includes additional stylus and keyboard for costly tuition
  • Launching Dates

The Xiaomi Pad 7 and selected accessories will launch in February 2025.

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