The Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra is a new tablet that comes with the XR01 chip, similar to the Xiaomi 15S Pro. Many people have been curious about its performance, especially since the chip in the tablet is a downclocked version compared to the smartphone. This article will explore the features and performance of the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra to see how it stacks up.
Unboxing the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra
When you first open the box, you'll find the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra itself. There's also a small white box with the user manual inside. You get an A2C cable and a 120-watt fast charger. We also got the keyboard, which costs extra.
Design and Display Upgrades
The Pad 7 Ultra's design is pretty similar to the last model. We have the purple color here, just like the Pro version, but there's also a black option. The whole back and frame are metal with a nice matte finish. It feels really thin, only 5.1 mm thick, which is thinner than the Pad 7 Pro.
Xiaomi made some big changes to the screen this time:
- OLED Screen: They switched from LCD to OLED. You can pick between a regular screen or an anti-glare version.
- Larger Size: The screen is now 14 inches, which makes it feel more like a laptop. It still has the same notch design, but that doesn't really bother me when I'm reading. The bezels are narrower, so the notch had to stay.
The 14-inch screen has a 3x2 aspect ratio, which is good for reading and working. It has a 3.2K resolution and gets really bright—900 nits normally, and up to 1600 nits peak. You can see it clearly even in bright sunlight. It supports DC and PM dimming, with a 6800 Hz high-frequency PM dimming option. It also supports the P3 wide color gamut, so colors look rich and natural.
The screen has a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, so everything looks super smooth, especially when you're scrolling or playing games. There's no lag at all. The touch sampling rate is up to 240 Hz, and the stylus touch sampling rate is also 240 Hz. This means it responds really fast to your touch, whether you're gaming or writing. Plus, it uses M9 low-power emitting materials, which helps save battery. The screen is covered with fifth-gen Gorilla Glass, making it tough against drops. One thing to note: it can reflect a lot of light, so if that's an issue, you might want the anti-glare version.
Performance with the XR01 Chip
The XR01 chip is definitely better than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the previous Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro. You can feel this when you play games. However, the XR01 in the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra runs at a lower frequency than the one in the Xiaomi 15S Pro. For example, the CPU's super large core in the 15S Pro is 3.9 GHz, while in the Pad it's 3.7 GHz.
Think of it this way: the CPU core in the Xiaomi 15S Pro is like a fast sports car, but the one in the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra is more like an SUV. It's not as fast, but it's more stable and can run for longer. Even though it's a downclocked version, its performance is still great. Because it has more space and better heat management, it can run stably for a long time. This is good for things like watching videos or working, where you need consistent performance rather than just raw speed.
Key Takeaways
- The XR01 chip in the Pad 7 Ultra is a downclocked version but still performs well.
- Better heat dissipation allows for stable, long-term performance.
- Gaming experience is smooth, with no serious frame drops.
We tested it with a demanding game, Honkai Star Rail, and found that the serious frame drops from the Pad 7 Pro are gone. So, gaming on this tablet should be a good experience.
Software and Camera
Some people say that HyperOS is the biggest challenge for Xiaomi's hardware. While Xiaomi's hardware is usually good, system optimization can still be an issue. HyperOS 2.0 has improved stability and security, but some old problems remain, like misplaced volume bar pop-ups, a laggy assistant, and separate control and notification centers. However, app compatibility is good, and it supports game controllers, which improves the gaming experience.
The camera specs are the same as the Pad 7 Pro. The front camera records at 1080p 30fps, and it can also do 4K 60fps.
Xiaomi has also optimized some apps, like Paint Water Pro, WPS Office PC, CAD, and CA Viewer PC. These optimizations make it very useful for office work and drawing. File transfer between phones and computers has also been improved and can be done through the pull-down toolbar.
Accessories
The keyboard and case connect to form a floating keyboard. The keyboard has been updated and feels good to type on, with good pressure sensitivity and response. However, the keyboard and pen are sold separately. The pen hasn't been upgraded, but it comes with two sets of free brushes for a limited time. The pen's pressure sensitivity and feel are good, but there's still a slight delay.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra is a strong tablet with a great screen. It's good for many things, like watching movies, working, and drawing. The high touch and refresh rates make it smooth to use, and the optimized system helps with multitasking. If you care a lot about screen quality and performance, the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra is a solid choice.
