Xiaomi Pad 7: the exceptional tablet at £202 instead of £481

With its 11.2-inch 3,200 x 2,136-pixel 144 Hz display, four Dolby Atmos speakers and a weight of 500 g, the Xiaomi Pad 7 offers outstanding specifications at a current promotional price that no rival can match.

This superb Xiaomi tablet has dropped to £202 rather than £481 for the version with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, using code DSFR33 or PCFR33 during AliExpress’s Back to School sale. This is among the lowest prices ever seen for this model, so it could sell out again at any moment. It is our favourite deal in the retailer’s special promotion, which ends on 26 August.

The tablet is dispatched from a warehouse in France, with VAT included and free, fast delivery. It is part of the retailer’s Brand+ selection, a label confirming the product’s authenticity and removing any concern about counterfeits. Its two-year warranty matches that offered on Xiaomi’s official website, returns for a refund remain available for 90 days - six times the legal minimum - and PayPal allows the cost to be split into four interest-free instalments.

Xiaomi Pad 7 display: more pixels than most laptops

The 11.2-inch IPS panel delivers a 3,200 x 2,136-pixel resolution. That is higher than the resolution of many laptops sold for twice the price, and the difference is instantly noticeable when reading text or streaming a series. Its refresh rate reaches 144 Hz, while peak brightness stands at 800 nits, which is more than sufficient for comfortable indoor viewing. Dolby Vision support further enhances films, and the four Dolby Atmos-certified speakers mean there is no need to connect headphones for an episode or two.

A compact tablet designed for everyday use

At 6.18 mm thick and weighing 500 g, its chassis is comfortable to hold in one hand without straining, and children can handle it easily. Xiaomi sells a compatible keyboard and stylus separately for taking notes in class, editing a document or drawing. However, it does not go beyond that: this is not a full-time work machine.

It can help with a keyboard, but will not replace a laptop

Inside, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 paired with 8 GB of RAM handles everyday multitasking and undemanding games well. HyperOS is based on Android and includes several genuinely useful artificial intelligence features. The 8,850 mAh battery lasts a full day and supports 45 W fast charging. Its two cameras - a 13 MP rear sensor capable of 4K video and an 8 MP front sensor - cover the essentials for video calls.