Xiaomi has significantly expanded its premium product portfolio with the simultaneous launch of the Pad 8 and Pad 8 Pro tablets, unveiled alongside the Xiaomi 17 series smartphones. While both devices share a cohesive design language, they are distinct in terms of raw performance, camera specifications, and charging speeds, setting the stage for a strong challenge in the high-end tablet segment. The tablets have been announced in China, with an anticipated global release to follow.
Display and Design Excellence
Both the Xiaomi Pad 8 and Pad 8 Pro feature a striking 11.2-inch LCD display that delivers a 3.2K resolution, a smooth 144Hz refresh rate, and up to 800 nits of peak brightness. The screens support high-quality visual standards including HDR10, HDR Vivid, and Dolby Vision.
A notable addition is a special Matte edition with an AG texture coating, designed to reduce ambient reflections by up to 70%, enhancing usability in various lighting conditions. Physically, the tablets are identical in size and weight, measuring an ultra-thin 5.75mm in thickness and weighing 485 grams. They both include quad speakers enhanced by Dolby Atmos and feature a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. They are available in three colour options: Ice Crystal Blue, Turquoise Green, and Black.
Performance and Software Architecture
The Xiaomi Pad 8 is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, configurable with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The Pad 8 Pro steps up the performance with the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, offering configurations up to a staggering 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. These robust chipsets allow both tablets to deliver flagship-level performance, capable of functioning seamlessly as work PCs when paired with external accessories.
The tablets run on HyperOS 3, which is based on Android 16, and come equipped with the latest connectivity standards, including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and USB-C.
Battery and Advanced Camera Systems
Both models are fitted with a substantial 9,200 mAh battery. The Pad 8 supports 45W fast charging, while the Pad 8 Pro accelerates this capability with 67W charging.
The camera specifications mark a significant divergence. The Pad 8 features a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front-facing sensor. The Pad 8 Pro significantly upgrades these specs, featuring a high-resolution 50MP main rear camera and a 32MP front camera, catering to users demanding higher photographic and video conferencing quality.
Pricing for the Chinese Market
The Xiaomi Pad 8 is priced competitively, starting at $310 for the 8GB/128GB model and going up to $420 for the top Matte edition. The premium Pad 8 Pro starts at $390 for the base 8GB/128GB version, with the top-tier 16GB/512GB Matte edition priced at $575.
It is important to note that these prices are exclusively for the Chinese market and are expected to be adjusted upon the tablets’ international launch.
