The Xiaomi Pad 5 was the high-end Android gaming tablet to challenge the iPad Air 4 for the title of the most popular tablet in the tablet segment of 2021.
From a hardware standpoint, it was a fantastic tablet that checks all the boxes for basic productivity and enjoyment. And if you don’t want an iPad but still want a tablet for Netflix, web browsing, Game Pass, and video calls, the Pad 5 is one of the best high-end options in terms of pricing.
The only major drawback is that persistent optimization concerns with Android on tablets prevent it from fully realizing its hardware potential.
So, is Xiaomi Pad 5 going to be a challenger for the iPad in the tablet segment?
The purpose of this blog is to share my reviews about the Xiaomi Pad 5. It’s worth noting that Xiaomi has enough experience with the Indian smartphone market. That has helped it remain at the top of the gaming industry With the Pad 5 Xiaomi aims to replicate that success in the tablet segment.
It marks Xiaomi’s return to the tablet space in India after 8 long years. It aims to offer a premium tablet experience rivaling Apple iPads.
India’s Gaming Tablet
It’s worth noting that the Xiaomi Pad 5 is also compatible with a stylus and keyboard cover, which can be purchased separately to enhance the user experience with additional accessories.
The Xiaomi Pad 5 offers everything you need for a great tablet experience, including a Dolby Vision-certified display, a powerful Snapdragon 800-series chipset, quad speakers, and support for DCI-P3 colors as well as Dolby Vision.
It is priced at Rs. 26,999 onwards in India, making it a highly competitive high-end option in the mid-range tablet segment.
The 10.95-inch LCD has a WQHD+ resolution with support for 120Hz refresh rate, and support for DCI-P3 colors as well as Dolby Vision. Show these stats to any nerd and they will go wild.
The LCD is a tad below the iPad Air
Xiaomi Tablet to compete with iPad
Android tablets are bad,” as the saying goes.
Or so the conventional wisdom goes. Sure, Samsung releases a few Galaxy Tabs each year for it, and Amazon floods the market with low-cost Fire Tabs, but Apple’s iPads are the only tablets worth buying.
Xiaomi plans to change that, for better or worse. The Xiaomi Pad 5 is a serious attempt to develop a high-quality mid-range Android tablet at a price that rivals the entry-level iPad.
As you’d expect from Xiaomi, it outperforms its Apple counterpart in practically every way, with the kind of clean design that Apple saves for its premium models.
Google’s upcoming Android 12L, a build designed for foldable and tablets, is in the pipeline and hopefully, should come to the Xiaomi Pad 5 as well.
The Xiaomi Pad 5 runs Android 11 with Xiaomi’s MIUI Global 12.5.2 skin on top. Other than support for input devices like mouse and trackpad, and split-screen in landscape orientation, the software running on the Pad 5 seems identical to the OS I’ve seen a dozen times on Xiaomi’s smartphones.
The Android system still recognizes it as MIUI 13 based on Android 11 and there are still a lot many optimizations that are needed like the feed layout on Twitter or Instagram.
Pros of Xiaomi Pad 5
Beautiful 120Hz, 2.5K display
Strong specs
Slim design
Cons of Xiaomi Pad 5
Weak front-facing camera
Android & MIUI are under-optimized for tablets
No LTE option
Therefore, this is what the Xiaomi Pad 5 is all about. Now, let’s move on to explore its reviews as per its features.
The Xiaomi Pad 5 Reviews
Xiaomi’s Pad 5 is a fantastic Android tablet. Here are my reviews as per the features.
Design and Build
The Mi Pad 5’s strengths include the display and battery life, which are rare at this price point.
Display and Audio
The sound from the four speakers is good, the display is nice, and the battery life is outstanding.
Battery and Charging
The battery life is decent for casual use, but heavy games may depend on the Android or MIUI version.
Camera
The Xiaomi Pad 5 has a 13 MP rear camera and an 8 MP front camera. The camera of the Xiaomi Pad 5 is bad, and the photographs taken with it are not of decent quality.
Price and Availability
The price and availability of the Xiaomi Pad 5 varies depending on the location and the seller. As of September 29, 2023, the Xiaomi Pad 5 is available on Amazon.com in Cosmic Gray and Pearl White colors with 256GB + 6GB storage and a fast car 51W charger bundle. On Kimovil.com, the Xiaomi Pad 5 is available in three stores with prices starting from $378. In India, the Xiaomi Pad 5 is available on Amazon. in, mi.com, Mi Home stores, and offline stores with prices starting from Rs. 26,999 for the 128GB model and Rs. 28,999 for the 256GB model.
Final Verdict
On the hardware side, you’ll discover a lightweight design backed by powerful specs, a stunning display, and excellent speakers. More up-to-date connectivity options, like an LTE variant, would be good, but there’s not much else to complain about.
The software is standard for an Android tablet, which means it’s OK but not quite up to par with an iPad. Despite Xiaomi’s best efforts, Android is still not fully optimized for tablets, so you’ll have some issues navigating the Pad 5.
Even though it doesn’t fully utilize the large screen, the tablet operates smoothly, and with Android 12L’s upgrades on the way, this doesn’t seem like a compelling reason to hold off.
Simply said, if you’re looking for a tablet for under $100 and don’t mind using Android, this is the one to get. Additionally, if you have more such ideas on technology that you want to share with the global audience, you can write for us technology news. All you need to do is submit your science and technology guest blogs. We will publish your blogs on our website and will share your ideas with the global audience.
Also Read, Best Free Video Editing Apps for iPad
FAQs
What are the specifications of the Xiaomi Pad 5?
The Xiaomi Pad 5 boasts a 2K LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate, 2560×1600 pixels resolution, and an 11-inch LCD with a Snapdragon processor.
How does the Xiaomi Pad 5 compare to other Android tablets?
The Xiaomi Pad 5 is a popular Android tablet with good hardware specs and a reasonable price, compared to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and Pad 5 Pro, which are more invested in the Android ecosystem.
What is the battery life of the Xiaomi Pad 5?
The Xiaomi Pad 5 has a good battery life, lasting several hours with heavy usage, but some users report using it for over 5 hours with a 120Hz display.
Does the Xiaomi Pad 5 come with a stylus?
The Xiaomi Pad 5 is equipped with a stylus pen and keyboard folio cover as optional accessories, enhancing its functionality and appeal, which connects via Bluetooth and magnetically attaches to the tablet’s slate.
Is the Xiaomi Pad 5 a good choice for gaming?
The Xiaomi Pad 5 is a promising gaming device due to its powerful Snapdragon 860 chipset, capable of running high-score games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty: Mobile and featuring excellent sound quality.
