Xiaomi Pad 6 (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review

Name: Xiaomi Pad 6
Item: Xiaomi Pad 6
Rating: 9
Author: Prans

Scarlet · Jul 28, 2023

Seems pretty decent for what it costs! I really do wish more companies would give 7/8ish inch tablets a shot again though. Outside of the iPad Mini there’s just no good options right now.

Got a decent midrange Huawei one many years ago but nothing great has been popping up since outside of maybe Amazon Fire tablets… and… I don’t want those lol

HellGhast · Jul 28, 2023

The "WiFi only" aspect of the tablet renders this tab almost useless. Cheap entry level Tabs nowadays rock 4G connections as a standard feature and a flagship tab should rock 5G as standard.

If they didn't want to have a sim card slot then an e-Sim embedded in the device would do, kinda like how premium phones are ditching physical sims.

Winduss · Jul 28, 2023

Why (other than being paid for by Xiaomi) would or should this review be on this website?

Scarlet · Jul 28, 2023

Winduss said:
Why (other than being paid for by Xiaomi) would or should this review be on this website?

What do you mean? We cover tech stuff, and a decent midrange Android tablet is something worth looking at.

Winduss · Jul 28, 2023

Scarlet said:
What do you mean? We cover tech stuff, and a decent midrange Android tablet is something worth looking at.

I just find it odd how little of the gaming side is covered. I would've at least expected some more in depth tests if its emulation performance instead of all this surface level talk

Scarlet · Jul 28, 2023

Winduss said:
I just find it odd how little of the gaming side is covered. I would've at least expected some more in depth tests if its emulation performance instead of all this surface level talk

From my perspective as somebody who’s written similar reviews, it’s likely written that way because it’s a generalist device. Gaming isn’t its focus so it shouldn’t necessarily be the review’s.

Completely fine to say you’d want to see more benchmarking etc, but I would advise being a bit less of a dick about it than your initial reply.

Winduss · Jul 28, 2023

Scarlet said:
From my perspective as somebody who’s written similar reviews, it’s likely written that way because it’s a generalist device. Gaming isn’t its focus so it shouldn’t necessarily be the review’s.

Completely fine to say you’d want to see more benchmarking etc, but I would advise being a bit less of a dick about it than your initial reply.

Honestly, I think these shallow editorial reviews are a shame. In the end all it is is Chinese throwaway garbage. These things will barely get any updates and they'll continue to run a half baked skinned version of Android full of the gimmicks and crapware we've come to expect.
It just doesn't seem to fit in line with GBATemp's content

eriol33 · Jul 28, 2023

I cannot imagine anyone uses tablet for productivity stuffs. Android is just not the right OS to do that, it doesn't even support right click. Microsoft surface is still the winner when it comes to productivity tablet

AlexMCS · Jul 29, 2023

Winduss said:
In the end all it is is Chinese throwaway garbage.

Xiaomi is far from "throwaway garbage". Its main issue is bloatware, solvable by rooting.
All devices eventually run out of update support too.

eriol33 said:
I cannot imagine anyone uses tablet for productivity stuffs. Android is just not the right OS to do that, it doesn't even support right click. Microsoft surface is still the winner when it comes to productivity tablet

Surface is hilariously overpriced though. An Asus Flow Z13 is a far more capable device with reasonable pricing for what it brings.
Also, you can be productive with an Android (which is just yet another flavor of Linux, really), it just needs a different approach than Windows.

ILuvGames · Jul 29, 2023

I've had two of xiaomi's Mi Pad's (1st Gen and 4th Gen). Yes, having to use CFW to extend the usability of them once Xiaomi is done with updating the FW for them is a pain but it's not something unique to Xiaomi. As a customer of theirs though, i've had no regrets with regards to the build quality. They've both been solid as a rock for me and at a fair price to boot.

Scarlet · Jul 29, 2023

AlexMCS said:
Surface is hilariously overpriced though. An Asus Flow Z13 is a far more capable device with reasonable pricing for what it brings.
Also, you can be productive with an Android (which is just yet another flavor of Linux, really), it just needs a different approach than Windows.

I guess just to chip in on the tablet question there, having owned a Surface and regularly using a Flow Z13, the Surface definitely wins out for generalist productivity. The Z13 is stellar and is the one I stuck with because I’m regularly by a plug and have an XG Mobile dock at my desk, but it suffers in weight and battery life. The Surface tablets are expensive for their specs, but they’re balanced and well rounded devices that are light enough to be carried comfortably and last a day away from a plug. To me these seem more important to most. The Z13 has its market, myself included, but it’s definitely more niche.

I do really like both though, I wish more big names would explore the Surface style tablets.

impeeza · Jul 29, 2023

Had the shitty Xiaomi OS or have a full un bloated android?

Localhorst86 · Jul 29, 2023

I, too, wish there was an 8" option. I am currently using an 8" MI pad 4 which is the perfect size for surfing on the couch/in bed.

Unfortunately, my device is due for a replacement because the top edge of the screen sometimes registeres ghost inputs, but there is no suitable alternative available

ertaboy356b · Jul 29, 2023

HellGhast said:
The "WiFi only" aspect of the tablet renders this tab almost useless. Cheap entry level Tabs nowadays rock 4G connections as a standard feature and a flagship tab should rock 5G as standard.

If they didn't want to have a sim card slot then an e-Sim embedded in the device would do, kinda like how premium phones are ditching physical sims.

This is the opposite for me. Sim cards on a tablet are useless because I already have a phone, which is more portable and more suitable for communication. If I wanted internet, I could just connect on the wifi at home or hotspot on my phone anywhere else.

SolidSonicTH · Jul 29, 2023

I'd ask if my data is secure but then if I sign into my Google Account it's all over anyway so...whatever, I suppose it doesn't matter if Alphabet or the Chinese government has my data, I'm still a cuck.

Dontuuch17 · Jul 29, 2023

Seems good, but I agree with the cons. I can kinda sorta deal with no headphone jack, but no external storage in addition to that is a no go for me.

AndorfRequissa · Jul 30, 2023

Winduss said:
Why (other than being paid for by Xiaomi) would or should this review be on this website?

I agree that this is one of those tacty reviews that 99% of people on here see as a waste of eyespace on the webpage. gbatemp is slowly like alot of sites losing their quality interest to the lure of money from companies that have to invade places like this with garbage adverts of there newest iteration at a device that they will release another in a couple months with nothing really that exciting or new that we will see another review here that they paid for.

if ur smart u just become an anti-ad consumer and those companies that stoop to this unethical display of garbage content that 99% of people here would vote to remove if given a chance. ive added xiaomi to a list of companies i will never buy there product because they stoop to garbage ad tactics. just ask urself this question if you werent paid to make a review of this product would u review it? absolutely not even with the pay this had to be a waste of time and 0 fun and actual learning process. there is nothing to see here worth noting product wise. just a piece of sand of the trillions of other pieces of sand.

Jonna · Jul 30, 2023

Winduss said:
I just find it odd how little of the gaming side is covered. I would've at least expected some more in depth tests if its emulation performance instead of all this surface level talk

You have a point that I've been noticing recently, I keep seeing these reviews of non-gaming items on a gaming forum. Every time I see it, I'm just immediately mentally teleported to Facebook and other social media, where a post is made to look like it belongs in your feed, but it's actually a "suggested post" that has nothing to do with your interest.

Just to make sure I wasn't going delusional, I scrolled through the recent news and looked at the reviews. A phone, a tablet, 2 AR glasses, and a VR headset. The VR is the closest thing to gaming. The forum is structured to have the majority of the categories to be gaming with other devices dedicated to one, yet your news feed reviews has the majority being other devices and one gaming.

Also, @Winduss, you weren't being a dick like the other person called you. Your initial reply was a simple question, worded with no attitude.

The Real Jdbye · Jul 30, 2023

Scarlet said:
Seems pretty decent for what it costs! I really do wish more companies would give 7/8ish inch tablets a shot again though. Outside of the iPad Mini there’s just no good options right now.

Got a decent midrange Huawei one many years ago but nothing great has been popping up since outside of maybe Amazon Fire tablets… and… I don’t want those lol

No point in 7" tablets anymore, since modern smartphones are nearly 7" already, all you get is a chunkier device with bigger bezels, modern smartphones have made 7" tablets obsolete. 8" doesn't even feel that much bigger, it's not meaningfully bigger enough to improve productivity or the web browsing/reading experience, about all it does is improve media consumption (due to having an aspect ratio much closer to 16:9, so your media fills nearly the entire screen or the entire screen, as opposed to a modern smartphone where it barely fills half)

9" might be a good size for a tablet, it seems nobody makes tablets in this size for some reason.

As smartphone screens grew larger and larger, and fewer and fewer people have a computer, it seems these days that productivity has become the main purpose of a tablet, as a modern smartphone is good enough for just about anything else you are likely to do on a portable device. So there seems to be less demand for tablets in general, but especially smaller tablets.

Maybe consider a folding phone? The screen size is right in the middle of that 7-8" size you want, although with a less than ideal aspect ratio IMO. The inner screen is too narrow. I want the inner screen to be closer to 16:9 to make it better for media consumption as that would be my primary use. And a slightly wider outer screen certainly doesn't hurt either, as it is rather narrow compared to non-foldables.

Winduss · Jul 30, 2023

Jonna said:
You have a point that I've been noticing recently, I keep seeing these reviews of non-gaming items on a gaming forum. Every time I see it, I'm just immediately mentally teleported to Facebook and other social media, where a post is made to look like it belongs in your feed, but it's actually a "suggested post" that has nothing to do with your interest.

Just to make sure I wasn't going delusional, I scrolled through the recent news and looked at the reviews. A phone, a tablet, 2 AR glasses, and a VR headset. The VR is the closest thing to gaming. The forum is structured to have the majority of the categories to be gaming with other devices dedicated to one, yet your news feed reviews has the majority being other devices and one gaming..

I fully agree. I noticed how shallow most of these reviews are. You could pretty much call them 'overviews' instead.
They give this tablet a 9/10 (which is pretty laughable in its own right) You have to ask yourself if this will stay a '9/10' tablet for very long when it will not get compared to anything else.

Also, @Winduss, you weren't being a dick like the other person called you. Your initial reply was a simple question, worded with no attitude

As for this, thanks. I just brushed those comments aside as it was written by someone else from the editorial team. That gives little value to those belittling comments.

Scarlet · Jul 30, 2023

The Real Jdbye said:
No point in 7" tablets anymore, since modern smartphones are nearly 7" already, all you get is a chunkier device with bigger bezels, modern smartphones have made 7" tablets obsolete. 8" doesn't even feel that much bigger, it's not meaningfully bigger enough to improve productivity or the web browsing/reading experience, about all it does is improve media consumption (due to having an aspect ratio much closer to 16:9, so your media fills nearly the entire screen or the entire screen, as opposed to a modern smartphone where it barely fills half)

9" might be a good size for a tablet, it seems nobody makes tablets in this size for some reason.

As smartphone screens grew larger and larger, and fewer and fewer people have a computer, it seems these days that productivity has become the main purpose of a tablet, as a modern smartphone is good enough for just about anything else you are likely to do on a portable device. So there seems to be less demand for tablets in general, but especially smaller tablets.

Maybe consider a folding phone? The screen size is right in the middle of that 7-8" size you want, although with a less than ideal aspect ratio IMO. The inner screen is too narrow. I want the inner screen to be closer to 16:9 to make it better for media consumption as that would be my primary use. And a slightly wider outer screen certainly doesn't hurt either, as it is rather narrow compared to non-foldables.

On paper yeah, a folding phone is probably a good fit. The major difference is that an 8 inch iPad Mini is what, £500? A Galaxy Fold is £1500+ lol

The folding screen also makes me nervous, not to mention the plastic screen. I just feel like the tech needs more time to mature before I can trust myself with it (and for the price to come down a bit!).

SylverReZ · Jul 31, 2023

Looks like a fairly decent tablet to me.

GoldenBullet · Jul 31, 2023

If I didn’t rely on my iPad Pro’s performance for photo editing, I’d definitely consider buying this for the price. The 99% DCI P3 is nice.

I see it support external displays but does it have a Dex like desktop mode?

auntnadia · Jul 31, 2023

My iPad 6th Gen is showing signs of being less reliable and the battery starting to drop. I’ve used iPad since the first Gen, but wonder if it’s more than time to move on and see other tablets. Problem is, I’m so used to iOS and despite the flaws, it‘s familiar and comfortable.

How would this compare to a standard iPad? My friend has a Lenovo with windows, which I found really horrible to use. Slow at times, with short battery life and a lot of webpages didn’t seem to work properly. Keen to avoid that scenario for sure!

Winduss · Jul 31, 2023

auntnadia said:
My iPad 6th Gen is showing signs of being less reliable and the battery starting to drop. I’ve used iPad since the first Gen, but wonder if it’s more than time to move on and see other tablets. Problem is, I’m so used to iOS and despite the flaws, it‘s familiar and comfortable.

How would this compare to a standard iPad? My friend has a Lenovo with windows, which I found really horrible to use. Slow at times, with short battery life and a lot of webpages didn’t seem to work properly. Keen to avoid that scenario for sure!

It doesn't compare. Android really leaves a lot to be desired for tablet use. You're also guaranteed to get updates for many more years with an iPad compared to the MiPad.
Slowness might not be an issue at first, but it'll definitely not stay ad optimised as an iPad

auntnadia · Jul 31, 2023

Winduss said:
It doesn't compare. Android really leaves a lot to be desired for tablet use. You're also guaranteed to get updates for many more years with an iPad compared to the MiPad.
Slowness might not be an issue at first, but it'll definitely not stay ad optimised as an iPad

Everything I needed to know right there. Thank you!

Product Information:

Contents and specs

Hardware impressions of the Xiaomi Pad 6 and must-have productivity accessories

On-the-go productivity and entertainment powerhouse

A few limitations

One of the best Android productivity tablets out there

Verdict

Overall

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