Most of my tablet usage is on iPad Pro M4and that’s because of two things: the tandem OLED panel and the software. The OLED on the iPad Pro is a pleasure to use, and playing games or reading content is just great. I’m a music producer and it’s easy to use my iPad to load a drum machine or synthesizer – most of these utilities just aren’t available on Android.
That said, I always have an Android tablet on hand to use as a general media device and smart home controller. I used it Xiaomi Pad Mini in the last six months and he has done a masterful job in this regard. So when Xiaomi shipped the Pad 8, I replaced the Pad Mini with the Pad 8 and after a month of using it, I’m convinced that it’s the best mid-range Android tablet you can buy. There’s a lot that the Pad 8 gets right, and I’m highlighting four of my favorite features.
The 11.2-inch LCD panel is great for everyday use
Xiaomi hasn’t changed the 11.2-inch LCD panel, and while it’s not as good as the iPad Pro, it’s still the best option you’ll find in this category. The 11.2-inch size is ideal, and the color vibrancy makes the tablet a great choice if you just need a multimedia device for streaming content. Xiaomi has also done a good job with the on-board sound, and the four internal audio drivers produce decent volume.
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I have the standard Pad 8, but Xiaomi sells a model with a nanotextured coating, and I highly recommend getting that model. The anti-glare technology makes a big difference and gives the Pad 8 a definite edge in this category. The 3:2 ratio is ideal if you’re interested in reading e-books, and that’s the case with the Xiaomi the best reading mode any brand that allows you to turn the entire panel monochrome.
Pad 8 is one of the most powerful tablets
The Pad 8 is powered by a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and handled everything I threw at it with relative ease. I didn’t notice any lag issues and it was nice to play games on the tablet with the Bluetooth controller. The model I used is the 8GB/128GB configuration, and I recommend getting the 12GB/256GB model. The 256GB variant gets UFS 4.1 storage – the 128GB model has UFS 3.1 – and the extra storage gives you slightly better headroom.
Although the tablet has the same dimensions as last year, it’s a smidgen thinner, and the difference is only noticeable when used alongside the Pad 8. Pad 7. In my opinion, the Pad 8 is a better option than the Pad 8 Pro; both tablets are basically the same, the Pro model gets a faster platform, a better camera (meaningless on a tablet) and faster 67W charging technology.
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Xiaomi leans towards productivity, the Pad 8 is sold with two keyboard cases and a stylus that is better than the previous year. I really like the Focus Keyboard and it has backlit keys with good tactile feedback without taking up too much space. Oh, and unlike Redmi Note 15 Pro+The Pad 8 doesn’t suffer from poor software options—it runs AAndroid 16 from the box.
You get class-leading battery life
Xiaomi’s tablets always have good battery life, and the Pad 8 does better in this area. A larger 9,200 mAh battery ensures that the tablet has enough juice to handle productivity tasks or if you’re binge-watching an entire season of a TV show.
In fact, the main reason I use the Pad 8 as a smart home control panel is the battery life. It’s great that the tablet doesn’t have to be charged every day, and it performs better than other mid-range tablets I’ve used in recent years.
The Pad 8 is an unbeatable value
A big selling point of Android tablets is value, and Xiaomi has once again demonstrated that it understands this category better than its competitors. Like the Pad 6 and Pad 7, the Pad 8 is incredibly good value, especially in India, where the tablet starts at just ₹33,999 ($364). At £399 ($535) in the UK, it’s not exactly a bargain, but it’s still better than most tablets in the segment.
Xiaomi is also sensitive with its accessory pricing, which makes the Pad 8 a good choice if you’re looking at a mid-range productivity tablet. Overall, Xiaomi has done everything right with the Pad 8, and the tablet is a great upgrade if you’re on an older device or considering a trade-in.
With powerful internals, a huge battery, a vibrant 11.2-inch panel and useful software features, the Pad 8 is the ideal mid-range tablet in 2026.
