For several years now, Xiaomi has been producing tablets that punch well above their weight across every price bracket. The question with each new release is always the same: does it deliver genuine value, or does it merely promise it? With the Xiaomi Pad 8, the answer — for the most part — is a resounding yes.
There is a growing cohort of users who have concluded, quite reasonably, that a tablet is all they need. No laptop, no compromise. For them, a device like this represents something of a pleasant change in personal computing. The Pad 8 is a seriously accomplished machine at an attractive price.
Little has changed between the Pad 7 and the Pad 8 in terms of design, dimensions, and weight — and that is no criticism. The chassis is all metal, reassuringly solid, and surprisingly light. It never feels like a burden to carry, which matters more than one might expect over the course of a long working day. Xiaomi has wisely left a good thing alone.
The one limitation worth noting is size: the Pad 8 comes only in an 11.2-inch LCD configuration. A larger variant would broaden its appeal considerably, particularly for those eyeing it as a laptop replacement. One hopes Xiaomi is listening. The 3.2K resolution is just right, and so is the 12-bit colour profile. Everything looks sharp and smooth.
A display that earns its keep
Xiaomi Pad 8 can be paired with the company’s Focus Keyboard, which has a spacious layout. Picture: Mathures Paul
The 11.2-inch LCD panel runs at 144Hz, hits 800 nits in HBM mode, and is perfectly legible outdoors — in a cafe, a park, or a brightly lit office. Colours are well-calibrated, contrast is commendable for the price, and the overall viewing experience is genuinely immersive. Films, streaming, and video content all look the part.
The 144Hz refresh rate deserves particular mention. Scrolling and animations are fluid throughout, with no perceptible judder or inconsistency during extended use. It simply gets out of the way and lets you work.
An optional Nano Texture coating is available, adding a matte finish that eliminates fingerprints and reduces glare without meaningfully degrading contrast. For anyone who works under harsh lighting, it is well worth the upgrade. Night owls will have nothing to complain about either: the display can reduce blue light emission at the hardware level, and there is technology in place to prevent screen flickering.
The Xiaomi Pad 8 is somewhat slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, which is always welcome. Apple’s iPad Pro is a fine example of a slim, light tablet done right. In aiming for a slimmer profile, however, the wide, spacious sound one might expect from the quad-speaker setup is almost — but not quite — there. Volume levels are generous, and quality holds up well when pushed: dialogue is clear, bass is present, and there is no unpleasant distortion at higher volumes. The audio remains one of the better experiences available on an Android tablet at this price; it simply leaves a little room to grow.
Power, software, and the Android question
Under the bonnet sits a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Mobile Platform — a substantial step up from the Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3 found in the previous model — paired with 8GB LPDDR5X/ 12GB LPDDR5T RAM and UFS 4.1 storage (256GB). In practice, the experience is seamless: apps open instantly, multitasking is handled without complaint, and the system never feels as though it is straining. The Pad 8 is easily among the most powerful Android tablet in its segment, with a faster CPU and GPU than before. Surprisingly, heat dissipation has improved too — the Pad 8 runs noticeably cooler despite its slimmer chassis.
For everyday use — writing, research, streaming, browsing — it is more than sufficient. But it has reserves beyond that. Light video editing is well within its capabilities, handled without sluggishness or warmth.
HyperOS, Xiaomi’s software layer, is a polished and thoughtful implementation. Split-screen mode and floating windows work intuitively, and the multitasking experience is among the better ones on Android. With HyperOS 3.0, Xiaomi’s focus has shifted decisively towards productivity. There are new AI features — an AI dynamic wallpaper tool, for instance, that animates the background in a variety of styles — but the productivity push is clearly the headline.
How does it compare with the iPad? The two cannot be straightforwardly compared, particularly for those who have lived with both platforms for some time. It goes well beyond spec sheets. The Apple App Store remains the ideal destination for creative applications, many of which launch first on iPad and iPhone. Google, somehow, continues to lag. However much the hardware improves on the Android side, the software experience carries a slight but persistent disadvantage. Procreate on the iPad is a case in point — it is tuned for the hardware in a way that Android equivalents have not yet matched. iPadOS 26, furthermore, has been a genuine step forward in many respects.
There is a broader question worth raising. Apple has a coherent family of hardware that is easy to recommend in sequence: an iPhone user can be pointed naturally towards an iPad and a MacBook. Can the same be said of the Android universe? A smartphone, a tablet, and a laptop from the same manufacturer, offering consistent performance and genuine cross-device continuity, working with the same applications at a high level of reliability? Apple’s command of both hardware and software — including its own chips across the entire range — makes a significant difference. That gap, for now, remains.
The 9,200mAh battery is genuinely remarkable in daily use. In testing, a single charge comfortably lasted three to four days under normal conditions. For long-haul travel — flights, train journeys — this is an enormous advantage. Charging at 45W is not class-leading, but it is perfectly adequate, and the inclusion of a 67W charger in the box is a generous touch. New this time is support for 22.5W reverse wired charging, which is useful for topping up a phone on the go.
The Focus Keyboard — the premium option reviewed here — is a handsome companion. It attaches via pogo pins, requires no separate charging, features a trackpad, and has a floating aesthetic that recalls the better end of the iPad accessory ecosystem. The keys offer satisfying travel and a confident click. Those who can do without the trackpad may opt for the standard keyboard and save accordingly.
The Focus Pen Pro is equally impressive. Pressure-sensitive, magnetically attached, and equipped with a haptic motor that provides tactile feedback as you write or draw, it charges directly from the tablet. For designers and note-takers alike, it is a compelling addition.
Against a backdrop of rising component costs — RAM, storage, and display panels have all become more expensive — the Pad 8 holds its own admirably. Premium build quality, a superb display, capable performance, and outstanding battery life make for a well-considered package, one that is difficult to fault at its price point. Xiaomi has long been the default Android recommendation in this bracket. The Pad 8 gives the company every reason to remain so.
At a glance
Device: Xiaomi Pad 8
Price: Upwards of ₹33,999
High notes
144Hz LCD display
800 nits peak brightness
Nano Texture coating option
Snapdragon 8s Gen 4; faster GPU, better heat dissipation
HyperOS 3.0 productivity features
9,200mAh battery
22.5W reverse wired charging
Focus Keyboard with trackpad is available separately
Focus Pen Pro with haptic feedback is available separately
Blue light reduction, anti-flicker display
Muffled notes
There could have been more display sizes
Android app ecosystem lags behind iPadOS