Affordable tablet with a smaller diagonal: Xiaomi introduced Redmi Pad 2 9.7 with 120 Hz and HyperOS 3

Tablets with smaller diagonals are making a comeback. Many users seek such devices for travel, as they fit more easily into compact luggage. Despite this, they are still more suitable than smartphones for watching movies and series or occasional work. The newly introduced Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2 9.7 falls into this category. It is a rebranded version of the Chinese Redmi Pad 2 SE, and in addition to the classic Wi-Fi variant, Xiaomi has decided to also offer a 4G LTE version, which transforms the tablet into a device usable anywhere outside the home network’s reach.

Compact dimensions and a 2K display with 120 Hz

The main attraction of the Redmi Pad 2 9.7 is its 9.7″ screen with a resolution of 2048×1280 pixels, which corresponds to a density of 250 PPI. The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate and a maximum brightness of 600 nits, so while it’s sufficient for reading outdoors, users will struggle in direct sunlight. Xiaomi has obtained three TÜV Rheinland certifications for the panel (low blue light, flicker-free, and Circadian Friendly), which will be appreciated by readers of long texts.

Considering that the tablet houses a 7,600 mAh battery, it is surprisingly thin at just 7.4 mm. The body is made of an aluminum alloy, and Xiaomi offers two color options – Silver and Graphite Grey. The weight is around 406 grams, so it’s not ideal for long periods of one-handed holding, but it won’t be a hindrance in a backpack.

Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 and weak memory

Under the hood, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 chipset operates at up to 2.9 GHz, which Xiaomi claims brings 34% higher performance compared to the previous Redmi Pad SE 8.7 model. The configuration is complemented by LPDDR4x memory and UFS 2.2 storage with a capacity of up to 128 GB. The storage can be expanded by up to 2 TB using a microSD card.

It’s important to realize that both the processor and memory are already at the lower end of what can be offered in the segment in 2026. However, for common scenarios like watching YouTube, browsing the internet, or reading e-books, the performance will be sufficient. Definitely don’t expect demanding games like Genshin Impact here – the tablet is not built for them.

HyperOS 3 and phone connectivity

The Redmi Pad 2 9.7 comes with the latest Xiaomi HyperOS 3 overlay, which enables a shared clipboard between the tablet and a Xiaomi phone, or call handoff. It also includes the implementation of the Circle to Search feature, where you can simply gesture to select content on the screen, and Google will instantly search for it without needing to take a screenshot.

Battery life and differences between variants

According to Xiaomi, the Wi-Fi and 4G variants differ in battery life. While the Wi-Fi model offers up to 15 hours of video playback, 18 hours of audio listening, and 16 hours of reading (a total of 1.7 days), the 4G variant with active LTE connectivity drops to 13 hours of video, 18 hours of audio, and 14 hours of reading (1.6 days). The difference is not dramatic in practice, but it’s good to keep it in mind.

Affordable tablet with a smaller diagonal: Xiaomi introduced Redmi Pad 2 9.7 with 120 Hz and HyperOS 3 Adam Kurfürst News Adam Kurfürst News

Other specifications include an 8Mpx rear camera, a 5Mpx front camera suitable for video calls, face unlock support, a 3.5mm jack for traditional headphones, and a pair of stereo speakers. What some might miss is a fingerprint reader, which Xiaomi did not implement.

Price and availability

The Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2 9.7 is currently starting to appear in Southeast Asia and Australia. Australian customers will get it for 269 AUD (approximately 4,000 CZK converted) as part of an introductory offer, while the standard price is 349 AUD (about 5,200 CZK converted). In Singapore, the Wi-Fi variant sells for 229 SGD, and the 4G version for 269 SGD. When and if the Redmi Pad 2 9.7 will arrive in the Czech Republic, Xiaomi has not yet revealed – the European representation has not shared any information about the tablet.

Who will it make sense for?

The Redmi Pad 2 9.7 is primarily suitable for undemanding users looking for a secondary tablet for home use, such as watching videos, reading e-books, or browsing the internet. The 4G variant makes sense for seniors or children who need a simple device with its own data connection without having to deal with a phone hotspot. Students will also appreciate the tablet for passive consumption of educational materials.

Conversely, the Redmi Pad 2 9.7 is not suitable for demanding gamers, creatives, or professionals. Its slow UFS 2.2 memory, weaker processor, and LCD panel instead of AMOLED disadvantage it in this category. In a similar price range, the original Redmi Pad 2 with an 11″ display, a more powerful Helio G100 Ultra, and a significantly larger 9,000mAh battery is also sold on the European market, available in its basic configuration on AliExpress from approximately 3,800 CZK. If you don’t need a compact format or 4G connectivity, this sibling represents a more reasonable choice.

Would you buy the Redmi Pad 2 9.7 if it arrived in the Czech Republic?

Sources: Xiaomi (1, 2)