Xiaomi Pad 8 Review: Arrives competition-ready with meaningful improvements

If Xiaomi Pad 7 was a powerhouse in the mid-range segment, then Xiaomi Pad 8 just raises that bar further. Staying true to the design language of its predecessor, Xiaomi Pad 8 brings the charm of Xiaomi Pad 7 in a sleeker and lighter version. With a powerful battery and impressive performance scores, the tablet is ready to compete fiercely in the market.

In this review, we explore whether the price hike compared to the last version is justified by better features, and whether it stands stronger than the slightly more affordable Redmi Pad 2 Pro.

Design

For a tablet, the Xiaomi Pad 8 is definitely portable. Measuring 251.22mm in height, 173.42mm in width, and just 5.8mm in thickness (Nano Texture Display variant), the device feels slim and refined in everyday handling. My review unit in Graphite Grey looks professional and premium. Compared to Xiaomi Pad 7’s already polished aluminium build, the Pad 8 feels more modern and better balanced in weight distribution. It sits comfortably in hand during extended reading or streaming sessions. It attracts attention when used in public spaces.

Xiaomi Pad 8 design
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan

Xiaomi has retained the minimalist design language but improved the detailing. The bezels remain slim and symmetrical, which enhances immersion without compromising usability. Button placement feels intuitive, and the USB-C port alignment remains practical for keyboard and accessory usage. The front panel has a clean, distraction-free look that suits both productivity and entertainment scenarios. While there is no major shift in material compared to Pad 7, refinement in thickness and ergonomics makes a noticeable difference.

Compared to the Redmi Pad 2 Pro, the Xiaomi Pad 8 feels lighter and more premium in hand despite similar positioning in the productivity-focused tablet category. Redmi’s metal alloy chassis offers durability and IP53 splash resistance, which Xiaomi Pad 8 lacks officially, but Pad 8 counters that with a slimmer body and sharper industrial finish. For users prioritising portability over ruggedness, the Xiaomi Pad 8 feels like the more elegant device overall.

Display

The Xiaomi Pad 8 features an 11.2-inch LCD panel with a resolution of 3200 × 2136 and support for up to a 144Hz refresh rate. Colours appear vibrant thanks to 12-bit colour depth and Dolby Vision support, while peak brightness reaches 800 nits in High Brightness Mode. When compared to the Xiaomi Pad 7, the visual experience remains familiar but is more refined in responsiveness and touch sampling performance. The Nano Texture Display variant adds a paper-like writing feel, which improves stylus interaction significantly.

Against Redmi Pad 2 Pro’s larger 12.1-inch panel, Xiaomi Pad 8 delivers sharper pixel density and smoother responsiveness. While Redmi’s display offers more screen real estate, Xiaomi’s higher refresh tuning and stylus optimisation make it better suited for note-taking, sketching, and precision work. For users who value clarity and responsiveness over size alone, Pad 8 holds a clear advantage.

OS and AI

Xiaomi Pad 8 runs on Android 16 layered with Xiaomi HyperOS 3, bringing meaningful improvements in multitasking and ecosystem connectivity. Features like split-screen windows, floating apps, and workstation-style layout switching make daily workflows smoother. Compared to HyperOS 2 on Xiaomi Pad 7, this version feels more stable and better optimised for tablet-scale productivity.

AI integration is also stronger here. Tools such as AI Writing, AI Live Subtitles, AI Voice Enhancement, and Xiaomi Creation add subtle productivity benefits. These features may not completely redefine tablet usage, but they help streamline note-taking, meetings, and research workflows. Compared to Redmi Pad 2 Pro’s Gemini-based tools, Xiaomi Pad 8’s AI suite feels more tightly integrated into system-level functionality.

Performance

The Xiaomi Pad 8 is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, which is a clear upgrade over the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 used in Xiaomi Pad 7. Every day navigation feels noticeably smoother, and multitasking remains consistent even with multiple productivity apps running simultaneously. The review unit with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage handled switching between editing tools, browsers, and streaming apps without slowing down.

Benchmark scores back up real-world performance. The tablet scored 2108 in Geekbench single-core, 6422 in multi-core, 13809 in GPU tests, and 2,304,039 on AnTuTu. These numbers place it comfortably ahead of Xiaomi Pad 7 and significantly ahead of Redmi Pad 2 Pro’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 platform. Gaming performance reflects this advantage clearly, with stable frame rates even in demanding titles, and minimal thermal throttling.

Graphics handling is equally impressive. The Adreno GPU ensures smoother rendering in high-resolution games and creative applications. Compared to Pad 7’s already capable GPU output, Pad 8 feels more future-ready for heavier workloads and stylus-based creative tools.

That said, tablets today continue positioning themselves as laptop alternatives. Like Pad 7, Xiaomi Pad 8 includes workstation mode, and I even tried writing parts of this review on the device. It is definitely possible, though it requires time to adjust. The hardware is ready, but the UI still needs smoother transitions between app windows. This remains one area where tablet software can evolve further.

Camera

One is not to expect a lot from a tablet’s camera, but the Xiaomi Pad 8 impresses with sharp and clear pictures. The 13 MP rear camera captures documents reliably and works well in well-lit indoor conditions. It also supports 4K video recording at 30fps, which is useful for quick presentations or recording notes.

Xiaomi Pad 8 camera
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan

The 8 MP front camera performs reliably during video calls and online meetings. Landscape placement ensures better framing during professional use, similar to the Xiaomi Pad 7. Compared to the Redmi Pad 2 Pro, camera performance remains comparable, though Xiaomi’s processing appears slightly sharper in daylight scenarios.

Overall, camera capabilities here are practical rather than experimental. They help the tablet hold its ground in the segment and remain suitable for productivity-focused usage rather than photography-first expectations.

Battery

The Xiaomi Pad 8 houses a 9,200 mAh battery, which is a noticeable upgrade over Xiaomi Pad 7’s 8850mAh unit. In real-world usage, the tablet easily lasts more than a full day with mixed workloads including streaming, browsing, and note-taking. Even extended binge-watching sessions did not require mid-day charging.

Charging is handled via 45W turbo charging with support for faster in-box compatibility. Compared to the Redmi Pad 2 Pro’s massive 12,000 mAh battery, Xiaomi Pad 8 charges faster and feels more balanced between endurance and portability. Reverse charging support also adds flexibility for powering accessories during emergencies.

Acccessories

Xiaomi Focus Pen Pro brings a strong upgrade to stylus interaction. The integrated buttonless design feels minimalist and comfortable to hold. With 16,384 pressure sensitivity levels and ultra-low latency response, writing feels natural and precise. Gesture controls such as gentle pinch, double press, and slide actions add real usability benefits within Mi Canvas.

The haptic feedback motor further enhances interaction. Instead of relying on physical buttons, vibrations create intuitive control responses. Hover preview and pen rotation features also make sketching more personalised. These additions clearly improve usability compared to the earlier Focus Pen experience on Pad 7.

The floating keyboard introduces a clean laptop-style workflow. It attaches magnetically through pogo pins and pairs instantly, ensuring stable connectivity. Key spacing and travel distance recreate a familiar PC typing feel, and adaptive backlighting improves usability in darker environments.

However, I found the hinge slightly uncomfortable during repeated opening and closing. While the typing experience remains strong overall, this is one area Xiaomi could refine further. The trackpad, on the other hand, performs smoothly and includes accidental touch protection, which makes navigation easier during productivity tasks.

Verdict

The Xiaomi Pad 8 arrives with meaningful improvements across performance, battery, and software optimisation. While the price is higher than its predecessor, the upgrade feels justified through better benchmark scores, improved HyperOS integration, and stronger stylus support. The Nano Texture Display version also adds a distinct writing experience advantage.

Compared to the Redmi Pad 2 Pro, the Xiaomi Pad 8 feels faster, slimmer, and more premium, though Redmi still leads in battery capacity and IP certification. For users deciding between the two, the choice depends on whether performance and responsiveness matter more than endurance alone.

Coming back to the question of what’s new, Xiaomi Pad 8 delivers a faster chipset, improved AI tools, better stylus experience, and refined ergonomics. For users who want a tablet that stands out slightly above the mid-range competition while remaining productivity-friendly, the Xiaomi Pad 8 is definitely worth considering. Xiaomi Pad 8 starts at ₹33,999.