In an arena long dominated by Apple and Samsung, Vivo’s latest flagship tablet—the Pad 5 Pro—bursts onto the scene with a compelling blend of power, polish, and affordability. Positioned as a direct rival to the iPad Air, this Android device doesn’t just mimic the competition; it carves out its own identity with thoughtful design and robust performance.
Sleek Design Meets Premium Feel
At first glance, the Pad 5 Pro exudes sophistication. Its aluminum unibody chassis, razor-thin 6.5mm profile, and symmetrical bezels give it a minimalist elegance. Weighing just 458g, it feels reassuringly solid without sacrificing portability. The star attraction is the 11-inch 2.8K display, boasting a 144Hz refresh rate and vivid P3 color gamut. Whether sketching, streaming, or multitasking, the screen delivers buttery-smooth visuals that rival premium slabs from Apple and Samsung.
Under the Hood: Flagship Power
Vivo didn’t cut corners on performance. The tablet harnesses MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300 chipset—paired with up to 12GB RAM—making light work of intensive tasks. During testing, apps launched instantly, and graphic-heavy games like Genshin Impact ran at near-max settings without throttling. The inclusion of vivo’s Multi-Turbo 6.0 software optimization further ensures sustained performance, a nod to gamers and power users.
Software: OriginOS on Android 14
Running OriginOS 4 (based on Android 14), the Pad 5 Pro offers a clean, intuitive interface. Standout features include PC-level multitasking—think floating windows and split-screen efficiency—and seamless integration with Vivo’s ecosystem. The Vivo Pencil 2 (sold separately) magnetically attaches and charges, while near-zero latency makes note-taking fluid. For creatives, it’s a credible alternative to Apple’s Pencil experience.
Battery and Audio: Marathon Ready
A massive 10,500mAh battery easily powers through 12–14 hours of mixed use. When drained, the 44W fast charging juices up to 50% in 30 minutes. The quad-speaker setup, tuned with Dolby Atmos, produces rich, immersive sound—ideal for movie nights or video calls.
Cameras: More Than an Afterthought
Tablet cameras often feel like an afterthought, but Vivo packs a 13MP rear shooter and an 8MP front-facing lens. While no replacement for a smartphone, they handle documents scans and video calls crisply. The front camera’s center-aligned placement in landscape mode is a smart touch for remote workers.
The Real Test: Going Toe-to-Toe With Giants
So, how does the Pad 5 Pro stack up against the iPad Air? Early reviews suggest it’s more than just a "Chinese iPad" clone—it’s a legitimate challenger. As highlighted in this in-depth Notebookcheck analysis, Vivo’s tablet edges ahead in areas like display refresh rate, multitasking flexibility, and value. While iPadOS still leads in app optimization, OriginOS’s Android backbone offers greater customization for power users.
The Verdict
Starting at ¥2,999 (~$415), the Vivo Pad 5 Pro undercuts the iPad Air by nearly 30% while matching—and sometimes exceeding—its core specs. It’s a testament to how far Android tablets have evolved: no longer budget compromises, but flagship contenders. For students, creatives, or anyone seeking premium features without the premium price tag, this tablet is a revelation.
Bottom line: Vivo isn’t just playing catch-up—it’s setting the pace. The Pad 5 Pro proves that the "big brands" now have serious competition.
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