The Xiaomi Pad 8 lands in the Philippines as more users look to build out their smart device setups. I used this tablet for a few weeks to see if it actually works for a professional workflow. Xiaomi also positions the Pad 8 as an AI-driven productivity hub for the "on-the-go" lifestyle. Thus, the tablet is gunned for students, young pros, and digital nomads who want a lightweight bridge between a phone and a laptop.
At the starting price of Php 29,999, let's see if we get a nice balance of speed and modern features from this tablet. Are you planning in buying a tablet soon? Check out this review of the Xiaomi Pad 8.
Pros
- Premium and lightweight design
- Strong performance
- Useful AI features under HyperAI 2
- Large battery capacity
Cons
- No cellular variant
- Design remains similar to previous generation
Design
There's no doubt that the Xiaomi Pad 8 is feels premium in terms of design. Of course, I could not say that the design is something I haven't seen before. In fact, the Xiaomi Pad 8 carriers the same body construction as the previous model. At just 485g, I can easily carry it around all day without feeling any bulk in my bag. The all-metal unibody design gives it a sturdy, high-end feel that reminds me of much more expensive flagships.
The 5.75-millimeter thickness appeals to me because it makes the tablet feel incredibly modern. This measurement makes it one of the thinnest LCD tablets that Xiaomi offers globally. The Xiaomi Pad 8 is ideal if you're working from anywhere, the build quality provides the durability I need for constant travel or coffee shop hopping.
You can choose from three colors: "Pine Green," "Blue," and "Gray." We have the Blue colorway for our review unit though it would be mistaken as a tablet that has a gray tone, especially when seen from distance.
The slim body houses a high-capacity battery without any extra bulk. The ports and buttons sit in straightforward, no-nonsense spots. In landscape mode, the USB-C port and a set of speakers occupy the right side. The left side houses the power button and another speaker set. Meanwhile, the top edge features the volume rocker and the magnetic dock for the pen. I'm using the Focus Pen Pro which snaps securely onto this area. This section also handles wireless charging and automatic pairing for the stylus.
Display
The front of the tablet houses an 11.2-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio. This specific ratio provides more vertical space for documents and spreadsheets. I often use this extra room to view more lines of a script without constant scrolling. Consequently, my workflow feels much more efficient during long writing sessions for the website. The screen delivers a 3.2K resolution and a pixel density of 345 ppi. Moreover, the 144Hz refresh rate makes every animation and scroll feel incredibly fluid. I noticed this smoothness immediately when swipe through the tablet's interface.
The display also holds up well in different environments. It reaches up to 800 nits of peak brightness, so the screen stays easy to see even when I work at a coffee shop near a bright window. I do not have to squint or adjust the angle just to read documents or check emails. Xiaomi also added several certifications that help reduce eye strain during long sessions. The panel carries TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light, TÜV Rheinland Flicker Free, and TÜV Rheinland Circadian Friendly certifications. These features make a noticeable difference when I work late at night or spend hours reading articles and research materials on the tablet.
The Xiaomi Pad 8 also works great for multimedia. The display supports Dolby Vision, which helps bring out better contrast and richer colors when I watch movies or series. Scenes look more vibrant and detailed, especially when streaming content on Netflix or YouTube. Xiaomi also kept the quad-speaker setup, and it delivers surprisingly loud and clear audio for a tablet. Dolby Atmos support adds a bit more depth to the audio, which makes the whole experience more immersive.
Thin bezels also help elevate the viewing experience. The tablet has an 85.4 percent screen-to-body ratio, so the display feels expansive without making the device bulky. When I watch movies during travel or catch up on shows during breaks, the Xiaomi Pad 8 starts to feel like a compact portable theater. All in all, the large screen, strong speakers, and Dolby enhancements come together nicely for someone like me who enjoys streaming content, watching videos, or even gaming on a bigger display.
Performance + Camera
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Mobile Platform runs the show inside the Xiaomi Pad 8. This chipset uses a 4nm production process to ensure peak efficiency and speed. I used the Xiaomi Pad 7 last year and I notice a massive jump in responsiveness on this new version. Moreover, the chip handles heavy tasks with much better efficiency. Xiaomi reports an impressive 36% rise in AnTuTu scores; consequently, the CPU performance increases by 32% and the GPU performance jumps by 67%.
I notice this leap in power in my play session, specifically when I run "Genshin Impact" at the highest graphical configuration. The device maintains stable frame rates even during intense combat scenes. I no longer encounter the lag or thermal issues that I saw on previous models.
The tablet is also a joy to use for light photo and video editing. The Adreno 825 GPU handles these tasks with ease. The device comes with different RAM and storage configurations. You can choose 8GB between 12GB RAM. Storage is up to 256GB of UFS memory. For connectivity, the tablet supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. I always enjoy using my wireless headphones with the tablet, the stable connection makes the experience seamless. Nevertheless, there's no cellular variant which could be a compelling option especially for those who are always on the go.
Aside from the quad-speaker system, the 200% volume boost is also a welcome feature when I watch videos without headphones. For video calls, the tablet uses a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera. These sensors ensure sharp images and high-quality video for my virtual meetings. These sensors also produces photos with ample details and color accuracy when used in well-lit environments. The rear sensor is also ideal for scanning documents. Take a look at these sample photos:
The Xiaomi Pad 8 demonstrates impressive across several benchmark platforms, as seen in the provided results. It achieves an impressive AnTuTu V11.0.9 total score of 2,309,155, with its GPU contributing a massive 809,965 points and the CPU adding 656,638. In Geekbench 6 testing, the device records a Single-Core Score of 2,029 and a Multi-Core Score of 6,332, while running on Android 16 with a kernel identified as Linux 6.6.77.
Graphics-heavy tasks also show strong potential, with the tablet earning a GPU OpenCL Score of 13,429 and an even higher GPU Vulkan Score of 18,469. These figures highlight a powerful hardware configuration capable of handling demanding applications and high-fidelity gaming.
Software: AI Productivity + Xiaomi HyperOS 3
The Xiaomi Pad 8 runs on the new Xiaomi HyperOS 3. This skin is based on Android 16 and take advantage of Google's latest software innovation. The system introduces a subtle facelift especially in app icons and animations. The multitasking experience feels much more efficient now. The updated split-screen layout supports a 5:5 vertical split view. It also introduces a new horizontal 1:9 split ratio for flexible window management. These windows setup allows me to easily use my writing app with my reference on the side.
Plus, the "Workstation Mode" expansion allows me to keep more apps in the Dock for quick access. There's also a PC-level browser which provides a desktop-like interface with an upgraded toolbar and full keyboard shortcut support. Though, the system forces you to use the WPS Office PC which offers WPS Docs, WPS Slides, WPS Sheets, and WPS PDFs. If you're a user of this suite of apps, you might find this beneficial. This software ensures full compatibility with my professional files directly on the tablet, which is very convenient.
Aside from the native software features, Xiaomi also integrates system-level intelligence through Xiaomi HyperAI 2 which includes AI Writing and AI Speech Recognition. The former is very convenient in creating text-based content, it acts as a personal editor for my daily work on the Xiaomi Pad 8. This feature lives inside the Xiaomi Notes app but you can also access it on system-wide sidebar. Tools like AI Translate Conversation, AI Art and Google Gemini are some of the gems that could be very useful in HyperAI tasks on the Xiaomi Pad 8.
Battery + Accessories
I often pair the Xiaomi Pad 8 with the new Xiaomi Focus Pen Pro whenever I need to jot down notes or sketch quick ideas. The stylus has a button-free unibody design, so there are no accidental presses that interrupt your writing flow. It weighs just 17.5g, and the balance feels right in the hand. It also supports pressure-sensitive shortcuts and intuitive pinch gestures. Features like hover preview and the side-rotating brush help create more natural lines and textures, which makes sketching feel closer to using a real pen.
For productivity, the tablet works well with the Focus Keyboard and the standard Keyboard. Once attached, the Xiaomi Pad 8 starts to feel more like a compact mobile workstation. Typing documents, replying to emails, or editing content becomes much easier with a proper keyboard in place.
Battery life also holds up well in daily use. The Xiaomi Pad 8 packs a large 9200 mAh battery, which is a clear upgrade from the previous generation. In my experience, it can easily last through a full workday without interruptions. When it is time to recharge, the 45W turbo charging helps bring the battery back quickly. Charging and data transfer both run through the USB Type-C port. Even with a thinner body, Xiaomi managed to fit a larger battery inside, which is a nice bonus for people who rely on their tablet throughout the day.
Verdict
The Xiaomi Pad 8 lives up to its “Powerfully Productive” tagline. It pairs the performance of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 with the smart features of Xiaomi HyperAI 2, so everyday tasks feel quick and responsive. Apps open fast, multitasking stays smooth, and productivity tools run without much fuss even during longer work sessions.
The hardware also plays a big role in the experience. The tablet features a sharp 3.2K display that keeps text crisp and visuals detailed, whether you review documents, edit photos, or watch videos. Its lightweight metal body makes it easy to carry around and comfortable to use for long stretches. It feels solid in the hand without feeling bulky in a bag.
In many ways, the Xiaomi Pad 8 fits right between a smartphone and a laptop. It handles work tasks with ease but still works great for streaming, browsing, or casual gaming after hours. If you need a reliable device for both productivity and entertainment, the Xiaomi Pad 8 offers solid value and shows how far Xiaomi’s tablet lineup has come.
Xiaomi Pad 8 Specs
Body: All-metal one-piece bodyDimensions: 251.22mm × 173.42mm × 5.75mm
Weight: 485g
Colors: Pine Green, Blue, Gray
Screen-to-Body Ratio: 85.4%
Display
Size: 11.2-inch 3:2 crystal-clear display
Resolution: 3.2K (3,200 × 2,136), 345 ppi
Refresh Rate: Up to 144Hz
Brightness: Adaptive HDR with 800-nit peak brightness
Certifications: TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light, Flicker Free, and Circadian Friendly
Video Support: Dolby Vision
Performance
Xiaomi Pad 8: Processor: Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm)
GPU: Adreno 825
Memory/Storage: 8GB+256GB
RAM/UFS Version: 8GB: LPDDR5X | 12GB: LPDDR5T
128GB: UFS 3.1 | 256GB/512GB: UFS 4.1
Battery and Charging
Battery Capacity: 9,200 mAh (typical)
Charging (Pad 8): 45W turbo charging
Port: USB Type-C
Camera System
Xiaomi Pad 8: Rear: 13MP (f/2.2 PDAF)
Front: 8MP (f/2.28)
Audio and Connectivity
Audio: Immersive quad speakers, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res & Hi-Res Wireless Audio
Volume: 200% volume boost
Wireless: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Wired: USB 3.2 Gen 1
Intelligence and Ecosystem
Software: Xiaomi HyperOS 3.0
HyperConnect (Home Screen+, Cross-device camera, Smart Hub)
AI Features: Xiaomi HyperAI (AI Writing, AI Interpreter, AI Calculator, AI Art)
Google Integration: Circle to Search with Google, Google Gemini
Compatible Accessories
Xiaomi Focus Pen Pro
Xiaomi Pad 8 Focus Keyboard
Xiaomi Pad 8 Keyboard
Xiaomi Pad 8 Cover
Price: PHP 29,999 (PHP 27,999 pre-order until March 26)
