Xiaomi has unveiled the Pad 8 Pro, and on paper at least, it looks like one of the strongest Android answers to Apple’s iPad Pro yet.
With a high-end Snapdragon chip, a 3.2K 144Hz display and a redesigned productivity-focused OS, this is clearly more than just a media tablet.
The headline upgrade is performance. The Pad 8 Pro runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, built on a 3nm process with clock speeds reaching 4.32GHz. Xiaomi claims major gains across the board, including an 81% CPU boost and 103% GPU uplift compared to the previous generation.
In practical terms, that should translate to smoother multitasking and more stable frame rates in demanding games.
It’s also impressively slim. At just 5.75mm thick and weighing 485g, the all-metal tablet remains portable despite housing a sizeable 9,200mAh battery. Fast charging comes via 67W HyperCharge, while Wi-Fi 7 and fingerprint unlocking round out the flagship credentials.
The 11.2-inch 3:2 display is another standout. It offers a sharp 3,200 x 2,136 resolution, up to 144Hz refresh rate, 800-nit peak brightness and Dolby Vision support. TÜV Rheinland certifications for low blue light and flicker-free viewing suggest Xiaomi is also targeting longer work and reading sessions.
Software is where Xiaomi is pushing hardest. The tablet runs Xiaomi HyperOS 3, which introduces PC-style multitasking features including a 5:5 vertical split-screen view and a new 1:9 layout option. There is also an upgraded Workstation Mode and a desktop-style browser complete with tabbed browsing and right-click support.
There’s also a new Xiaomi Focus Pen Pro, featuring a button-free design, hover preview and gesture controls. It is designed for note-taking and creative work. Optional keyboard accessories further underline its productivity ambitions.
Audio comes via quad speakers with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res support. Meanwhile, cameras include a 50MP rear sensor and 32MP front-facing camera for video calls.
With this level of performance, display quality and software refinement, the Pad 8 Pro positions itself firmly at the premium end of the Android tablet market. It sits closer than ever to Apple’s top-tier iPads.
