Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro unboxing and hands-on: Thinner, faster, more productive

Xiaomi is expanding its tablet lineup with the global launch of the Pad 8 Pro, a device that builds upon its predecessor with thoughtful refinements rather than radical changes. After launching in China last year, this 11.2-inch productivity powerhouse is now reaching more markets worldwide, and we've had the chance to spend some hands-on time with it at MWC 2026.

Design refinements that add up

The most noticeable change is the tablet's thickness - or rather, the lack thereof. At just 5.8mm thin, the Pad 8 Pro is 0.4mm slimmer than the Pad 7 Pro, continuing Xiaomi's trend of incremental slimming. While 0.4mm might seem negligible, it's part of a consistent reduction: the Pad 7 Pro was already 0.3mm thinner than the Pad 6 Pro. These small improvements matter because tablets almost always require cases for protection and functionality.

Our review unit came with the new Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro Focus Keyboard, which represents a significant upgrade over the standard keyboard case. The floating hinge design allows for easier angle adjustment, bringing the tablet experience closer to that of a traditional laptop. This matters because PC-level productivity is clearly a major focus for this device.

Enhanced productivity features

The software experience has been refined to support more efficient multitasking. The split-screen modes now offer a 5:5 vertical split and a 9:1 horizontal split option, giving users more flexibility in how they arrange their workspace. Workstation Mode, Xiaomi's desktop environment, has been improved to allow more apps in the Dock for quick access.

Web browsing has also been enhanced with tab support, right-click functionality, and mouse hover previews. While the stylus works well for these tasks, the Focus Keyboard's built-in touchpad makes navigation even more intuitive. This is a key differentiator from the regular keyboard case, which relies on a kickstand and can be trickier to position at the optimal angle.

For those who prefer a more minimal setup, the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro Cover offers an origami-style kickstand that works in both portrait and landscape orientations. And for creative professionals, the new Focus Pen Pro brings interesting innovations - despite its button-free design, you can squeeze the stylus to bring up a "shortcut ring" with 1-6 shortcuts in the main UI, or access relevant settings and controls within apps.

Performance that delivers

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset provides a substantial performance boost over the Pad 7 Pro's Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. Xiaomi claims an 81% faster CPU (as measured by Geekbench), twice the GPU speed (+103% on 1440P Aztec Ruins Vulkan), and a 68% higher overall AnTuTu score. While not the absolute latest chip, it's more than capable of handling demanding productivity tasks and creative applications.

The tablet offers flexible configuration options: 8GB or 12GB of RAM (LPDDR5X or faster LPDDR5T respectively) and 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage (UFS 3.1 or faster UFS 4.1 depending on the variant). A side-mounted fingerprint reader serves dual purposes - unlocking the tablet and potentially your phone as well, which is handy for users juggling multiple Xiaomi devices.

Display and battery life

The 11.2-inch 3:2 LCD display maintains the same resolution as its predecessor (3,200 x 2,136px, 345ppi) but adds Dolby Vision and Adaptive HDR support, boosting brightness to 800 nits when needed. The 144Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and responsive touch interactions.

Battery life should be excellent thanks to the 9,200mAh battery, which is actually 350mAh larger than before despite the slimmer profile. It supports 67W fast charging (availability of a charger in the box varies by region) and introduces 22.5W reverse charging capability - useful for topping up accessories or even other devices in a pinch.

Camera capabilities

For a tablet, the camera setup is surprisingly capable. A 50MP rear camera handles photography duties, while the 32MP front-facing camera features an ultra-wide 19mm lens. This wide-angle front camera is particularly useful for video calls, allowing you to fit more people or background into the frame without crowding.

The bigger picture

The Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro represents a mature approach to Android tablets - it doesn't reinvent the category but refines it with meaningful improvements. The combination of a powerful chipset, thoughtful accessories, and enhanced productivity features makes it a compelling option for users who want laptop-like functionality in a tablet form factor.

At MWC 2026, Xiaomi is also showcasing other products including the global Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra smartphones, plus new wearables. But for tablet enthusiasts, the Pad 8 Pro stands out as a device that understands its target audience and delivers on their needs without unnecessary compromises.