The tablet market has been dominated by Apple’s iPad lineup for years, but Xiaomi is making a compelling case for Android tablets with their latest Pad 7 Pro. Launched globally just a few months ago, this device promises flagship-level performance at a fraction of the cost of comparable premium tablets. After spending time with the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro, we can confidently say it delivers on that promise.
Design and Build Quality: Premium Feel at Budget Price
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro impresses immediately with its premium construction. Measuring 251.2 x 173.4 x 6.2mm and weighing just 500g, the tablet strikes an excellent balance between portability and screen real estate. The aluminum frame and back panel give it a solid, premium feel that rivals tablets costing twice as much.
The glass front is smooth and responsive, while the side-mounted fingerprint reader provides quick and reliable authentication. One standout feature is the magnetic stylus support, which allows the Xiaomi Focus Pen to attach securely to the side of the device – a thoughtful design choice that prevents the stylus from getting lost.
Display Excellence: Where the Pad 7 Pro Truly Shines
The centerpiece of any tablet is its display, and the Pad 7 Pro doesn’t disappoint. The 11.2-inch IPS LCD screen delivers stunning visuals with its 3,200 x 2,136 pixel resolution, resulting in a sharp 345 PPI pixel density. The 13.48:9 aspect ratio provides an excellent viewing experience for both productivity tasks and media consumption.
What sets this display apart is its impressive feature set: 12-bit color depth ensures smooth color gradients, while the 144Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations incredibly smooth. HDR10 and Dolby Vision support mean your favorite streaming content will look its absolute best, and the 800-nit peak brightness ensures good visibility even in bright environments.
The high refresh rate isn’t just a spec sheet boast – it genuinely enhances the user experience, making everything from web browsing to gaming feel more responsive and fluid.
Performance: Flagship Power Under the Hood
Powering the Pad 7 Pro is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, paired with up to 12GB of RAM. This combination delivers flagship-level performance that handles everything from demanding games to productivity applications with ease. The Adreno 735 GPU ensures smooth graphics performance, whether you’re editing photos or playing graphics-intensive games.
The tablet comes in multiple storage configurations: 128GB with 8GB RAM, 256GB with either 8GB or 12GB RAM, and a top-tier 512GB model with 12GB RAM. The higher-capacity models feature faster UFS 4.0 storage, while the base 128GB model uses UFS 3.1. For most users, even the base configuration will provide adequate performance.
Software Experience: Android 15 with Desktop Capabilities
Running Android 15 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2, the Pad 7 Pro offers a clean, intuitive interface optimized for tablet use. The software includes a desktop-like mode that transforms the tablet into a productivity powerhouse, especially when paired with Xiaomi’s optional keyboard accessory.
The large screen real estate is well-utilized with features like split-screen multitasking and floating windows, making it easy to work with multiple apps simultaneously. The software experience feels polished and mature, addressing many of the historical criticisms of Android on tablets.
Camera Performance: Surprisingly Capable
While tablets aren’t primarily photography devices, the Pad 7 Pro’s camera setup is surprisingly competent. The 50MP rear camera with PDAF captures detailed photos, while the 2MP depth sensor assists with portrait effects. Video recording capabilities include 4K at both 30fps and 60fps.
The 32MP front-facing camera is particularly impressive for video calls and selfies, featuring an ultrawide lens that’s perfect for group video conferences. The 1080p video recording from the front camera is smooth and clear.
Audio and Multimedia: Immersive Experience
The quad-speaker setup with Dolby Atmos support creates an surprisingly immersive audio experience. Whether watching movies, playing games, or listening to music, the sound quality is rich and well-balanced. The speakers are strategically positioned to provide good stereo separation regardless of how you hold the tablet.
Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Power
The massive 8,850mAh battery easily provides all-day usage for most users. Even with heavy use including gaming, video streaming, and productivity tasks, the tablet comfortably lasts through a full day. The 67W fast charging support means you won’t be tethered to a wall outlet for long – achieving 40% charge in just 20 minutes is impressive for a tablet of this size.
Connectivity and Extras
The Pad 7 Pro includes modern connectivity options like Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 with LHDC 5 support for high-quality audio streaming. An infrared port adds convenient functionality for controlling TVs and other home devices.
One notable omission is the lack of cellular connectivity options – this is a Wi-Fi-only device, which may limit its appeal for users who need constant internet access on the go.
Value Proposition: Flagship Features at Half the Price
At approximately €400, the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro offers exceptional value. You’re getting flagship-level performance, a premium display, solid build quality, and modern software features at roughly half the price of comparable premium tablets from other manufacturers.
The lack of included accessories (charger, stylus, and keyboard are sold separately) is a minor inconvenience, but even factoring in these additional costs, the total package remains competitively priced.
Final Verdict
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro successfully delivers on its promise of flagship features at a reasonable price. While it may not have the ecosystem integration of an iPad or the absolute cutting-edge performance of the most expensive tablets, it offers an excellent balance of features, performance, and value that makes it an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a capable Android tablet.
Whether you’re a student, professional, or casual user, the Pad 7 Pro provides enough power and features to handle your needs without breaking the bank. It’s a compelling reminder that premium doesn’t always have to mean expensive.