Introduction
Xiaomi’s Redmi brand has long been a titan in India’s mid-range smartphone market, and now it’s making waves in the tablet segment. The latest entry in their lineup, the Redmi Pad SE 4G, promises to offer a user-friendly experience at an affordable price point. With a launch price starting at just Rs 10,999, it aims to be a suitable option for budget-conscious consumers, parents looking for a device for their childrenโs online education, or anyone needing a versatile tablet. But does it meet expectations? Let’s delve into our comprehensive review of the Redmi Pad SE 4G.
Pricing and Availability
The Redmi Pad SE 4G is available in three attractive colors: Forest Green, Ocean Blue, and Urban Gray. The pricing is structured as follows:
| Variant | Price (INR) |
|---|---|
| 4GB + 64GB | 10,999 |
| 4GB + 128GB | 11,999 |
The tablet can be purchased from popular platforms like Flipkart, mi.com, and Xiaomi’s retail stores. An additional cover that doubles as a quick stand is available for Rs 999. Moreover, customers using ICICI credit cards can enjoy an instant discount of Rs 1,000 on their purchase.
Design and Display
The design of the Redmi Pad SE 4G is simple yet elegant. Our review unit in Urban Gray showcases a solid build made from plastic with a matte finish. Though some might be skeptical of plastic construction, this tablet is surprisingly sturdy. The design features a camera module on the back and minimalist branding, maintaining a clean aesthetic.
This tablet weighs just 375 grams and has a thin profile of 8.8mm, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods. The rounded edges and placement of the speakers on both sides contribute to its ergonomic design.
It incorporates an 8.7-inch HD Plus LCD display with a resolution of 1340 x 800 pixels. Although this display size may seem modest compared to the larger 10-inch tablets available, it’s perfectly adequate for new users. Additionally, the display is scratch-resistant and provides decent brightness levels for indoor use, although users might notice some fading in bright sunlight.
The device supports a refresh rate of up to 90Hz, ensuring smooth visuals when scrolling. This feature makes it well-suited for students who intend to use it for online classes and other educational activities.
Performance
Powered by the MediaTek Helio G85 processor and coupled with 4GB of LPDDR4x RAM, the Redmi Pad SE 4G performs admirably for everyday tasks. It handled multiple OTT applications without hiccups and managed up to 12 tabs on Google Chrome, although some occasional lag was noted between app switches.
While light gaming is possible, power users should temper their expectations. Games like ‘Subway Princess’ ran smoothly for casual gaming, but more demanding games might not perform optimally on this device.
Benchmark Performance
In Geekbench tests, it scored 413 in single-core and 1429 in multi-core performance. In graphics testing with GFXBench, it achieved frame rates of 52fps in T-rex, 29fps in Manhattan 3.1, and 14fps in Car Chase tests. The 3D Mark Wild Life test yielded a score of 687, providing an insight into its graphical capabilities.
Software and Battery Life
The Redmi Pad SE 4G operates on the latest Android 14, accompanied by Xiaomiโs HyperOS. For users familiar with Xiaomi’s interface, navigating through this tablet will feel intuitive. It features a clean layout with essential apps readily accessible.
Packed with a 6650mAh battery, it performs reasonably well for day-to-day tasks, lasting nearly a full day on moderate use. While it handled HD video streaming for about 9 hours and 36 minutes in our tests, the 10W charging support can be a drawback. It does take approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes to fully recharge, making faster charging options a missed opportunity.
Camera Performance
Equipped with an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, the Redmi Pad SE 4G is adequate for video calls and document scanning. While not a primary focus for tablets, these cameras suffice for video conferencing and casual photography.
Conclusion
The Redmi Pad SE 4G emerges as an excellent choice for those seeking a budget-friendly tablet for online educational pursuits and light entertainment. Its design, decent performance, and ample battery life make it a practical option for students and families alike. However, it falls short for users with gaming in mind or those who require extensive multimedia capabilities.
In summary, the Redmi Pad SE 4G caters effectively to its target audience, and its competitive placement against similar devices like the Realme Pad and Motorola Moto G62 LTE makes it a worthy contender in the affordable tablet market.
