On April 21, 2025, Vivo unveiled its latest tablet offerings, the Vivo Pad 5 Pro and Vivo Pad SE, in China, marking a significant step in its quest to capture the Android tablet market. These devices cater to distinct audiences: the Pad 5 Pro is a flagship powerhouse for professionals and tech enthusiasts, while the Pad SE is a budget-friendly option for students and casual users. With cutting-edge specifications, sleek designs, and competitive pricing, Vivo’s new tablets are poised to make waves. In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll explore every detail of the Pad 5 Pro and Pad SE, compare their features, and assess their value in today’s tablet landscape.
Vivo Pad 5 Pro: The Flagship Powerhouse
The Vivo Pad 5 Pro is designed to compete with top-tier Android tablets, offering premium features for demanding users. Here’s a detailed look at what it brings to the table:
Vivo Pad 5 Pro Design and Display
- Display: The Pad 5 Pro features a 13-inch LCD panel with a 3.1K resolution (2,064×3,096 pixels) and a 3:2 aspect ratio, ideal for productivity tasks like document editing or media consumption. Its 144Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and animations, while a peak brightness of 1,200 nits makes it usable in bright environments (NotebookCheck).
- Design: Available in four stylish colors—Cloud Pink, Cold Star Gray, Light Feather White, and Spring Tide Blue—the Pad 5 Pro exudes elegance. It comes in two variants: a standard model weighing 635g and an ultra-lightweight version at 578g with a slim 5.94mm thickness, making it one of the thinnest tablets in its class.
- Build Quality: The tablet’s premium materials and sleek design make it a standout, with a focus on portability and aesthetics.
Vivo Pad 5 Pro Performance
- Processor: At its core is the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 SoC, a high-performance chipset that handles multitasking, gaming, and creative workloads with ease.
- Memory and Storage: The Pad 5 Pro offers configurations with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage (UFS 4.1 for higher-end models), ensuring fast app launches and ample space for files and media.
- Software: Running on Android with Vivo’s custom interface, it provides a smooth and intuitive user experience, optimized for tablet use.
Vivo Pad 5 Pro Battery and Charging
- Battery: A massive 12,050mAh battery powers the Pad 5 Pro, offering all-day usage even with intensive tasks like video editing or gaming.
- Charging: It supports 66W fast charging, allowing quick recharges to minimize downtime.
Audio
- Speakers: With eight speakers, the Pad 5 Pro delivers immersive, high-quality audio, making it a top choice for streaming movies, gaming, or video calls
Vivo Pad 5 Pro Pricing
The Vivo Pad 5 Pro is competitively priced for a flagship tablet, with the following configurations available in China from April 25, 2025:
- 12GB + 128GB (UFS 3.1): 2,549 yuan (~$350)
- 12GB + 256GB (UFS 4.1): 2,634 yuan (~$360)
- 16GB + 512GB (UFS 4.1): 3,399 yuan (~$470)
- WiFi-only 16GB + 512GB: 3,199 yuan (~$440, available from April 29, 2025)
Vivo Pad SE: Budget-Friendly Excellence
The Vivo Pad SE is designed for users seeking an affordable yet capable tablet for everyday tasks. Here’s a closer look at its features:
Design and Display
- Display: The Pad SE sports a 12.3-inch LCD panel with a 2.5K resolution (2,464×1,600 pixels) and a 3:2 aspect ratio. Its 90Hz refresh rate provides smooth visuals for browsing and streaming, though it’s less vibrant than the Pad 5 Pro’s display.
- Design: Available in Blue, Titanium, and Dark Gray, the Pad SE comes in two variants: a standard model (569g, 6.87mm thick) and a Soft Light Edition (559g, 6.8mm thick) with AG nano texture technology for reduced glare (GSMArena).
- Build Quality: Despite its budget focus, the Pad SE maintains a sleek and modern design, with a lightweight build for portability.
Performance
- Processor: Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC, the Pad SE handles casual tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and light gaming efficiently.
- Memory and Storage: It offers up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, suitable for most everyday needs.
- Software: Like the Pad 5 Pro, it runs on Android with Vivo’s optimized interface, ensuring a user-friendly experience.
Battery and Charging
- Battery: An 8,500mAh battery provides reliable battery life, with Vivo claiming up to 50 months of battery health.
- Charging: It supports 15W charging, which is slower but adequate for its price range.
Audio
- Speakers: The Pad SE features four speakers, delivering decent audio quality for casual media consumption.
Pricing
The Vivo Pad SE is one of the most affordable tablets in its class, with the following pricing for China, available from April 25, 2025:
- Standard Edition:
- 6GB + 128GB: 999 yuan (~$140)
- 8GB + 128GB: 1,299 yuan (~$180)
- 8GB + 256GB: 1,599 yuan (~$220)
- Soft Light Edition:
- 6GB + 128GB: 1,199 yuan (~$165)
- 8GB + 128GB: 1,499 yuan (~$205)
- 8GB + 256GB: 1,799 yuan (~$250)
Comparison: Pad 5 Pro vs. Pad SE
To help you choose between the two tablets, here’s a detailed comparison of their key specifications:
| Feature | Vivo Pad 5 Pro | Vivo Pad SE |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 13″ 3.1K, 144Hz, 1,200 nits | 12.3″ 2.5K, 90Hz |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 9400 | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 |
| RAM | Up to 16GB | Up to 8GB |
| Storage | Up to 512GB | Up to 256GB |
| Battery | 12,050mAh, 66W charging | 8,500mAh, 15W charging |
| Speakers | 8 | 4 |
| Weight | 635g (standard), 578g (lightweight) | 569g (standard), 559g (Soft Light) |
| Thickness | 5.94mm (lightweight) | 6.87mm (standard), 6.8mm (Soft Light) |
| Colors | Blue, Gray, Pink, White | Blue, Titanium, Gray |
| Starting Price | 2,549 yuan (~$350) | 999 yuan (~$140) |
Target Audience
- Pad 5 Pro: Ideal for professionals, content creators, and power users who need a high-performance tablet for tasks like video editing, gaming, or multitasking. Its large display, powerful processor, and premium audio make it a direct competitor to devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 or Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro.
- Pad SE: Perfect for students, casual users, or budget-conscious buyers who need a reliable tablet for streaming, browsing, or light productivity tasks. It’s a strong alternative to entry-level tablets like the Lenovo Tab M8 or Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite.
Value for Money
- Pad 5 Pro: At a starting price of around $350, the Pad 5 Pro offers flagship-level specs at a competitive price, undercutting some premium rivals while delivering comparable performance and features.
- Pad SE: Starting at just $140, the Pad SE is a steal for its specs, offering a high-resolution display, decent performance, and long battery life at a fraction of the cost of premium tablets.
Accessories
Both tablets support a range of accessories to enhance productivity and creativity:
- Vivo Pencil 3: Priced at 499 yuan (~$70), this stylus is ideal for note-taking, sketching, or precise inputs.
- Smart Touch Keyboard: At 699 yuan (~$95), this keyboard transforms either tablet into a laptop-like device for typing-intensive tasks.
- Basic Keyboard: A budget-friendly option at 199 yuan (~$27) for users who need basic typing functionality.
These accessories are sold separately and compatible with both the Pad 5 Pro and Pad SE, making them versatile for various use cases.
Availability and Market Outlook
- Availability: Both tablets are available for purchase in China starting April 25, 2025, with the ultra-lightweight Pad 5 Pro and WiFi-only model available from April 29, 2025 . There’s no confirmed information on global availability, as Vivo has historically focused its tablet releases on the Chinese market.
- Market Impact: The Pad 5 Pro positions Vivo as a serious contender in the premium tablet segment, challenging established players like Samsung and Xiaomi. The Pad SE, with its aggressive pricing, could disrupt the budget tablet market, appealing to cost-conscious consumers seeking quality devices.
Conclusion
Vivo’s Pad 5 Pro and Pad SE are compelling additions to the Android tablet market, each catering to distinct needs. The Pad 5 Pro is a flagship device that excels in performance, display quality, and audio, making it a top choice for professionals and power users. Meanwhile, the Pad SE offers remarkable value for budget-conscious buyers, delivering solid specs at an unbeatable price. Whether you’re looking for a high-end workhorse or an affordable all-rounder, Vivo’s latest tablets have you covered.
As of April 24, 2025, these tablets are generating buzz in China, and their competitive pricing and robust features make them worth considering. While global availability remains uncertain, tech enthusiasts outside China will hope Vivo expands its tablet reach soon. For now, the Pad 5 Pro and Pad SE solidify Vivo’s reputation as a brand that delivers innovation and value across price points.
