POCO Pad Makes a Splash: Powerful Entertainment on a Budget

Calling all entertainment lovers and productivity enthusiasts! Xiaomi's sub-brand, POCO, has just launched its first-ever tablet globally – the POCO Pad. This exciting new device aims to deliver a powerful and immersive experience at an attractive price point. But is it the right fit for you? Let's dive into the details.

Taking a Page from a Proven Book

The POCO Pad isn't entirely new hardware. It's essentially a rebrand of the Redmi Pad Pro, which launched earlier in China. This approach allows POCO to leverage a well-tested design and keep costs down for consumers.

A Large Canvas for Entertainment

The POCO Pad boasts a stunning 12.1-inch 2.5K resolution IPS LCD display, perfect for watching movies, browsing the web, or playing games. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth visuals and responsive touch interaction, while the 600 nits peak brightness delivers excellent clarity even in bright environments. Dolby Vision support further enhances the viewing experience with richer colors and deeper contrasts. To protect this beautiful display, POCO has equipped the Pad with Gorilla Glass 3.

Power Under the Hood

The POCO Pad is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC, a capable processor that can handle everyday tasks and multimedia applications with ease. It's paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM for smooth multitasking and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage for ample space for your apps, games, and media. Additionally, a microSD card slot allows for further storage expansion.

POCO's Custom UI

The POCO Pad runs on HyperOS, a custom user interface based on Android 14, which likely offers a bloatware-free and optimized experience.

Capable Cameras for Everyday Use

The POCO Pad features an 8MP single rear camera and an 8MP front-facing camera. While not designed for professional photography, these cameras should be sufficient for video calls, capturing quick moments, or basic document scanning.

Long-Lasting Battery and Connectivity

A massive 10,000mAh battery powers the POCO Pad, promising excellent battery life for extended use on a single charge. The device also supports 33W fast charging, allowing you to quickly top up the battery when needed.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6 for high-speed internet access, Bluetooth 5.2 for connecting wireless peripherals, and a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio enjoyment. The POCO Pad also boasts quad speakers with Dolby Atmos support, ensuring an immersive audio experience.

Durable Design and Water Resistance

The POCO Pad measures just 7.52mm thin and weighs 571g, making it reasonably portable for a tablet. An IP52 rating provides some level of dust and water resistance, offering peace of mind against minor spills or splashes.

Competitive Price Tag

The POCO Pad comes in a single configuration with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, priced at $330 (roughly equivalent to ₹27,489). This competitive pricing makes the POCO Pad a compelling option for budget-conscious users looking for a large-screened device for entertainment and everyday tasks.

Overall, the POCO Pad offers a feature set that caters to users who prioritize a large display, long battery life, and a user-friendly experience at an affordable price. While the cameras might not be the strongest point, the overall package makes the POCO Pad a great choice for students, casual gamers, and anyone seeking a powerful entertainment tablet.