Redmi Pad 2: A No-Nonsense, Highly Practical Budget Tablet
If you’re looking for a standard tablet free from all the bells and whistles but priced in a range that won’t eat up an entire month’s salary, consider the Redmi Pad 2.
Xiaomi’s latest affordable tablet offering comes in two configurations: an 8GB/256GB model priced at RM799, which we were lucky enough to receive; and a 4GB/128GB configuration retailing at RM599 for those with a stricter budget.
Despite its price point, the Redmi Pad 2 has the mettle to be your mainstay daily tablet, with strong qualities and few drawbacks.
Hardware that punches above its weight
The Redmi Pad 2’s metallic body is a reassuring one. If you were ever worried that the budget label was going to land you something that feels like a toy, you can silence that doubt right away. The sturdy aluminium chassis feels well above its price range, and the matte-like texture on the rear panel is a good pairing.
It does pack some heft, though, and it definitely isn’t an ‘air’ type model with slim trimmings and feather-like qualities. For measurements, the thickness is 7.36mm and it weighs 510g. It packs a load for a tablet, but it’s still very much in the portable-friendly range for, say, students with brick-sized textbooks who won’t appreciate the heavier form factor of laptops.
Design-wise, there’s not much to say. It’s minimalistic and clean, and the blacked-out camera module is a nice touch.
Display is great indoors, but struggles outdoors
The Redmi Pad 2’s display isn’t something to shout about. It’s a good display, no doubt, but there are a few qualities you may need to contend with. Let’s start with the good.
The Pad 2 offers a very decent 2.5K (2560×1600) resolution that makes content bingeing worthwhile, while the 90Hz refresh rate keeps the tablet reasonably smooth. Despite being an LCD display, colours turn out punchy and vibrant, and you won’t feel like you’re missing out terribly versus a tablet with an OLED panel. Plus, the TÜV Rheinland certifications for eye comfort are nice-to-haves for prolonged usage.
Unfortunately, the tablet isn’t an ideal solution for outdoor use, as brightness only hits 600 nits in outdoor mode. In fact, even indoor areas with light flooding in from the windows can be enough of a hindrance. Moreover, since there is no anti-glare coating, you may find yourself doing all sorts of gymnastics to find a viewing angle rid of reflections.
Only after you’ve cleared these hurdles can you draw out the best of the Redmi Pad 2’s display.
Performance capable enough for light use
The Redmi Pad 2 runs on the Helio G100-Ultra, which is an entry-level chipset, as you would expect. This isn’t going to be the snappiest tablet out there — and that’s completely understandable. Still, it works well for basic web browsing, YouTube, and even some light gaming. And we mean super light gaming, like Sudoku or Solitaire. You’ll get by with Mobile Legends, but if you’re intending to run heavier mobile titles like Genshin Impact, you’re going to need to manage your expectations.
This is a budget tablet that is more practical than flashy, after all. As a daily option for casual users and students, this is an accessible choice that’s more than sufficient.
One thing that surprised me on the Redmi Pad 2 was its speakers. They were miles better than what I expected from a sub-RM1K tablet. The quad-speaker setup holds up really well with plenty of richness and clarity, and you won’t find it lacking – unless you’re a hardcore audiophile.
Large battery, but slow charging speed
The Redmi Pad 2’s 9,000mAh battery is one of the largest capacities in its segment. Even models like the HONOR Pad X9a, with a RM999 price tag, still only pack an 8,300mAh capacity — which puts the Redmi Pad 2 in good stead.
However, it is let down by a slow-crawling 18W wired charging speed, which means at least a two-hour wait before the battery reaches a safe level for a full day’s use. If you know for a fact you’re going to be away from a plug for long periods, it’s best to charge well ahead of time to avoid anxiety.
Redmi Pad 2: Should you buy?
To be concise, the Redmi Pad 2 will definitely make the recommendations list for budget tablet options. The minor drawbacks are to be expected on a tablet at this price range, and in my view, can be worked around. I only feel that charging speeds could be better, as 18W charging in 2025 feels a little outdated – at any price point.
Nevertheless, its solid build, on-par performance, booming quad speakers, and large battery capacity are features I see benefitting its users, particularly those who need to be more conscious with their spending.
PriceShop Rating
Not Bad Leh!
✅Solid aluminium body
✅High-resolution display with punchy colours
✅Practical performance for light usage
✅Large 9,000mAh battery, one of the biggest in its segment
❌Low-brightness display struggles in outdoor use or in areas with heavy sunlight
❌ Slow 18W charging speed
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