TL;DR
Xiaomi's Pad 7 Pro boasts a phenomenal 144Hz 3.2K display and powerful flagship-level internals, offering incredible value for media consumption and everyday tasks. It sports a premium design, rivaling more expensive tablets, and its quad speakers deliver excellent sound. However, the "Pro" ambitions aren't fully realized, with software hiccups, inconsistent multitasking, and a stylus lacking crucial features for artists. While it transforms into a mini-PC with accessories, it's not quite a professional workhorse. It's a fantastic choice for entertainment and general use, but creatives might need to look elsewhere. Curious about its compromises and where it truly shines? Read the full review!
Xiaomi has consistently challenged expectations across various price points, and the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro aims to compete directly in the premium tablet category. Its specifications suggest a high-end device: a high-resolution display with a rapid refresh rate, a flagship-level processor, and a price point that challenges Apple and Samsung. However, in-depth evaluation reveals a more complex picture. The Pad 7 Pro excels in certain aspects but encounters limitations due to compromises, particularly in software and accessory offerings.
Design and Build Quality: Premium Feel with Familiar Aesthetics
The design immediately evokes comparisons to Apple’s iPad Pro. The influence is evident in the flat edges, slim 6.2 mm profile, and aluminum alloy unibody construction, conveying a premium feel while maintaining robustness. At 500 grams, the tablet remains manageable for its size, although it is slightly heavier than the 11-inch iPad Pro.
This design approach echoes strategies seen elsewhere, such as Huawei’s emulation of the Apple Watch Pro with its Watch Fit 4 Pro. By adopting a design language associated with high quality, Xiaomi can emphasize its competitive advantage: offering superior hardware for the price. However, subtle cost-saving measures are apparent. The fingerprint reader integrated into the power button is functional, but lacks the performance and sophistication found on Apple devices or through facial recognition. While not a critical flaw, it represents a minor imperfection in an otherwise well-constructed device. The protruding camera module causes the tablet to wobble when placed on a flat surface, which can be disruptive during writing or drawing without a case. The absence of an official IP rating for water and dust resistance, a common feature in competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, is a notable drawback, particularly for users in environments where such protection is beneficial.
Several case options are available, and the Xiaomi Focus Keyboard Pro stands out. This case incorporates a trackpad, adjustable viewing angles, and backlit keys, features absent from the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro Keyboard (Standard). This combination effectively transforms the tablet into a portable computer, especially when paired with the optional pen (discussed further below). Currently, a Swedish keyboard layout is unavailable. The price of approximately 1500 kronor appears justified given the features offered, but the standard case provides a more affordable alternative for users who do not require these functionalities. For those seeking adjustable viewing angles without a keyboard, the Pro Cover offers versatile configurations. Pricing information for the Pro Cover is currently unavailable.
The Screen: The Crown Jewel of the Xiaomi Pad Pro 7
The display is a compelling reason to consider the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro. Xiaomi’s tablet surpasses competitors in its price range – and even some more expensive options – in this regard. The 11.2-inch IPS LCD panel boasts a 3.2K resolution (3200 x 2136 pixels), resulting in a pixel density of approximately 345 ppi, which exceeds the sharpness of standard models from Apple and Samsung.
The audio capabilities are enhanced by Dolby Atmos support and a quad-speaker array, strategically positioned around the edges. The speakers deliver impressive sound quality for a tablet, making it suitable for multimedia consumption and gaming.
The adaptive 144 Hz refresh rate significantly enhances the user experience. Navigation and scrolling are exceptionally fluid and responsive, representing a substantial improvement compared to the 60 Hz panels found in devices like the iPad Air. The display’s brightness, peaking at 800 nits, combined with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10, makes it an excellent device for media consumption, whether indoors or in bright sunlight. While IPS panels cannot replicate the absolute blacks of OLED screens, the display quality remains exceptional for its technology and intended use. Xiaomi also offers a version with matte glass to minimize reflections and provide a more paper-like feel, which is beneficial for reading and note-taking.
Performance and Software: Capable Hardware, Software Refinements Needed
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, positioning it within the flagship category, albeit below the highest-end models. Paired with 8 GB or 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, it handles everyday tasks and demanding multitasking effectively. Performance is responsive and the system feels fast. However, the base model with 128 GB of storage utilizes slower UFS 3.1 storage, while higher-capacity models feature faster and more energy-efficient UFS 4.0 storage.
Under sustained heavy load, such as graphically intensive gaming like Genshin Impact at maximum settings, the tablet may exhibit some performance limitations not seen in higher-priced competitors. This reflects a deliberate trade-off between cost and performance. The performance should satisfy the majority of users, but those with the most demanding needs may require a more powerful, and expensive, alternative.
The HyperOS 2 software (based on Android 15) represents a potential area for improvement. While its initial appearance is clean and stable, some features did not perform as seamlessly as demonstrated, such as mirroring a Xiaomi 15 phone’s display to the tablet. Furthermore, the software exhibits inconsistencies, such as occasional text in Chinese, which detracts from the overall premium experience. Multitasking features like split screen and floating windows are powerful in theory but limited in practice. For instance, running two instances of the same app side-by-side is not possible, and split-screen support is inconsistent. This, combined with the lack of tablet optimization for some Android apps, negatively impacts the overall user experience.
On the positive side, HyperOS 2 includes useful features, such as the ability to connect two Bluetooth headphones simultaneously. This is a convenient feature for shared listening experiences, such as for children during travel.
The Pad Pro 7 features a capacious 9000 mAh battery and supports fast charging up to 67W, achieving a full charge in just over an hour with compatible chargers.
Xiaomi Focus Pen: Suitable for Note-Taking, Limited for Artistic Applications
The Xiaomi Focus Pen, a separately sold stylus, exemplifies the Pad 7 Pro’s mixed capabilities. Priced around a thousand kronor, it is well-suited for note-taking and general productivity. Featuring 8192 pressure sensitivity levels and low latency, it provides a responsive and natural writing experience. Three buttons can be configured as a laser pointer, highlighter, or remote shutter control for the camera, adding to its functionality. The pen attaches magnetically for charging, but lacks a dedicated holder or pocket in the tested cases, which could lead to misplacement.
However, for digital artists, the pen’s lack of reliable tilt sensitivity is a significant limitation. This feature, essential for varying brushstroke shapes for shading and calligraphy, does not function consistently. This deficiency makes it unsuitable for professional artistic applications. Furthermore, the side buttons are not customizable for shortcuts in third-party apps, hindering creative workflows. For professional users, alternatives like the Samsung S Pen or Apple Pencil offer superior performance.
Conclusion: Should I Buy the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro?
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro represents a series of strategic compromises. Its exceptional display offers impressive image quality and smoothness, rivaling devices in a higher price bracket. This makes it an appealing option.
However, the “Pro” designation reflects an ambition rather than a complete realization. The software’s imperfections, uncertainty regarding long-term software updates, and the Focus Pen’s limitations for creative tasks prevent it from directly competing with the iPad Pro or Galaxy Tab S9 for professional applications. The absence of a SIM card slot further limits its utility for users requiring constant connectivity.
The Pad 7 is available in a base model for approximately 4,000 kronor, with reduced specifications, and the tested Pro model, priced around 8,000 kronor with 12GB RAM and 512GB of faster storage. Adding a keyboard case and pen increases the total cost to just over 10,000 kronor, which remains competitive but represents a significant investment. While less than half the price of a comparable iPad Pro with accessories, the iPad Pro offers a superior experience for professional users. The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro is a compelling option for general users who prioritize media consumption, entertainment, and basic productivity tasks. For activities such as watching movies, browsing the web, reading, gaming, emailing, and note-taking, it is a highly competitive tablet. However, digital artists or power users requiring a flawless software experience or constant connectivity should explore alternative options.
Xiaomi provided review units for this evaluation. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence. Our reviews are conducted independently with a focus on the interests of our readers and consumers.
