Not many manufacturers produce tablets these days and this makes this REDMI Pad 2 9.7 review more important as REDMI, and by large Xiaomi, is one of the few companies out there who gives attention to the tablet market.
I’ve spent a few weeks with the REDMI Pad 2 9.7 and I have gathered some solid thoughts, and here’s my two cents about why this right sized tablet is slowly growing as one of the most important devices in my possesion.
Main Highlights
When you look at the marketing materials for the REDMI Pad 2 9.7, Xiaomi pushes a few core strengths very aggressively.
The brand wants you to focus heavily on its stunning 2K resolution 120Hz crystal-clear display, the massive 7600mAh battery promising nearly two days of life, and the remarkably slim 7.4mm metal unibody design.
They are also loudly championing the inclusion of Xiaomi HyperOS 3, complete with brand-new AI capabilities designed to make everyday tasks easier.
On paper, it sounds like an absolute flagship killer tucked into a budget-friendly price tag but here’s what I found out about this tablet.
Design, Body, and Durability
The moment you pull the REDMI Pad 2 9.7 out of its box, it feels surprisingly premium.
At just 401 grams and 7.4 millimeters thin, it is incredibly comfortable to hold in one hand while reading an ebook or browsing the web.
The unibody aluminum alloy frame exudes a flagship-level texture that stays cool to the touch and avoids feeling like a cheap plastic toy.
It has a slightly squared-off, iPad Mini-esque vibe, just stretched out a bit.
As far as durability is concerned, a minor knock or drop will not break the tablet that easily as I did drop this tablet from a table a few times despite its small size, and it still looks perfect. The screen also survices my bagpack, coming out scratchless despite being dumped in one compartment with my other stationaries and laptop.
Nonetheless, there is no harm protecting the tablet with a case ensuring it looks like new even after several years, so I will recommend a case of you getting the Redmi Pad 2 9.7 case which Xiaomi sells saperately.
Screen & Display
The display is arguably the biggest selling point of the REDMI Pad 2 9.7. We are looking at a rather unique 9.7-inch screen size with a crisp 2K resolution and an impressive 120Hz refresh rate.
For the non-technical crowd, that refresh rate means the screen updates 120 times every second, making scrolling through social media or flipping through web pages feel buttery smooth.
Compared to its predecessor, the original Redmi Pad SE 8.7 which sported a lower resolution and slower refresh rate, this screen is an astronomical leap forward.
Colors pop beautifully, and reading PDFs or watching YouTube videos is an absolute joy.
It features certifications for low blue light and flicker-free viewing, meaning your eyes will not feel strained after a three-hour Netflix marathon.
The only minor drawback is the brightness. It peaks at 600 nits in outdoor mode so while it is perfectly visible in a brightly lit cafe or your living room, you will find yourself squinting if you try to use it directly under the harsh Kuching afternoon sun.
Audio System
Audio is a bit of a mixed bag on the REDMI Pad 2 9.7.
The device comes equipped with dual stereo speakers. On the positive side, they get incredibly loud, which is great if you want to fill a small room with sound while doing chores.
However, when you crank the volume up past the eighty percent mark, the audio loses its depth. It lacks punchy bass and starts to sound a little hollow and shouty.
It is perfectly fine for casual YouTube viewing or video calls, but audiophiles will not be blown away. The massive saving grace here, however, is the inclusion of a good old-fashioned 3.5mm headphone jack.
Being able to plug in your trusty wired earphones without needing an annoying dongle is a massive win for a budget media device. If you are keen to hear how the tablet sounds, as well as how the screen presents itself, check my test below.
Processor, RAM & Storage
Under the hood, the REDMI Pad 2 9.7 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 processor, paired with 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of internal storage.
If we are being completely honest, this is the tablet’s Achilles’ heel. While the processor is a slight bump in speed compared to older budget Redmi tablets, a 6-nanometer chip paired with just 4GB of RAM is pushing the absolute limits of acceptability in 2026.
The 128GB storage is also the bare standard in today’s market although the storage memory is expandable with a microSD card where you can bump everything to 2TB.
But there’s more, when you first set up the tablet and it is downloading everything in the background, you will experience noticeable stutters.
Once the dust settles, casual apps run perfectly fine, but heavy multitasking or high-end 3D gaming will force the device to drop frames.
It is just not built for heavy use and its loading time can test your patience at times. This was quite obvious when I made a TikTok video using the tablet, and you can see it below.
When this happens, you just need to remember how much you paid for this tablet, and how much better it is compared to those within similar price range.
Software
The device ships with Xiaomi HyperOS 3, and the software experience is clean, modern, and surprisingly intuitive.
Xiaomi has baked in some fantastic ecosystem features especially if you own a Xiaomi smartphone.
This comes with the “Interconnectivity” features which allow you to seamlessly answer phone calls directly on your tablet, or copy a piece of text on your phone and instantly paste it on the pad.
The standout feature, however, is the new AI capability.
The tablet includes a smart search function where you can instantly search whatever is on your screen. You simply circle, highlight, or scribble over an image or line of text, and Google immediately finds the results without requiring you to take a screenshot or leave the app you are in.
It is incredibly convenient and makes the REDMI Pad 2 9.7 feel much smarter than its price tag suggests.
The downside is that the tablet does feel rather sluggish.
Camera
It is very unlikely you got the tablet for its camera, but having one would help when you need to suddenly attend meetings, or take photos.
The REDMI Pad 2 9.7 features an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front-facing lens.
For photography, the rear camera is purely functional. In broad daylight, it takes acceptable photos which are quite satisfying in terms fo quality. However, they do fall short if compared to photos which are taken using higher end phones.
Nonetheless, with the camera mainly used for documents or snapping a quick reference picture, I do not see the quality of the photo being a problem. Here are some samples of photos taken using the REDMI Pad 2.
In low light, however, the images become quite grainy and lose a lot of detail. Here are a couple of photos taken at night with the tablet.
For videography, both cameras cap out at 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second.
The front camera sits well for video calls on Zoom or Google Meet, keeping you mostly in focus as long as you are sitting in a well-lit room. The accompanying case which was shipped to me with the tablet is also great to maintain the camera angle during such cause.
The major drawback for both video and photography is the lack of optical image stabilization, so if you have shaky hands, your footage will definitely reflect that.
You can see the video sample below.
Battery
Battery life is where this tablet aggressively reclaims its glory. The 7600mAh battery is an absolute tank.
In my daily usage, which involved an hour of reading, a couple of hours of video streaming, and some web browsing, the tablet easily lasted a day and a half before needing a plug.
This kind of endurance puts it slightly ahead of many competing devices in this price bracket, which often tap out by the end of a single busy day.
However, the recharging experience requires patience.
The tablet supports 18W charging, but confusingly, Xiaomi only includes a 15W charger in the box.
Because the battery capacity is so huge, charging it from flat zero to one hundred percent takes a very long time – well over two hours.
You will definitely want to make a habit of charging this device overnight while you sleep.
Conclusion and Where to Buy
To wrap up this REDMI Pad 2 9.7 review, it is clear that Xiaomi has built a highly targeted machine.
It is not a gaming powerhouse, nor is it meant for heavy video editing. However, if you want an incredibly well-built, metal tablet with a gorgeous, fluid 120Hz display and a battery that refuses to quit, this device is a total steal at prices starting from RM569 for the 4GB+64GB variant with the top variant being priced at just RM599 with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage space (the one I am reviewing here).
It is best suited for students who need a PDF reader, parents looking for a media consumption device for their kids, or anyone wanting a companion device for long commutes on the MRT.
You can purchase the REDMI Pad 2 9.7 officially through the Xiaomi Malaysia website, or at authorized physical retailers like Urban Republic.
If you want to hunt for discounts in Malaysia, your best bet is to wait for the double-digit sale days (like 7.7 or 8.8) on major e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada, or purchase it directly from Mi.com during their launch windows to score double Mi Points and potential accessory freebies.