17 Cons of Redmi Pad Pro (Review 2024)

When hunting for a new tablet, the Redmi Pad Pro often pops up as a promising contender, boasting an attractive price and a suite of seemingly impressive features. But before you get swept away by the marketing hype, it’s crucial to dig deeper and uncover the less-discussed shortcomings of this device. If you’re someone who’s tired of all the positive chatter and craves a more balanced view, this comprehensive rundown of the Redmi Pad Pro’s cons is just what you need. Let’s dive into why this tablet might not be the perfect fit for you.

Build Material: Falling Short of Premium Expectations

At first glance, the Redmi Pad Pro appears sleek and robust, but a closer inspection reveals it’s constructed from polycarbonate. While this material is lightweight and functional, it doesn’t quite match the premium feel of metal-bodied tablets. Holding the device, you might notice it feels more utilitarian than luxurious, which can be a letdown if you’re expecting something that exudes sophistication.

Additionally, the transitions between the body and the display incorporate plastic elements, breaking the seamless aesthetic that metal offers. This choice not only affects the tablet’s look but also its durability. The Gorilla Glass 3 protection, though decent, doesn’t provide the same shatter resistance as more advanced options like Victus glass. This means your tablet is more susceptible to scratches and cracks from accidental drops, potentially leading to higher repair costs and a shorter lifespan.

Camera Quality: Just Sufficient, Not Exceptional

If you’re hoping to use your tablet for photography or high-quality video creation, the Redmi Pad Pro might not meet your expectations. The device is equipped with 8MP front and rear cameras, which are adequate for basic tasks like video calls or quick snapshots. However, these cameras lack the sophistication needed for high-quality photography. Images captured can appear grainy and lack depth, especially in low-light conditions.

Furthermore, the rear camera setup introduces a slight wobble when the tablet is placed on a flat surface, an odd design choice that detracts from its overall functionality. For users who prioritize camera performance, whether for personal use or content creation, the Redmi Pad Pro falls short, making it less appealing compared to competitors that offer superior camera systems.

Accessories: Convenience Takes a Hit

The Redmi Pad Pro’s accessory ecosystem is where things start to feel a bit clunky. The keyboard, for instance, lacks pogo pins, meaning it doesn’t physically connect to the tablet for charging or pairing. Instead, it relies entirely on Bluetooth, which can lead to a less stable connection and the need for separate charging. This is particularly inconvenient for those who prefer accessories that seamlessly integrate with their devices. Additionally, the keyboard lacks backlighting, making it difficult to use in low-light environments—a significant drawback for users who often find themselves working in dim settings. The tilt angle of the keyboard is also non-adjustable, limiting your ability to find a comfortable typing position and reducing overall versatility.

On the other hand, the stylus doesn’t magnetically attach to the tablet, requiring it to be stored separately and charged via USB-C. This separation not only increases the risk of misplacing the stylus but also adds another layer of inconvenience with the need for separate charging cables. Moreover, both the keyboard and stylus are not included in the base price, meaning that purchasing them separately significantly hikes up the overall cost. For budget-conscious consumers, these hidden expenses can be a major deterrent, making the Redmi Pad Pro a less attractive option when compared to competitors that offer bundled accessories.

Charging Speed: Patience Required

The Redmi Pad Pro comes with a sizable 10,000 mAh battery, which should, in theory, provide ample power for extended use. However, the charging speed is limited to 33W, which is relatively slow, especially for a battery of this capacity. This means that recharging the tablet from 0% to 100% can take a considerable amount of time, leaving you tethered to a charger for longer periods.

In today’s fast-paced world, where quick recharging is often essential, this limitation can be a significant inconvenience. During testing, the tablet achieved only about 6.75 hours of runtime, which is adequate but not exceptional for this segment. Competing tablets often boast longer battery life and faster charging speeds, making the Redmi Pad Pro’s performance feel a bit lackluster in comparison. If you rely heavily on your tablet throughout the day and need it to charge quickly during short breaks, the Redmi Pad Pro may not meet your expectations.

Multitasking: More Clutter Than Convenience

The Redmi Pad Pro does support multitasking, allowing up to four apps to run simultaneously. On paper, this sounds impressive, but in practice, it can quickly become a cluttered and impractical setup. Managing multiple apps on the screen can lead to a chaotic workspace, making it difficult to focus on individual tasks. Additionally, floating windows are limited to just two at a time, which restricts your ability to efficiently switch between different applications.

To make matters worse, some essential apps, like YouTube, don’t support floating window mode at all. This limitation can be particularly frustrating for users who rely on multitasking for productivity, such as students or professionals who need to juggle multiple applications simultaneously. It’s akin to trying to organize too many things on a cluttered desk—overwhelming and inefficient.

Gaming Limitations: Not Built for Heavy Lifting

While the Redmi Pad Pro handles casual gaming with ease, it starts to show its limitations during extended gaming sessions. The tablet can manage everyday games without much trouble, but prolonged use may cause slight heating. This heating issue can lead to thermal throttling, where the device reduces its performance to cool down, resulting in a less smooth gaming experience. For avid gamers who enjoy long gaming marathons or play more resource-intensive games, this can be a significant drawback. Compared to other tablets in the same price range that offer better cooling systems and more robust performance, the Redmi Pad Pro’s gaming capabilities feel somewhat underwhelming.

Display: Vibrant but Not OLED

The Redmi Pad Pro sports a vibrant and sharp display, making it suitable for general media consumption and everyday use. However, it falls short in a critical area—it’s not an OLED display. OLED panels are known for their deeper blacks, better contrast ratios, and more vibrant colors compared to LCD panels, providing a superior visual experience. The absence of an OLED display means that the Redmi Pad Pro may not deliver the same level of visual richness, which can be a significant drawback for users who prioritize high-quality displays for gaming, streaming, or professional work. Additionally, the viewing angles of the display are suboptimal, meaning the screen’s clarity and color accuracy diminish when viewed from different angles. This can be particularly inconvenient when sharing the screen with others or using the tablet in various positions.

Moreover, the display features an adaptive refresh rate, which is efficient for conserving battery life and providing smooth visuals. However, it lacks manual override settings for user preference, limiting your ability to customize the experience based on personal needs or specific tasks. Gamers might want to lock the refresh rate for a consistently high frame rate, while others might prefer lower refresh rates to save battery during extended usage. The inability to manually adjust these settings means that users have to rely solely on the tablet’s automatic adjustments, which may not always align with their specific preferences.

Limited Durability: More Fragile Than Expected

Durability is a crucial aspect of any tablet, and the Redmi Pad Pro shows some weaknesses in this area. The tablet’s display is protected by Gorilla Glass 3, which, while decent, doesn’t offer the same level of shatter resistance as more advanced glass options like Victus. This makes the tablet more vulnerable to damage from drops and impacts, potentially leading to costly repairs or replacements.

Additionally, the polycarbonate body, while lightweight, is more prone to scratches and dents compared to metal or higher-grade plastic materials. This lack of robust protection means that the tablet may not withstand daily wear and tear as well as some of its competitors, which offer more durable builds designed to last longer and maintain their appearance over time. For users who are hard on their devices or use their tablets in more demanding environments, the Redmi Pad Pro’s durability could be a significant concern.

Software Support: Short-Lived Updates

Another area where the Redmi Pad Pro disappoints is in its software support. The device is slated to receive only two Android version updates and three years of security patches. In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, where software updates bring not only new features but also critical security enhancements, this limited support window can be a significant drawback. Competitors often offer longer software support periods, ensuring that devices remain secure and up-to-date with the latest features for several years.

The Redmi Pad Pro’s shorter support lifespan means that your tablet may become outdated more quickly and miss out on important security updates and new functionalities. This can be particularly concerning for those who plan to use their tablet for several years, as they may face the need to upgrade sooner than expected to maintain optimal performance and security.

Missing Features: Essential Conveniences Absent

Beyond the build material, the Redmi Pad Pro compromises on several premium features that enhance user convenience and security. Notably, the tablet lacks a fingerprint reader, a feature that has become increasingly standard in tablets and smartphones for quick and secure unlocking. The absence of this biometric security feature means users must rely on less convenient methods, such as pattern or PIN-based unlocks, which can be time-consuming and less secure.

Additionally, the tablet does not offer advanced water or dust resistance, which could protect the device from accidental spills or dusty environments. This omission is particularly concerning for users who are prone to accidents or who use their tablets in varied settings, as it leaves the device more vulnerable to damage. These missing premium features further contribute to the Redmi Pad Pro’s less-than-premium feel, making it less appealing to users who prioritize security and durability in their devices.

Keyboard Drawbacks: Functionality Compromised

The keyboard accessory for the Redmi Pad Pro presents several usability issues. Firstly, the lack of pogo pins means the keyboard connects via Bluetooth and requires separate charging. This not only complicates the setup but also means you have to keep track of an additional charging cable. Furthermore, the keyboard lacks backlighting, making it difficult to use in low-light environments, which is a significant inconvenience for users who often find themselves working in dim settings.

The tilt angle of the keyboard is also non-adjustable, limiting your ability to find a comfortable typing position and reducing overall versatility. Additionally, the keyboard does not include a touchpad, forcing users to rely solely on the tablet’s touchscreen for navigation, which can slow down productivity and make the overall experience feel less integrated and more cumbersome.

Stylus Limitations: Inconvenient and Unreliable

The stylus that comes with the Redmi Pad Pro is another area where the tablet falls short. Unlike some competitors, the stylus does not magnetically attach to the tablet, requiring it to be stored separately in a flap when not in use. This separation not only increases the risk of misplacing the stylus but also necessitates separate charging via USB-C, adding another layer of inconvenience.

The writing experience with the stylus is described as less premium due to harder pen tip materials, which can make drawing or writing less smooth and more frustrating. For users who rely heavily on the stylus for note-taking, drawing, or professional tasks, these limitations can significantly detract from the overall usability and satisfaction with the Redmi Pad Pro.

Performance Issues: Mid-Tier Chip Struggles

Under the hood, the Redmi Pad Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, a mid-tier chip that doesn’t quite deliver the performance expected in this segment. Users have reported experiencing occasional stutters and frame drops during standard use, which can disrupt the smoothness of interactions and make the overall experience less enjoyable. This performance hiccup is particularly noticeable during multitasking, where switching between apps or running resource-intensive applications can lead to lag and reduced responsiveness.

For those who use their tablets for more demanding tasks, such as gaming, video editing, or running multiple applications simultaneously, the Redmi Pad Pro’s performance can feel lacking. Compared to competitors equipped with higher-end processors that offer more seamless and robust performance, the Redmi Pad Pro’s mid-tier chip is a significant disadvantage for users seeking a powerful and reliable tablet experience.

Speaker Quality: Audio Falls Flat

Audio quality is another area where the Redmi Pad Pro underperforms. The tablet’s speakers are noticeably inferior to those of some competitors, such as the Honor Pad 9, offering quieter and less pleasant sound. Whether you’re watching videos, listening to music, or participating in video calls, the audio output can feel tinny and lack depth. For a device that’s supposed to handle multimedia tasks with ease, the speaker quality is a letdown.

Additionally, the absence of advanced audio features, such as enhanced bass or surround sound capabilities, means that the Redmi Pad Pro cannot compete with others in providing a rich and immersive audio experience. This limitation can be particularly frustrating for those who rely on their tablet for entertainment, as the audio quality is a crucial component of the overall experience.

Competitor Comparison: Outshined by Rivals

When placed side by side with its competitors, the Redmi Pad Pro often finds itself lacking in several key areas. For instance, Xiaomi’s own Pad 6 offers a better display, more robust performance, and superior accessories, making it a more compelling choice for slightly more money. Similarly, competing models like the Honor Pad 9 provide similar screen sizes, slimmer bezels, and bundled accessories at a competitive price point.

These alternatives not only match but often exceed the Redmi Pad Pro in terms of features and overall value, making the Redmi Pad Pro seem less attractive in comparison. For consumers who are weighing their options, these competitors offer a more balanced and feature-rich package, often at a comparable or even lower price. This makes the Redmi Pad Pro’s value proposition less convincing, especially when considering the additional costs of necessary accessories like the keyboard and stylus.

Price Uncertainty: Hidden Costs and Regional Variations

One of the most frustrating aspects of the Redmi Pad Pro is the uncertainty surrounding its pricing, especially when accessories are factored in. While the base price might appear competitive at first glance, the need to purchase the keyboard and stylus separately can significantly increase the overall cost, potentially making the tablet less attractive compared to bundled alternatives offered by competitors.

This hidden cost can be a deterrent for budget-conscious buyers who are looking for an all-in-one package without the hassle of additional purchases. Moreover, in some regions, the pricing strategy might not be as competitive, further diminishing the tablet’s appeal. This lack of pricing transparency can make it challenging for potential buyers to assess the true value of the Redmi Pad Pro, leading to hesitation or reconsideration in favor of more straightforwardly priced alternatives.

Display Adjustments: Limited Customization Options

While the Redmi Pad Pro features an adaptive refresh rate, which is efficient for conserving battery life and providing smooth visuals, it lacks the option for manual override settings. This limitation restricts users who prefer to customize their display settings based on personal preferences or specific tasks. For instance, gamers might want to lock the refresh rate to ensure a consistently high frame rate, while others might prefer lower refresh rates to save battery life during extended usage.

The inability to manually adjust these settings means that users have to rely solely on the tablet’s automatic adjustments, which may not always align with their specific needs or preferences. This lack of flexibility can detract from the overall user experience, especially for those who enjoy fine-tuning their device settings to optimize performance and visual quality.

Final Thoughts: Weighing the Downsides Before You Buy

The Redmi Pad Pro certainly has its strengths—affordable pricing, decent specs, and a vibrant display. However, when you dig into the details, several drawbacks come to light that could impact your overall satisfaction. From build material compromises and subpar camera quality to inconvenient accessory designs and limited software support, there are plenty of reasons to think twice before making a purchase. Additionally, performance issues, inferior speaker quality, and hidden costs related to accessories further diminish its appeal.

When stacked up against competitors like Xiaomi’s Pad 6 or the Honor Pad 9, the Redmi Pad Pro often comes up short in key areas that matter most to users. If you’re in the market for a tablet and are tired of the one-sided positive reviews that overlook these critical shortcomings, it’s crucial to weigh these downsides carefully. Consider what features are most important to you and whether the Redmi Pad Pro truly meets your needs. Sometimes, spending a bit more on a competitor’s model might offer better value and a more satisfying user experience in the long run. Make an informed choice, and don’t let the hype overshadow the reality of what the Redmi Pad Pro has to offer.

Nevertheless, if you’ve weighed all these drawbacks. Still wish to go with the purchase, congratulations! You’re making a considered decision that you won’t regret.

Reference:

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