Xiaomi has simply launched new flagship smartphones in China, however don’t neglect concerning the tablets!
Nearly 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 among the finest 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 nearly actually be into 2026. And if previous years are something to go by, Cell World Congress in Barcelona firstly of March is the almost certainly launch pad.
If true, it means a painfully lengthy watch for a pill that appears extremely compelling. Listed below are 5 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 price below £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 images are something to go by, the gray, blue and inexperienced finishes will all look the half.
Regardless of decreasing the burden to 485g, I wouldn’t count on the Pad 8 Professional to really feel flimsy in any respect. Nevertheless, 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 take 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. Nevertheless, I’d be shocked if any patrons find yourself complaining a few sub-par display.
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 embody an 11.2-inch show with a crisp 2136 x 3200 decision and silky-smooth 144Hz refresh price. What’s to not like?
Prime-class efficiency
I don’t want to check the Pad 8 Professional to let you know that its efficiency shall be glorious. Except Xiaomi completely botches its integration into the gadget, which is extremely unlikely, there’ll be greater than sufficient energy for mainly any job.
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 units that use the 8 Elite, and efficiency has been a spotlight each single time. Whether or not you simply wish to browse the net and scroll social media or need a gadget for critical modifying or gaming, the Pad 8 Professional will serve you effectively.
A good larger battery
Whereas we haven’t reviewed the Xiaomi Pad 7 Professional at Tech Advisor, its common sibling has an similar 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 features from the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset might make this extra important than the modest leap in capability suggests.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
With 67W charging additionally out there (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)
In fact, the important thing promoting level of Xiaomi tablets has sometimes been their affordability.
We don’t know the way a lot the Pad 8 Professional will price within the UK and Europe but, however the Chinese language launch makes for encouraging studying.
Its CNY 2,799 beginning worth 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 worth suggests a rise in comparison with the Pad 7’s UK worth 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 presents minor upgrades, Xiaomi’s pill turns into much more interesting.
In fact, there are many issues we don’t know till testing, however for those who’re prepared to attend, the Pad 8 Professional might be a superb low-cost pill in 2026. Hopefully it launches sooner somewhat than later, although!
Want a brand new slate proper now? Take a look at our information to one of the best tablets you should buy.