Introduction
In the ever-evolving tablet market, Xiaomi has made a triumphant return with the Xiaomi Pad 5, aiming to challenge the dominance of Apple's iPad. As a tech enthusiast, I've had the opportunity to thoroughly test this device and compare it to its competitors. In this comprehensive review, we'll explore whether the Xiaomi Pad 5 has the necessary features and performance to stand out in a crowded field and potentially sway users away from more established brands.
Design and Build Quality: A Premium Feel at a Mid-Range Price
The Xiaomi Pad 5 immediately impresses with its sleek and modern design, rivaling tablets that cost significantly more. At just 6.85mm thick and weighing 511 grams, it strikes an excellent balance between portability and stability. The 10.9-inch display is surrounded by relatively narrow bezels, giving it a contemporary look that maximizes screen real estate.
One of the most striking aspects of the Pad 5's design is its 16:10 aspect ratio, which results in a more rectangular shape compared to the squarer iPads. This aspect ratio is particularly well-suited for widescreen content and split-screen multitasking, making it a versatile option for both entertainment and productivity.
The back of the device features a shiny plastic finish with a subtle sheen that mimics the look of more premium materials. While some may lament the lack of a metal back, the high-quality plastic used here feels solid and resistant to fingerprints. The metal frame with its straight sides adds a touch of sophistication and improves grip.
In terms of port and button layout, Xiaomi has made some interesting choices. The volume rocker and stylus charging pad are located on one side, while the keyboard connector pins are on another. The bottom houses the USB-C port flanked by speaker grilles, and the top features the power button alongside two more speaker grilles. This quad-speaker setup is a standout feature that we'll discuss in more detail later.
It's worth noting that Xiaomi has opted to exclude a fingerprint sensor and 3.5mm headphone jack. While the lack of a fingerprint sensor may disappoint some users who prefer biometric security, the absence of a headphone jack aligns with current industry trends towards wireless audio solutions.
Display: A Visual Feast for the Eyes
The centerpiece of the Xiaomi Pad 5 is undoubtedly its impressive 10.9-inch LCD panel. With a 2.5K resolution (2560 x 1600 pixels), this display offers exceptional clarity and sharpness, surpassing many competitors in its price range. The pixel density of 275 PPI ensures that text is crisp and images are detailed, making it suitable for everything from reading e-books to editing photos.
But resolution is just the beginning. The Pad 5's display also boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, which provides an incredibly smooth scrolling and navigation experience. This high refresh rate is particularly noticeable when gaming or using apps with lots of motion, giving the Pad 5 a premium feel that's typically reserved for more expensive devices.
Color reproduction is another strong point, with the display covering 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. This wide color range, combined with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support, results in vibrant and lifelike images. Whether you're watching movies, browsing photos, or creating digital art, the colors pop without appearing oversaturated.
The display's maximum brightness of 500 nits ensures good visibility even in well-lit environments, though it may struggle somewhat in direct sunlight. Adaptive brightness works well to adjust the screen's intensity based on ambient lighting conditions, helping to conserve battery life.
Performance: Punching Above Its Weight Class
Under the hood, the Xiaomi Pad 5 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 processor. This chipset, while not the absolute latest from Qualcomm, is a significant step up from what's typically found in tablets at this price point. The Snapdragon 860 is essentially an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 855+, which was Qualcomm's flagship chip in 2019. This means it offers performance that's closer to premium devices than mid-range ones.
In benchmark tests, the Pad 5 consistently outperforms many of its peers. Geekbench 5 scores hover around 750 for single-core and 2,600 for multi-core performance, putting it in the same league as some laptops. In real-world use, this translates to snappy app launches, smooth multitasking, and the ability to handle demanding tasks like video editing and 3D gaming with ease.
The tablet comes with 6GB of RAM, which is adequate for most tasks but may occasionally show its limits when heavy multitasking. Storage options include 128GB and 256GB variants, though the lack of expandable storage via microSD might be a concern for some users who require more space.
Graphics performance is handled by the Adreno 640 GPU, which is more than capable of running modern mobile games at high settings. Popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact run smoothly, with the 120Hz display enhancing the gaming experience significantly.
Audio: A Surprising Standout Feature
One area where the Xiaomi Pad 5 truly shines is its audio capabilities. The quad-speaker setup, tuned by Harman Kardon, delivers an impressively rich and immersive sound experience. The speakers are positioned in pairs at the top and bottom of the device (in landscape orientation), providing a wide soundstage that's particularly noticeable when watching movies or playing games.
The inclusion of Dolby Atmos support further enhances the audio quality, adding depth and dimensionality to the sound. Bass response is surprisingly good for a tablet, with clear lows complementing crisp highs and well-defined mids. At maximum volume, there's minimal distortion, allowing the Pad 5 to fill a small room with sound easily.
For those who prefer private listening, the tablet supports high-quality Bluetooth audio codecs, including aptX HD and LDAC, ensuring excellent wireless audio performance with compatible headphones.
Camera System: Serviceable, But Not a Standout
While tablets aren't typically known for their photographic capabilities, the Xiaomi Pad 5 offers a decent camera setup that should suffice for most users' needs. The rear camera boasts a 13MP sensor capable of capturing 4K video at 30fps. In good lighting conditions, photos are sharp and well-detailed, though they may lack the dynamic range and color accuracy of dedicated smartphone cameras.
The front-facing 8MP camera is adequate for video calls and casual selfies. It supports 1080p video recording, which is suitable for most video conferencing applications. However, it doesn't quite match the quality of the latest iPad's ultra-wide front-facing sensor, which offers a wider field of view and better low-light performance.
Xiaomi has included some interesting software features in the camera app, such as document scanning and AR stickers, which add some versatility to the tablet's imaging capabilities.
Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Endurance
Battery life is a crucial factor for any mobile device, and the Xiaomi Pad 5 doesn't disappoint in this department. The tablet is equipped with a substantial 8720 mAh battery, which Xiaomi claims can provide up to 16 hours of video playback or 10 hours of gaming.
In real-world testing, these claims hold up reasonably well. With mixed-use including web browsing, video streaming, and occasional gaming, the Pad 5 consistently lasted through a full day of use, often with charge to spare. More intensive tasks like gaming or video editing will naturally drain the battery faster, but even then, you can expect 6-8 hours of use.
The included 22.5W charger can fully recharge the tablet in about 2 hours, which is respectable given the large battery capacity. The Pad 5 also supports up to 33W fast charging, though you'll need to purchase a compatible charger separately to take advantage of this.
Software and User Experience: MIUI for Pad Shows Promise
The Xiaomi Pad 5 runs on MIUI for Pad, a customized version of Xiaomi's MIUI interface designed specifically for tablets. Based on Android 11, this interface borrows some design cues from Apple's iPadOS, resulting in a familiar and intuitive user experience.
One of the standout features of MIUI for Pad is its focus on productivity. The interface supports multi-window functionality, allowing users to run two apps side-by-side or in floating windows. This is particularly useful on the Pad 5's large display, enabling efficient multitasking.
Xiaomi has also included some tablet-specific optimizations, such as a dock for frequently used apps and a control center that separates notifications from quick settings. These additions make navigating the tablet more efficient and user-friendly.
However, it's disappointing that the Pad 5 ships with Android 11 rather than the newer Android 12. While Xiaomi has promised updates, including Android 12, the company's track record with timely updates is mixed. This could be a concern for users who prioritize having the latest software features and security updates.
Another potential issue is app compatibility. While the situation has improved in recent years, many Android apps still don't scale well to larger tablet displays. Some may run in a phone-like interface, while others might have odd layouts or unused space. This is an area where iPads still have a significant advantage due to their long-standing tablet-optimized app ecosystem.
Accessories: Expanding Functionality
To enhance the Pad 5's versatility, Xiaomi offers two key accessories: the Xiaomi Smart Pen and a keyboard cover. While sold separately, these accessories can significantly expand the tablet's functionality.
The Xiaomi Smart Pen attaches magnetically to the side of the tablet for easy storage and charging. It offers 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, making it suitable for drawing and note-taking. Palm rejection works well, and latency is low, providing a natural writing experience. However, unlike some competing styluses, it doesn't offer native handwriting recognition.
The keyboard cover connects via a special connector, eliminating the need for Bluetooth pairing. The keys have decent spacing and travel, making it comfortable for extended typing sessions. However, the lack of a backlight and trackpad may limit its usefulness in certain situations.
While these accessories add to the overall cost of the device, they transform the Pad 5 from a primarily consumption-oriented device into a more capable productivity tool.
Pros and Cons: Weighing the Xiaomi Pad 5's Strengths and Weaknesses
Pros:
- Excellent display quality with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR support
- Powerful performance thanks to the Snapdragon 860 processor
- Impressive quad-speaker setup with Dolby Atmos
- Good battery life and fast charging capabilities
- Sleek design that rivals more expensive tablets
- MIUI for Pad offers useful productivity features
Cons:
- Runs on Android 11 instead of the newer Android 12
- Lack of fingerprint sensor may be a security concern for some users
- Android apps often not optimized for tablet use
- No cellular option available for those needing on-the-go connectivity
- Accessories, while useful, add to the overall cost
Conclusion: A Strong Contender in the Tablet Market
The Xiaomi Pad 5 represents a significant step forward for Android tablets, offering a compelling package that combines premium features with a mid-range price point. Its standout display, powerful performance, and impressive audio capabilities make it an excellent choice for multimedia consumption and gaming. The thoughtful software optimizations and available accessories also position it as a capable productivity device.
However, it's not without its drawbacks. The lack of the latest Android version at launch and the ongoing issue of app optimization for tablets may give some potential buyers pause. Additionally, while the build quality is excellent, the absence of a fingerprint sensor and cellular option might limit its appeal for certain users.
When compared to its primary competitor, the iPad, the Xiaomi Pad 5 holds its own in terms of hardware. However, Apple's tablet still maintains an edge in software optimization and app ecosystem. The longevity of software support is also a factor to consider, as Apple typically provides updates for its devices for several years.
Ultimately, the Xiaomi Pad 5 offers exceptional value for its price, providing features and performance that rival more expensive tablets. For Android users looking for a capable tablet for entertainment, light productivity, and even some creative work, the Pad 5 is a strong contender. It successfully challenges the notion that quality tablets must come with a premium price tag, and in doing so, pushes the entire tablet market forward.
As Xiaomi continues to refine its tablet offerings and potentially improves its update frequency, devices like the Pad 5 have the potential to significantly impact the tablet landscape. While it may not dethrone the iPad just yet, the Xiaomi Pad 5 proves that compelling alternatives exist, giving consumers more choice in an increasingly diverse tablet market.
