Best Budget Tablet around ₹30,000: Battle of Apple iPad 11th Gen vs Xiaomi Pad 7
In the market for a budget tablet that doesn’t compromise on performance? The Apple iPad 11th Gen and Xiaomi Pad 7 are two solid contenders around the ₹30,000 price range. Let’s compare these devices across key aspects to help you make an informed choice.
Design & Build:
Apple iPad 11th Gen: With Apple’s signature aluminum body, the iPad exudes premium quality. It weighs around 477g and has a thickness of 7mm. Its lightweight and sleek design make it a delight to hold, and the bold color choices add a fresh pop.
Xiaomi Pad 7: The Xiaomi Pad 7 also features an aluminum build but opts for a minimalist design. It’s slightly lighter at 500g and thinner at 6.18mm. The Xiaomi Pad 7 opts for a simpler, minimalist design. It’s slightly slimmer and lighter, catering to users who prioritize portability.
Display:
iPad 11th Gen: Boasts a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with vibrant colors and 2360 x 1640 resolution. It offers excellent color accuracy . However, its 60Hz refresh rate is more suited for casual browsing and streaming.
Xiaomi Pad 7: Features a larger 11.2-inch IPS LCD with a higher resolution of 3200 x 2136 pixels . While it lacks the vibrancy of Apple’s display, it offers a smoother 144Hz refresh rate for gamers and multitaskers.
Performance:
iPad 11th Gen: Powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chip, this tablet delivers seamless multitasking, gaming, and app usage. It’s optimized for iPadOS, ensuring longevity and reliability, although limited to 4GB of RAM.
Xiaomi Pad 7: Equipped with the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor and 8GB of RAM, it’s a powerhouse for Android users, handling heavy apps and multitasking with ease
Camera:
iPad 11th Gen: Equipped with a 12MP rear and 12MP front camera, the iPad offers reliable performance for video calls, casual photography, and document scanning.
Xiaomi Pad 7: The 13MP rear camera and 8MP front camera deliver decent results but don’t quite match Apple’s color accuracy and image quality.
Battery Life:
iPad 11th Gen: Packs a 7600mAh battery, offering up to 10 hours of usage with efficient power management.
Xiaomi Pad 7: Houses a larger 8850mAh battery, ensuring longer usage on a single charge, making it ideal for travel or extended gaming sessions.
Software & Ecosystem:
iPad 11th Gen: Runs on iPadOS 18, offering a seamless and optimized experience for Apple’s ecosystem. It integrates well with other Apple devices, making it a great choice for existing Apple users
Xiaomi Pad 7: Runs on Android 15 with Xiaomi’s MIUI for Pad. While it offers more customization options, the app ecosystem may not feel as polished as iPadOS.
Price:
iPad 11th Gen: Priced at ₹34,900, it slightly exceeds the ₹30,000 budget but offers the reliability of Apple’s ecosystem .
Xiaomi Pad 7: Priced at ₹27,999, it fits perfectly within the budget and offers excellent value for money.
User Experience:
iPad 11th Gen: Apple's ecosystem is renowned for its smooth and intuitive interface. iPadOS is optimized for effortless navigation, app compatibility, and polished animations. The user experience is seamless, especially if you own other Apple devices, thanks to features like AirDrop, Handoff, and Universal Control.
Xiaomi Pad 7: While Android 15 is highly customizable, the experience can vary depending on the app optimization. Xiaomi’s MIUI for Pad is feature-rich but might not feel as refined as iPadOS. Nevertheless, multitasking options like split-screen and floating windows enhance productivity.
Video Editing:
iPad 11th Gen:: Ideal for video editing, thanks to the A15 Bionic chip's performance and a wide range of creative apps like iMovie, LumaFusion, and Final Cut Pro (if available for iPadOS). The display's color accuracy ensures reliable editing results.
Xiaomi Pad 7: The powerful Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset can handle video editing apps like Adobe Premiere Rush and Kinemaster. However, the app selection on Android may feel limited compared to the iPad's ecosystem.
School/Office Work:
iPad 11th Gen: The iPad supports apps like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Apple’s own productivity suite (Pages, Keynote, and Numbers). Its Apple Pencil compatibility is excellent for note-taking and creative tasks. The Magic Keyboard (sold separately) transforms it into a mini laptop, making it an efficient tool for students and professionals.
Xiaomi Pad 7: Similarly, the Xiaomi Pad supports Android versions of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. It’s also compatible with styluses and external keyboards, though third-party accessories might not integrate as seamlessly as Apple’s. The larger display and longer battery life are advantageous for long study or work sessions.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to user experience, the iPad 11th Gen's refined interface gives it an edge. For video editing, the iPad also leads with better app support and a color-accurate display. However, for school/office work, both tablets are competent, and the choice depends on whether you prefer Apple’s tight integration or Android’s flexibility.
Both options are solid choices, and with these added dimensions, it’s easier to find the right fit for your needs. Which features matter most to you?
Which One Should You Pick?
If you’re someone who values a refined user interface, long-term software updates, and premium build, the Apple iPad 11th Gen is a fantastic choice. However, if you want a more affordable tablet with superior performance and display refresh rate, the Xiaomi Pad 7 takes the crown.
If you’re looking for a tablet with a premium build, seamless integration with other Apple devices, and reliable performance, the Apple iPad 11th Gen is a great choice, even if it stretches your budget slightly. On the other hand, if you prioritize a higher refresh rate display, better multitasking capabilities, and a more affordable price, the Xiaomi Pad 7 is the clear winner.
Both tablets shine in their own ways—choosing the right one depends on your preferences, whether it's the polished Apple ecosystem or the versatile Android experience. Which one resonates with your needs? Share your thoughts below!
