Xiaomi’s Redmi Pad lineup offers compelling options in the increasingly competitive tablet space. The Redmi Pad Pro aims for a premium experience with a powerful Snapdragon chipset and high-resolution display, while the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 focuses on affordability and portability. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Redmi Pad Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset delivers significantly better performance, and the brighter, higher-contrast display enhances media consumption. While the SE 8.7 offers a lower price point, the performance trade-offs are substantial.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | N/A | - |
| GPRS | N/A | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, April 10 | 2024, July 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 15 | Available. Released 2024, August 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3) |
| Dimensions | 280 x 181.9 x 7.5 mm (11.02 x 7.16 x 0.30 in) | 211.6 x 125.5 x 8.8 mm (8.33 x 4.94 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 571 g (1.26 lb) | 370 / 373 / 375 g (13.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 90Hz, 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 14, HyperOS | Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only), compass | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only), compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3+ | 18W wired (Int'l)
10W wired (India) |
| Type | 10000 mAh | 6650 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray, Blue, Green | Aurora Green (Forest Green), Sky Blue (Ocean Blue), Graphite Gray (Urban Grey) |
| Models | - | 220233L2G |
| Price | About 200 EUR | 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) |
Xiaomi Redmi Pad Pro
- Significantly faster processor for gaming and multitasking
- Brighter and higher contrast display for better viewing experience
- Faster 33W charging with PD3.0/QC3+ support
- More efficient 4nm chipset for longer battery life under load
- Higher price point
- Larger size may be less portable
Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE 8.7
- More affordable price
- Compact 8.7-inch size for enhanced portability
- Sufficient for basic tasks like web browsing and reading
- Lightweight design
- Significantly slower processor
- Lower display quality
- Slower charging speeds
- Limited performance for demanding applications
Display Comparison
The Redmi Pad Pro boasts a significantly more impressive display. With a measured peak brightness of 654 nits, it outshines the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 (brightness data unavailable, but expected to be lower given the chipset and price point). The 1454:1 contrast ratio on the Pro further enhances image quality, providing deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. While both likely utilize IPS LCD technology, the Pro’s superior specs suggest a better viewing experience, particularly outdoors or in brightly lit environments. The SE 8.7’s 8.7-inch size contributes to its portability, but comes at the cost of screen real estate for multitasking.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance isn’t a primary focus for tablets, but the Redmi Pad Pro likely holds an advantage due to its more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) integrated within the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2. While specific camera specs are unavailable for both devices, the Pro’s chipset allows for more sophisticated image processing. The SE 8.7’s Helio G85 is geared towards basic image capture. Expect the Pro to deliver more detailed and accurate photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The performance gap between these tablets is substantial. The Redmi Pad Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) is a modern, efficient chipset featuring an octa-core configuration with 4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 and 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts sharply with the Redmi Pad SE 8.7’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm), which utilizes an older architecture with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 translates to better thermal efficiency and sustained performance under load, crucial for gaming and demanding applications. The Pro is expected to handle graphically intensive games and multitasking with ease, while the SE 8.7 will likely struggle with more demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Redmi Pad Pro achieves an impressive 9:36 hours of active use, demonstrating excellent battery life despite its powerful processor and bright display. The Redmi Pad SE 8.7’s battery life is unknown, but is expected to be lower due to the less efficient Helio G85 chipset. The Pro also benefits from 33W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC3+ support, enabling faster charging speeds compared to the SE 8.7’s 18W (International) or 10W (India) charging. This faster charging is a significant convenience factor for users who rely on their tablets throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Pad Pro if you need a tablet for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or multitasking. Its superior processing power and display quality will provide a smoother, more enjoyable experience. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE 8.7 if you prioritize extreme portability and a lower price, and your usage is limited to basic tasks like web browsing, reading, and light media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio G85 in the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 is not designed for demanding games. While you might be able to run them at the lowest settings, expect significant frame rate drops and potential overheating. The Redmi Pad Pro’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is far better suited for gaming.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 slow compared to the Redmi Pad Pro’s 33W?
Yes, the difference in charging speed is noticeable. 18W (or 10W in India) will take considerably longer to fully charge the SE 8.7 compared to the Pro’s 33W. This is especially important if you need to quickly top up your tablet before heading out.
❓ Does the Redmi Pad Pro support external keyboards and mice for productivity?
Yes, the Redmi Pad Pro supports Bluetooth keyboards and mice, making it a viable option for basic productivity tasks like document editing and email. However, it lacks a dedicated keyboard cover accessory at launch.
❓ What type of storage does the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 use, and is it expandable?
While specific storage details aren't readily available, Redmi tablets typically use UFS 2.2 storage. The Redmi Pad SE 8.7 does include a microSD card slot for storage expansion, allowing you to add up to 1TB of additional storage.
