The POCO Pad presents itself as a well-balanced Android tablet, combining affordability with a premium feel. It features a 12.1-inch LCD screen boasting a 2.5K resolution (1600 x 2560 pixels) and a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring a smooth and vivid viewing experience. While the display delivers vibrant colours and sharp details, its 16:10 aspect ratio makes it particularly well-suited for media consumption. Additionally, Dolby Vision support enhances the overall visual experience.
Performance and User Experience: At its core, the POCO Pad is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, coupled with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage (expandable via microSD). This setup allows for smooth everyday performance, supporting multitasking and media playback without major issues. However, while casual gaming and productivity tasks run efficiently, demanding games may experience minor lag or occasional frame drops.
Software and Features: Running on Xiaomi’s HyperOS (based on Android 14), the device introduces several optimisations tailored for larger screens. Features like split-screen mode, floating windows, and Xiaomi Smart Hub (which enables screen mirroring with compatible Xiaomi smartphones) improve workflow efficiency. Despite these enhancements, Android’s tablet experience still lags behind iPadOS in terms of overall fluidity and app optimisation.
Battery and Charging: A 10,000mAh battery ensures extended usage, supporting up to 16 hours of video playback. However, despite the large battery capacity, the 33W fast charging feels somewhat sluggish, taking around two hours for a full charge.
Downsides and Limitations: One significant drawback is the absence of a fingerprint sensor, leaving users to rely on facial recognition, which is less reliable in dim lighting. Additionally, the off-centre placement of the USB-C port and headphone jack may be inconvenient. While the optional Smart Pen and Pad Keyboard accessories offer added functionality, they connect via Bluetooth instead of a direct physical connection, making them less seamless.
Final Verdict: The POCO Pad stands out as an affordable yet capable tablet, particularly excelling in media consumption and light productivity. Although it doesn’t quite match high-end rivals in performance and software polish, its large high-resolution display, solid battery life, and budget-friendly price make it a strong option for casual users.
