MSI is well known for its gaming laptops and desktops, graphics cards, motherboards, monitors, and other PC components. Fairly recently, they also decided to break into networking, adding a line of routers and mesh Wi-Fi to take on TP-Link and others head-to-head.
The biggest selling point that MSI promotes with the Roamii BE Lite is that this is a Wi-Fi 7 Mesh router. Which is great, but the bummer is that there is no 6Ghz channel. So, while it does provide the Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) Standard, it only has 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequencies, no 6Ghz - confusing, I know.
The MSI Roamii BE Lite targets users who want affordable Wi-Fi 7 connectivity in their homes (or small businesses) and want a multi-gig WAN/LAN port. Regardless of location, the Roamii BE Lite has excellent security features, which protect your digital assets and family and ensure reliability.
As long as you don't require a 6GHz channel, this is one of the best Wi-Fi mesh systems for the money, but for those who want those 6GHz speeds, this system may not be the right fit for you.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
MSI Roamii BE Lite: Price and Availability
The MSI Roamii BE Lite is sold for $210 / £210 as a two-unit system. This includes the main router and a secondary node that you can place throughout your home office or small business to extend your mesh network further. It's available through Best Buy, Amazon, and many others, all of which can be found on the MSI Website.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
MSI Roamii BE Lite: Unboxing & first impressions
The MSI Roamii BE Lite came very well packaged -- partially because the two triangle units could lay over one another and partially because of the sleek packaging that still protected the units. The box had two nodes: power adapters, an ethernet cable for the primary node to connect to a modem, and wall-mounting brackets. Though I would never mount something like this to the wall, it's nice for MSI to include this for those needing it.
I just finished reviewing the TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro mesh router, so I was not shocked to see a taller, white, similarly sized router. However, the change in shape, moving from a cylinder to a triangle, was a nice change-up. The smooth, modern white finish blends nicely without being too prominent, especially in my home office. Another thing that I noticed right away was that both nodes had ethernet ports, meaning that, just like in the TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro, I could use it to extend my ethernet network (in a way) without running ethernet cables through my walls.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
MSI Roamii BE Lite: Design & build quality
Specs
Wireless Specification: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) Bands: 2.4GHz (up to 688Mbps) and 5GHz (up to 4,323Mbps) Antennas: 4 internal Processor: 1.5GHz quad-core CPU Memory: 2GB DDR4 RAM Storage: 256MB flash memory Ports per Node: • 1 x 2.5GbE WAN/LAN • 2 x 1GbE LAN Coverage: Up to 5,800 sq ft with two nodes Security: WPA2/WPA3, FortiSecu suite with parental controls
As mentioned, the nodes are sleek and minimal in a soft white, triangular tower shape. The MSI Roamii BE Lite is durable, sturdy, and not too large. The triangular shape has a smooth edge and can easily blend in with my home office. While some routers may attempt to attract attention, the Roamii BE Lite does not -- they try to blend in.
One downside of this router is that there are no USB ports, meaning I cannot easily attach storage to my network via a basic drive. I would need a Synology DiskStation or BeeStation, which is precisely what I did -- more on that below.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
MSI Roamii BE Lite: In use
Setting up the MSI Roamii BE Lite was very easy. I downloaded the companion app, and I followed simple step-by-step instructions. Since I didn't want to start a new network, and in my situation, I wanted to replace my old router to try this one out, I kept my network settings the same, using the identical SSID and Password. My devices (for the most part) could reconnect to the new router without issue. A few smart devices took a little while, but most of my devices (I have around 70 connected devices in my house at any given time) could jump to the new router.
My 2.4GHz devices connected without a problem, and so did my 5GHz. However, I quickly noticed that I was missing the 6GHz band when working on my iPhone 16 Pro, my iPad Mini 7, and some of my laptops for testing. While it's not a huge deal, it is noticeable at some slower speeds -- but then again, I'm the person who checks that stuff and pays attention to it.
According to MSI, you can get about 5,800 sq ft of coverage with these two nodes. For medium to large homes or smaller offices (compared to, say, a State Farm Corporate), this is perfect. So far, I've not noticed any dead zones, nor have I seen a drop in connection when walking around my home and home office. As mentioned, I always have a large number of devices in my space. So far, while testing the Roamii BE Lite, I haven't noticed any devices struggling to stay connected as more get connected, nor have I noted any that have been flat-out pushed off the network due to limited connections.
One of the areas that MSI promotes very heavily for the Roamii BE Lite is the security and parental controls they have baked into their app and router. This includes parental controls, access scheduling, filtering, network scans, and more. In short, this means that if you need to control who can be on the Wi-Fi, or when, or what is seen, this is a great option. I am also hyper-aware of who and what is on my network. Because of this, I have loved doing network threat scans (okay, love may be a bit too dramatic), and it's great peace of mind knowing that there is built-in security to help protect my network's integrity.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
MSI Roamii BE Lite: Final verdict
Overall, the Roamii BE Lite is good at what it does. In 2025, especially from a gaming-heavy company, they'd include a 6GHz band. However, the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands work well. That, plus the great price, makes this a great budget buy. If you are looking for maximum connectivity, the highest speeds, true Wi-Fi 7 feature sets, or that 6GHz band, this is probably not the unit for you.
In the hunt for the best hair straighteners, Gtech may not be a brand that immediately jumps to mind. However, with the launch of the StyleOnic Turbo ION hair straightener (and Gtech DryOnic hair dryer alongside) the brand known mainly for its excellent vacuum cleaners has moved into haircare.
Designed to reduce frizz, boost shine, and make styling easy, the StyleOnic uses ionic technology and ceramic plates to create smooth, sleek results, and soft curls. It also features an LED display that shows each of the 10 precise temperature controls, ranging from 140 C / 285 F to 230 C / 445 F, making it suitable for a wide range of hair types and styles.
In testing, the StyleOnic performed well at straightening my long, fine, naturally-curly hair; heating up quickly and gliding smoothly without snagging. It wasn't as smooth as other straighteners, like the GHD Chronos (learn more in my GHD Chronos review), but still impressive. The beveled edges make it easy to create curls or waves, although the results were often inconsistent – largely because I often had to squeeze the 1 in / 2.5cm plates together harder than I would have liked to make sure the whole hair strand was evenly styled, which caused my hand to ache.
I liked the lightweight, slim dimensions of the StyleOnic. It weighs 8.4oz / 239g and measures 9.8in / 25cm and these dimensions, coupled with its heat-protective case, makes it great for travel or storage. However, the styler itself has a cheap-looking build, caused by its mix of materials and colors. Elsewhere, it's difficult to press the temperature button because of where it's positioned on top of the styler. I often struggled to get enough purchase to change the setting without the plates hitting together.
I feel like these flaws are a sacrifice you make for the StyleOnic's price, though. Gtech isn’t trying to compete with salon-grade brands like GHD or Dyson, but instead offers a practical, relatively affordable alternative with a focus on convenience. This makes it a worthwhile option if you prioritize portability and ease of use over high-end design and flawless performance. Just don't expect miracles.
Read on for my full Gtech StyleOnic review...
(Image credit: Future)
Gtech StyleOnic review: price & availability
List price: £99.99
Available: UK only
Launched: January 2025
The Gtech StyleOnic costs £99.99 and is only currently available in the UK direct from Gtech, or a range of third party retailers. Gtech is yet to confirm if, or when, it will be sold in other regions. For this price, you get the styler, a protective heat glove and a storage bag.
The Gtech StyleOnic sits alongside other lower mid-range models including the BaByliss Hydro-Fusion and Bellissima Italia Creativity Infrared. One of my favorite stylers, the mdlondon STRAIT, is marginally more expensive at £109 but is one of the closest like-for-like models in terms of design, features and specs.
In the STRAIT's favor are its longer plates – 11cm vs the Gtech's 8.9cm. This makes them better suited to different hair lengths and make it great for curling. It also offers 11 temperatures versus the Gtech's 10 settings. Beyond this though, both the StyleOnic and STRAIT are very similar with digital displays, swivel cords, auto-shut off features and a range of colors.
The Gtech StyleOnic slightly takes the edge against the BaByliss model by offering twice number of temperature settings. BaByliss doesn't have a digital display but everything else is near-on identical, from its ceramic plates, ionic technology, shape and size.
The Bellissima model is a better option if you have damaged hair. The infrared technology – one of the biggest hair trends of the moment – styles the outer layers of the hair without stripping moisture from the inside. The rest of its settings are the same, although the clunky design of the Bellissima leaves a little to be desired.
All this considered, the Gtech StyleOnic is good value for money in terms of the range of settings and features it offers, and the safety extras you get as standard. Little separates it from other straighteners in its price bracket and it's not reinventing the wheel, but it's a solid debut nonetheless.
Value score: 4 out of 5
Gtech StyleOnic specs
Gtech StyleOnic review: design
1 inch wide, ceramic-coated plates
10 different heat settings
Longer-than-usual plates
Having recently reviewed the Gtech DryOnic hair dryer, and been really impressed with its classy, premium design, I was a little disappointed with how the StyleOnic looks.
I tested the Oyster model and while I liked the satin finish of the cream-colored areas, and the gold accents on the plates and controls, they were let down by the black, glass band found on the top – which houses the LED display. This mix of materials makes the StyleOnic not only look cheap, but feel cheap in the hand.
At the base of the styler is a 2m / 6.5ft cord. This is shorter than the 3m average, and while it'll be fine if you have a power outlet positioned near your dressing table area, it'll get annoying quickly if you don't.
(Image credit: Future)
Above the display, where the black glass meets the cream plastic are two thin buttons – one turns the straighteners on and off; the other is used to cycle through the 10 heat settings. Rather than having specific styling modes, the StyleOnic Turbo ION relies on you knowing which heat setting best suits your hair type. This is great in terms of versatility, but can take some experimentation.
The 10 temperature settings are:
140 C / 284 F
150 C / 302 F
160 C / 320 F
170 C / 338 F
180 C / 356 F
190 C / 374 F
200 C / 392 F
210 C / 410 F
220 C / 428 F
230 C / 446 F
If you have thicker or longer hair, or your hair has been damaged from chemicals or over-styling, you'll get much more use and benefit from having such a wide temperature range. I've never needed such a wide range because my fine hair is pretty malleable. However, I welcomed the ability to drop or increase the heat as and when needed.
It takes over a minute to heat up to the maximum 230 C / 445 F, which is more than twice the length of rival stylers from the likes of GHD and T3. However it should be noted, the 30-second heat-up time of these alternative stylers takes their respective plates to ~185 C / 365 F, which is considerably cooler than Gtech's model.
To switch the styler on and adjust the temperature, you need to apply a fair amount of pressure to the buttons for them to register. However, because these buttons are positioned on the outer side of the top plate, it’s difficult to get enough grip to do so. To apply the necessary pressure, you first have to squeeze the plates together to prevent the styler from shifting and becoming a safety hazard. Or you have to place your fingers on the underside of the arm, which can feel dangerous when the plates are on.
(Image credit: Future)
You can see when the straightener reaches your chosen temperature via the LED display and even though I don't love how big the display is, from an aesthetic point of view, it does make it quick and easy to see the setting at a glance.
The plates are the standard 1 in / 2.5cm wide and 3.5 in / 3.8cm long but the StyleOnic is noticeably lighter and more compact than other straighteners I've tested. It weighs just 8.4oz / 239g and measures 9.8 x 1.5 x 1.5" / 25 x 3.8 x 3.8cm. This makes it compact and light enough for easy handling and for packing in a suitcase or bag, without being too small to work on longer hair.
I also appreciated other smaller touches which helped to alleviate some of my design disappointment. Namely the travel lock, which helps keep the plates closed when not in use; a 30-minute auto shut-off; its travel case and safety glove.
Design score: 3.5 out of 5
Gtech StyleOnic straightener review: performance
Wide range of temperatures suit multiple needs and hair types
Beveled edges great for curling
Smooth but inconsistent styling
Given Gtech’s reputation for practical, well-designed home appliances, I was hoping the StyleOnic would follow suit. While it can't quite compete with more expensive straighteners I've tested, the StyleOnic still does a good job of creating frizz-free, smooth styles. Albeit with some caveats.
The straightener isn't the fastest. Not just in terms of heat-up time, but in how long it took to style my hair. I found I needed to make multiple passes at times to fully straighten sections, even on higher settings. This increased styling time (to an average of four minutes) as well as the potential heat damage.
The StyleOnic also isn't the smoothest flat iron I've tried (that prize goes to the GHD Chronos), but its ionic technology and ceramic plates do smooth and seal the hair well. While the styler's beveled edges make curling easy, allowing for waves and movement without leaving sharp creases.
(Image credit: Future)
Across the board though, performance varied and these results were inconsistent. That's largely because of the way the plates are positioned.
Both plates 'float' within their respective arms, which means they move slightly to follow the flow of your hair. However, they sit closer to each other at the tip of the styler than where they meet at the hinge. This is deliberate, to allow you to create different sized curls, but it also means the pressure on the hair isn't consistent all the way down the plates. I found the best way to guarantee a more even finish was to squeeze the arms harder than normal, but that caused my hand and wrist to ache.
(Image credit: Future)
If you get the pressure and temperature just right, the style not only looks great but it lasts for hours, though. Curls that would usually drop stayed defined and in place until I got home from a night out. Plus, the swivel cord gives plenty of room and movement, and the weight of the straightener is balanced enough that it helped relieve some of the aching from gripping the plates together.
As my hair is naturally curly, I usually only use a flat iron to knock out this frizz rather than straightening it completely. Super sleek, straight styles tend to leave my thin hair looking limp and flat, and this was the case with the Gtech StyleOnic. This says more about my hair than the styler itself, though. If anything, for people with thicker, coarser hair or for those looking for super sleek styles, this may be a positive, and exactly what you're after.
Performance score: 3.5 out of 5
Should I buy the Gtech StyleOnic?
Buy it if...
You like or need precise heat control
The StyleOnic's 10 temperature settings, which can be seen at-a-glance using the built-in LED display, cater to a range of hair types and needs.
You want a practical, affordable styler
The Gtech StyleOnic offers practicality and function for its price, even if this does mean it lacks premium build quality.
You value safety features
Its 30-minute auto shut-off and travel lock give extra security and peace of mind when using the StyleOnic.
Don't buy it if...
You want a premium look and feel
The mix of materials on the StyleOnic makes it feel and look less high-end than some rivals.
You need ultra-fast styling
It takes longer to heat up, and style your hair, using the StyleOnic compared to other competitors.
You find fiddly controls frustrating
The power and temperature control buttons require firm pressure and are awkwardly positioned, making them poorly suited to people with mobility needs or similar.
How I tested the Gtech StyleOnic
Tested a range of temperature settings
Created a range of straight and curly looks
For my Gtech StyleOnic Turbo ION hair straightener review, I spent two weeks using it as my main hot styling tool. I created a series of looks for different occasions including straight, curly and wavy styles and put the range of temperature settings to the test. I timed how long the styles took to complete, how well they lasted and monitored the finish and condition of my hair.
Phones with better specs tend to do better in polls, but last week’s poll is a reminder that value-for-money can often be the most important factor – the Nothing Phone (3a) has the upper hand over its more capable but pricier sibling.
The Nothing Phone (3a) is proving to be popular, though not universally loved. We are working on a detailed review and maybe that will sway more people.
When comparing the two 3a models, a few people are interested in the Pro over the vanilla model, but the real threat is the flagship Nothing Phone (3a) – people sound quite excited for that one.
The...
The possible connection between Google's upcoming Tensor G5 chip and Imagination Technologies as a GPU vendor is not exactly new. Various reports and rumors have already hinted at that, but now we have yet another interesting industry source on the matter. Keep up with us here for a second since the explanation is a bit complicated.
Last month, there was a RISC-V Day Tokyo conference in Japan. One of the materials that came out from the conference was a blog post by postgraduate student Yang Yanling detailing RISC-V and Imagination GPU integration. Imagination Technologies themselves...
The possible connection between Google's upcoming Tensor G5 chip and Imagination Technologies as a GPU vendor is not exactly new. Various reports and rumors have already hinted at that, but now we have yet another interesting industry source on the matter. Keep up with us here for a second since the explanation is a bit complicated.
Last month, there was a RISC-V Day Tokyo conference in Japan. One of the materials that came out from the conference was a blog post by postgraduate student Yang Yanling detailing RISC-V and Imagination GPU integration. Imagination Technologies themselves...
Today we have with us Google's latest smartphone, the Pixel 9a. As with the other A-series devices, this is to become the most affordable model in the current generation Pixel lineup and starts at a relatively modest $499.
The unit we have with us comes in the Obsidian variant, which is completely blacked out like the monolith from 2001. The 9a also comes in blue, white, and a pink version depending on your region.
The front of the device features the comically thick bezels that the A-series has come to be known for underneath a flat Gorilla Glass 3. The aluminum side frame is...
Today we have with us Google's latest smartphone, the Pixel 9a. As with the other A-series devices, this is to become the most affordable model in the current generation Pixel lineup and starts at a relatively modest $499.
The unit we have with us comes in the Obsidian variant, which is completely blacked out like the monolith from 2001. The 9a also comes in blue, white, and a pink version depending on your region.
The front of the device features the comically thick bezels that the A-series has come to be known for underneath a flat Gorilla Glass 3. The aluminum side frame is...
Google unveiled the Pixel 9a this week, its new affordable phone with the current Tensor G4 chipset. However, the phone won’t actually be available until April and we don’t even have an exact date. So, let’s browse and see what else is out there.
[#InlinePriceWidget,13478,1#]
First, the pricing of the 9a – we know that it starts at $500, which should be for the 8/128GB model. There’s also an 8/256GB version, but the pricing for that hasn’t been announced yet. The Pixel 8a was $500/$560 for the same memory configurations at launch – and it still is. The older model should have discounts...
If you can count on Chinese tech brand Xiaomi to do one thing in its gadgets, it’s to load them up with top-end spec and then sell them for a relatively competitive price, and that’s exactly what it’s done with the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro.
This new mid-range slate is a relative rarity given Xiaomi’s focus on low-end tablets over mid-range ones (it doesn’t sell top-end ones to match the price of the iPad Pro or Samsung Galaxy Tab S10). It follows the Pad 6 which was released in the west in 2023, and it comes amidst many other Android tab rivals all vying for a spot in our list of the best tablets, including the recent Honor Pad V9 and Oppo Pad 3 Pro. It’s this latter that competes closely with the Xiaomi, in terms of specs and price – more on that later.
As is often the case with Xiaomi’s gadgets, the brand has laden the Pad 7 Pro with top-tier specs. It has one of the most powerful chipsets on Android devices right now, plus a screen resolution and charging speed that aren’t currently available on any rival products right now.
So it’s spec-heavy but it has its issues too. There’s a fingerprint scanner built into the power button that proved quite unreliable, the battery drained pretty quickly during gaming, and the tablet could heat up quite a bit. I also found some of the AI features to be unreliable.
Given its display size, the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro could be considered an Android-powered iPad Pro 11 rival. It's less powerful but costs less and has a better-looking display... and the Xiaomi's accessories are just as pricey as Apple's versions.
So if you've been considering buying a fairly powerful tablet but don't need the top-end trappings of an iPad Pro, or the price tag that comes with it, the Xiaomi is a solid option. However if you're not as picky a buyer, you'll find that the Xiaomi doesn't offer quite as much value for money as more affordable options that you'll find detailed below.
Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro review: price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
Released in Februay 2025
Starts at £449, but only on sale in limited regions
Accessories cost a pretty penny
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro was unveiled in February 2025 alongside a suite of other gadgets from the company including the Xiaomi 15 series of smartphones, the Xiaomi Buds 5, a new smartwatch and the base model Xiaomi Pad 7.
You can pick up the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro for £449 (around $581 / AU$900, though it’s not on sale in the US or Australia). That price will get you 8GB RAM and 256GB storage but I’d recommend you pay an extra £50 (around $70, AU$100) for the higher-spec 12GB RAM and 512GB model, which gets you a lot more power. Add that premium again and you can get a special matte glass model of the higher-spec tablet, which will provide a more premium design but the same internals.
At that price, this is a mid-range slate, designed not as an entry into the tablet world but for people who are looking for a series tab with a lot of power but not all the trimmings and trappings of a top-price premium alternative.
Price-wise it sits between the standard iPad and the iPad Air, or at about £100 more than the non-Pro Xiaomi Pad 7. We’ll get to a few competitors later but suffice to say, you can expect a fair amount if you’re paying this much for a tablet.
I’ll briefly touch on accessories too: these don’t come with the slate but you can buy them separately. There’s a keyboard stand for £119 and a Focus Keyboard £179, and these are imitations of Apple’s Keyboard Folio and Smart Keyboard respectively. The main difference with the latter is that it has a trackpad and lets you tilt the display over different angles. Then there’s the stylus, which costs £89, and a standard cover-stand that costs £45.
Value: 3 / 5
Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro review: specs
Here are the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro's specs at a glance:
Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro review: design
(Image credit: Future)
Lightweight and pretty thin
Three color options plus one matte alternative
Unreliable fingerprint scanner
You may find the look of the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro familiar, and that’s because it boasts the same flat-edge unibody look that most slates have been using since the iPad Pro was introduced 7 years ago. Oh well: if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, and it’s popular for a reason: the design is svelte and slender, easily slipping into a bag and looking good to use.
The exact measurements of the Pad 7 Pro are 251.22 x 173.42 x 6.18mm, so it’s pretty slim. It weighs 500g, according to Xiaomi.
When held landscape the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro has a USB-C charging port on the right edge, but no 3.5mm jack, I’m sorry to say. There’s a volume rocker and a power button, and the latter doubles as a fingerprint scanner, but it wasn’t the most reliable sensor. When attached to a keyboard, I found that the lip of the folio overshot the edge of the tablet, so I had to angle my finger just right to press my finger on the sensor.
(Image credit: Future)
The keyboard case adds quite a bit to the bulk of this otherwise-thin and portable tablet. However, its added protection is worth the extra size, in my eyes, as gadgets like this are prone to scratches and bumps.
You’ll want to add a case or keyboard if you plan to lay the slate flat on a table. That’s because the square camera bump on the back of the Pad is pretty pronounced, so it’ll wobble quite a bit if you don’t use the case to level it out.
You can buy the tablet in gray, blue or green, and the aforementioned matte glass version is also gray – I didn’t test this model, so can’t talk about what difference it makes.
Xiaomi’s website doesn’t list an IP rating for the Pad 7 Pro and I’d take that to mean that there isn’t significant protection against dust or water. Try to avoid getting the thing wet, or getting into a situation where fine particles could get into the ports (that includes sand, you beach-readers!).
Design: 4 / 5
Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro review: display
(Image credit: Future)
11.2-inch display and 3:2 aspect ratio
2136 x 3200 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro has an 11.2-inch screen, making this a potential alternative to the smaller-sized iPad Pro which also has an 11-inch screen. Both have the same 3:2 aspect ratio, but the Xiaomi has more pixels.
Its resolution is 2136 x 3200, which Xiaomi classifies as 3.2K – enough for any movie, TV show or game you’d want to enjoy on the slate. In all my testing and research, I haven’t found a tablet with a higher resolution (and all Apple and Samsung options have fewer pixels), so if you want something really high-res, this is for you. It equals a 345 pixel-per-inch density.
(Image credit: Future)
The refresh rate is 144Hz, which only a handful of video games can hit, but by default the slate runs on an adaptive mode which changes the refresh rate depending on your task.
The max brightness is 800 nits, which is fairly luminous and it’ll make the colors in your chosen TV show pop more. However when I used the tablet in a coffee shop, I did struggle to see the screen due to glare from sunlight.
One other display feature to mention is that there’s official support for Dolby Vision here, a visual standard that’s used for movies if you stream from certain apps like Netflix.
Display: 5 / 5
Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro review: software
(Image credit: Future)
Android 15 with HyperOS 2 laid over the top
AI features are hit-or-miss
Some bloatware
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro runs on Xiaomi’s version of Android, HyperOS 2, which runs on top of Android 15. I couldn’t find official confirmation from Xiaomi for how long it plans to support the tablet with software updates.
HyperOS, for better or worse, doesn’t change many layout or design features of Android. Android has been in iPadOS’ shadow as a tablet-oriented operating system and while it’s come on leaps and bounds in the last few years, with features like split-view apps and a redesigned user interface, there are still some annoyances, like how squished the quick settings menu is.
Instead, Xiaomi has jumped on the AI bandwagon by loading the Pad 7 Pro full of features that bear the ‘AI’ name – though some didn’t work right, and a few didn’t work at all. I could never find a way to enable the AI art feature, for instance, which lets you circle your own works in the Mi Canvas app to create AI-generated images.
Using my own photos, the AI: 1) thought movie posters on my wall were documents, and wouldn’t let me edit any part of the picture except the posters 2) provided completely incorrect transcripts when I asked it to recognize text and 3) failed to identify items I wanted removed from shots.
Plus, you need to create a Xiaomi account, sign in and install these features to use any of them, so they’re not available out of the box, and features are spread between separate menus in the Gallery app instead of being in one place.
(Image credit: Future)
Some AI features worked better, like the speech-to-text conversion from the recorder app, so it’s not all doom and gloom. I find AI features incredibly situational at the best of times, and didn’t use any of the Pad 7 Pro’s during day-to-day use, so their unreliable nature won’t affect your using the tablet if you don’t plan to utilize these tools. Notably, they only seem to work from the Pad 7 Pro’s pre-installed apps; I couldn’t use the AI writing tool on Google Docs, for example.
As with many Xiaomi devices there’s bloatware with apps like LinkedIn, WPS Office and Gemini pre-installed, but it’s not as dramatic as on many phones from the company.
A few features make the Pad 7 Pro useful as a working tool, like the ability to wirelessly connect it to a Windows or Mac PC as a screen extension (without downloading any extra apps on either) or to turn it into a working hub for other Xiaomi gadgets you own.
Software: 3 / 5
Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro review: performance and cameras
(Image credit: Future)
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 provides lots of processing power
8GB/12GB RAM and 256GB/512GB storage
50MP rear camera and 32MP front-facing
Xiaomi has packed up the Pad 7 Pro with a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, a chipset that was designed as a slightly less powerful alternative to the top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. So the Xiaomi Pad isn’t the most powerful slate on the market, not as long as Apple is offering desktop-class M2 and M4 chips in the iPad Air and iPad Pro, but it can still hold its head up high for most functions.
I tested a variety of games on the tablet and never saw serious stuttering or lagging, with titles able to run their highest graphics options if they were available. Perhaps for super-power-hungry tasks like video editing you might need a little more power, but for 99% of buyers, I’d say the 8s Gen 3 is enough. However when gaming, a common Snapdragon problem did arise: the slate could get pretty hot if I gamed for too long in one session. Take breaks!
(Image credit: Future)
In terms of speakers, there are four around the tablet. These provide Dolby Atmos audio for supported apps and Xiaomi has also included a Volume Boost feature that does exactly what you’d expect. However, movies and music only sound one step better than listening on a smartphone, and I found myself opting to use Bluetooth headphones when streaming movies.
The rear and front cameras of the Pad 7 Pro are both surprisingly high-res; you’re getting a 50MP camera on the back and a 32MP one on the front. There are a few photography modes (Portrait and Night on the rear camera), but you’re not getting nearly as many as on a smartphone.
A small LED mounted on the top bezel of the slate, just next to the front camera, lights up green when either camera is on; a bonus for privacy-conscious users.
Performance: 4 / 5
Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro review: battery
(Image credit: Future)
8,850mAh battery drains surprisingly fast
67W charging powers up tab quickly
Battery health tech
Keeping the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro powered is a 8,850mAh battery, which is in the same ballpark as its competitors.
Xiaomi estimates that you can keep the tablet running for 19 hours of video playback with that battery, but while I didn’t personally watch Netflix for that long in my testing period, I did find the battery would drain a little quicker than I’d expect.
At least the tablet charges quickly: with 67W powering, this is one of the fastest-charging slates you’ll find on the market. Xiaomi’s says it should take about 80 minutes to power from empty to full and I’d concur.
If you worry about battery health, the slate also has two chips that Xiaomi designed for its smartphones; one helps extend the device’s battery life and the other ensures that fast charging doesn’t damage the battery capacity.
Battery: 3/5
Should you buy the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro?
Buy it if…
You care about screen fidelity If your tablet use case necessitates lots of on-screen pixels, then the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro's high-res display will be perfect for you.View Deal
You want power on a budget It's not the cheapest tablet, and it's not the most powerful, but the Xiaomi is a lovely marriage between value and power.View Deal
You're not great at remembering to charge Tablets often take ages to charge, which isn't great for those of us who constantly forget to plug in the slate. The Xiaomi's 67W powering helps a lot with that.View Deal
Don’t buy it if…
You want accessories on a budget I was surprised to learn how expensive the Xiaomi's accessories are. If you're on a budget but want a stylus or keyboard, you might want to look elsewhere.View Deal
You're reliant on AI features If you are buying a tablet for its AI-enabled features, then you might find the Xiaomi doesn't reach expectations.View Deal
Also consider
Not convinced by the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro? Here are a few other options to consider:
iPad Pro 11 (2024) You get more with the iPad: more processing power, more storage and lots of Apple features. However it costs a lot more, doesn't have as high-res a display and charges a lot slower.
Oppo Pad 3 Pro Oppo's Android tablet costs roughly the same as the Xiaomi, and its specs are very similar too. Slight differences distinguish the two, but nothing huge.
I used the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro for three weeks before writing this review, alongside the keyboard folio which you see in some of the accompanying pictures. The model used was the higher-spec option.
My use cases involved streaming movies, TV shows and music across various apps, playing several games titles, writing articles for my job and reading news stories online.
I've been reviewing products for TechRadar since early 2019, covering everything from tablets and smartphones to headphones, fitness trackers, and electric scooters.
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