Poco Pad 5G Review: A Deep Dive

by reviewzinsight.com · 5 September 2024

The Poco Pad 5G, Poco’s latest offering in the tablet market, aims to bring high-speed connectivity and solid performance at an accessible price point. With the increasing demand for 5G-capable devices, Poco has entered the fray with a tablet that promises a balance between performance, affordability, and modern connectivity. But does it deliver on all fronts? In this detailed review, we’ll explore every aspect of the Poco Pad 5G, from design and display to performance, battery life, and overall user experience.

Design and Build Quality

The Poco Pad 5G maintains a sleek and modern design, borrowing cues from some of the more premium tablets on the market. It features an aluminum frame with a matte finish that feels sturdy and robust. The device is relatively lightweight, at around 500 grams, making it easy to carry and hold for extended periods.

The front of the tablet is dominated by a 10.4-inch IPS LCD display with narrow bezels, providing an 80% screen-to-body ratio. This design gives the device a modern look and ensures that it remains compact despite the large screen size. The back houses a single camera setup, complemented by the Poco branding.

In terms of ports and buttons, the Poco Pad 5G includes a USB-C charging port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and volume controls on the side. The power button is positioned at the top, and the dual speakers are located on both sides to provide stereo sound. The device also features a SIM tray for 5G connectivity, underscoring its emphasis on mobile data capabilities.

Overall, the design and build quality are impressive for a mid-range tablet. It feels premium in hand, and the build materials suggest durability and resistance to everyday wear and tear.

Display Quality

The Poco Pad 5G comes with a 10.4-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels, offering a pixel density of around 224 PPI (pixels per inch). The display is bright and vibrant, with a peak brightness of 400 nits, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The color reproduction is decent, with good contrast levels and acceptable viewing angles.

The tablet’s screen supports a 60Hz refresh rate, which is standard for most mid-range devices. While it may not offer the buttery-smooth experience of higher-end devices with 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rates, the display remains responsive and adequate for most everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and reading.

One area where the Poco Pad 5G’s display shines is in content consumption. Whether you are watching Netflix, browsing YouTube, or playing games, the display provides an immersive experience with good color accuracy and sharpness. However, it lacks HDR support, which means that HDR content won’t display at its best. Nonetheless, the display quality is above average for its price point and should satisfy most users.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Poco Pad 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G chipset, a mid-range processor known for its balance between performance and efficiency. Paired with 6GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage (expandable via a microSD card slot), the tablet offers smooth multitasking and app performance.

In everyday use, the Poco Pad 5G handles tasks like web browsing, social media, video streaming, and light gaming with ease. Applications open quickly, and switching between multiple apps is generally smooth. The Snapdragon 750G’s Adreno 619 GPU is competent for casual gaming, handling games like “Asphalt 9” and “PUBG Mobile” at medium settings without noticeable lag or stutter. However, for more graphically intensive games like “Genshin Impact,” users might need to dial down the graphics settings for a smoother experience.

The tablet runs on MIUI for Pad, based on Android 12, which is Poco’s customized skin for tablets. This version of MIUI is optimized for larger screens, offering features like split-screen multitasking, floating windows, and a desktop mode that mimics a PC-like interface for productivity tasks. The software experience is largely smooth, though there are occasional pre-installed apps that some users might find unnecessary. However, these can be easily uninstalled or disabled.

Camera Performance

While tablets are not primarily designed for photography, the Poco Pad 5G comes equipped with an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera for basic photo and video needs. The rear camera is capable of capturing decent photos in good lighting conditions, with adequate color accuracy and detail. However, in low-light environments, the image quality drops, with noticeable noise and grain.

The 5MP front camera is suitable for video calls and basic selfies. It performs adequately in well-lit environments, providing clear and detailed images. For video conferencing and online classes, the camera quality should be more than sufficient.

Overall, while the camera setup on the Poco Pad 5G won’t replace a dedicated smartphone camera, it is serviceable for casual photography and video needs. Users looking for high-quality camera performance in a tablet may need to look at higher-end options.

Battery Life

The Poco Pad 5G is powered by a 7,000 mAh battery, which is quite generous for a tablet of this size. In real-world usage, the battery life is impressive, easily lasting a full day of moderate use, including browsing, streaming, and light gaming. With more conservative use, the battery can stretch to two days, making it an ideal companion for travel or extended use without access to a charger.

The tablet supports 18W fast charging via USB-C, which is decent but not the fastest available. Charging from 0% to 100% takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. While faster charging would have been a welcome addition, the battery life itself is strong enough to mitigate the need for frequent top-ups.

Connectivity and 5G Performance

One of the standout features of the Poco Pad 5G is its support for 5G connectivity. This makes it one of the few tablets in its price range to offer next-generation mobile network support, ensuring future-proofing for users as 5G networks become more widespread.

The 5G performance on the Poco Pad 5G is solid, providing fast download and upload speeds in areas with good 5G coverage. The tablet also supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, and GPS, ensuring comprehensive connectivity options. During testing, there were no noticeable connectivity issues, and the 5G performance was consistent with other devices in its category.

Audio Quality

The Poco Pad 5G features a dual-speaker setup, delivering stereo sound that is reasonably loud and clear. The audio quality is good for watching videos, listening to music, and gaming, although it lacks the depth and bass response of more premium devices with quad-speaker setups.

For casual media consumption, the audio output is satisfactory, but audiophiles or users who prioritize sound quality may find it lacking. Fortunately, the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack allows users to connect their preferred headphones or external speakers for an improved audio experience.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

5G Connectivity: Future-proof with next-generation network support.
Solid Build Quality: Premium materials and design at an affordable price.
Good Battery Life: A large 7,000 mAh battery offers extended usage.
Smooth Performance: Handles multitasking and casual gaming well.
Affordable Price: Competitive pricing for the features offered.

Cons:

Limited Display Features: No HDR support, and only a 60Hz refresh rate.
Average Camera Quality: Cameras are adequate but not standout features.
Moderate Charging Speed: 18W fast charging is decent but could be faster.
MIUI Bloatware: Some pre-installed apps may not be useful to all users.

Comparative Analysis: Poco Pad 5G vs. Competitors

When compared to other tablets in its price range, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 or the Realme Pad X, the Poco Pad 5G holds its own quite well. Its standout features are the inclusion of 5G connectivity, a more powerful Snapdragon 750G chipset, and a larger battery capacity. While the display and camera performance are comparable to its competitors, the Poco Pad 5G’s performance and connectivity options give it an edge in terms of future-proofing and versatility.

However, for users looking for a higher refresh rate display or better camera performance, other options might be more suitable. The Poco Pad 5G is best suited for users who prioritize connectivity, performance, and battery life over premium display or camera features.

Verdict: Is the Poco Pad 5G Worth It?

The Poco Pad 5G is a well-rounded tablet that offers a compelling package for those seeking a balance between performance, connectivity, and affordability. It excels in areas like 5G support, battery life, and overall build quality, making it an attractive choice for users looking for a versatile tablet at a reasonable price.

While it has its limitations, such as a lack of HDR support, moderate camera performance, and some bloatware, these are relatively minor drawbacks when considering the tablet’s overall value proposition. For those who want a future-proof device that can handle everyday tasks, casual gaming, and media consumption, the Poco Pad 5G is a solid option that is worth considering.

Ultimately, the Poco Pad 5G shines as a budget-friendly tablet that offers more than just the basics. It is ideal for students, professionals, or anyone in need of a reliable and capable device that won’t break the bank. If you’re in the market for an affordable tablet with 5G connectivity, the Poco Pad 5G should definitely be on your shortlist.