Xiaomi has simply launched new flagship smartphones in China, however don’t overlook concerning the tablets!
Pretty much as good because the Xiaomi 17 collection handsets look, it was the Pad 8 collection that caught my consideration. Particularly, the extra premium Xiaomi Pad 8 Professional, which is shaping as much as be probably the greatest low cost slates of 2026.
No, that’s not a typo. By the point the Pad 8 Professional will get a worldwide launch, we’ll virtually actually be into 2026. And if previous years are something to go by, Cell World Congress in Barcelona at first of March is the most certainly launch pad.
If true, it means a painfully lengthy look forward to a pill that appears extremely compelling. Listed here are 5 the explanation why it completely must go international, and ideally not 5 months from now.
Flagship-esque design
The Xiaomi Pad 8 Professional will most likely value beneath £500 when it arrives within the UK, however you wouldn’t realize it from its construct high quality.
Xiaomi has caught with the identical mix of aluminium and glass that we loved a lot on the Pad 7. And if the official photographs are something to go by, the gray, blue and inexperienced finishes will all look the half.
Regardless of lowering the burden to 485g, I wouldn’t count on the Pad 8 Professional to really feel flimsy in any respect. Nonetheless, it’s value noting that there’s nonetheless no official IP score for water and mud resistance.
No OLED, no downside (most likely)
It’s tempting to have a look at what you’re lacking out on with the Xiaomi Pad 8 Professional in comparison with flagship tablets, and OLED might be the very first thing you’ll discover.
Identical to its predecessors, the Pad 8 Professional opts for an LCD show as a substitute, presumably to chop prices. Nonetheless, I’d be shocked if any patrons find yourself complaining a couple of sub-par display screen.
Xiaomi
Certainly, the Pad 7’s LCD panel was an actual hit with Tech Advisor’s reviewer, and there are many premium specs elsewhere. These embrace an 11.2-inch show with a crisp 2136 x 3200 decision and silky-smooth 144Hz refresh fee. What’s to not like?
Prime-class efficiency
I don’t want to check the Pad 8 Professional to inform you that its efficiency shall be glorious. Until Xiaomi completely botches its integration into the gadget, which is extremely unlikely, there’ll be greater than sufficient energy for mainly any activity.
That’s as a result of the gadget makes use of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. It’s simply been changed as Qualcomm’s flagship by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, however that shouldn’t be a trigger for concern in any respect.
Luke Baker
I’ve examined a number of gadgets that use the 8 Elite, and efficiency has been a spotlight each single time. Whether or not you simply need to browse the net and scroll social media or desire a gadget for severe modifying or gaming, the Pad 8 Professional will serve you properly.
A good larger battery
Whereas we haven’t reviewed the Xiaomi Pad 7 Professional at Tech Advisor, its common sibling has an an identical 11.2-inch show and 8850mAh battery.
And our reviewer had completely no issues with its battery life, so I’m anticipating the bigger 9200mAh cell to yield even higher stamina. The additional energy effectivity positive factors from the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset may make this extra important than the modest leap in capability suggests.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
With 67W charging additionally obtainable (albeit with no charger within the field), it shouldn’t be lengthy earlier than you’re again up and working once more.
An reasonably priced price ticket (hopefully)
After all, the important thing promoting level of Xiaomi tablets has usually been their affordability.
We don’t understand how a lot the Pad 8 Professional will value within the UK and Europe but, however the Chinese language launch makes for encouraging studying.
Its CNY 2,799 beginning value is similar because the Pad 7 Professional, which ended up being £449. There’s additionally a extra reasonably priced common Pad 8, although its CNY 2,199 value suggests a rise in comparison with the Pad 7’s UK value of £369, and the chipset, cameras and charging speeds are downgraded.
Assuming that’s the case this time round, it’d make the Pad 8 Professional very good worth on paper. When the 11-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 begins at £799/$799 and solely provides minor upgrades, Xiaomi’s pill turns into much more interesting.
After all, there are many issues we don’t know till testing, however should you’re keen to attend, the Pad 8 Professional might be an excellent low cost pill in 2026. Hopefully it launches sooner slightly than later, although!
Want a brand new slate proper now? Try our information to the most effective tablets you should buy.
