POCO surprised everyone when it announced the POCO Pad X1 during the global launch of the F8 Series in Bali, Indonesia. I was there to cover the event, and I honestly didn’t expect them to introduce not just one, but two tablets: the POCO Pad M1 and the more powerful POCO Pad X1. Between the two, the Pad X1 immediately caught my attention because it checks almost everything I look for in a tablet. I’m glad I received a review unit because it gave me the chance to try it out in real-world use. If you’re searching for a new tablet that’s fast, flexible, and easy on the wallet, this is a good place to start.
The device feels like a tablet made for people who want strong performance without paying a premium price. I mostly used it for work, entertainment, and quick gaming breaks. In my time using it, I figured how the device stays fast and enjoyable throughout the day. It does not try to overshadow premium tablets and stays focused on the basics that pushes it to a higher level, especially in the Android tablet category. If you're in the market for an all rounder tablet without asking much of your hard-earned money, you're in the right page.
Design and Build
The POCO Pad X1 looks and feels clean. Design-wise, it has its own flair among the sea of tablets. The slate can be recognized due to the golden accent that frames the camera module. The back panel also houses a smart connector for the keyboard and the POCO branding.
The Pad X1 rocks a unibody design with aluminum frame that gives it a solid feel. Its flat back keeps the look simple while adding stability to the overall handling of the device. Despite its sturdy build, the tablet weighs just 500 grams, which feels comfortable even with prolonged use. I think this is the right size for watching videos, reading, and writing.
The buttons stay easy to reach. In landscape orientation, the power button sits on the left alongside the first set of speakers. Meanwhile, the volume keys sit on top together with the antenna slit. Lastly, the USB-C port is on the right together with another set of speakers.
The tablet comes with slim bezels which makes the display stand out more. Speaking of bezels, the front camera is situated on the top bezel in landscape orientation. We have the Grey colorway for our review unit but the tablet is also available in Blue. Both colors look neat and fit effotlessly into both work and casual situations alike.
Display
The 11.2-inch 3.2K display is easily one of the POCO Pad X1’s biggest strengths. The moment I powered it on, the screen looked incredibly sharp and refined. The high resolution really makes a difference. Text appears clean and crisp when I’m reading articles or checking documents, while photos carry a lot of detail that you don’t normally see in tablets at this price point.
Colors look vivid but never exaggerated; the panel is lively without looking unrealistic. HDR content on Netflix also looks richer because the display supports Dolby Vision, and I noticed deeper contrast when watching scenes with darker shadows or bright highlights.
The panel reaches up to 800 nits of peak brightness, and I immediately felt the advantage when I brought the tablet out to the balcony. Even under strong daylight, I could still read my drafts without hunting for shade or adjusting the angle. It’s bright enough that outdoor use feels natural instead of forced.
Because I read for long stretches, the low blue light certification and flicker free technology helped keep my eyes comfortable. I didn’t get the usual eye fatigue that I sometimes feel with other tablets after long hours of reading. Another thing I appreciated more than I expected is the wet touch support. There were times my hands were slightly damp after washing or from the humidity, and the screen still responded properly instead of misreading my gestures.
And of course, the 144 Hz refresh rate seals the experience. Scrolling feels light, smooth, and almost effortless. Compatible games look fluid, especially titles that push high frame rates. The moment I switch back to a regular 60 Hz screen, the difference becomes very obvious because everything suddenly feels slower. The display is expansive enough that it makes gaming, streaming, and even simple browsing feel more immersive.
Overall, this is the kind of screen that elevates the whole tablet experience. It's sharp, flexible, bright, comfortable on the eyes, and responsive in a way that makes daily use more enjoyable. Colors appear vivid but not overly intense. HDR content on Netflix looks richer because the display supports Dolby Vision.
Performance + Camera for Video Calls
The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset keeps the POCO Pad X1 fast in almost every task. The device loads apps quickly and switching between them feels smooth. The 8 GB RAM and fast LPDDR5X memory help with multitasking, while the 512 GB storage gives a lot of space for files and apps.
I wrote articles, edited photos, browsed through several tabs, and joined online meetings—all without a hitch. The tablet stayed stable with no random slowdowns, and the chipset kept temperatures low even during long gaming sessions.
When it comes to gaming, titles like Mobile Legends and Call of Duty Mobile run well. Heavy hitters like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves are very playable in moderate graphics. The high refresh rate display also makes animations smoother in supported apps. It's surprising to see that the device does not feel like a gaming tablet but it handles games with ease.
As mentioned, the tablet is also a great companion when consuming content. Aside from its immersive display, it also comes with quad speakers that sound surprisingly good. The sound feels wide and clear; with volume level that reaches a strong output. Voices sound crisp and music has a decent amount of depth. Dolby Atmos also adds space to movies. I enjoyed watching Stranger Things 5 without needing earphones.
The speakers also made a big difference in my daily workflow. During Zoom and Microsoft Teams calls, voices sounded clear and sharp, so it was easier to follow conversations even when multiple people were speaking. I didn’t have to lean in or repeat parts of the discussion because the audio had enough presence to make voices sound natural.
The POCO Pad X1 carries a 13 MP rear camera and an 8 MP front camera. While cameras are not the priority when purchasing a tablet, it's still a great relief to have working sensors in times of need.
The rear camera takes clear photos in daylight. It works well for scanning documents and capturing quick images. On the other hand, front camera looks clean during video calls, preserving skin tones' natural look. The camera system also feels like it's made for practical use, which matches the tablet’s purpose.
Connectivity is another area where the POCO Pad X1 quietly stands out. Its Wi Fi 6E support gave me strong and stable internet throughout the day. Even when I moved around the house during video calls, the tablet held a steady connection without those annoying drops or sudden lags in video quality. And even farther from the router, the signal remained reliable.
Bluetooth v5.4 also worked smoothly with my earbuds and wireless keyboard. Pairing was quick, and I never experienced random disconnections while typing notes or watching videos. It felt like everything just worked in the background, which is exactly what I want from a device I use for work and personal tasks.
Software and Productivity
The POCO Pad X1 boots with Xiaomi's HyperOS 3. This is the latest version of the skin. Overall the skin feels smooth on the POCO Pad X1. It loads fast and stays organized. The split screen feature helps when I need notes on one side and a browser on the other. Floating windows help with small tasks like replying to messages or checking reference links.
HyperOS 3 also felt light and responsive, with a clean, easy-to-navigate interface. Xiaomi HyperAI helps the system adjust to my app usage, which allows the tablet to launch frequently used apps faster over time.
The tablet supports a keyboard and a stylus. The keyboard feels comfortable for writing, and the trackpad works well for navigation. The stylus feels responsive. It helps when I draw diagrams, sign documents or write notes. Palm rejection stays accurate so my hand can rest naturally on the screen.
The accessories make the Pad X1 flexible. It can shift between a writing device, a reading device, and a media device depending on what I need.
Battery Life and Charging
The large 8850 mAh battery quickly became one of the things I relied on most with the POCO Pad X1. It consistently lasted a full day even with my usual mix of watching videos, browsing, writing drafts, and a bit of gaming at night. No matter how busy the day got, the tablet always reached the evening with enough power left for a few more tasks. On lighter days, when I mostly read articles and checked messages, the battery stretched close to two days without needing a charge, which made the tablet feel dependable during travel or long work sessions.
Charging is handled by 45W turbo charging, and I found it very practical for daily use. The tablet reaches a usable level in a short amount of time, so even a quick charge while preparing breakfast already gives enough power to start the day. A full charge completes at a comfortable pace, and the tablet stays smooth and responsive while plugged in. There’s no slowdown or heat buildup, which made it easy for me to continue writing, watching or browsing while the phone charges.
Verdict
After several days with the POCO Pad X1, what impressed me most is how comfortable it feels across different tasks. The display supports long reading sessions. The speakers enhance movies. The performance stays steady with no slowdown. The tablet feels light enough for daily travel, and the keyboard and stylus turn it into a compact work setup. The battery lasts through a full day, which makes it easy to rely on.
The POCO Pad X1 covers almost everything I expect from a tablet while keeping the price practical. The 3.2K 144 Hz display looks sharp. The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset keeps things fast. HyperOS stays fluid. Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos elevate entertainment. It works well for students, professionals, and anyone who wants a solid tablet for movies, reading, and games. It balances performance and affordability in a way that makes it easy to recommend.
The POCO Pad X1 is available on Lazada in one variant, 8GB + 512GB, priced at PHP 19,999 until December 9 (from its PHP 24,999 SRP). Each purchase also includes a free keyboard to complete your productivity setup.
