While there is debate on whether or not the iPhone is worth your hard-earned money, it’s hard to deny that when it comes to the iPad, Apple pretty much dominates the tablet space. However, if you don’t want to give Apple any of your money, then you’re in luck. Xiaomi has recently taken the wraps off two new tablets : the Xiaomi Pad Mini and the REDMI Pad 2 Pro.
Xiaomi Pad Mini goes global
The Xiaomi Pad Mini isn’t entirely new . It originally launched in China as the REDMI K Pad back in June. However, its global launch might be good news for Android users who have been looking for a proper iPad Mini alternative.
This compact tablet packs an 8.8-inch 3K display with a buttery-smooth 165Hz refresh rate and 700 nits peak brightness. The display also supports Dolby Vision and comes with TUV Rheinland certifications for comfortable long-term use.
Under the hood, the Xiaomi Pad Mini runs on the same MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset found in flagship smartphones like the Xiaomi 15T Pro . You can also look forward to up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage. This puts the tablet ahead of the competition, especially in this size category.
The 7,500mAh battery supports 67W HyperCharge fast charging. There’s even 18W reverse charging, so you can use your tablet as a power bank for your phone or earbuds. The tablet also features dual USB-C ports, which is incredibly handy for connecting accessories while charging. The Xiaomi Pad Mini starts at $429 for the 8GB/256GB configuration.
REDMI Pad 2 Pro
If you’re looking for a larger tablet , the REDMI Pad 2 Pro might be for you. It sports a massive 12.1-inch 2.5K display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 600 nits brightness, and Dolby Vision support. A slightly more unique feature is the Matte Glass Version. This uses AG nano-texture coating to reduce glare by up to 97%, perfect for reading or working outdoors.
The REDMI Pad 2 Pro runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. While not as powerful as the Xiaomi Pad Mini’s flagship chip, it’s still plenty capable for most tasks. The massive 12,000mAh battery provides long-lasting use. There is also support for 33W fast charging and 27W reverse charging capabilities.
Xiaomi offers three variants: the standard Wi-Fi model, a 5G version, and the premium Matte Glass edition. Pricing starts at €299.9 for the 6GB/128GB Wi-Fi model, making it an attractive alternative to tablets like Apple’s iPad Pro. The 5G and Matte Glass versions both start at €379.99.
