Redmi Pad 2 Review: A Good-Looking Tablet With a Few Blind Spots

Redmi has refreshed its budget tablet lineup with the Redmi Pad 2, priced at ₹17,999 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. It’s a follow-up to the original Redmi Pad, and it promises better features, improved performance, and AI support. At first glance, it looks like a sleek and value-packed device. But does it really deliver when it comes to real-world use?

Let’s break it down.

A Design That Doesn’t Feel Budget

The Redmi Pad 2 looks way more expensive than its actual price. The aluminum body feels solid in hand, and the smooth matte back gives it a premium look. It’s slim, just 7.52mm thick, and weighs 510g — but thanks to even weight distribution, it doesn’t feel heavy.

The design is also functional. You get four speakers with Dolby Atmos, a USB-C port, and surprisingly, a 3.5mm headphone jack. That’s rare in 2025. The buttons and ports are smartly placed. However, the matte finish does attract smudges easily. Using a case is a good idea.

Decent Display, But Not Bright Enough

The tablet features an 11-inch 2.5K LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. For watching videos indoors, it looks sharp. The 10-bit color helps improve picture quality in movies and games. On paper, the display ticks the right boxes.

But there’s a catch. The brightness is limited. It peaks at 600 nits, but that’s only in outdoor mode. In reality, even at full brightness, the screen struggles under strong light. If you’re planning to use it outdoors or by a sunny window, it might feel dim. That’s a letdown when other tablets in the same price range offer brighter screens.

The TÜV Rheinland certification is there for eye comfort. Still, that won’t help much if you’re squinting to see the screen clearly.

Performance: Smooth But Not Snappy

Powering the Redmi Pad 2 is the MediaTek Helio G100-Ultra processor, paired with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. For basic tasks, it holds up well. Web browsing, social media, video playback — all run without hiccups.

App launching is quick, and multitasking works smoothly, thanks to HyperOS 2. You can use split screen, float windows, and switch between apps with ease. But don’t expect blazing-fast speed. Heavy apps take a bit longer to load. And if you push it with high-end games, it lags occasionally.

Games like Subway Surfers run fine. But titles like Asphalt 9 show frame drops. So while it can game, it’s not a gaming tablet.

HyperOS and AI Features Are Nice, But Not Game-Changing

The tablet runs Android 15 with HyperOS 2, which feels clean and easy to navigate. It’s not cluttered with bloatware, which is refreshing. Split-screen multitasking and app pairing are handled well.

You also get Circle to Search and Gemini AI tools. These are cool additions, but not deal-makers. They help with quick searches and smarter suggestions, but average users may not use them much. They feel like bonuses, not must-haves.

Cameras Are Serviceable, But That’s It

Redmi didn’t focus much on the cameras — and that’s okay for a tablet. The 8 MP rear camera works in daylight. It’s usable for scanning documents or casual photos. But don’t expect great sharpness or detail. Low-light performance is poor, with visible noise and color issues.

The 5 MP front camera is better suited for video calls. It works fine in good lighting. Selfies are soft and over-processed. HDR sometimes helps but isn’t consistent. There’s a teleprompter mode for content creators, but it’s more of a fun extra than a serious tool.

Battery Life is a Clear Win

One area where the Redmi Pad 2 really shines is battery. It packs a 9,000 mAh battery, and that easily lasts two full days on light to moderate use. Video streaming, reading, and casual gaming don’t drain it quickly.

Redmi promises 19 hours of video playback, and that’s not far off in real use. However, the 18W charging is slow by today’s standards. A full charge takes nearly three hours. So, overnight charging is still your best bet.

Should You Buy It?

If your tablet use is basic — like watching Netflix, browsing, or making calls — the Redmi Pad 2 can handle that. Its design, sound output, and battery life are strong points. But if you need better cameras, a brighter screen, or smoother performance under load, it may not be the best option.

At ₹17,999, it’s affordable and looks stylish, but it’s not the most balanced tablet in the segment. The Redmi Pad 2 suits casual users, but power users or gamers should explore alternatives.