iPad Mini clone. The Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi launches a 7.9-inch tablet dubbed MiPad 2 on the market that is a carbon copy of Apple's iPad Mini. Unlike its Cupertino twin, the MiPad 2 is powered by Google's Android operating system and is relatively affordable. It has quite a lot to offer for its price...
Working For Notebookcheck
Are you a loyal reader of notebookcheck? Are you a techie who knows how to write? Then join our Team!
Especially wanted: News Editor, Review Editor (Smartphones) -Details here
Xiaomi offers a compact Android tablet in its second generation with its MiPad 2. It is lighter, thinner and smaller than its predecessor. Apparently, Xiaomi closely follows Apple's iPad Mini model in terms of design, choice of materials, size and screen resolution.
Intel's Atom X5-Z8500 64-bit quad-core processor enclosed in a metal unibody casing is inside the MiPad 2. The screen has a resolution of 2048x1536 pixels, which results in a very good 324 PPI at a size of 7.9-inches. It thus offers the Retina resolution known from Apple. The IPS panel by Sharp is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. A highlight of the MiPad 2: It already integrates the twist and turn safe Type-C port. Data is transferred and the non-removable, 6190 mAh battery is recharged via the new USB 3.1 standard.
The MiPad 2's current availability can only be ensured via import retailers. It is not yet known whether or when it will be officially sold in Germany. Perhaps more information will be provided at the opening of the Mi.com shop in May. Importers demand a price starting at approximately 200 Euros for the colors Champagne Gold or Dark Gray.
Having virtually identical screen specs and comparable dimensions, the MiPad 2 could be a possible alternative for the more expensive Asus ZenPad S 8.0 and Apple iPad Mini 4, and also for the low-priced Archos 97 Titanium HD.
Unlike its predecessor, Xiaomi uses a metal rather than plastic casing for its MiPad 2. It is made of matte, brushed aluminum, which gives the tablet a superb feel. At a size of 200.4 x 132.6 millimeters, the MiPad 2 is compact and its weight of 322 grams makes it pleasant to hold. The just 6.95 millimeter casing houses the 3.5 millimeter audio jack in addition to volume controls and power button. The tablet's plastic keys are well-built in total. The MiPad 2's front is completely covered by scratch-proof glass. Three touch-sensitive keys for controlling the tablet are below the display.
We have to generally praise the fact that the MiPad 2's casing is just as good as its considerably more expensive rivals in terms of build and stability. The stiffness is also very good. Nothing dents even under high pressure (no cracking noises).
Connectivity
The 16 GB internal eMMC flash memory is quite tight without storage expansion and makes buying the bigger 64 GB version recommendable. After deducting the operating system and preloaded apps, only 12.93 GB is available for personal use in the 16 GB model.
In addition to recharging the battery, the USB Type-C port also acts as the OTG host via OTG adapter, and it supports accessing external USB flash drives. However, mice and keyboards can also be connected to the tablet. A status LED, Wireless Display and the Fast Charge option are other highlights for a device from this price range.
The MiPad 2 is not quite as up-to-date in terms of the used Android 5.1 Lollipop version. Xiaomi covers that with the seventh iteration of the proprietary MIUI user interface (V7). The user interface, analogous to the casing, visibly leans on Apple's iOS. Both the apps' design and controls look familiar.
MIUI V7 offers multiple additional features and customization options. The desktop can be altered according to personal taste. The screen's portion of blue light can be reduced in read mode and should make reading texts more comfortable. Another feature: Windows 10 can be installed on the MiPad 2 (64 GB model). The user officially has to decide which operating system, Android or Windows, is to be used. The MiPad 2 firmware is only available in Chinese or English.
Communication & GPS
The Wi-Fi module in the MiPad 2 supports the 802.11 ac standard, enabling theoretical data speeds of up to 1.3 GBit/s. Beyond that, it supports dual-band and thus using the 5 GHz band via the 802.11 ac is possible. The reception quality was very good in real-world use, and the Wi-Fi signal was stable. The tablet does not have a SIM-card slot for mobile Internet access. Xiaomi does not install a GPS module in the MiPad 2, either. The latest Bluetooth 4.1 standard can be used for wireless communication between the tablet and other end devices.
Video test calls via Skype functioned without problems using the installed front-facing camera. Both the call quality and volume of the incorporated speakers are very satisfactory and do not give reason for complaint.
The rear-facing primary camera in the MiPad 2 has a resolution of 8 megapixels. It features a CMOS pixel sensor and achieves an aperture of f2.0. The pictures taken with the MiPad 2 in our sharpness test (test chart photo in defined artificial light) are throughout high-detail but look a bit hazy toward the edges. The color accuracy, determined by photographing ColorChecker Passport in controlled light conditions, is very good; only black and white exhibit a very visible grayish tint.
The image quality was not really convincing in our practical test. The pictures shot with the MiPad 2 are sometimes too dark in different light conditions (loss of details: ambient photo) or looked faded (ambient photo). The pictures exhibited a visible blurriness in low-light conditions (indoor photo). However, the 5-megapixel front-facing camera can record videos, for Skype calls among other things, in 1080p, which is more relevant for a tablet. The image quality is good.
