Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 Review
The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 keeps up with the modern design seen in the Xiaomi 14 series, featuring a flat frame, equal-width bezels, and a camera module with four circles inside a rectangle. While the design is sleek, the placement of the 50 MP AI camera somewhat detracts from its premium look. The rear setup includes the 50 MP main camera, along with a 2 MP depth-of-field camera, while the front camera is a 32 MP sensor, capable of 1080p 30fps—adequate for online meetings but not remarkable for a tablet.
Key Design Features:
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 support for video output.
- Fingerprint and power integrated into one button.
- Solid metal unibody, but no TF card expansion.
- Three rear contacts for keyboard connection and compatibility with the Xiaomi SU7 electric car accessory.
Display:
The 12.4-inch display is an upgrade, offering a 3:2 aspect ratio designed for office productivity. While the extra screen space can be handy for tasks like editing Excel files or browsing the web, it can be distracting when watching videos, leaving black bars at the top and bottom. For those who prefer video viewing, the traditional 16:9 aspect ratio may still be more favorable.
Stylus:
The Xiaomi Focus Pen works seamlessly with the 6S Pro and offers several impressive features:
- Converts both Chinese and English handwriting into text.
- Offers precision and low latency, even surpassing the Apple Pencil in responsiveness.
- Acts as a laser pointer for presentations.
- While not exclusive to the 6S Pro, the stylus significantly enhances the tablet’s utility for productivity and creative tasks.
Performance & Gaming:
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, the 6S Pro delivers top-tier performance, even handling long gaming sessions without significant throttling. It runs games like Genshin Impact smoothly, and with Picture Priority Mode, it locks the frame rate at 55 for improved image quality during gaming. The tablet’s 120W charging paired with a 10,000mAh battery ensures that the device is both a powerhouse and a quick charger, making it one of the best for battery life in the tablet category.
Software & New Features:
- Workstation Mode: A revamped PC mode that allows for floating windows on the desktop, much like a PC environment.
- AI Art Feature: An updated tool that can generate art based on simple sketches, though it remains limited for complex images.
- HyperOS Integration: Seamless connectivity with Xiaomi phones, allowing for quick hotspot connection, file transfer, and app continuity. Apps opened on your phone can even pop up on the tablet’s dock, though this feature is still in its infancy.
The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 is priced at approximately $550 USD for the base model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Prices may vary depending on the region and any ongoing promotions or sales.
Conclusion:
The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 stands out as one of the few large-screen tablets powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, offering solid performance, a robust stylus, and features like HyperOS that enhance connectivity with Xiaomi phones. It’s especially suited for those already invested in Xiaomi’s ecosystem. However, with its sizeable screen, it may not be for everyone, especially if you don’t need a tablet of this scale. Still, for those who want an affordable option with flagship-level specs, the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro is a great choice.