iQOO Pad Pro brings the Ultra's 165Hz screen and big battery for less

iQOO Pad Pro Debuts: Ultra Performance, 165Hz Display, and Active Cooling at a Value Price

iQOO has officially launched the iQOO Pad Pro 8.8 in China, a compelling new gaming tablet that inherits key features from its premium sibling, the iQOO Pad Ultra. This new device aims to deliver a high-performance gaming experience with a stunning display and advanced cooling system, all at a more accessible price point.

The iQOO Pad Pro 8.8 boasts an impressive 8.8-inch AMOLED display with a sharp 2304x1440 resolution and an ultra-smooth 165Hz refresh rate, perfect for competitive gaming where every millisecond counts. Gamers will appreciate the display's exceptional brightness, reaching 1,600 nits in full-screen mode and an astonishing 4,500 nits peak local brightness. Under the hood, the Pad Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, complemented by iQOO's dedicated Q3 gaming chip. This powerful combination is further enhanced by up to 16GB of LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage, ensuring swift performance and ample space for games and media.

Photography enthusiasts will find a 13MP rear camera capable of 4K video recording, alongside an 8MP front-facing camera for clear selfies and video calls. The tablet is equipped with a substantial 9,020 mAh battery, supporting rapid 66W wired charging to minimize downtime. Running on OriginOS 7 HD based on Android 17, the iQOO Pad Pro measures a slim 5.74mm and weighs just 298g, featuring a sleek metal unibody construction.

Advanced Cooling for Uninterrupted Gameplay

A standout feature of the iQOO Pad Pro is its innovative "Ice Dome" cooling system. This system integrates a 30x30x3.5mm active cooling fan with dual vapor chambers and copper fins, creating a massive heat dissipation area of 23,253mm². The fan offers three adjustable speed modes, ensuring optimal temperatures even during the most demanding gaming sessions. The Q3 gaming chip plays a crucial role in enhancing the gaming experience by handling ray tracing, upscaling, and frame interpolation in supported titles.

Enhanced Gaming and Connectivity Features

The iQOO Pad Pro is designed for immersive gaming, featuring symmetrical dual speakers for rich audio and two X-axis linear vibration motors for tactile feedback. Customizable RGB lighting on the back adds a touch of personalization. Connectivity is top-notch with Wi-Fi 7 support and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port for fast data transfer and peripheral connectivity.

Software and Accessory Ecosystem

Software enhancements include a PC game emulator, game livestreaming capabilities, and a 4K in-game screenshot camera. Some of these advanced features require models with at least 12GB of RAM. iQOO also offers optional accessories, such as a magnetic grip kit and the iQOO Stretch Handle G1 controller, sold separately to further enhance the gaming experience.

Key Differences and Value Proposition

While sharing the same display, battery, cameras, thickness, and weight as the iQOO Pad Ultra, the Pad Pro differentiates itself with its internal hardware. The Ultra utilizes the more advanced Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 and Q4 gaming chip, whereas the Pro features the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Q3 chip. The Pad Pro also offers more accessible storage and RAM configurations, starting at 8GB of RAM and topping out at 512GB, compared to the Ultra's 12GB starting RAM and 1TB max storage. This strategic difference in specifications allows the iQOO Pad Pro to offer a significantly more attractive price. The 12GB/256GB configuration of the Pad Pro is priced at CNY 4,699 (approximately $703), considerably less than the CNY 6,499 ($973) for the equivalent Ultra model. The iQOO Pad Pro is available in blue and gray. Pricing starts at CNY 4,299 ($643) for the base 8GB/256GB model, with other configurations including 16GB/256GB for CNY 5,099 ($763), 12GB/512GB for CNY 5,399 ($808), and the top-tier 16GB/512GB model at CNY 5,799 ($868). Availability outside of China remains uncertain. Source