Content
- Equipment and design
- Software
- Cameras
- Performance & Tests
- findings
With the increase in screen sizes in smartphonesthe segment of compact tablets has practically ceased to exist. However, a certain demand for such devices still exists. In the middle and upper segments, the iPad mini and Legion Y700 close it, and among the available devices, one of the most interesting options is the Realme Pad mini. Let's study it in more detail, and in the end we will determine whether it is worth preferring it to competitors.
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Realme Pad mini Specifications | |
|---|---|---|
| Network | 2G, 3G,4G(optional) | |
| Firmware | Android 11 with Realme UI R | |
| Screen | 8.7", 1340×800 dots, 15.075:9, 179 ppi, IPS | |
| Chipset | UniSoC Tiger T616, 12 nm CPU: 2 x A75 x 2 GHz + 6 x A55 x 1.8 GHz GPU: Mali-G57, 750 MHz |
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| Ram | 3 GB | 4 GB |
| ROM | 32 GB | 64 GB |
| SIM and memory card | microSD, optional nano-SIM | |
| Camera | 8 MP, f/2.0, 4 lenses | |
| Selfie | 5 MP, f/2.2 3 lenses | |
| Battery | 6400 mAh | |
| Charging | 18 W | |
| Wireless interfaces | WiFi 5 bluetooth 5 A-GPS, Galileo, Beidou |
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| NFC | Not | |
| Biometrics | Not | |
| Sound | Stereo speakers 3.5mm headphone jack |
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| Water protection | Not declared | |
| Dimensions and weight | 211.84 x 124.48 x 7.6mm 372 g |
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| Price | ||
Equipment and design
Realme Pad mini is on sale in a very largebox, in the main filled with air. In addition to nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor, carbon dioxide and inert gases, the package includes an 18-watt charger (also very large and probably also mostly filled with air), a USB cable, a SIM needle and documentation.
The design reminded me of smartphones 5-6 years ago– all-metal body with plastic inserts at the top and bottom. In those years, I happened to write a review on the Prestigio MultiPad Wize 3797 tablet - not the most pleasant experience, of course, but there was a similar design associated with one truly ingenious solution: one of the plastic heels was removed, opening access to the SIM / SD slots. Here everything is according to the classics: a needle, a tray. True, I never managed to open it, so I won't tell you what's inside. (No, I'm not joking. Seriously. I crushed all my fingers with needles - both complete and from other devices - but the chest did not open.)
There are two colors - gray and blue.Both look quite neutral, without promoting values that are alien to us. The location of the elements on the ends is as follows: at the bottom is a microphone, USB Type-C and a speaker, on the right is a volume rocker and a lock button, on top is an audio jack and a second speaker, and on the left is the ill-fated SIM tray. It is SIM: we have a 4G version of the tablet on the test. And you can even make calls from it, like from a phone, although this is not very convenient.
And in general, the ergonomics of Realme Pad minimediocre - narrow frames and flat ends do not contribute to a strong grip. Comfortable to hold the tablet in my hands for the entire time of testing, I never learned. However, you can certainly get used to it, and if you buy yourself a Realme Pad mini, you will definitely do it pretty quickly. Compared to smartphones, it also confuses the location of the power button on top of the volume button, but this is a common topic in tablets.
The screen is made using IPS technology and hasnon-standard resolution of 1340x800 pixels, corresponding to an aspect ratio of 15.075:9. A typical low-cost display with acceptable color reproduction, brightness drops when tilted and a frequency of 60 Hz (touch - 120 Hz). Seeing pixels at 179 ppi is not at all difficult, but in normal use it does not really interfere. The speakers are good, the stereo effect feels great. But I can’t praise the vibration, because there is no vibration motor at all in the tablet.
Software
Before talking about software, I will continuethought from the previous paragraph. Due to the lack of vibration, the manufacturer added sound reactions to all actions (mostly disabled), and they are rather strange in places. He squeals especially cute when focusing in the camera. Well, okay, these are trifles.
About the important.Tabletworkson Android 11 with the Realme UI R shell.Pure Android with branded icons and other minor changes.This is not a Realme UI at all, but pure Android, in all the logic of work, the way it looksInitially, Realme did not plan to update the Pad mini to a "twelve", but after howling fans, it promised to do it anyway.However, Android 13 has already been released, and here it is stillAndroid 11.
Cameras
It would seem that everything should be very simple:8 MP, f/2.0, autofocus, no flash. But no: Realme arranged a random here. Some Pad minis received the Sony IMX355 sensor (which debuted in 2018 as the Pixel 3 front camera), while others received the GalaxyCore GC08A3 (best known as the Redmi Note 11). I don’t know what got into our sample, but it shoots acceptable - shoot some kind of document, presentation slide and the product in the store will do. And more, probably, from the tablet is not necessary.
The 5-megapixel front camera also randomizes.It could be the Hynix Hi-556 (the depth sensor from Nokia 7.2) or it could be the Samsung 5E9 (Xiaomi's legendary telemacro camera). This is exclusively a camera for video communication, and for these purposes it is perhaps enough. Photographed for her as a keepsake? No.
Video can be recorded in 1080p@30fps or 720p@30fpsto the front. The quality is quite poor, of course. But I don't think you seriously plan to shoot video on your tablet. So let's say thank you that such a function exists, and we will not be picky.
Performance and tests
Realme Pad mini hardware base - UniSoC chipsetTiger T616. Don't be surprised if you don't know about it; We know of only two smartphones based on it: Realme C35 and Infinix Hot 12 Pro. But, like other chips in the T61 series, this is a very successful ultra-budget processor that gives cheap gadgets a good level of performance. So its use in the Pad mini is welcome. By the way, here is how the chip performs in benchmarks:
How about in games?I tested, as always, in Genshin Impact. With medium fps settings, it turns out quite good, but it's still uncomfortable to play: the tablet's touch has a rather low resolution, which is why it jerks when the camera moves slowly. In dynamic scenes, this is imperceptible, but in quiet moments it infuriates. SuperTuxKart is unplayable at maximum speeds, but the average level of graphics is excellent, similar to other demanding games. And something simple can be played without any problems.
The battery capacity is 6400 mAh and it isnot so much for a tablet. As a result, autonomy is not amazing: 10% for an hour of showing a video, 10% for an hour of browsing and 12% for an hour of playing a game. Thus, regardless of the load, Pad mini can last 8-10 hours on a single charge. Enough for a working day, for a flight across the country - too (if you don’t start absorbing content at the airport), so in general, it’s normal. I draw your attention to the fact that the tests were carried out via Wi-Fi, since I remind you that I could not open the tray and insert a SIM card.
18-W complete charging does not shine with speed:a full charge takes 2 hours 40 minutes. In half an hour, the battery is charged by 25%, in an hour - by 48%, in one and a half - by 72%, and in two - by 93%. And yes, you correctly understood that the last 7% of the battery takes as much as 40 minutes, which is 0.003% per second.
Conclusions
What competitors does Realme Pad mini have in Russia?In fact, there is exactly one such competitor - the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite. And, as is often the case when comparing Samsung and Realme at the same price, the Korean loses. It is based on a much weaker Helio P22T chipset, a significantly smaller battery (5100 mAh) and a completely ridiculous front camera (2 MP). With similar prices, the Realme Pad mini is definitely worth choosing. All other compact tablets are either much more expensive or much cheaper and worse. On Ali, you will also not find anything from more or less modern models. So if you are looking for a device of this format under 20 thousand rubles, buy Realme Pad mini.
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© Oleg Lazarev.