Xiaomi Pad 6 Long-Term Review: The Best Value-For-Money Android Tablet Out There

If you’re in the market for an Android tablet (yes, I know some of you are out there), then the Xiaomi Pad 6, with very few shortcomings, is the one to buy. Look no further than the brilliant product Xiaomi released in India a few months ago. 

Great performance for the price? Check. 

Solid build quality? Check. 

An above-average camera for a tablet? Check. 

A punchy and crisp display? Check. 

Stereo speakers with a full and detailed sound? Check. 

Clean & functional software? Check. 

An assortment of peripherals? Check. 

All of the above should be incentive enough to go out and get yourself a Xiaomi Pad 6. It’s a device to consume media, a device to type out all your articles (with the keyboard peripheral) and a device wherein you can play some casual games. It’s a jack-of-all-trades. 

The question remains this: Is it better than the OnePlus Pad, the only other Android tablet worthy of a mention in the budget and mid-range segment? The answer, to be honest, lies in the trackpad. I’m joking a little, but I’m also kind of serious here. 

Nonetheless, let’s get into it. 

Let’s turn this upside down and start with the verdict before I get into a side-by-side comparison of the two. Why am I doing this? Well, I want you to understand just what the Xiaomi Pad 6 represents, and if the competition (aka the OnePlus Pad) is a stiff competitor or not. The Android tablet market is devoid of good options, especially in the under Rs 40,000 range, and hence it’s good to understand the two I’m talking about here. 

The Xiaomi Pad 6 is the best value-for-money Android tablet 

Yes, the Xiaomi Pad 6 sticks out of the crowded market (yes, there are plenty of options, but most aren’t any good), and rises above them all with good internals and being light on the pocket. Right now, the Xiaomi Pad 6 can be had for just Rs 26,999 (for the 6GB+128GB variant). The Xiaomi Pad 6 Cover retails for Rs 1,499, the Xiaomi Pad 6 Keyboard for Rs 4,999 and the Xiaomi Smart Pen (2nd generation) for Rs 5,999. I’m not counting the Smart Pen, as that is not at all a necessary purchase (unless you need it for drawing). So, for Rs 33,497, you’re getting a lot of bang for the buck. 

iPads (on the iOS side of things) are routinely more expensive (sans any discounts), and the cheapest of models doesn’t offer what Xiaomi is (read 144Hz refresh rate) here. 

Let’s rundown just what the Xiaomi Pad 6 excels at. 

- An all-metal build: Xiaomi has upped the game with the Pad 6 but introducing an all-metal build. First, the metallic pogo pin connectors have been moved to the rear panel. Second, the rear camera design lines up with that of the Xiaomi 13 Pro, bringing a certain oomph to the tablet. Third, the weight has been brought down by 20 grams vis-a-vis the Pad 6. Fourth, the weight distribution is even and has a good in-hand feel. 

- Corning Gorilla Glass 3 plus an IP53 rating: Xiaomi has armed the Pad 6 with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and an IP53 rating. Take it out in the park or even accidentally drop it off the bed. The tablet will still be strong thereafter. 

- Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chipset: Xiaomi has fitted a fan-favourite chip into the Pad 6. The Snapdragon 870 SoC doesn’t miss a beat and flies like a butterfly. 

- It comes with an 8,840 mAh battery: The Pad 6 comes with a beefy battery. With minimal use - about five hours a day - This tablet can last over a week without a sweat. 

- Software: Clean and functional software based on Android 13. MIUI 14 for Pad, despite looking a lot like iPad OS, is clean, and good for multitasking. 

- Peripherals: Despite the keyboard not having a trackpad, I’m still throwing this in with the positives. Guaranteed availability of peripherals is a must for a tablet and Xiaomi has done well in the past few years in this respect. 

All this and more in under Rs 35,000 and you’ve got a killer deal. Tablets are by no means laptop replacements but more so companions. In that respect, Xiaomi has a winner on its hands. I’ve been using the Xiaomi Pad 6 as my companion for over a month now and even typed out a few of my reviews and articles on it. It’s a fabulous device. It only slows down when I play some heavy games. 

If you’re in the market for an Android tablet and have a limited budget (can’t afford to buy one of Samsung’s more expensive Galaxy Tab S9 series tablets), then look no further. Add the Xiaomi Pad 6 to your shopping cart and you won’t be disappointed. 

Xiaomi Pad 6 vs OnePlus Pad 

I’m going to quickly do a comparison between the two tablets, just so that you can see what the competition has to offer. Let’s begin. 

- One is functional and one is premium: The OnePlus Pad is the more premium of tablets. It costs more, has a cleaner design (centrally aligned camera and a great Halo Green colour option), and has a keyboard that comes with a trackpad. The Xiaomi Pad 6 is more functional as it has flat sides and is easier to hold in the hand. 

- MIUI 14 for Pad over OxygenOS 13.1: Simply put, Xiaomi’s software is better for multitasking and has smooth animations. The split-screen mode also works in Xiaomi’s favourite. OxygenOS 13.1 doesn’t feel like a complete tablet OS and that’s its problem. 

- Display comparisons: The Xiaomi Pad 6 comes with an 11-inch LCD screen (2880x1800 pixels, 144Hz refresh rate and 550 nits of peak brightness). The OnePlus Pad comes with a slightly larger 11.61-inch LCD (2800x2000 pixels, 144Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of peak brightness). 

- One for media consumption, one for gaming: The OnePlus Pad is the better tablet for media consumption as its quad speakers support Dolby Atmos. On the other hand, the Xiaomi Pad 6 has a sharper and brighter display which works out for gaming. 

The OnePlus Pad starts at Rs 37,999 (without any accessories). Add in a keyboard and a cover, and you’re looking at well over Rs 40,000. 

The Xiaomi Pad 6 is the winner in the value-for-money category. It’s not only cheaper than the OnePlus Pad but also outshines it in certain areas.