Budget products and Redmi go hand-in-hand and that case remains when we talk about its tablets as well. The affordable Android tablet market has more contenders than before which means people are spoilt for choices based on their needs and budget, of course. We have often talked about the software letting down the hardware with respect to tablets, but even then there is a market for the form factor, especially if they don’t cost a bomb.
The Redmi Pad is priced at Rs 12,999 and focuses on the budget segment with basic ingredients like good build quality, display and performance in mind. But can the Redmi Pad SE model deliver the value that people in this price range desire? We tested the tablet to see if it matches the profile.
Budget Tablet With Premium Looks
The Redmi Pad SE doesn’t look like a budget tablet at first glance. The premium finishing with aluminium alloy and the lightweight design gives it a definite appeal that wasn’t the case earlier.
Even the camera module has a purpose to it and sits nicely within the contours of the tablet and adds certain weightage to the back side of the device. There is a clear ideology behind Xiaomi’s tablet lineup and the Redmi Pad SE is a budget extension in that regard. You have the power button at the top and the volume rockers on the same side, next to the other button.
Big Screen, Big Bezels
However, the budget aspect of the Redmi Pad SE is evident on the front when you notice the big bezels on the 11-inch FHD+ display that offers up to 90Hz refresh rate.
The black band around the screen from the sides can be an eyesore these days but that’s the cutback you have to live with on a budget device. The 90Hz display doesn’t get an AMOLED panel so you tend to notice some jitters while scrolling which can be annoying at times. The screen does lack some sharpness as the colours look dull in some cases. Most people would find it satisfactory for watching shows and taking online classes.
Works Up To A Level
Redmi Pad SE is powered by a Snapdragon 680 chipset with up to 8GB RAM and 128GB storage that is further expandable unless you are happy to invest in a USB-C thumb drive instead. The hardware is suited for basic usage and not catering to the power users.
Even the benchmark scores made it clear that Redmi has a clear target of users in mind for this device and that is fine. Having said that, you can still enjoy the lighter games every now and then, which won’t take a toll on the tablet.
Xiaomi is offering the Android 13 version MIUI out of the box on the Redmi Pad SE which is now upgraded to the HyperOS version. You have a bloatware-free experience with the UI which is rare in the segment but somehow tablets have been the exception. The brand is likely to offer two OS updates which sadly includes the 14 version which is not ideal. The OS does pack in some useful features like split screen and floating windows but we’re like to see more additions in the future.
Battery Keeps Going Until You Run Out
Tablets have been generous when it comes to the batteries and the Redmi Pad SE gets its share with an 8000mAh unit. It goes without saying that the battery life of the Redmi Pad SE will be sufficient for most people, but the support for a 10W charger in the box when the device lets you charge at 18W feels like a move to keep the price down.
Imagine having to charge the 8000mAh battery once it drains out, and during our tests, it took more than 3 hours for that to happen. Not at all ideal for a portable device.
For the basic users, who like to watch shows and movies on a portable big screen, the Redmi Pad SE will keep them happy and going on a marathon movie run won’t cause heartaches because of its powerhouse battery life. Redmi Pad SE is the ideal, budget Android tablet, but only if you decide to spend Rs 12,999 which gets you the 4GB + 128GB variant. Getting the 8GB RAM model means you spend a lot more and in that range you have other options to consider.
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