CHENNAI: Can a sub Rs 25K tab also double up as a productivity device? The all new Redmi Pad 2 Pro would like us to believe so. Launched this month alongside the Redmi 15G, Redmi’s all-new Android tablet packs quite a few features and offers a range of connected accessories that aim to pitch this as a work + play tab at a relatively affordable price tag.
Should you be interested? The first thing that impressed us is the form factor. This device weighs just over 600 gm and is only 7.5 mm thin despite a large display and a massive battery. The metal unibody design looks premium, the tab comes in two colourways – Graphite Gray and Quick Silver.
Redmi is pitching the Pad 2 Pro as a laptop alternative. The Pro Keyboard is part of this pitch and it’s one of the best we’ve checked out in this segment. It’s designed with large keys, wide spacing and long key travel to make it more comfortable for typing.
But like most other tablet keyboards, it’s easier to use on a flat surface (like a table) than on your lap. That’s one area where laptops still hold the edge.
The other optional accessory is the Redmi Smart Pen that offers precise, low-latency input for note-taking, document annotation, sketching, and creative work. This is a great accessory for jotting down notes or doodling at a meeting or the classroom.
One of the headline features is the 12.1-inch, 2.5K display (2560 x 1600 pixels) with a 120Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision hits a peak brightness of 600 nits. This immersive display is backed by a massive 12000 mAh battery that makes it a great option for gaming or binge watch marathons.
You get support for 33W fast charging (with an in-box charger) and 27W wired, quick reverse charging that allows the tab to double up as a power bank. Battery life is terrific, and the device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset.
The tab comes in two storage variants (8GB/128 GB or 8GB/256GB) and a choice of Wi-Fi or 5G + Wi-Fi options. The Redmi Pad 2 Pro delivers great bang for your buck and comes with quite a few thoughtful touches like expandable memory (up to 2TB) with support for a Micro SD card. (Rs 24,999 onwards)