POCO Pad C1 Launches at $139: 120Hz Tablet on a Shoestring

POCO just undercut the budget tablet market again. The Pad C1 is a 9.7-inch slate built for streaming, reading, and light homework - not creative work - and it lands with a 120Hz 2K panel and a 7,600mAh battery at an early-bird price of $139 for the base model.

If that spec sheet sounds familiar, it should: the Pad C1 is essentially a POCO-branded version of Xiaomi’s Redmi Pad 2 9.7, which POCO and Xiaomi have been doing across phones and tablets for years. Same aluminum unibody, same Snapdragon chip, same battery - different logo and regional pricing.

At a glance

Spec	POCO Pad C1
Display	9.7” IPS LCD, 2048×1280 (2K), 120Hz
Chipset	Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2
RAM / storage	4GB+64GB or 6GB+128GB
Battery	7,600mAh, 18W wired
OS	Android 16, HyperOS 3
Weight	406 g
Price (early bird)	$139 (4/64) · $179 (6/128)

Display: 120Hz at a price that still surprises

The headline feature is the panel. A 120Hz refresh rate at under $150 is rare - most tablets in this bracket stick to 60Hz or 90Hz. Scrolling through feeds, comics, and light games feels noticeably smoother than on a 60Hz Fire HD 10 or older budget slates.

Resolution is 2048×1280 (~268 ppi), which Xiaomi markets as “2K.” Text and manga look sharp; YouTube at 1080p looks clean. Peak brightness hits 600 nits in high-brightness mode with 500 nits typical - enough for indoor use and shaded outdoor reading, though direct sunlight will still wash the screen out.

POCO also touts Triple TÜV Rheinland eye-care certifications (low blue light, flicker reduction). That is marketing, but the panel is comfortable for long reading sessions.

Panel lottery caveat: budget IPS tablets sometimes ship with uneven backlighting or slightly cool color temperature. At this price, a perfect panel is not guaranteed - check return policy if yours has hot spots.

Performance: enough for media, not for heavy games

The Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 (6nm, Adreno 610) is a media-focused chip. It handles Chrome with a few tabs, YouTube, Kindle, and casual games like Stardew Valley without drama. Do not expect Genshin Impact at high settings or 4K video editing.

Buy the 6GB/128GB model if you can. The $139 4GB/64GB SKU is tempting, but 4GB RAM struggles with Android 16 multitasking in 2026 - split-screen, background apps, and OS updates eat memory fast. The $40 step-up to 6GB/128GB is the configuration we recommend.

Storage expands via microSD up to 2TB, which matters if you sideload movies or comics offline. Internal storage is UFS 2.2 - fine for this class, not flagship fast.

Battery and charging

The 7,600mAh cell is the other standout. POCO claims up to 1.7 days of mixed use and ~15 hours of video playback. Real-world results depend on refresh rate (120Hz drains faster than 60Hz) and brightness, but this is a legitimately large battery for a sub-10-inch tablet.

Charging is 18W wired over USB-C - slow by phone standards, acceptable overnight for a tablet. A nice bonus: 10W reverse charging lets the Pad C1 top up earbuds or a phone in a pinch.

Audio, cameras, and ports

Quad stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos beat most tablets at this price - landscape Netflix without headphones is actually listenable. There is also a 3.5mm headphone jack, increasingly rare even on budget hardware.

Cameras are basic: 8MP rear and 5MP front, both 1080p30 video. Fine for video calls and scanning documents; not a reason to buy.

Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and USB-C 2.0. There is no cellular SKU - this is Wi-Fi only.

Software: HyperOS 3 on Android 16

The Pad C1 ships with HyperOS 3 on Android 16. POCO highlights Google Gemini, Circle to Search, and Xiaomi Interconnectivity for call sync with compatible Xiaomi/POCO phones.

Update policy is the weak spot. Unlike Samsung’s seven-year promise on the Galaxy Tab A11 Plus, POCO/Xiaomi budget tablets typically get two to three years of major Android updates. If longevity matters more than refresh rate, factor that in.

How it compares to rivals

vs Walmart Onn 8.1” Core ($138)

The Onn is $1 cheaper but smaller (8.1”), lower resolution (1524×1000), and lacks the Pad C1’s 120Hz panel. The Onn wins on US retail availability - walk into Walmart and leave with a tablet. The Pad C1 wins on screen quality, battery size, and headphone jack. Read our best budget tablets guide for the full ranking.

vs Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 Plus ($250)

Samsung costs nearly $70–110 more but brings an 11-inch screen, optional 5G, faster Dimensity 7300 chip, and seven years of security updates. The Pad C1 is the value play for pure couch streaming; Samsung is the family tablet you keep for half a decade.

vs Amazon Fire HD 10 ($139)

Fire tablets run Fire OS (Android fork), push Amazon services, and ship with 3GB RAM on the base model. The Pad C1 gives you stock Android, 6GB RAM on the recommended SKU, 120Hz, and Google Play without sideloading workarounds.

Pricing and availability

POCO announced early-bird pricing in May 2026:

• 4GB + 64GB - $139 early bird
• 6GB + 128GB - $179 early bird

Regional rollouts started in Southeast Asia and global markets through POCO’s official stores (Shopee, Lazada, Xiaomi global site). US availability is still spotty as of June 2026 - import pricing may run higher than MSRP. We will update this post as major US retailers list stock.

Colors: Grey and Blue.

Who should buy it?

Buy the POCO Pad C1 if you want the smoothest budget screen under $180, a huge battery, and stock Android for streaming and reading.

Skip it if you need cellular, long software support, an 11-inch canvas, or enough power for demanding apps and games.

The POCO Pad C1 is now in our device catalog - check there for live affiliate links when US stock appears.