The tablet market has always been dominated by big names like Apple’s iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab lineup, but Xiaomi has been steadily building a reputation for delivering feature-rich tablets at affordable prices. Their latest entry, the Redmi Pad SE 8.7, continues this tradition by offering a compact, powerful, and entertainment-focused device that doesn’t break the bank.
With an 8.7-inch display, 90Hz refresh rate, MediaTek Helio G85 processor, Dolby Atmos dual speakers, and a massive 6650mAh battery, this tablet aims to be the perfect portable companion for casual users, students, and entertainment lovers. But does it deliver on its promises, and how does it compare to other tablets in the same price range? Let’s dive into the details.
Design and Build Quality
The Redmi Pad SE 8.7 strikes a fine balance between portability and usability. Its 8.7-inch display makes it small enough to hold in one hand comfortably, yet large enough to enjoy movies, books, or games without feeling cramped. This size is particularly attractive to users who find 10- or 11-inch tablets too bulky for everyday portability.
The tablet has an 84.41% screen-to-body ratio, giving it a modern, immersive look with thin bezels that maximize display area. The 5:3 aspect ratio is slightly unusual but works surprisingly well for reading e-books, scrolling social media, and watching videos.
Build quality feels solid, with a durable chassis that doesn’t creak or bend under pressure. While it doesn’t carry the premium all-metal finish of more expensive tablets, it’s sleek, lightweight, and practical. The matte finish helps resist fingerprints, making it suitable for both kids and adults.
At just over 370 grams, it’s light enough to carry around all day in a small bag or even a large pocket, making it an ideal travel companion.
Display Performance
The 8.7-inch 1340 x 800 resolution display may not be as sharp as flagship tablets, but for its price, it delivers good clarity, color vibrancy, and viewing angles. What sets it apart is its 90Hz refresh rate, a feature rarely found in budget tablets. This makes scrolling smoother, animations more fluid, and the overall experience more enjoyable.
Another highlight is the peak brightness of 600 nits, which means you can comfortably use the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 even in outdoor environments under bright sunlight. Many budget tablets struggle with dim screens, so this is a big plus.
The display also comes with TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification and flicker-free technology, which helps reduce eye strain during long sessions of reading, gaming, or streaming. For students and professionals who use the tablet for hours, this feature makes a noticeable difference.
Audio Quality
Audio is often an afterthought in budget tablets, but Xiaomi has gone the extra mile here by equipping the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 with dual stereo speakers tuned with Dolby Atmos.
The sound is surprisingly rich and immersive for such a compact device. Whether you’re streaming Netflix, watching YouTube, or listening to music, the speakers deliver clear mids, decent highs, and a surprisingly good bass response for the size.
While it won’t replace a dedicated Bluetooth speaker, it’s more than good enough for casual media consumption, video calls, and even light gaming. The Dolby Atmos tuning adds depth and a surround-like feel, making movie watching far more engaging than on tablets with mono or single speakers.
Performance
Under the hood, the MediaTek Helio G85 octa-core processor powers the Redmi Pad SE 8.7. This chipset, combined with 4GB of RAM (with some models offering up to 6GB), provides reliable performance for everyday tasks.
Everyday Use
Web browsing, social media, and streaming are smooth and responsive.
Casual gaming (titles like Subway Surfers, Candy Crush, or Clash of Clans) runs without issues.
Multitasking
With Android 14 and Xiaomi’s optimizations, multitasking is decent. You can switch between apps quickly, and background apps stay alive longer thanks to efficient memory management. However, don’t expect heavy multitasking like running multiple high-performance apps side by side without occasional slowdowns.
Gaming Performance
The Helio G85 is not a gaming powerhouse, but it can handle PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Asphalt 9 at medium settings without major stutters. High-end games like Genshin Impact are playable, but only at lower settings. For casual gamers, though, the performance is more than satisfactory.
Storage and Expandability
The base model comes with 64GB of internal storage, which is sufficient for apps, documents, and light media storage. However, the real strength lies in its expandability—the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 supports microSD cards up to 2TB.
This means you can carry thousands of e-books, movies, and offline music without worrying about running out of space. For students and travelers who need large libraries of content on the go, this feature is a lifesaver.
Battery Life
Battery life is another major highlight of the Redmi Pad SE 8.7. With a massive 6650mAh battery, it’s built for long usage sessions without frequent charging.
Xiaomi claims:
25.2 hours of video playback
34.2 hours of reading
In real-world usage, you can expect 8–10 hours of mixed use (streaming, browsing, gaming, and productivity). That’s enough to get through a full day of heavy use or multiple days of light use.
When it does run low, the 18W fast charging helps recharge it relatively quickly. While it’s not the fastest charging available, it’s efficient enough for most users.
Software Experience
The Redmi Pad SE 8.7 runs on Android 14 with Xiaomi’s MIUI optimizations for tablets. The interface is clean, modern, and customizable.
Key features include:
Split-screen multitasking for running two apps at once
Digital Wellbeing tools for managing screen time
Parental controls, making it family-friendly
The inclusion of Widevine L1 certification is particularly important: it ensures you can stream Netflix, Disney+, and other platforms in full HD resolution—something many budget tablets fail to offer.
Camera Quality
The Redmi Pad SE 8.7 is equipped with basic cameras:
Rear camera: 8MP
These are not meant for photography but are good enough for video calls, online classes, and scanning documents. In good lighting, photos are serviceable, but in low light, they become grainy. For its intended use, however, they get the job done.
Who Is This Tablet For?
The Redmi Pad SE 8.7 is designed for:
Students: Perfect for e-books, note-taking, online classes, and streaming.
Families: Safe for kids, with parental controls and sturdy design.
Entertainment lovers: Smooth 90Hz display, Dolby Atmos speakers, and Widevine L1 support make it excellent for media consumption.
Casual gamers: Handles most mobile games comfortably at medium settings.
It’s not for users looking for:
High-end gaming performance
Stylus support for advanced productivity
Pros and Cons
Pros
Compact and lightweight, perfect for portability
TÜV Rheinland certified for low blue light and flicker-free comfort
Dolby Atmos stereo speakers for immersive audio
6650mAh battery with 18W fast charging
Expandable storage up to 2TB
Runs on Android 14 with useful optimizations
Widevine L1 certification for HD streaming
Affordable price point
Cons
Resolution (1340x800) is lower than some competitors
Helio G85 is decent but not designed for heavy gaming
No stylus or keyboard accessories for productivity users
Conclusion
The Redmi Pad SE 8.7 is a well-balanced, budget-friendly tablet that delivers far more than its price suggests. Its 90Hz display, Dolby Atmos speakers, long-lasting battery, and Android 14 experience make it an excellent choice for students, casual users, and anyone who wants a portable entertainment device.
While it won’t satisfy power users or heavy gamers, it excels in the areas it was designed for: portability, entertainment, and everyday productivity. With features like expandable storage up to 2TB and low blue light certification, it’s a device built for comfort and longevity.
If you’re in the market for a compact Android tablet under budget that doesn’t compromise on essentials, the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 is one of the best options available right now.
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