Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro: What Reddit Really Thinks

TLDR: Pros: + bright 144 Hz panel + strong runtimes + fast SoC + high-quality metal unibody build + USB 3.2 port. Cons: - (currently) only available as an import - no 5G option - no GPS

if this actually came to the west for $400 ish id buy it in a heartbeat

I understand costs are an issue with using large OLED displays for tablets, but the only reason I ever want a tablet is a large quality display to consume content. I have the Xiaomi Pad 6, but honestly the screen is really not that great. And every other tablet out there that has OLED is overpriced as hell and huge as hell.

The Chinese set is like $350-360 on AliExpress with the widely available Black Friday coupon.

On android you can sideload apps, and that means watching videos, movies and playing games without breaking your bank account. On iOS you're going to pay a subscription for everything that looks nice to have. Also, if you have Bluetooth audio devices with LDAC support, Android is your choice here. Go for an iPad if you want to draw and you're going to buy the pencil and software.

Reasons to consider the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro: Higher display refresh rate – 144 Hz. 86% better performance in AnTuTu Benchmark (2759K versus 1485K). Comes with 1502 mAh larger battery capacity: 9200 vs 7698 mAh. Delivers 31% higher peak brightness. Supports higher wattage charging (67W versus 30W). Compatible with the latest Wi-Fi 7 wireless networks. Has 33% more RAM: 8GB versus 6GB.

Still no OLED, the only reason I own a Tab S9 is the beautiful OLED screen

No OLED. No SD Card.

You also get a keyboard included with the Pad 8.

I had the same dilemma between Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro and Honor Magic Pad 4. Honor had better specifications and RAM. I liked the thinness and 16GB is a deal breaker for me. The pad pro 8 has Dolby Atmos but I went with Honor considering it has 8 speakers. I didn't want to risk 12GB RAM with Xiaomi Pad Pro 8.

Even though I'm a Xiaomi supporter and these phones and tablets are AMAZING, I just can't with their software — it's 2 years behind One UI and other OSes.

If you are into emulator gaming or gaming in general, then 256GB is not enough.

Probably the Samsung Tab has better compatibility with apps.

Works great for content (I mainly watch tv shows and read books). I think it's too big for walking around with. It's basically a mini laptop lol. Chinese rom doesn't get in the way except that stupid 'virus detected please press ok to remove app' popup.

For me, Xiaomi because I play games and allat and free stylus and keyboard too. It's fast, smooth, and more battery. Solid option. Don't get 128 because of UFS3.1. I see everyone using ipad air or the a16 in my uni idk why. If your budget is high enough you can consider apple. Safe option.

I've used my friend's pad 7 AND IT'S SO DAMN CRAZY for games, yet it sucks so bad when it comes to note taking. Like almost half the good notetaking apps just work like they'd do on a phone with a large screen. But for my ipad, the apps are super optimized. So if you're not looking for any gaming machine, any iPad is THE go to choice.

For note taking I would buy the ipad, but for everything else pad 8. I own the pad 7 and it's very good — the screen looks amazing, very good for games and the battery holds well (9h SOT from 100-0). The downside is the pen (feels a bit cheap) and notetaking which is not bad but apple is better at this.

Hardware wise both will more than meet your needs, but the S11 is slightly faster. Where the big difference is the software experience as One UI 8 is much better than HyperOS 3 and Samsung has longer software support and almost always pushes updates like clockwork where Xiaomi has a very weird rollout schedule.

Note taking is in your second point. Obviously go for Samsung.

Unless you are a heavy gamer it's not worth upgrading over the Pad 7, or unless you do heavy video editing. It depends what you need — if just browsing and watching YouTube, even the Pad 6 is more than enough.

Xiaomi Pad 8 — no questions about it.

Get the Samsung, you can save by getting the S10+ which has a bigger screen size too.

Apple for the long term.

Other than Chinese language in native search functions, this is a really nice tablet. Super smooth and very fast. If you get one, just remember that if you factory reset it, enable Basic Google Services in the system menu and use the GetApps app natively installed already to install the Play Store.

For me the lack of reliable biometric auth on Honor is a deal breaker. Not even a fingerprint scanner was added. [Implying Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro is the better choice here]

Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro has better resolution, clarity, processor, refresh rate, faster charging and has IR blaster.

Specwise Pad 8 Pro. iPad if you prefer its ecosystem, but if zero preference, Pad 8 Pro.

Specs mean next to nothing when it comes to the iPad. iPads are generally very resource-friendly and even older iPads have handled 4K editing for me barely breaking a sweat. If you're genuinely looking for something to work on, something to edit on, something that's basically like carrying a small MacBook around, the iPad is the way to go. It's fast, efficient, and the apps are designed properly for it.

Looks very good, Xiaomi has improved its pen this year too, so it will be better for academics and graphic editing. I think it's a strong choice depending on price.

If you want to play emulator games buy the Pro version as it has the 8 Elite chipset. The 8 Elite runs emulator games so much better than Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 8s Gen 4.

For heavier emulation like PC and Switch, on the Pad 8 the 8 Elite and Adreno 840 doesn't have Turnip driver support yet. The best one as of now for emulation is the 8 Gen 3 since it has Turnip driver support. Turnip is needed especially on Switch emulation since it's glitchy/lower performance in heavy titles like Zelda BOTW without it.

Is this even worth comparing? Just buy the goddamn Pad 8 before it's too late.

Just bought a second hand one off eBay for £260. Chinese version. It was very easy to install Play Store, Google services and Gboard. It's already received 3 updates in less than 1 year.

I bought a Chinese version yesterday. Once turning on Basic Google Services it was easy to sign in to my Google account and get everything set up. I have Gemini, NotebookLM, etc. all working.

No AMOLED screen — I was just thinking of buying it when the insane news of no AMOLED screen and no GPS passed before my eyes. Talk about a dealbreaker!

Great spec, but no SD card or AMOLED screen — that's a no for me. I need more storage. Would have been great, but no thanks.

Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro: you get 9200mAh battery and 67W super fast charging. Xiaomi provides 2.23 million AnTuTu score with Snapdragon 8 Elite. You get a bigger display with 3.2K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, 800 nits brightness, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and 12-bit color panel. Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro saves you money so you can buy the pencil too.

My girlfriend is using an iPad 10th gen, I'm using a Xiaomi Pad 7. There is no objective 'better' tablet and it's 100% subjective. She has an iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch so she just wants her products to work — no tinkering, no sideloading. I love customization and sideloading apps. We both have the pencil for our tablets.

In terms of performance, Xiaomi can give you more power for less money, but with a mediocre pen from an artist's perspective. Samsung still uses the Wacom universal tech in their pens and it's the best out there on Android. But you actually pay double for the S-series.

Never buying Xiaomi tablet again, broke Widevine on the Pad 5 after a couple of updates making it useless for streaming. Was never fixed as far as I am aware.

Ecosystem: Apple. Price, Specs, Features, Hardware: Xiaomi.