PC Power on a Budget: Xiaomi Pad 8 Priced at $310

Xiaomi has expanded its product lineup with the launch of the Pad 8 and Pad 8 Pro tablets, unveiled alongside the Xiaomi 17 series. Both models share a similar design but differ in performance, camera systems, and charging speeds.

These tablets have been announced in China, but should reach the global market later on.

Display and Design

The Xiaomi Pad 8 and Pad 8 Pro come with an 11.2-inch LCD display that offers 3.2K resolution, up to 800 nits of peak brightness, and a smooth 144Hz refresh rate. The screens also support HDR10, HDR Vivid, and Dolby Vision for better visuals. A special Matte edition with an AG texture coating is available, which helps cut down reflections by as much as 70%.

Both tablets share the same size and weight, measuring just 5.75mm in thickness and weighing 485 grams. They are equipped with quad speakers enhanced by Dolby Atmos and feature a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for security. Xiaomi is offering both models in three colors: Ice Crystal Blue, Turquoise Green, and Black.

Performance and Software

The Xiaomi Pad 8 runs on the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, with options of up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The Pad 8 Pro, on the other hand, comes with the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and offers configurations of up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Thanks to these processors, both tablets deliver flagship-level performance and can easily function like work PCs when paired with a keyboard.

Both models run HyperOS 3, which is based on Android 16, and come with support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and USB-C for connectivity.

Battery and Camera

Each model houses a 9,200 mAh battery. The Pad 8 supports 45W fast charging, while the Pad 8 Pro increases the charging capacity to 67W.

The Pad 8 carries a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front-facing sensor. The Pad 8 Pro upgrades these specifications with a 50MP main rear camera and a 32MP front camera.

Pricing

The Xiaomi Pad 8 comes in different versions with varying prices. The 8GB RAM and 128GB storage model costs $310, while the 8GB RAM with 256GB storage is priced at $350. The higher 12GB RAM with 256GB storage version is available for $390. Xiaomi also offers a Matte edition, where the 8GB/256GB model is priced at $380 and the 12GB/256GB model costs $420.

The Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro starts at $390 for the 8GB/128GB option. The 8GB/256GB version is priced at $435, the 12GB/256GB model at $475, the 12GB/512GB at $520, and the top 16GB/512GB version costs $550. The Matte edition of the Pad 8 Pro starts at $505 for the 12GB/256GB model, $550 for the 12GB/512GB version, and $575 for the 16GB/512GB option.

It is important to note that these prices are only for the Chinese market and are expected to change when the tablets are launched internationally.