The Redmi Pad SE: A Budget Android Tablet With Long Battery Life
For those seeking an affordable Android tablet, the Redmi Pad SE presents a compelling proposition. Released in China in August 2023 and arriving in India in April of this year, the Redmi Pad SE offers a simple, compact, and cost-effective option. Its 11-inch display, large battery, and all-metal build make it a compelling choice for casual users. But after weeks of testing, is the Redmi Pad SE truly worth your money? This detailed review explores its strengths and weaknesses to help you decide.
Redmi Pad SE Price in India
The Redmi Pad SE is available in three RAM and storage configurations:
- 4GB RAM + 128GB storage: Rs. 12,999
- 6GB RAM + 128GB storage: Rs. 13,999
- 8GB RAM + 128GB storage: Rs. 14,999
While the 4GB RAM variant might seem tempting, it’s advisable to opt for either the 6GB or 8GB RAM models for optimal multitasking. The tablet comes in three colors: Graphite Grey, Lavender Purple, and Mint Green. Our review unit was the Graphite Grey 8GB RAM, 128GB storage model.
Included in the box are a 10W charger, USB Type-C cable, documentation, and a SIM ejector tool.
Redmi Pad SE Design: Simple Yet Premium
The Redmi Pad SE boasts a minimalist design with a flat form factor, chamfered edges, and a sleek aluminium unibody construction measuring just 7.36mm thick. Despite its budget price, the tablet feels robust and premium in hand. The edges are comfortable, preventing any discomfort during extended use. Weighing in at just 478 grams, the tablet is remarkably light and balanced.
The front features an 11-inch display encased in glass (non-Gorilla Glass), surrounded by symmetrical bezels that are neither too thick nor too thin. This design ensures comfortable holding without accidentally touching the display.
On the top edge, you’ll find the power button and two speakers. The bottom frame houses the USB Type-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and the remaining two speakers. The volume buttons and a microphone are located on the right side of the tablet.
The Redmi Pad SE lacks an official IP rating, and the microSD card slot is not sealed against water ingress. This means it’s not advisable to use the tablet in wet or humid environments.
Redmi Pad SE Specifications and Software: Solid Basics with Android 14
The Redmi Pad SE, despite its budget positioning, offers a respectable set of specifications. It’s powered by a 6nm Snapdragon 680 processor coupled with up to 8GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The chipset features 4 Kryo 265 Gold cores clocked at 2.4GHz and 4 Kryo Silver cores at 1.9GHz. For graphics, it relies on the Adreno 610 GPU.
Connectivity options include dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0, but there is no cellular option. The tablet lacks a fingerprint sensor, so you’ll need to rely on a PIN or pattern lock. To power all this, Redmi packs a large 8,000mAh battery, but unfortunately, fast charging is not supported. The box only includes a 10W charger.
Upon receiving the tablet, it ran MIUI Pad 14 based on Android 13. However, within weeks, it received an update to Xiaomi’s HyperOS built on Android 14. While Xiaomi hasn’t provided details on software support for the Pad SE, it’s promising to see it running the latest Android version.
HyperOS on the Pad SE is similar to the phone version but with additional tablet-optimized features. These include Split Screen and Floating Windows, along with stylus support. A tablet-style dock at the bottom displays recently used apps and a swipe to the right on the home screen opens Google Discover.
Multitasking is made easier with the task manager, which allows you to quickly launch apps in split-screen mode. The tablet accommodates two apps on a split screen and can run two further apps in floating window mode, allowing for a maximum of four apps running concurrently. Redmi has also included a Features for Tablets page in the Settings app showcasing the available multitasking options. There’s also a Conference tool feature that provides enhanced functionality during audio and video calls.
Beyond multitasking and conference tools, additional features are limited. Even the stylus support is rather basic.
Redmi Pad SE Performance: Content Consumption King, Multitasking Struggles
The Snapdragon 680 SoC in the Redmi Pad SE is capable enough for content consumption. It can handle light multitasking with up to two apps running simultaneously, but any further strain will lead to noticeable lag. The UI’s animations feel somewhat sluggish, and benchmark scores are underwhelming. In Geekbench, the tablet achieved 407 points in single-core CPU tests and 1,351 points in multi-core tests. Unfortunately, AnTuTu could not be installed on the tablet.
Gaming is not a strength of the Redmi Pad SE, especially demanding titles such as BGMI. While it can run BGMI with the most basic settings (HD graphics, low frame rate), the experience is far from ideal. Touch sensitivity also presents issues during gameplay. Less demanding casual games should run comfortably, though.
The 11-inch IPS display on the Redmi Pad SE boasts a 90Hz refresh rate and full-HD+ resolution. You can toggle between 60Hz and 90Hz refresh rates, or let the tablet auto-adjust based on content. Two color modes are available: Saturated and Standard. While the colors are decent, particularly deep blacks, the display achieves up to 400 nits of brightness, sufficient for indoor use. However, under direct sunlight, visibility suffers.
Watching movies and YouTube videos on the Redmi Pad SE is enjoyable. The quad-speaker setup with Dolby Atmos support delivers an immersive audio experience. The speakers are loud with good separation and decent bass, even at maximum volume.
In day-to-day usage, lag is noticeable when switching apps and scrolling through the Settings menu. Animations are not smooth, and the Snapdragon 680 SoC struggles under load. Luckily, the tablet did not experience any significant heating issues.
Redmi Pad SE Cameras: Adequate for Video Calls, Barely More
While cameras are not a defining feature of tablets, they are occasionally used, particularly for video calls. Therefore, the Redmi Pad SE includes an 8-megapixel rear camera with f/2.0 aperture and a 5-megapixel front camera with f/2.2 aperture.
Photos from the rear camera are acceptable in daylight, but using the tablet for photography is not recommended. The front camera is more relevant for video calls, and it performs well in good lighting conditions. The ultrawide lens enables capturing more people in video calls and selfies. Both front and rear cameras support 1080p video recording, but the results are not impressive. The front camera is, however, sufficient for video calls with good lighting.
The Camera app includes a document reader mode for scanning documents, and it delivers satisfactory results.
Redmi Pad SE Battery Life: A Day and a Half, But Slow Charging is a Drawback
The Redmi Pad SE excels in battery life. It achieved a remarkable 14 hours and 55 minutes in our HD video loop test. With ordinary usage (video watching, note-taking, casual gaming), the tablet should easily last for nearly two days. This makes it an ideal companion during long journeys.
Unfortunately, the tablet’s charging speed is a considerable setback. Despite the large 8,000mAh battery, it took over 2 hours to fully charge using a 30W charger. The included 10W charger extends the charging time to at least 4 hours. The Redmi Pad SE surprisingly offered better battery longevity than the Xiaomi Pad 6 in our tests.
Redmi Pad SE Review: Verdict
Priced starting from Rs. 12,999, the Redmi Pad SE faces limited competition in the Indian market. You can find Lenovo tablets, but they generally offer lower specifications. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 delivers a better display but features a slower processor and less RAM.
A noteworthy competitor is the Honor Pad X9, which boasts superior hardware at a slightly higher price. The similarly spec’d Oppo Pad Air also offers a better display but a smaller battery and the same Snapdragon 680 SoC.
The Redmi Pad SE is a well-built, budget Android tablet that provides good value for money. Its display is decent, the sound system is excellent, and the large 8,000mAh battery easily lasts for a couple of days. The Android 14 update is an added bonus. However, the slow charging speed and the underpowered Snapdragon 680 chipset are drawbacks.
Consider the Redmi Pad SE if your primary needs are streaming content and casual gaming. However, if you’re willing to spend a bit more, the alternative options offer significant advantages.
