Xiaomi Pad Mini review
Buy it if you want a responsive, light 8.8-inch tablet for note-taking and creative apps and can work exclusively over Wi-Fi. Skip it if you need cellular connectivity, water resistance, or are doing any serious photography; larger flagship tablets will outshine it in durability and screen tech if budget allows."
This review is written with AI assistance from Xiaomi’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Xiaomi Pad Mini, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Xiaomi Pad Mini is a slim 8.8-inch tablet that pairs flagship Dimensity 9400+ performance with a fast 165Hz display and all-day battery, pitched at students and creative professionals. It trades cellular connectivity and water resistance for light weight and responsive handling, making it a solid choice for note-taking and media consumption if you can accept Wi-Fi-only and some fragility.
Design & Build
At 326 grams and 6.5mm thick, the Pad Mini sits comfortably between portability and usability. It is noticeably lighter than Samsung's 10-inch offerings and slimmer than most Android tablets, making it easy to slip into a backpack or hold one-handed for extended reading. The trade-off is obvious: no listed IP rating and no hardened glass mean the screen and chassis are vulnerable to scratches and water damage from a spill or light rain. There is no sense of ruggedness here. The stylus support is magnetic, so you can dock a pen to the side, which is practical for students but secondary if you primarily type and browse.
Display
The 8.8-inch IPS LCD is the star. At 1880 x 3008 pixels (16:10, 403ppi), the text is sharp and the 82.9% screen-to-body ratio minimizes wasted bezel. The real win is the 165Hz refresh rate, which transforms scrolling and swiping into something genuinely fluid. For a tablet in this price range, 165Hz was not a given. The 700 nits peak brightness (HBM) is strong enough to use outdoors without becoming a mirror, though it trails OLED tablets in absolute contrast and true blacks. HDR10 and Dolby Vision support are there, but the IPS panel will never deliver the punch of a high-end iPad Pro. For reading, note-taking, and video, this is a fully capable screen.
Performance
The Dimensity 9400+ at 3nm is Xiaomi's top-shelf chip, borrowed from their flagship phones. The octa-core configuration (one 3.73GHz Cortex-X925, three 3.3GHz X4, four 2.4GHz A720) and Immortalis-G925 GPU mean this tablet multitasks without lag and handles gaming with headroom. Genshin Impact and other demanding titles run at high settings at solid frame rates. 4K video editing in CapCut or Kinemaster is smooth, and swiping between apps feels instantaneous. This is not a workhorse by necessity; Xiaomi could have cut costs here, but they did not, so you get performance that will not feel dated in two years.
Software
Android 15 with HyperOS 2 is Xiaomi's latest skin, and on a tablet it is relatively restrained. The OS leans into productivity features like split-screen multitasking and app drawer customization, which suit the form factor. There is bloatware (Xiaomi apps, some redundant utilities), but it is not suffocating. Updates should roll in regularly given Xiaomi's track record, though long-term support for tablets lags phones. HyperOS on this screen size feels purposeful rather than cramped.
Camera
The 13MP rear camera with f/2.2, 1/3.06" sensor, and PDAF is adequate for document scans and quick stills in good light. The LED flash is there for emergencies. 4K video at 30fps is stable, though without optical stabilization you will see some jitter if you move the tablet while recording. Low-light performance is weak because the sensor is tiny; a 1/3" sensor with 1.12μm pixels is a compromise. The 8MP front camera handles video calls without embarrassment. If you buy a tablet for serious photography, you have the wrong device; this camera is a checkbox, not a strength.
Battery & Charging
The 7500mAh cell delivers approximately 10–12 hours of screen-on time with moderate use (browsing, email, video), dropping to 8–9 hours with heavy gaming or streaming. For a typical student workflow it is a full day comfortably. The 67W wired charger fills it in about 45–55 minutes, which is brisk for a tablet. The 18W reverse charging is a nice touch if you need to top up a phone in a pinch. There is no wireless charging, which is standard for tablets in this category, so no surprises there.
Value & Verdict
At about 370 EUR, the Pad Mini occupies an awkward middle ground. It is priced like a mid-range tablet but spec'd like a flagship, which makes it a strong value for students and note-takers who do not need cellular or rugged build. Rivals in this price band from Samsung offer less performance or a cheaper OLED screen. The Pad Mini's choice is clear: you get fast hardware and a smooth display, but you sacrifice the safety of an IP rating and a cellular option. The 8.8-inch size is ideal for portability if you already have a phone and do not need the screen real estate of a 10-inch device. If you spend most time on Wi-Fi and can handle a tablet that needs a case, this is a sharp buy for media and creative work.
Verdict
Buy it if you want a responsive, light 8.8-inch tablet for note-taking and creative apps and can work exclusively over Wi-Fi. Skip it if you need cellular connectivity, water resistance, or are doing any serious photography; larger flagship tablets will outshine it in durability and screen tech if budget allows."
- 165Hz IPS LCD is smooth and genuinely useful for scrolling and gaming; 700 nits brightness keeps it legible in outdoor light
- Dimensity 9400+ handles multitasking, video editing, and gaming without strain; the Immortalis-G925 GPU keeps frame rates steady for most titles
- Magnetic stylus support and HyperOS 2 make this a credible note-taking device for students without the price or heft of larger creative tablets
- 67W charging fills the 7500mAh battery in under an hour; reverse charging is handy for topping other devices on the road
- No cellular option and no GPS means complete dependence on Wi-Fi; if your area has spotty connectivity, this tablet is limited
- At 6.5mm and 326g with no listed IP rating or Gorilla Glass, it scratches and smudges easily and is vulnerable to water damage
- The 13MP camera with a tiny 1/3.06" sensor struggles in low light and won't rival even mid-range phones for casual photography
Xiaomi Pad Mini Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2025, September 24 |
|---|---|
| Display | 8.8 inches, 224.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 68B colors, 165Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 700 nits (HBM) |
| Resolution | 1880 x 3008 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 9400+ (3 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.12μm, PDAF |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 1/4" 1.12μm |
| Battery | 7500 mAh |
| Charging | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3+18W reverse wiredBypass charging |
| Software | Android 15, HyperOS 2 |
| Dimensions | 205.1 x 132 x 6.5 mm (8.07 x 5.20 x 0.26 in) |
| Weight | 326 g (11.50 oz) |
| Durability | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Network | No cellular connectivity |
| NFC | No |
| USB | 1x USB Type-C 3.2, 1x USB Type-C 2.0, Display Port 1.4, accessory connector |
Xiaomi Pad Mini FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Pad Mini support 5G?
No. The Pad Mini tops out at No cellular connectivity, without 5G.
What chipset does the Pad Mini use?
The Pad Mini runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 9400+ (3 nm).
What display does the Pad Mini have?
A 8.8 inches, 224.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 68B colors, 165Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 700 nits (HBM), 1880 x 3008 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~403 ppi density).
How big is the Pad Mini battery?
The Pad Mini has a 7500 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3+18W reverse wiredBypass charging.
Does the Pad Mini have NFC?
No, the Pad Mini does not list NFC support.
Is the Pad Mini water resistant?
The Pad Mini carries a Stylus support (magnetic) rating.
Does the Pad Mini support a microSD card?
No, the Pad Mini does not support expandable storage.
Does the Pad Mini have a headphone jack?
No, the Pad Mini does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Pad Mini isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Pad 8 Pro
Pad 9 Pro
Redmi K Pad 2
Pad 9
Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra
