Xiaomi Mi Pad 2 Is the Cheapest IPad Mini Clone You Can Buy


XiaomiMiPad2In the states, Xiaomi is ever-growing in popularity. It’s mainly because the Chinese tech firm keeps rolling out super competitively priced products with specs to match some our favorite big name brands. For example, all across the web, the latest from Xiaomi, the Mi Pad 2, is being dubbed as comparable to the iPad Mini 4. This comeback makes perfect sense, as Xiaomi’s first tablet didn’t really turn heads as it intended to (remember the Mi Pad from May of 2014?). But this time around, when we say comparable to the iPad Mini 4, we mean it. They look a lot alike. Plus, since fair pricing is a trait Xiaomi is known for, this Android-running tablet is no different. It even runs Intel, Microsoft, and is lighter and thinner than its predecessor.

XiaomiMiPad2-1The 7.9-inch metal bodied Mi Pad 2 weighs just 11.4 ounces and measures just 6.95mm thick, which if you’re paying attention, is thicker than any recent iPad. Let’s also be thankful Xiaomi steered away from the previously plastic casing of the Mi Pad and went with something nicer. Cnet describes the design “sporting curved edges”, light to the touch, and near the quality build of Apple’s iPad line. When it comes to display, specs don’t lie. The Xiaomi tablet sports a 2048 x 1536 resolution, which is the same 326ppi as the Apple Mini 4. To up the ante in the hardware department, Xiaomi swapped out the Nvidia Tegra K1, found in the first Mi Pad, for an Intel 64-bit Atom X5-Z8500 chip (The Verge).

XiaomiMiPad2-2Other features include a single USB Type-C port (you would be surprised how many devices still yet to make the upgrade), meaning this is the only USB port you will find on the Mi Pad 2. Yes, that means no regular USB or even a microUSB port (you’ll have to deal). It comes with 2GB of RAM, and either 16GB or 64GB options for onboard storage. It runs on a 6,190mAh battery, and can last for up to a whopping 12.5 hours without a recharge (yes this includes video streaming). There is an 8MP rear-facing camera and a 5MP front-facing camera. Not bad for a tablet front-facer if I do say so myself.

Unfortunately, even though Xiaomi is gaining popularity over here, Cnet claims we probably won’t be seeing the Mi Pad 2 in the U.S. just yet (but third-party online retailers might be an option for those of you who just can’t wait). China will be offering the tablet for RMB 899 ($140) for the 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage option, and RMB 1099 ($171) for the 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage option. Users may chose either an Android or Windows 10 version of the Mi Pad 2. It sure will be interesting to see how popular a Xiaomi-made Windows 10 device does compared to it’s much pricier competition.

Topics: Technology News Tablets Tech Reviews

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