Design and display: Thinner despite larger battery
Externally, Xiaomi remains true to its familiar form factor. Both new tablets continue to use an 11,2-inch display in a 3:2 aspect ratio with a resolution of 3.200 × 2.136 pixels and a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz. This means the panel is largely identical to the Xiaomi Pad 7 and Pad 7 Pro, which already offered the same display specifications. The changes are more subtle. Adaptive HDR optimizations and a revised display control system are intended to improve energy consumption and brightness regulation.
The improvement in the casing, however, is more significant. While the Pad 7 and Pad 7 Pro were 6,18 mm thick and weighed around 500 g, Xiaomi has now reduced the thickness to 5,75 mm while simultaneously lowering the weight to 485 g. Despite the thinner design, the battery capacity has increased from 8.850 mAh to 9.200 mAh.
Xiaomi Pad 8: Base model moves significantly into the high-end segment
The biggest upgrade goes to the standard model. The Xiaomi Pad 7 still used the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 platform, which, while capable, is clearly positioned below true flagship chips. With the Xiaomi Pad 8, Xiaomi is now switching to the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Mobile Platform. This moves the base model significantly closer to the premium segment for the first time.
According to Xiaomi, CPU performance increases by around 32 percent, while GPU performance rises by 67 percent. Multitasking, larger documents, and creative apps, in particular, benefit noticeably from this. However, Xiaomi remains conservative with the camera and charging capabilities, continuing to use a 13 MP main camera, an 8 MP front camera, and 45 W charging.
However, modern connectivity with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 is new, whereas the Pad 7 still used Wi-Fi 6E.
Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro: Flagship tablet with smartphone SoC
The jump is significantly more pronounced in the Pro model. The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro used the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. The Pad 8 Pro now uses the considerably more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform. This is the same chip that was also used in most flagship smartphones last year.
Xiaomi claims an increase of +81% CPU performance and +103% GPU performance compared to the previous generation, meaning that light laptop workloads such as image editing, multitasking or demanding productivity apps are no longer a problem.
The Pro model's cameras remain largely unchanged from its predecessor. It features a 50 MP main camera and a 32 MP front camera. Charging power also remains at 67 W HyperCharge, while the battery capacity remains the same at 9.200 mAh.
HyperOS 3: Tablet becomes more PC-like
The biggest functional difference compared to the Pad 7 series lies in the software. While the Xiaomi Pad 7 shipped with HyperOS 2, the new generation introduces HyperOS 3. Xiaomi is thus specifically expanding desktop-like usability, including features such as a 5:5 split-screen layout, a new 1:9 window format, a revamped workstation mode, and a PC-level browser with tabs.
Additionally, Xiaomi integrates system-wide HyperAI features such as AI writing, translation, and speech transcription. HyperConnect allows for closer pairing of smartphones, tablets, and other Xiaomi devices, for example, for cross-device camera functionality or shared unlocking. Major Android updates are planned for four years, and security patches for up to six years.
Accessories: Focus on pen work
New is the Xiaomi Focus Pen Pro, which, at 17,5 g, is lighter and works without physical buttons. Gestures like double-tap or pinch replace classic shortcut buttons. An optional keyboard cover is also available, allowing the tablet to be used as a laptop alternative.
Technical equipment overview
| feature | xiaomi pad 8 pro | Xiaomi pad 8 |
| Display | 11,2" (3:2) display, 3.2K (3.200 × 2.136), 345 ppi, up to 144 Hz, Adaptive HDR, up to 800 nits peak brightness, Dolby Vision, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light (hardware), Flicker Free, Circadian Friendly | 11,2" (3:2) display, 3.2K (3.200 × 2.136), 345 ppi, up to 144 Hz, Adaptive HDR, up to 800 nits peak brightness, Dolby Vision, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light (hardware), Flicker Free, Circadian Friendly |
| Processor | Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform (3 nm), CPU: Oryon 2 × 4,32 GHz + 6 × 3,53 GHz, GPU: Adreno 830 @ 1100 MHz | Snapdragon® 8s Gen 4 Mobile Platform (4nm), CPU: 1 × X4 @ 3,2GHz + 3 × A720 @ 3,0GHz + 2 × A720 @ 2,8GHz + 2 × A720 @ 2,0GHz, GPU: Adreno 825 |
| RAM / Memory | 8 GB + 128 GB / 8 GB + 256 GB / 12 GB + 512 GB; 8 GB: LPDDR5X, 12 GB: LPDDR5T; 128 GB: UFS 3.1, 256/512 GB: UFS 4.1 | 8 GB + 128 GB / 8 GB + 256 GB / 12 GB + 256 GB; 8 GB: LPDDR5X, 12 GB: LPDDR5T; 128 GB: UFS 3.1, 256 GB: UFS 4.1 |
| Battery / Charging | 9.200 mAh (typ), 67W HyperCharge, USB-C | 9.200 mAh (typ), 45 W Turbo Charging, USB-C |
| Cameras | Rear camera: 50 MP (1/2,76", 1,28 µm, f/1,8, PDAF); Front camera: 32 MP (1/3,6", 1,22 µm, f/2,2) | Rear camera: 13 MP (1/3,06", 1,12 µm, f/2,2, PDAF); Front camera: 8 MP (1/4", 1,12 µm, f/2,28) |
| Audio | Quad speakers, Hi-Res & Hi-Res Wireless Audio, Dolby Atmos, 200% Volume Boost | Quad speakers, Hi-Res & Hi-Res Wireless Audio, Dolby Atmos, 200% Volume Boost |
| connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, USB 3.2 Gen 1, Bluetooth 6.0 | Wi-Fi 7, USB 3.2 Gen 1, Bluetooth 6.0 |
| Housing | All-Metal One-Piece Body; 251,22 × 173,42 × 5,75mm; 485g (Matte Glass: 5,80mm / 494g); Colors: Pine Green, Blue, Gray | All-Metal One-Piece Body; 251,22 × 173,42 × 5,75mm; 485g; Colors: Pine Green, Blue, Gray |
| Software | Xiaomi HyperOS 3, Xiaomi HyperAI, Xiaomi HyperConnect | Xiaomi HyperOS 3, Xiaomi HyperAI, Xiaomi HyperConnect |
| Accessories (optional) | Xiaomi Focus Pen Pro, Xiaomi Pad 8 / 8 Pro Focus Keyboard, Xiaomi Pad 8 / 8 Pro Keyboard, Xiaomi Pad 8 / 8 Pro Cover | Xiaomi Focus Pen Pro, Xiaomi Pad 8 / 8 Pro Focus Keyboard, Xiaomi Pad 8 / 8 Pro Keyboard, Xiaomi Pad 8 / 8 Pro Cover |
Price and availability
The Xiaomi Pad 8 starts at:
- €449,90 (8 GB + 128 GB)
- €499,90 (8 GB + 256 GB)
The Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro costs:
- €599,90 (8 GB + 256 GB)
- €699,90 (12 GB + 512 GB)
To coincide with the market launch until March 14th, Xiaomi is offering early bird promotions with discounted prices and accessory bundles.
Source: Press release
Kaij
I had hoped that Xiaomi would at least use an OLED display in the Pro model.