Redmi Pad 2 Pro Review: A Versatile Tablet That Challenges Laptop Norms

Many readers ask me about choosing between a tablet and a laptop. I understand their dilemma. Tablets and laptops have evolved significantly, blurring the lines between them. Today, tablets act more like hybrid devices, keeping their tablet essence while gaining PC-like capabilities.

My time with the Redmi Pad 2 Pro reinforced this evolution. It shows that tablets are becoming more than just simple devices, even with some hardware and software limitations. After using it for weeks, here is my detailed review.

What Is the Redmi Pad 2 Pro?

The Redmi Pad 2 Pro starts at Rs 22,999. This price excludes the keyboard case and Redmi Pen. My review unit featured 5G connectivity and 256 GB storage, retailing for Rs 25,999.

Simplistic and Functional Design

The Redmi Pad 2 Pro boasts a functional design. Like most modern tablets, it follows a standard form. I appreciated how it feels in hand, whether held vertically or horizontally. The design looks premium, and while not featherlight, its heft suits a multipurpose device. I often used it for work with a keyboard case attached.

Carrying this tablet in my backpack proved much more comfortable than lugging a laptop on trips. Color options include Graphite Grey and Quick Silver, both sleek and understated. This tablet targets mature users, not children, and its design reflects that well.

High Refresh-Rate Display and Loud Speakers

This tablet features a 12-inch display. Its large size makes it suitable for more than just content consumption. While a 10-inch tablet offers better portability, I enjoyed watching shows like Emily in Paris: Season 5 on this larger screen. It excels for movie binges and multitasking.

The screen is colorful and bright, though I missed an OLED panel. A bit more brightness would help. Support for up to 120Hz refresh rate makes every interaction feel snappier and more responsive. Full-screen web browsing, movie watching, and document work look great on this display.

Four speakers deliver surprisingly full and loud sound for its size. These speakers shifted much of my video watching from my laptop to the tablet. The 8-megapixel front camera works reliably for Zoom calls, as do the microphones. However, I wish Xiaomi included a feature like Apple's Center Stage to keep users centered in the frame.

Performance and Battery Life

Inside, the Redmi Pad 2 Pro houses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor, paired with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. This tablet is not as powerful as a laptop, but it sits firmly in the mid-range. It performs between a high-end tablet and a regular laptop.

I comfortably used Chrome, Google Docs, LinkedIn, ChatGPT, Zoom, WhatsApp, and other essential apps. I could write copies on Google Docs and edit images with Pixlr. However, replacing my laptop as the primary work device still feels novel. A noticeable gap remains between tablets and laptops.

The tablet runs Android 15 with Xiaomi's HyperOS 2, featuring minimal bloatware. The interface feels clean and neat. Multitasking is a key strength. I frequently used split-screen mode, such as watching YouTube while browsing Chrome. This proves genuinely useful. AI features like Circle to Search are also included.

Battery life stands out with a massive 12,000 mAh battery. It lasts up to two days, even with Netflix binge-watching. Charging uses a 27W fast charger, which feels slow and takes hours to fully charge.

Accessories: Keyboard Case and Smart Pen

The Redmi Pad 2 Pro supports a keyboard case and Redmi Smart Pen. While usable without them, these accessories enhance the experience, especially for laptop-like use or drawing and note-taking. They add to the cost but offer a treat.

I used the keyboard case extensively, priced at Rs 3,999. It connects via Bluetooth, not pogo pins, and securely holds the tablet. Keys offer good tactility without backlighting. It suffices for typing stories daily, though I returned to my laptop for long-form writing.

The Redmi Smart Pen costs Rs 2,999. It does not attach magnetically and had some connectivity issues. Still, it performs well with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and minimal latency for notes or doodling, though not matching the Apple Pencil.

Key Observations

RAM is limited to 8 GB. Xiaomi should increase this to attract more professionals.
Software optimization on tablets still lags. Laptops offer more flexibility for windowing and multitasking.
External display interaction lacks sufficient software support.

Should You Buy the Redmi Pad 2 Pro?

If you seek an alternative to the basic iPad, the Redmi Pad 2 Pro excels in essentials. Videos and games look great despite the lack of OLED. Accessories elevate the experience at an accessible price. This tablet makes a strong case as a primary computer, though "computer" definitions have evolved for intensive tasks like coding or content creation.