Xiaomi Pad 6 has gained attention as a huge improvement over its last model Xiaomi Pad 5. Right from the start, the Pad 6 catches your attention with its straightforward unibody design and a reasonably large 11-inch screen. The display boasts a high resolution, 10-bit color depth, 144Hz refresh rate, and Dolby Vision certification. Additionally, there are four Dolby Atmos speakers to enhance the audio experience alongside the impressive display.
The pricing seems impressive as it comes at NPR 39,999 for the 6/128GB version and NPR 43,999 for the 8/256 GB variant. We have been closely monitoring this device as it offers a well-rounded user experience and includes a few essential accessories that are affordable. so here it is Xiaomi Pad 6 Full Review.
Xiaomi Pad 6 Full Review:
Design and Build
- Dimension: 254 x 165.2 x 6.5 mm, 490gm
Let’s talk about the Xiaomi Pad 6’s design. It’s impressive because it’s made with better materials – a premium aluminum back with a matte finish, and it’s even lighter than the previous model. The tablet is sleek and borrows some design elements from Xiaomi’s flagship phones, which is cool. But, it could be even more comfortable to hold if it had a curved shape.
One more thing, the USB-C port on the Pad 6 is faster now, supporting the USB 3.2 standard. This means it can connect to a 4K 60Hz external display and transfer files much quicker. Just keep in mind that you’ll need a specific cable for this since the one in the box is the slower USB 2.0.
Display
- Display: 11″ IPS LCD, 144Hz refresh rate, 240Hz sampling rate, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 550 nits (peak) brightness
The Xiaomi Pad 6 has a really impressive display. It’s 11 inches big and refreshes at a super-fast 144Hz, but you can adjust it to 90Hz or 60Hz if you want to save battery. The resolution got a little bump up from the previous model, but you won’t notice this in everyday use. The extra brightness doesn’t make a big difference either, as 500 nits were already good for indoor use. Even with an extra 50 nits, it’s still hard to read in direct sunlight.
They say this tablet supports HDR and Dolby Vision, but honestly, I didn’t see much of a difference when watching videos. This tablet doesn’t have the fancy tech like miniLED or OLED displays that higher-end tablets do, so it can’t give you the vibrant colors and contrast that HDR promises. Xiaomi’s previous Pad 5 had problems with HDR, but fortunately, the Pad 6 seems to be free from that issue. So, while it’s nice to have HDR, it’s not a game-changer on this tablet.
Performance and Storage
- Processor: Snapdragon 870 (7nm)
- Memory: 6/8GB RAM, 128/256 UFS 3.1 storage
The Xiaomi Tab 6 uses a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC (System on a Chip), which is like the brain of the tablet. This chip has eight cores that work together. The fastest core, called Cortex A77, can reach a super-fast 3.2 GHz. Then, there’s a performance cluster with three more Cortex A77 cores that can go up to 2.42 GHz. Finally, there’s a power-saving cluster with four efficient Cortex A55 cores that run at up to 1.8 GHz. To handle graphics, it has an Adreno 650, like a powerful graphics card in a computer.
In terms of speed, the tablet works quite well. However, occasionally, there are tiny hiccups in the system. When we ran tests to measure its performance, it showed good results. It’s not as powerful as the OnePlus Pad with its Dimensity 9000 chip, but it’s still pretty good. Compared to the previous model, the Xiaomi Pad 6 scores about 20% better on the Geekbench test.
When we tested it with graphics tasks in 3DMark and GFXBench, the differences between the Xiaomi Pad 6 and the OnePlus Pad became more evident. In some cases, the performance gap between the two tablets was as much as 50%. The Xiaomi Pad 5, which has a lower resolution, can still keep up with the Xiaomi Pad 6 when it comes to onscreen graphics performance.
In web browsing tests, the Xiaomi Pad 6 also performs well. It quickly loads and displays websites, making the browsing experience smooth. When it comes to storage speed, it’s on par with tablets that use USF 3.1 storage. But it’s notably better at handling small data blocks compared to its predecessor.
Also Read:
OS and UI
- UI: MIUI Pad 14
- OS: Android 13
The Xiaomi Pad 6 uses Xiaomi’s custom MIUI for the Pad 14 user interface as its operating system, and it’s built on top of Android 13. During our testing, we found that this midrange tablet is running the July 2023 security patch level, which helps keep your device safe. Because it has DRM L1 certification, you can enjoy streaming content in high resolution on its spacious 11-inch LCD screen.
It’s important to note that, unlike Xiaomi’s premium smartphones, this tablet segment doesn’t come with a guaranteed update policy. However, Xiaomi’s Security Center does mention that the Pad 6 is expected to receive updates for future Android versions, including Android 14 and Android 15. These updates are planned to be released quarterly, but the official support duration isn’t specified. In comparison, midrange smartphones in a similar price range to Xiaomi typically receive support for three to four years.
Cameras
- Rear Camera: 13MP primary
- Front Camera: 8MP
The Xiaomi Pad 6’s camera specifications haven’t changed from the previous model. The tablet still has an 8-megapixel front camera above the display with an f/2.2 aperture. In daylight, this front camera takes pretty good photos and is excellent for video calls. If you like to send short video messages, you can do so in a quality of 1080p, which is quite clear.
On the back, there’s a 13-megapixel main camera. It can record videos in the highest UHD quality at 30 frames per second. When there’s enough light, this camera, with its f/2.2 aperture, captures good-quality images. It reproduces colors well, captures details, and offers a decent range of brightness in photos. While this camera is good for taking snapshots, it’s worth noting that most users of an 11-inch tablet would likely use the back camera more for capturing documents or notes, and the camera app even has a special mode for this purpose.
Battery and Charging
- Battery: 8840mAh, 33W Fast Charging
The Xiaomi Pad 6 comes with a big 8,840mAh battery, and if you use it occasionally, it can last for about five to six days between charges. You are watching a twenty-minute video that used up roughly 4% of the battery. If you’re into heavy gaming, you can expect it to drain faster, around 8% at the same time. Even when you’re not using it, the tablet loses about 9% of its battery in 24 hours, which isn’t as great as the iPad’s standby performance.
When it’s time to recharge, using the included 33W adapter, it takes just a little over two hours for a full charge. While this isn’t the slowest charging time for a mid-range tablet, it’s not as speedy as the OnePlus Pad’s 67W SuperVOOC charging. There is a 67W charging option for the Pad 6 Pro, but it might not be available outside of China.
Other Features
The latest Xiaomi Pad doesn’t come with a fingerprint scanner. Instead, it relies on facial recognition for unlocking, and it can store up to two faces. Facial recognition is quite fast and reliable when there’s good lighting, but it can be less dependable in low-light conditions or when the display is dimmed. Additionally, if you have Xiaomi wearables or smartphones that are compatible, you can use a “trusted devices” feature for smart unlocking.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Decent display and refresh rate | Speakers are average |
| Impressive Battery life | Camera quality is average |
| Good performance | No software updates guaranteed |
| Value for money |
Verdict
In simple terms, Xiaomi has done it again with the Pad 6 – they’ve given us a fantastic tablet at a great price. If you want a reliable Android tablet that does all the essential things well, this is a no-brainer choice.
I’ve also used this tablet alongside the OnePlus Pad, and honestly, I don’t see why you’d want to spend almost 50% more on the OnePlus Pad. Xiaomi has even made its accessories like the keyboard and stylus more affordable, which is awesome.
Speaking of the stylus, Xiaomi’s second-gen Smart Pen is really impressive. It responds almost instantly when you write or draw, and it comes with handy shortcut buttons to boost your productivity. It would have been even better if you could customize those buttons, but that’s not a deal-breaker for me. So, in a nutshell, the Xiaomi Pad 6 is another home run, setting the bar high for what midrange Android tablets can offer in 2023.
