Xiaomi goes everywhere and tries everything, and the world of tablets will not be different. The Xiaomi Pad 5 is a tablet that lives halfway between a device for multimedia use and work, along the lines of what the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 or the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro offer, and with a cost of 400 euros. It is a model with a good-sized 11-inch screen and 120Hz refresh rate so that Android animations and menus run more smoothly. This is also helped by the equipment’s power, with a good Qualcomm processor and 6 GB RAM.
But perhaps the point that I liked the most about this tablet is its autonomy, with up to 16 hours of video playback on a single charge, and that it also has a system for optimizing background processes that is surprising (you can have the tablet for a long time without using it without losing any battery). In addition, you can complete the set with a Xiaomi stylus. Of course, be prepared to spend because the pen has a non-negligible cost of 100 euros. I have had the opportunity to thoroughly test the Xiaomi Pad 5 and its Xiaomi Smart Pen for a month. These are my impressions.
| Xiaomi Pad 5 | |
|---|---|
| Screen | 11 inches with IPS technology, 2.5K resolution (2,500 x 1,600 pixels), 120Hz refresh rate, low blue light production, and one billion colors, DCI-P3 and Dolby Vision |
| main camera | 13 megapixels |
| selfie camera | 8 megapixels |
| Internal memory | 128GB UFS 3.1 |
| Extension | No |
| Processor and RAM | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 GPU Adreno 640 6GB RAM |
| Battery | 8,720 mAh with 22.5W charging (supports up to 33W). Autonomy for more than 16 hours of movie playback |
| OS | Android 11 with MIUI 12 |
| Connections | WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth |
| SIM | No |
| Design | Glossy and resistant finish with curved sides. Two colors: gray and white IP54 certification |
| Dimensions | 254.69 x 166.25 x 6.85mm 511 grams |
| Featured Features | Four speakers with Xiaomi 3D stereo and Dolby Atmos sound |
| Release date | Available |
| Price | 400 euros |
A TOP-NOTCH SCREEN BUT IT LACKS SOME BRIGHTNESS
One of the strong points of the Xiaomi tablet is its screen. This IPS-type panel has a size of 11 inches and a resolution of 2,500 x 1,600 pixels. With this, we have a good level of detail in all types of content, including movies and series. But perhaps the most notable point of this screen is its refresh rate, which goes up to 120Hz, at the level of competitors in this tablet segment. Thanks to this, more fluid animations are achieved when moving through the Android menus and opening and closing applications. And also for those games that are compatible. The difference is noticeable, especially at first impact if you come from a typical 60Hz screen. But I must admit that you get used to it quickly, either to one refresh rate or another.
Another section in which much work has been done is color reproduction. According to the company, the Xiaomi Pad 5 can reproduce 100% of the DCI-P3 space. On a practical level, this means that you will have more vibrant and defined colors. And that is the impression I have had with this tablet, with well-calibrated and natural colors that are close to reality. It is also compatible with Dolby Vision, a technology that uses HDR and real-time image optimization to offer the best adjustments according to what we are seeing.
The touch experience of the panel is good and very fluid, and it is clear that this model surpasses premium equipment. Of course, it should be noted that it is not an AMOLED type screen, which would allow it to take the definitive leap in quality. And above all, the point where I see this tablet weaker a little more is the brightness. I think it’s fair, especially if you take the tablet with you on trips or trips that include outdoor use. To avoid eye strain, this screen emits little blue light, which causes more eye strain and also causes us to sleep worse.
Looking at the screen’s performance, it is worth wondering what happens with the audio part. And the truth is that the Asian company has put an interest in it being up to par. Specifically, we have a set of four speakers designed to offer you an immersive audio system through Dolby Atmos. My experience has been good at this point, and the truth is that I have enjoyed when I have seen a movie or series through this team.
ACCURATE BUT EXPENSIVE STYLUS
The Xiaomi Pad 5 tablet has an optional accessory that gives it that added extra that work-oriented tablets have. A stylus that allows you to sketch, write by hand, take notes, or even draw. In this case, the company wanted to promote the idea of ​​exclusivity with its Xiaomi Smart Pen. This stylus is designed for the tablet which incorporates a magnetic support on one of the long ends to attach the accessory and charge it. Specifically, 18 minutes are enough to have a full charge for eight hours of use.
This pen has two functions: pressing its main function, and pressing on the screen opens the note-taking tool. The second button allows you to select a box on the screen to take a capture. It is a precise pencil with 4,096 pressure points. But I have to say that I have not felt as fine in my tests as with the S Pen on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+. It is also true that Samsung was very clever when working with the equipment to give a sensation much closer to writing (even with the sound of writing with a pencil).
The design of the Xiaomi Smart Pen is elegant, weighing 12.2 grams and very balanced. In short, it is a good accessory, but that price of 100 euros can put you off when incorporating it into your purchase.
ELEGANT AND WELL-THOUGHT-OUT DESIGN
The Xiaomi Pad 5 is a well-thought-out and built tablet. They have been able to design a device that immediately generates that premium feeling of a high-end device. The funny thing is that the back of this model is made of polycarbonate, but it doesn’t give that feeling when you hold it in your hand. We have two configurations, one in dark gray and another in pearl white. I have tested the dark gray configuration, and shiny reflections have been added to make it closer to the typical look of glass or metal. Another point in favor of this design is that fingerprints do not easily remain on the back, so you will always – or almost always – have your Pad 5 immaculate. The frames are made of aluminum with a shiny touch, and the corners are rounded, reminiscent of the iPad.
The camera module is the only point that somewhat breaks the harmony of the rear. The truth is that it sticks out quite a bit, first with a layer of glass on top and then the lens itself sticking out even more with another circle next to it that has no practical purpose. It’s as if Xiaomi wanted to take extra advantage of an element not normally keyed in a tablet. The lens has a resolution of 13 megapixels and performs well in good light conditions, but it suffers a lot if you try to use it for night photos.
This tablet has a very slim profile of 6.85 millimeters and a weight of 511 grams. The grip is comfortable, although it is large enough that you will almost always use it resting on a surface. The power button is on the top, and there are two other volume up and down buttons on one of the long sides. There are no more connectors on the tablet, giving space to place four speakers easily, creating a more immersive audio experience.
As for the front, we have noticeable but not exaggerated frames. You don’t have that infinite screen effect of other models, although it maintains a certain elegance.
CONSIDERABLE AUTONOMY AND VERY GOOD PROCESS MANAGEMENT
It is one of the sections that make this tablet a great option to take to work or to use for hours at home. The autonomy of the Xiaomi Pad 5 draws attention from the first moment, with up to 16 hours of video playback on a single charge. It is true that in the end, there are hours that are very difficult to reach. Still, in my case, I have been able to use it for eight to ten hours without any problem or trouble, with use very oriented towards watching series, videos, and movies and using an app to learn how to play the piano (in about 500 years of learning, Mozart trembles!).
But even beyond the time of use of the tablet, what has conquered me about this model is the management of background processes that Xiaomi does, which allows you to have the device connected to WiFi and receive notifications for days without You noticing that the battery has gone too low. It has nothing to do with any other older tablet I have at home, which runs out of charge as soon as I’m not careful.
ANDROID WITH A FEW STANDARD APPLICATIONS
The Xiaomi Pad 5 incorporates the new MIUI for the Pad customization layer. It is a layer that works on top of the Android operating system and is designed to make the most of the experience and possibilities of a large screen. In general, if you come from Android, you will not have any problem adapting and taking advantage of this MIUI for Pad. In my opinion, the highlight is the management of open apps, which you can close at any time with a finger gesture. It also uses large icons to make it easy to access them and move through the menus and quick gestures to close the apps. Of course, it is something you must get used to, and at first, it was common for the movement to escape me more than once.
CONNECTIONS
In the connections section, it must be said that the Xiaomi Pad 5 meets what is expected from a tablet of this level, although with one major absence. The company has decided to skip including a headphone jack to make a cleaner design. Indeed, wireless headphones are increasingly used, but the truth is that I prefer when manufacturers give you more options and facilities with their designs.
Be that as it may, you have Bluetooth in version 5.0 to connect compatible peripherals and WiFi in version 6, compatible with both bandwidths of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. This second bandwidth is less congested and achieves higher download speeds. You may also miss that the device has a slot to insert microSD cards and expand the available memory.
POWER AND MEMORY
This tablet runs thanks to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 processor and 6 GB of RAM. This chip walks the line between mid-range and high-end and is a great option for WiFi tablets since it does not have support for 5G (which also reduces its price). It is a processor that performs daily but doesn’t expect overflowing power. I have needed to see more of it in productivity applications. Still, for now, Xiaomi has not included an essential accessory for this type of tablet, the keyboard case (everything indicates that in a few weeks, they will begin to market this edition).
As for the internal memory, it reaches 128 GB. You should remember that expanding it through a microSD card is impossible.
PRICE AND REVIEWS
The Xiaomi Pad 5 is available for a price of 400 euros. In short, we are looking at a complete tablet with two good purchase arguments: its 11-inch 2K screen and its autonomy, which delivers and will allow you to use it for hours without worrying about a plug. You can give it a more professional touch by purchasing its stylus, which integrates very well with the experience, although it has a much higher price for the pack (100 euros). Perhaps the biggest drawback I found when trying it is that it doesn’t have as much shine, so I didn’t find it comfortable to use outdoors and traveling.
I am a writer with eight years of experience writing in business and technology. I always carry a passion for learning and discovering new knowledge.