Redmi Pad 2 Review: The Budget Tablet Category is Shining Bright

Android tablets are getting more refined by the day. Forget the high-end ones competing with the king of tablets, the Apple iPad. It’s the low-end, budget tablets where the tablet space is being defined here in India. The Redmi Pad 2, priced at ₹13,999 (starting price), is one of a trio of tablets to enter the budget category. The OPPO Pad SE and the OnePlus Pad Lite are the other two vying for market share.

The Wi-Fi version of the Redmi Pad 2 is priced at ₹13,999 (4GB RAM and 128GB storage). The Wi-Fi + cellular variant starts at ₹15,999. There’s also a memory card slot that can expand the capacity by another 2TB. Furthermore, there’s a cover (₹1,299) and a stylus, the Redmi Smart Pen (₹3,999).

What Xiaomi delivers with the Redmi Pad 2 is a package that will satisfy the mass audience. By this, I mean that the tablet nails the basics. Unbox the tablet and you’ll immediately notice the display. It’s a 2.5K Crystal Clear 11-inch display (1,600x2,560 pixels), with 500 nits of brightness and a 90Hz refresh rate. It’s got a tall 16:10 aspect ratio and a pixel density of 274 ppi. Additionally, the display supports wet touch technology.

The display isn’t the most crisp, nor is it the brightest, but in various conditions, it just delivers. Whether you’re watching the England versus India Test match or bingeing on your favourite YouTuber, it works in various lighting conditions, with the colours popping. An 11-inch display is the ideal size for holding in your hand or on your lap and consuming content. Sure, the tablet doesn’t come with a keyboard accessory, but that’s the differentiator between a tablet costing under ₹15,000 and one over ₹20,000. Think of this as a tablet to supplement your workflow, or simply to binge-watch while you’re cooking, or as a lightweight option to pick up if you don’t want to carry around your laptop.

The laptop features the MediaTek Helio G-100 Ultra, which again won’t break the benchmark scores. In my day-to-day usage, the tablet just chugged along. Apps opened with relative ease, multitasking was a breeze, and I could browse the internet without any lag. Yes, don’t game on this tablet, as you’ll notice it slowing down. Don’t try to open 20 apps at the same time. This is strictly an entry-level tablet. The software is well-optimised, except for those times when you have to wait a few extra seconds or try to initiate the task again.

But then, just let it play an entire day of the England versus India Test match and you’ll feel happy. The 9,000mAh ensures that battery anxiety is a thing of the past. This tablet has a larger battery capacity than any other tablet in this segment. Even with the binge session, I managed to keep the tablet going for two days straight. Stretch it further and you can get to a third day on a single charge. If you need to juice up the tablet, then the Redmi Pad 2 supports 18W charging. Sure, it doesn’t offer fast charging speeds, but you can’t fault the tablet here.

There are some AI-chops, in case you’re interested in those. There’s Google’s Circle to Search, Gemini Assistant and much more.

Who is the tablet for?

I’ve been trying to wrap my head around who the tablet is targeted toward. Without a keyboard accessory, students and others won’t gravitate toward this tablet. One can take notes with the stylus, but is it a reliable option? It’s more suited to those who want to consume a large amount of content. Or maybe even for a kid who just wants to watch their favourite shows without disturbing the adults.

Or perhaps it’s for those who simply want to read on a larger screen than their smartphone. With a 4G cellular version, one can even use it for Google Maps while on their various travels.

Verdict: Should you buy it?

The Redmi Pad 2 is an extremely affordable tablet, and at this price, I’d rather not nitpick (like the cameras). Xiaomi isn’t aiming for something revolutionary, but rather delivering on its promise. It boasts extremely long battery life, cellular connectivity, and a handy, tall 16:10 aspect ratio display and dependable day-to-day performance, especially for streaming or attending online classes.

The Redmi Pad 2 has laid itself bare. It’s targeted at a specific audience, and with such an affordable price point, the Redmi Pad 2 shines bright. Yes, I haven’t tested the OnePlus Pad Lite or the OPPO Pad SE yet, but if the Redmi Pad 2 is anything to go by, the budget-tablet category is shining bright.

If you are buying the Redmi Pad 2, consider opting for the cellular version and choose the 8GB + 256GB variant. It’ll be better in the long run.