Like most budget tablets available in India, Infinix’s first tablet, the XPad, is designed to focus on content consumption with a large display with a loudspeaker. But adding cellular connectivity at Rs. ₹12,999 (for the base 4GB + 128GB variant) means you can also make calls with it, adding extra value. We received the top-end 8GB RAM and 256GB storage variant for this review, which is priced at Rs. 15,999, which is a competitive price for a budget tablet. In fact, Infinix seems to have found value right from the start. However, what makes budget devices interesting is finding out where manufacturers make cuts. And boy, was I in for a surprise!
Infinix XPad design: plain jane
- Dimensions – 257.04 x 168.62 x 7.58 mm
- Weight – 496 grams
- Finish – Titan Gold, Frost Blue, Stellar Gray
Despite its price, it’s clear that Infinix hasn’t cut corners on quality. The tablet has a metal unibody design that wraps around the edges. Except for the rounded corners and the square camera module, all of the tablet’s surfaces are reasonably flat, including its edges.
The Infinix XPad features a metal unibody design with a textured plastic insert on top
One third of the back of the tablet is wrapped in brushed aluminum (metal), while a small strip for radio reception, also at the top, is made of plastic. While the power/volume buttons and SIM card tray are on the top, the rear camera module sits on the back of this plastic insert, which has a fun concentric circular pattern on it.
While the plastic insert does not collect any fingerprints or stains due to the nature of its texture, the metal part does. The good thing is that these spots are visible only at certain angles. The bad thing is that they are not easy to remove.
The tablet offers 4G connectivity and can also be used to make voice calls (through its speaker).
I wish Infinix had included a basic cover case in the box or even sold it as an optional accessory. Since this tablet weighs about half a kilo, a foldable case that would also act as a basic stand would be useful to keep it upright while watching videos, which is the main selling point of this tablet. The tablet does not support any accessories and comes with only a cable and a charger in the box.
Infinix XPad display: not the best experience
- Display size – 11-inch, 1,200 x 1,980 pixels
- Display Type – IPS LCD, 90Hz
- Display Protection – Glass
The display of Infinix XPad shows natural colors. This is a very basic IPS LCD panel, so you shouldn’t expect deep blacks like AMOLED panels. Viewing angles are limited only by the user as contrast and brightness levels reduce significantly when viewing off-centre. The display’s asymmetrical 16:10 aspect ratio works well when watching movies, meaning you’ll see minimal letter-boxing at the top and bottom.
The tablet’s 90Hz refresh rate full-HD+ display is bright enough outdoors
While using the tablet, I noticed that the display never changed its brightness levels depending on the lighting around me. So, I assumed Adaptive Brightness must have been turned off. After some searching, it turned out that the tablet doesn’t have a toggle in its display settings. Basically, you have to manually adjust the brightness of your surroundings every time, which may be a hassle for some people. Adaptive brightness is a basic feature found even on entry-level smartphones, so it’s a bit surprising to see it removed on this tablet.
Infinix XPad software: back to basics
- Operating System – XOS V14
- Android version – Android 14
- Latest Security Patch – September, 2024
Despite its XOS branding, Infinix has done a great job of offering a seriously scaled down version of the software. Android 14 on the Infinix XPad is a near-stock experience with some native Infinix apps like XArena, Folax (AI), and My Health. The only third-party app that cannot be uninstalled is CarlCare (for after-sales support).
Folax AI cannot replace Google’s Gemini which is already available on most Android devices today
Folax AI is a nice integration for a budget tablet. It basically works using Open AI’s ChatGPT, and so the results are good, provided you ask the right questions. It’s also easy to set up and takes just a few clicks. This assistant is also voice-operated and can be activated with a voice command. However, with Gemini already available, I found the latter (along with Google Assistant) better integrated for handling system-related queries or checking, as simple tasks like setting a timer are possible using the Folax AI. Wasn’t.
Infinix XPad performance: average thing
- Processor – MediaTek Helio G99 (2.2Ghz, 6nm)
- RAM – 4/8 GB LPDDR4X
- Storage – 128/256GB EMMC (expandable up to 1TB)
When it comes to everyday use, the Expect older apps in memory to restart after launching more than 6 apps. While the overall app switching lived up to expectations in terms of smoothness, scrolling within any app was quite difficult, which points to a lack of software optimization and poor GPU performance.
Gaming performance is good considering the basic budget. This tablet is better suited for casual games than graphics-intensive games. Asphalt Legends Unite was playable at high quality graphics with many dropped frames. However, even at high quality, the graphics lacked good textures, and objects appeared quite blocky on larger displays. Then I tried Call of Duty: Mobile. Game settings max out at medium graphics and high frame rates, but touch response was very slow when gaming for competitive FPS titles.
The 3.5 mm headphone jack is primarily used when tuning into radio stations via FM radio apps
As for synthetic benchmarks, the Infinix The tablet managed a score of 4,72,167 points in AnTuTu and 63, 26 and 15fps in GXFBench’s T-Rex, Manhattan 3.1 and Car Chase test suites respectively.
Since most games max out at 60Hz, the 90Hz refresh rate is only useful when browsing through the software interface, but even those interactions felt choppy and choppy, which was surprising considering the near-stock software.
The inclusion of a 3.5mm jack is a nice idea at this price, but most people will find the quad-speaker setup sufficient when watching videos or playing games. The tablet also supports Widevine L1 security, and hence you can enjoy streaming shows in Full HD resolution. The speakers produce great, room-filling sound with ample bass, making the viewing experience enjoyable even at full volume. The 3.5mm headphone jack comes in use if you want to listen to FM radio using an FM radio app.
Unlike most smartphones at this price, there is no secure form of biometric authentication on the XPad. The tablet offers a basic passcode unlock, and you’ll have to punch in a passcode every time you want to use it, as it also lacks a basic 2D face unlock feature.
After a while, this can get annoying, not to mention the fact that everyone around you will know your passcode, given how often you punch it in in front of an audience. Be it in the office, at home or even in the local metro/train.
Infinix Xpad Camera: Gets the job done
- Primary Camera – 8 Megapixel with flash
- Selfie Camera – 8 Megapixel with Flash
- Rear Camera Video Recording – 720p/1080p @30fps, 2K @30fps
Pictures taken with the primary camera are good, but lack much detail and show saturated colors. The selfie camera works well and offers a flash that can be used while making video calls in low light. In fact, the presence of a front flash certainly makes a solid case for the missing face unlock feature.
Below: Selfie camera sample, Above: Primary camera sample (tap images to enlarge)
Video recording produces average detail with flat textures even in daylight. Stabilization isn’t great and the camera tends to clip bright areas or objects in contrasting daytime scenes.
Infinix XPad battery: nothing new
- Battery Capacity – 7,000mAh
- Charging Rate – 18W
- Charger in the box – yes
The Infinix XPad only manages 7-8 hours of continuous usage if you stream movies with it the whole day. If you watch movies saved on the tablet’s local storage, it will last 11 hours and 7 minutes, which is basically the result of our video loop battery test. As far as charging is concerned, the 18W charger takes 3 hours and 5 minutes to fully charge, with 21 percent charge in the first 30 minutes. Overall, the battery and charging are similar to what the competition offers.
Infinix Xpad: Verdict
Honor’s Pad however, falls short when it comes to hardware as it is only available with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and also lacks cellular connectivity. Honor does not even provide a charger in the box. The Redmi Pad 4G (Rs 10,999) is also a good competitor, offering similar specifications to the Honor tablet (except for the smaller 8.7-inch display), and comes with an optional cover accessory.
As it stands, the Infinix despite). And so, the XPad, despite its flaws, is still easy to recommend as it offers extremely good value for money.
