Oppo Pad Air vs Xiaomi Redmi Pad: The Ultimate Budget Tablet Battle

The tablet market is booming, and budget options are more appealing than ever. Today, we're pitting two strong contenders against each other: the Oppo Pad Air and the Xiaomi Redmi Pad. Both offer impressive features for their price, but which one comes out on top?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Redmi Pad edges out the Oppo Pad Air thanks to its slightly brighter display and more powerful chipset. However, the Oppo Pad Air boasts reverse charging and a more compact design, making it a strong alternative for those prioritizing portability. Ultimately, the Redmi Pad offers a better overall experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Pad Air Xiaomi Redmi Pad
Network
2G bandsN/AN/A
3G bandsN/AN/A
4G bandsN/AN/A
EDGENoN/A
GPRSNoN/A
TechnologyNo cellular connectivityNo cellular connectivity
Launch
Announced2022, May 232022, October 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, June 01Available. Released 2022, October 05
Body
Build-Glass front, aluminum frame
Dimensions245.1 x 154.8 x 6.9 mm (9.65 x 6.09 x 0.27 in)250.5 x 158.1 x 7.1 mm (9.86 x 6.22 x 0.28 in)
SIMNoNo
Weight440 g (15.52 oz)465 g (1.03 lb)
 Stylus support-
Display
Resolution1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~225 ppi density)1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~220 ppi density)
Size10.36 inches, 305.5 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio)10.61 inches, 320.4 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 1B colors, 360 nits (typ)IPS LCD, 1B colors, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 12, ColorOS 12Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesPanorama-
Single8 MP, f/2.0, AF8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single5 MP, f/2.28 MP, f/2.3, 105° (ultrawide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningNoNo
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, compassAccelerometer
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD 5W reverse wired18W wired
TypeLi-Po 7100 mAhLi-Po 8000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray, SilverGraphite Gray, Moonlight Silver, Mint Green
ModelsOPD2102, X21N222081283G
PriceAbout 300 EURAbout 250 EUR
SAR EU-0.36 W/kg (body)
Tests
Display Contrast ratio: 1391:1 Contrast ratio: 1529:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.3 LUFS (Average) -23.9 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 249272 (v9) GeekBench: 1661 (v5.1) GFXBench: 7.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 319077 (v9) GeekBench: 1852 (v5.1) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Oppo Pad Air

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Reverse charging capability
  • Sleek design
  • Good value for money

  • Less powerful chipset
  • Lower screen brightness
  • No expandable storage

Xiaomi Redmi Pad

  • Brighter display
  • More powerful chipset
  • Immersive viewing experience
  • Stereo speakers

  • Slightly less portable than the Oppo Pad Air
  • No reverse charging

Display Comparison

Both tablets feature LCD displays, but the Xiaomi Redmi Pad takes a slight lead with a measured brightness of 402 nits compared to the Oppo Pad Air's 352 nits. The contrast ratios are both excellent (1391:1 and 1529:1 respectively), ensuring vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Redmi Pad's slightly higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Camera quality on budget tablets is rarely a highlight. Both devices feature modest rear cameras suitable for casual snapshots. The Redmi Pad likely has a slight edge due to potentially better image processing, but don't expect flagship-level performance. Front-facing cameras are adequate for video calls.

Performance

The Xiaomi Redmi Pad's Mediatek Helio G99 chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Oppo Pad Air's Snapdragon 680. The G99's Cortex-A76 cores provide better handling of demanding tasks and games. While both are capable for everyday use, the Redmi Pad feels snappier.

Battery Life

Both tablets offer decent battery life, typically lasting a full day of moderate use. Neither device supports incredibly fast charging, with both topping up at 18W. The Oppo Pad Air's reverse charging capability is a unique feature, allowing it to charge other devices.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Oppo Pad Air? It's ideal for users seeking a lightweight and portable tablet for media consumption and light productivity. Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Pad? It's a better choice for those prioritizing performance, a brighter screen, and a more immersive viewing experience, especially for gaming and video streaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi Pad is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful chipset and brighter display.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either tablet?
No, neither the Oppo Pad Air nor the Xiaomi Redmi Pad offer expandable storage via microSD card.
❓ What are the dimensions of each tablet?
The Oppo Pad Air is slightly more compact, measuring approximately 243.8 x 165.7 x 6.9 mm. The Xiaomi Redmi Pad measures approximately 248.46 x 161.1 x 7.55 mm.