While everyone’s attention was focused on the F8 Ultra and F8 Pro at POCO’s Bali event, Poco quietly made another significant move: launching two tablets that show they’re serious about building out a proper ecosystem. The Pad X1 and Pad M1 aren’t Poco’s first tablets, and they aren’t just “me too” products either – they’re beautiful, purpose-built devices targeting specific use cases at price points that should make the competition nervous.
POCO Pad X1: Built for Gaming
The Pad X1 is specifically aimed at mobile gamers who want a bigger display without sacrificing performance. The tablet is powered with the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor paired with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. That’s certainly not flagship-tier, but the 7+ Gen 3 delivers more than enough power for gaming while keeping costs reasonable. And let’s be real, the market doesn’t need another expensive tablet. What it does need is a really good affordable one.
The real story is what POCO claims it can do – that it can maintain a stable 120 FPS even in demanding, top-tier games, all without breaking the bank. That’s sustained performance that matters more than peak benchmark scores. After all, anyone who’s gamed on a tablet understands the frustration of watching frame rates crater after fifteen minutes when thermal throttling kicks in.
The X1 comes with a beautiful 11.2-inch 3.2K display that supports refresh rates up to 144Hz, which makes a tangible difference in fast-paced games. Text stays sharp and game environments look detailed even on the larger screen.
The Pad X1 features quad speakers with Dolby Atmos support and a 200% volume boost. For gaming, directional audio matters. Quad speakers with Dolby Atmos processing create a legitimate soundstage that helps with spatial awareness in competitive games.
The 8,850mAh battery should deliver all-day gaming sessions, paired with 45W turbo charging so you’re not waiting hours for a top-up.
I’ve been personally using the POCO Pad X1 for a few weeks now and have really been enjoying it. It’s lightweight, built well, and handles everything I need with aplomb. At the same time, it’s not too big to throw in my backpack and take with me.
POCO Pad M1: Entertainment first
If the Pad X1 is the gaming tablet, the Pad M1 is geared more toward being a media consumption device. The 12.1-inch 2.5K display with a 120Hz refresh rate gives you more screen real estate for movies, reading, or multitasking. POCO went bigger here rather than going for a higher resolution, which is smart – at tablet viewing distances, 2.5K on 12.1 inches still looks sharp and it’s easier on the battery.
The Pad M1’s quad-speaker system with Dolby Atmos can boost volume by up to 300%. That’s aggressive, and it’s been designed for scenarios where you’re using the tablet as a room speaker – like when you’re following a recipe in the kitchen, watching a show while doing laundry, and basically any time you need audio to cut through household noise.
The massive 12,000mAh battery is what further sets the M1 apart. That’s enough capacity for extended viewing sessions without hunting for a charger.
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 Mobile Platform handles the processing duties. It’s certainly a step down from the 7+ Gen 3 in the Pad X1, but for video streaming, web browsing, and productivity tasks, it’s more than adequate. Ultimately, POCO made a smart trade-off – the M1 prioritizes screen size and battery life over raw performance, which aligns with how people actually use larger tablets.
Software that connects
Both tablets run Xiaomi HyperOS, which brings some genuinely useful features to the table. The cross-device collaboration tools let you seamlessly move work between your phone and tablet, share files easily, and even use your tablet as an extended workspace.
Of course there are the now typical AI-driven productivity tools include features like AI Writing for text generation, summarization, and editing.
Not trying to compete with iPad
Here’s what’s clear to me about these tablet launches – it’s that POCO’s not trying to compete with iPad Pros or Galaxy Tab S9 Ultras. They’re targeting the mid-range tablet market with devices that offer strong specs for specific use cases at very competitive prices.
The Pad X1 is positioned as a gaming tablet that won’t break the bank. The Pad M1 is aimed at people who want a large-screen entertainment device without spending flagship money. Both tablets follow the same value-focused philosophy as their phones – they look and function like more expensive tablets but cost significantly less.
What’s missing
We’re a bit disappointed that neither tablet appears to include cellular connectivity. That limits their usefulness as truly mobile devices, although it keeps costs down and reflects the reality of how most people use tablets – at home or in places with Wi-Fi access.
Both tablets are compatible with a Focus Pen ($99). And POCO does have cases and keyboard cases (and a floating keyboard option for the x1) available which makes them even more useful as a potential productivity machine.
Ultimately what POCO’s really doing here is building out an ecosystem that keeps users within their product family. If you’ve got a POCO F8 Pro and you’re looking for a tablet, the seamless integration with HyperOS and HyperConnect features makes the Pad X1 or M1 an attractive option. But even if you don’t, we like the Pad X1 and M1 so much that we’d recommend it for anyone who uses an Android phone.
The Pad X1 comes in one configuration: 8GB RAM with 512GB storage. The Pad M1 offers 8GB RAM with 256GB storage. Both are available in a choice of Grey and Blue, with availability varying by region.
The POCO Pad X1 will retail for $399 (early bid $349) and the POCO Pad M1 will retail for $329 (early bird $279).