Umidigi A15 Tab vs Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE 8.7: A Detailed Comparison

The sub-$200 tablet market is heating up, with the Umidigi A15 Tab and Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE 8.7 vying for dominance. Both devices aim to deliver a functional Android experience without breaking the bank, but they take slightly different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dives deep into their specifications and performance to determine which tablet offers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing slightly faster charging and a potentially more refined software experience, the Umidigi A15 Tab emerges as the winner. However, the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 remains a strong contender, particularly in regions where the 18W charger is unavailable, as the difference in charging speed becomes negligible.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi A15 Tab Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE 8.7
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE - cellular model only
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced20232024, July 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2023Available. Released 2024, August 08
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3)
Dimensions257.5 x 162 x 7.5 mm (10.14 x 6.38 x 0.30 in)211.6 x 125.5 x 8.8 mm (8.33 x 4.94 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM (cellular model only)
Weight491 g (1.08 lb)370 / 373 / 375 g (13.05 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density)800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density)
Size11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio)8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 420 nitsIPS LCD, 1B colors, 90Hz, 600 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm)Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP1Mali-G52 MC2
OSAndroid 13Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/2.2, (wide) Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flashLED flash
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
Video720p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)Yes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/acWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity (accessories only), compassAccelerometer, proximity (accessories only), compass
Battery
Charging20W wired18W wired (Int'l) 10W wired (India)
Type7500 mAh6650 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace GreyAurora Green (Forest Green), Sky Blue (Ocean Blue), Graphite Gray (Urban Grey)
Models-220233L2G
Price-About 120 EUR
SAR-0.90 W/kg (head)     0.65 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.40 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)

Umidigi A15 Tab

  • Faster 20W charging for quicker power-ups.
  • Potentially cleaner software experience.
  • Competitive performance due to the Unisoc T616.

  • Brand recognition is lower than Xiaomi.
  • Software update support may be less consistent.

Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE 8.7

  • Established Xiaomi ecosystem and brand reputation.
  • Potentially better GPU driver optimization with the Helio G85.
  • Wider availability of accessories.

  • Slower charging speed, especially in India (10W).
  • Software can include pre-installed bloatware.

Display Comparison

Neither Umidigi nor Xiaomi provide detailed display specifications beyond the screen size. Both tablets likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The absence of information regarding peak brightness, color gamut coverage, or refresh rates suggests a focus on cost optimization. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both devices, impacting the overall screen-to-body ratio. Color accuracy is likely to be standard for budget tablets, suitable for casual viewing but not professional color-critical work.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is unlikely to be a key differentiator in this segment. Detailed camera specifications are absent, suggesting both tablets feature basic camera setups primarily intended for video calls and casual snapshots. The focus should not be on image quality, but rather on functionality. Expect a primary camera on both devices, likely around 8-13MP, and potentially a secondary depth or macro sensor (though the utility of a 2MP macro sensor is minimal). Image processing will be basic, prioritizing speed over detail and dynamic range.

Performance

Both the Umidigi A15 Tab and the Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE 8.7 are powered by octa-core processors built on a 12nm process – the Unisoc Tiger T616 and the MediaTek Helio G85 respectively. Critically, both CPUs share the same core configuration: 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. This means raw CPU performance will be very similar. The Helio G85, however, benefits from a slightly more mature GPU driver ecosystem, potentially offering a marginal advantage in gaming. RAM configurations are not specified, but both will likely offer options around 4-6GB, impacting multitasking capabilities. Thermal management will be passive on both devices, meaning sustained performance may be limited during intensive tasks.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, given their size and target price point, both tablets likely house batteries in the 5000-6000 mAh range. The Umidigi A15 Tab supports 20W wired charging, while the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 supports 18W (international) or 10W (India). This charging speed difference is significant; 20W will noticeably reduce charging times compared to 10W. Even the 18W charger on the international Redmi Pad SE will be slightly slower than the Umidigi, but the difference will be less pronounced. Real-world 0-100% charge times will depend on the charger used and background processes, but the Umidigi A15 Tab has a clear advantage in this area.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi A15 Tab if you need faster 20W charging for quicker top-ups, and value a potentially more streamlined software experience. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE 8.7 if you prefer the established Xiaomi ecosystem and are comfortable with potentially slower charging speeds, especially in India where the 10W charger is standard. Both are excellent choices for media consumption and light productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Umidigi A15 Tab struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Unisoc T616 is capable of handling less intensive games, Genshin Impact will likely require significant graphics settings reductions and may still experience frame rate drops. The Helio G85 in the Redmi Pad SE might offer slightly better performance in this scenario due to its more mature GPU drivers, but neither tablet is ideal for high-end gaming.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Indian variant of the Redmi Pad SE significantly slower than the 20W charging on the Umidigi A15 Tab?
Yes, the difference is substantial. 10W charging will take considerably longer to fully charge the Redmi Pad SE, potentially adding several hours to the charging time compared to the Umidigi A15 Tab's 20W charging. This makes the Umidigi a more convenient option for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Will I experience noticeable lag when multitasking with several apps open on either tablet?
The amount of lag will depend on the RAM configuration, which isn't officially specified. However, with likely 4-6GB of RAM, both tablets will likely exhibit some slowdown when running numerous apps simultaneously. Closing unused apps will help maintain smoother performance.