A Quiet Global Debut for Poco’s New Entry-Level Tablet
Poco has officially launched the Poco Pad C1 as a new budget tablet, effectively rebadging the Redmi Pad 2 9.7 for wider global availability. The device appears on Xiaomi’s global site and arrives as a Wi‑Fi–only slate with two memory configurations: 4GB + 64GB and 6GB + 128GB. As part of an early‑bird offer, the base model is listed at USD 139 (approx. RM655), while the higher configuration is priced at USD 179 (approx. RM845). This positions the Poco Pad C1 as a budget tablet launch aimed squarely at price‑conscious users who still expect modern features. Poco is clearly leaning on familiar hardware to reduce development costs, while using the Poco branding to appeal to younger audiences that associate the name with value‑driven performance phones and now, increasingly, tablets.
Poco Pad C1 Specs: 120Hz 2K Display, Snapdragon 6s and Big Battery
On paper, the Poco Pad C1 specs look surprisingly strong for a budget slate. The 9.7‑inch IPS display delivers a 2K resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate and 180Hz touch sampling, plus up to 500 nits typical and 600 nits outdoor brightness. Triple TÜV Rheinland certifications for low blue light, flicker‑free performance and circadian friendliness underline its positioning as an entertainment and study companion. Under the hood, a Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 chipset paired with up to 6GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage powers everyday tasks. A 7,600mAh battery with 18W wired charging anchors endurance, though the in‑box charger tops out at 15W. The tablet also includes dual speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack, reinforcing its role as an affordable 2K display tablet for streaming, reading and casual gaming rather than heavy workloads.
Design, Cameras and Storage Flexibility in a Portable Form Factor
The Poco Pad C1 keeps the design minimal, with a slim 7.4mm chassis and a 406g weight that should feel manageable for commuting, students and home use. Its 84.7% screen‑to‑body ratio and metal build echo the Redmi Pad 2 9.7, making it familiar but still modern in appearance. Camera hardware is intentionally basic: an 8MP rear shooter and 5MP front camera, both supporting up to 1080p video at 30fps. This setup is sufficient for video calls, online classes and occasional document captures, aligning with the tablet’s entry‑level positioning. One standout feature for its class is storage flexibility. In addition to the internal UFS 2.2 storage, the Poco Pad C1 supports microSD expansion up to 2TB, giving media‑heavy users room for offline video libraries, downloaded learning content and large app collections without being forced into pricier configurations.
HyperOS 3 and Ecosystem Features Elevate a Budget Experience
Software is where Poco tries to differentiate this Snapdragon 6s tablet from older budget models. The Poco Pad C1 runs HyperOS 3 based on Android 16, promising updated security, UI refinements and tighter integration with Xiaomi’s broader ecosystem. Features such as call sync and Circle to Search support indicate that Xiaomi wants this slate to act as an extension of a user’s existing phone, not just a standalone media screen. Connectivity is handled by Wi‑Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 and a 3.5mm audio jack, while sensors like the accelerometer, Hall sensor and virtual ambient light sensor support everyday use cases such as auto‑brightness and smart covers. The result is a budget tablet launch that feels more premium in daily interaction than its price might suggest, especially for users already invested in Xiaomi or Poco smartphones.
Value Positioning Against Other Budget Tablets
In the crowded affordable tablet segment, the Poco Pad C1 leans on three pillars: display quality, ecosystem software and aggressive pricing. Many rivals in this price band still ship with 60Hz HD or Full HD screens, so offering a 120Hz 2K panel immediately helps Poco stand out among affordable 2K display tablet options. The Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 will not match mid‑range chips in heavy gaming, but should be adequate for browsing, video streaming and light productivity, which is what most buyers in this bracket expect. MicroSD expansion up to 2TB also softens the blow of starting with 64GB or 128GB storage. By reusing the Redmi Pad 2 9.7 hardware, Poco balances cost and capability, positioning the Pad C1 as a practical entry point for students, families and casual users seeking value rather than cutting‑edge specs.