Xiaomi has recently unveiled its latest flagship smartphones in China, but let’s not overlook its remarkable new tablets!
While the Xiaomi 17 series handsets are impressive, the more exciting launch for many is the Pad 8 series. In particular, the premium Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro is poised to be one of the best affordable tablets of 2026.
That’s indeed correct; by the time it launches globally, we’ll likely be well into 2026. Following the trend of previous years, the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in early March is the most probable event for its global debut.
If that turns out to be the case, it means we’ll face a long wait for a highly appealing device. Here are five compelling reasons why the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro deserves international release sooner than later.
Flagship-esque Design
The Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro is expected to be priced below £500 in the UK, yet its build quality rivals that of flagship devices.
Continuing the premium feel of the Pad 7, Xiaomi maintains a sophisticated construction with a combination of aluminium and glass. Based on the official imagery, it appears in elegant shades of grey, blue, and green that enhance its overall aesthetic.
Weighing in at a mere 485g, the Pad 8 Pro is designed to be lightweight without sacrificing sturdiness. However, it’s important to note that there is currently no official IP rating for water and dust resistance.
No OLED, No Problem (Probably)
One aspect that may draw comparison with higher-end tablets is the absence of an OLED display on the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro.
Like its predecessors, it features an LCD display, likely chosen to keep production costs down. However, I suspect users will find the screen quality satisfactory.
Xiaomi
The Pad 7’s LCD panel received high praise from reviewers at Tech Advisor, and the Pad 8 Pro is equipped with notable specs, including an 11.2-inch display boasting a crisp 2136 x 3200 resolution and a fluid 144Hz refresh rate. It’s hard to find faults!
Top-Class Performance
Without directly testing the Pad 8 Pro, I can confidently assert that its performance will likely be top-notch. Unless Xiaomi stumbles in its design implementation, the device will be powered enough for virtually any use case.
At the heart of the Pad 8 Pro is the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. While Qualcomm recently announced the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 as its flagship, the 8 Elite is still an incredibly capable processor.
Luke Baker
Based on my experiences with devices featuring the 8 Elite, performance shines in each instance. Whether you’re casually surfing the web or engaging in demanding editing or gaming tasks, the Pad 8 Pro will meet your needs with ease.
An Even Bigger Battery
Although Tech Advisor hasn’t reviewed the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro, its regular counterpart comes with a substantial 11.2-inch display and an 8850mAh battery.
Our reviewer had no complaints regarding battery performance, which leads me to expect better longevity with the larger 9200mAh battery in the Pad 8 Pro. Plus, the power efficiency from the Snapdragon 8 Elite could significantly enhance usage time beyond the modest increase in battery size.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
With 67W charging support (though a charger is not included in the box), you won’t be waiting long to get back to using your device.
An Affordable Price Tag (Hopefully)
A hallmark of Xiaomi tablets has always been their affordability.
While the exact UK and European pricing for the Pad 8 Pro is yet to be announced, the initial pricing from its launch in China is promising.
Starting at CNY 2,799, this is equivalent to the price of the Pad 7 Pro, which eventually retailed for roughly £449. There’s also a standard Pad 8 model available at a price of CNY 2,199, which suggests a price increase compared to the Pad 7’s launch price of £369, with some downgraded specs.
If this pricing trend continues, the Pad 8 Pro may indeed offer outstanding value. Considering that the 11-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 starts at £799/$799 with only marginal updates, Xiaomi’s tablet looks increasingly enticing.
Though many details will remain uncertain until the launch, if you can hold off, the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro has the potential to be a fantastic budget tablet in 2026. Here’s hoping for a launch sooner rather than later!
In need of a tablet right now? Browse our guide to the best tablets available.
