I tried the Realme Pad 2 tablet with 4G support: Here’s my experience

The device supports face unlock (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

My experience of using Realme Pad 2

Despite owning a large smart tv, a gaming laptop, an external monitor and a smartphone, a tablet has always been my go-to device for consuming content, and this is where the Realme Pad 2 really shines. I mostly used the Realme tablet for binge-watching movies and TV shows. The Realme Pad 2 also supports FHD video playback on OTT platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Hotstar.

For one, I was able to watch reels on Instagram and shorts on YouTube even when I was on the move. I especially loved watching all those pictures and videos that my friends posted on Instagram, Facebook, and even on the latest social media sensation Threads. The large display on the Realme Pad 2 makes everything pop and by default, the screen is set to vivid mode.

When I get bored or don’t have anything to do I turn towards mobile gaming, in this case, tablet gaming. While there are games that work offline, games like Candy Crush Saga and Clash of Clans require active internet, and with the LTE connectivity on Realme, I could play these games while I travelled to attend events.

With LTE connectivity, the Realme Pad 2 can also be used as a large-screen GPS navigator (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

Navigation isn’t always fun, but it’s a must when travelling to a new place or a different city. Last weekend, the Realme Pad 2 also became my large-screen navigator with the help of Google Maps and Jio, thanks to its ability to connect to a 4G network. On top of that, if your phone runs out of juice, you can always swap the SIM card from your phone to the tablet to get going.

After using the Realme Pad 2, I also realised that even a budget Android tablet with decent specifications can easily handle most of these tasks without any issues. If you are considering a tablet just for content consumption and light gaming, you don’t really need an expensive device with high-end specifications. Besides, if your phone runs out of data, the Realme Pad 2 can also double as a hotspot, and it could easily outlast your smartphone battery.

The Realme Pad 2 not only supports 4G data but it can also be used to make voice and video calls (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

Realme Pad 2’s 4G LTE support is a game changer

The ability to access the 4G network and make calls is definitely the key highlight of the Realme Pad 2, especially for those who live in rural areas with minimal broadband connectivity. On top of that, even with heavy usage, which includes active Google Maps navigation, music streaming, and gaming, the tablet didn’t even get hot, which is a testament to the cooling solution and the optimisations that Realme has done on the Pad 2.

Besides that, I also liked the tablet’s user interface. It uses a clean version of Realme UI 4 based on Android 13 with no third-party apps or bloatware loaded. On top of that, it also has plenty of tablet-centric customisations like a taskbar, which shows favourite and recently opened apps for quick access. However, there is no information on the future software support status for Pad 2 from the company.

The quad-speaker setup with Dolby Atmos does deliver a good stereo effect. However, at 100 per cent volume, there is some distortion and loss of clarity.

Realme Pad 2’s screen could have been better

While the Realme Pad 2 has a decent display, it isn’t as sharp or fluid as the one on the Xiaomi Pad 5. The display also loses contrast when viewed from an angle. However, it’s only evident when you compare it to a more expensive tablet. Similarly, the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack can also be considered a con. Barring these two shortcomings, the Realme Pad 2 is an excellent device.

Also Read

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 review: The flagship business phone, now thinner a...

Under a Thousand: Add a 3.5 mm audio jack to your phone, and charge it too!

A half screen on the front makes Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 double the fun to...

Samsung Galaxy A34 review: A sturdy mid-ranger that ticks all the boxes

The Realme Pad 2 runs on Android 13 based realmeUI 4 for tablets (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

Should you buy the Realme Pad 2?

The Realme Pad 2 may not have high-end specifications and features but where the device makes a huge difference is the support for LTE connectivity. In tier-one and tier-two cities, you can easily access high-speed internet via broadband. However, the majority of the population living in smaller towns is devoid of broadband connectivity, and getting a tablet with LTE connectivity is a huge plus point. At Rs 19,999, the Realme Pad 2 tablet is worth checking out but I also encourage you to look for other options with a similar set of features.