Rebadged Redmi Hardware, Now Under the Poco Banner
The Poco Pad C1 has officially arrived as a new entry-level slate, but its hardware will look familiar to anyone who has seen the Redmi Pad 2 9.7. Poco is essentially rebadging that tablet for a different audience, mirroring a broader strategy of cross-brand reuse inside Xiaomi’s ecosystem. The Pad C1 features a 9.7‑inch chassis that’s 7.4mm thick and weighs 406g, making it portable enough for students and casual users who need a device for note-taking, streaming, or browsing. It launches globally in Wi‑Fi‑only configurations, with early bird pricing starting at USD 139 (approx. RM650) for the 4GB + 64GB model and USD 179 (approx. RM835) for the 6GB + 128GB variant. Available in blue and grey, the tablet positions itself squarely in the budget tablet 2024 conversation, competing on display quality and everyday practicality rather than raw performance.
Display and Design: 120Hz 2K Panel Leads the Pitch
A key part of the Poco Pad C1 specs sheet is its 9.7‑inch IPS display with a 2K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, a feature rare in this price segment. The panel hits up to 500 nits typical brightness and 600 nits in outdoor mode, backed by triple TÜV Rheinland certifications for low blue light, flicker-free operation, and circadian-friendly usage. Touch sampling goes up to 180Hz, which should make scrolling, note-taking, and light gaming feel smoother than on many competing budget slates. Design-wise, the tablet keeps a clean, metal-bodied aesthetic with an 84.7% screen‑to‑body ratio, thin bezels, and a focus on comfortable one‑handed holding. These display credentials help the Pad C1 stand out as a 120Hz display tablet tailored for media consumption and online classes, giving budget-conscious buyers a visual experience closer to mid-range devices.
Performance, Storage, and Software: Snapdragon 6s Tablet for Everyday Tasks
Under the hood, the Poco Pad C1 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 chipset built on a 4nm process, positioning it as a Snapdragon 6s tablet optimized for efficiency rather than headline-grabbing speed. It is paired with up to 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage, with microSD expansion supported up to 2TB for users who store large offline libraries of videos, PDFs, or lecture notes. On the software side, the tablet runs HyperOS 3 based on Android 16, promising a modern UI and ecosystem-friendly features such as call sync and support for Circle to Search. In real-world terms, this configuration targets students and casual users who primarily browse, stream, read, and engage in light productivity, while more demanding 3D games or heavy multitasking will naturally expose the limitations of an entry-level SoC.
Battery, Audio, and Cameras: Built for Long, Low-Drama Usage
The Poco Pad C1’s 7,600mAh battery is one of its most practical strengths, with Xiaomi claiming up to 15 hours of video playback and roughly 1.7 days of standard mixed use. It supports 18W wired charging, although the in-box charger tops out at 15W, so buyers wanting the fastest possible top‑ups may need a separate adapter. Audio and connectivity are tuned for entertainment and study sessions: dual speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack support wired listening, while wireless options include Wi‑Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 with SBC, AAC, and aptX codec support. Camera hardware stays basic, with an 8MP rear shooter and a 5MP front camera, both capable of 1080p and 720p video at 30fps. This configuration is adequate for video calls, online classes, and document scanning rather than serious photography, matching the tablet’s budget‑first positioning.
Value Proposition: Who Should Buy the Poco Pad C1?
Viewed as a budget tablet 2024 contender, the Poco Pad C1 offers a compelling mix of a 120Hz 2K panel, large battery, and expandable storage wrapped around modest processing power. Its rebranded Redmi Pad 2 9.7 roots mean there are few surprises, but also fewer unknowns: Xiaomi’s established hardware and HyperOS ecosystem lend it a level of polish unusual at this price. Students, younger users, and anyone needing a secondary screen for streaming, browsing, or e‑learning will likely find the trade‑offs acceptable, especially given the USD 139 (approx. RM650) starting price. Power users and heavy gamers, however, may find the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 and up to 6GB RAM limiting for intensive workloads. Ultimately, the Pad C1 is less about breaking performance records and more about bringing a smoother display and solid endurance to cost-conscious buyers.