For years, the Android tablet landscape felt predictable. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S series reigned supreme, offering premium builds, vibrant displays, and S Pen integration that set the benchmark. Competitors tried, often undercutting on price but rarely matching the overall package. But the winds are shifting, and a new champion has emerged from an unlikely source: Xiaomi. The verdict is in from rigorous testing – the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra isn't just a contender; it's currently the best Android tablet you can buy, dethroning Samsung in the process.
Let's be clear, Samsung hasn't suddenly started making bad tablets. The Galaxy Tab S9 series remains excellent. However, Xiaomi has executed a masterstroke with the Pad 7 Ultra, delivering a device that matches or surpasses Samsung's finest in almost every key category, often at a significantly lower price point. It feels like Xiaomi looked at the premium tablet formula, refined it, and added its own compelling twists.
The Display: Bigger, Brighter, Smoother
The first thing you notice is the stunning 12.45-inch display. It's larger than the base Galaxy Tab S9 (11-inch) and S9+ (12.4-inch), offering more screen real estate for work, play, and multitasking. Crucially, it doesn't just win on size. Xiaomi has equipped the Pad 7 Ultra with a 144Hz refresh rate LCD panel that delivers exceptional smoothness for scrolling, drawing, and gaming, surpassing the 120Hz on Samsung's base and Plus models (only the Ultra offers 120Hz). Brightness is also class-leading, hitting peaks that make HDR content pop and ensure excellent outdoor visibility. The resolution is sharp, colors are accurate and vibrant, and the aspect ratio feels great for both consumption and productivity. It’s simply a top-tier viewing experience.
Performance: Snapdragon Power Meets Xiaomi Optimization
Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset (the same as the Galaxy Tab S9 series) provides flagship-level performance. Apps launch instantly, multitasking is effortless even with multiple windows open, and demanding games run smoothly. Xiaomi's HyperOS feels surprisingly polished and optimized for the large screen. While Samsung's One UI offers deeper integration with its own ecosystem and DeX mode, HyperOS on the Pad 7 Ultra is clean, responsive, and packed with useful tablet-specific features like a taskbar and enhanced window management. The raw horsepower combined with thoughtful software makes this a productivity and entertainment powerhouse.
The Pen & Keyboard Experience: A Genuine Surprise
Historically, Samsung held a significant advantage with its best-in-class S Pen, included in the box. Xiaomi, however, has closed the gap dramatically. The Xiaomi Focus Pen 2 (sold separately) offers incredibly low latency (reportedly under 2ms), excellent tilt support, and a comfortable feel. While some reviewers note the S Pen's haptic feedback still edges it out for pure writing feel, the Focus Pen 2 is now a truly excellent stylus, making the Pad 7 Ultra a serious rival for artists and note-takers. The keyboard case is also well-regarded, offering a stable typing experience and a responsive trackpad.
Audio, Battery, and Build: Premium All Around
The quad-speaker setup tuned by Dolby Atmos delivers rich, immersive sound that easily rivals Samsung's excellent AKG-tuned speakers. Battery life is impressive, easily lasting through a day or more of heavy use, and the included 120W charger refuels it astonishingly quickly. The build quality is premium, featuring a sleek aluminum unibody that feels solid and luxurious in hand. It's thin, light for its size, and screams high-end.
The Price: The Icing on the Cake
Perhaps the most compelling argument for the Pad 7 Ultra is its price. Xiaomi consistently undercuts Samsung significantly while offering comparable, and often superior, hardware. You get this top-tier display, flagship performance, and excellent accessories ecosystem for substantially less than a similarly equipped Galaxy Tab S9+. This value proposition is impossible to ignore and fundamentally changes the calculus for premium Android tablet buyers.
Is it Perfect?
No device is flawless. Some might miss Samsung's DeX mode for a true desktop-like experience, though Xiaomi's windowing is robust. The camera bump is large, though tablet cameras are rarely a primary focus. App optimization for Android tablets, while improving, still lags behind iPadOS. However, these are minor quibbles in the grand scheme.
The Bottom Line: A New King is Crowned
After extensive testing and comparison, the conclusion is clear. The Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra isn't just a great tablet; it represents a significant leap forward for Xiaomi and a direct challenge to Samsung's dominance. It delivers a best-in-class display, flagship performance, excellent accessory support (especially the Focus Pen 2), top-tier build, and stellar battery life – all wrapped in a package that offers exceptional value.
For the full, in-depth breakdown with performance benchmarks, detailed display analysis, camera samples, and direct comparisons against the Galaxy Tab S9 series, check out the comprehensive review over at Notebookcheck: The best Android tablet isn't from Samsung - Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra review.
Samsung should be worried. Xiaomi hasn't just caught up; with the Pad 7 Ultra, it has arguably set a new standard for what a premium Android tablet can and should be. If you're in the market for the absolute best Android tablet experience right now, look beyond the usual suspects. The new king comes from Xiaomi.
Post a Comment