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?
🏆 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.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 4G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | N/A |
| GPRS | No | N/A |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 23 | 2022, October 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 01 | Available. Released 2022, October 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 245.1 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) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 440 g (15.52 oz) | 465 g (1.03 lb) |
| | Stylus support | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~225 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.36 inches, 305.5 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.61 inches, 320.4 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 360 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-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) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, ColorOS 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.3, 105° (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD
5W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7100 mAh | Li-Po 8000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Silver | Graphite Gray, Moonlight Silver, Mint Green |
| Models | OPD2102, X21N2 | 22081283G |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 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.