Xiaomi Pad 8: What It Is, What It Does, and If It’s Worth Your Money

If you’ve been scrolling through tablet listings and kept stumbling on the Xiaomi Pad 8, you’re not alone. This mid‑range tablet promises a mix of decent power and a friendly price tag, but does it really deliver? Let’s break it down piece by piece so you can decide fast.

Design and Build – Light, Thin, and Comfortable

The Pad 8 feels solid without being heavy. At 7.9 mm thick and roughly 460 g, it slides into most bags with ease. Xiaomi went with a matte aluminum frame that resists fingerprints, plus a smooth back that’s comfortable to hold for long reading sessions. The bezels are thin, giving the 10.1‑inch screen a modern look without sacrificing grip.

Display – Bright, Colorful, and Good for Media

The 10.1‑inch IPS LCD packs a 2000 × 1200 resolution. That’s 224 ppi, which feels crisp for watching videos, browsing, or sketching. Brightness peaks around 400 nits, so you can use it outdoors on a sunny day without squinting. Colors are punchy but not oversaturated, making it a solid choice for both Netflix binges and casual Photoshop work.

One nice touch is the narrow side‑mount speaker setup. While you won’t get a theater‑like boom, the sound is clear enough for podcasts and YouTube. If you need louder audio, a cheap Bluetooth headset will do the trick.

Performance – Snapdragon Meets Android 13

Inside, Xiaomi fitted the Pad 8 with a Snapdragon 680 processor, paired with 4 GB of LPDDR4X RAM. For everyday tasks – web surfing, streaming, light gaming – it feels snappy. Apps open in a flash, and multitasking with two windows is smooth enough for most users.

Storage starts at 64 GB, expandable via a microSD slot up to 1 TB. That gives you room for apps, movies, and a decent photo library without constantly juggling files.

Battery Life – All‑Day Power on a Single Charge

The 8000 mAh battery is the real workhorse. Xiaomi claims up to 10 hours of mixed usage, and in my tests, watching videos back‑to‑back lasted about 9.5 hours before the charger pinged. With the fast‑charge 18 W adapter (included), you can hit 50 % in under an hour – handy for a quick coffee break.

Software – MIUI for Pad Keeps Things Simple

Running Android 13 with MIUI for Pad, the tablet offers a clean interface and useful split‑screen gestures. Xiaomi has added a few tablet‑specific tweaks, like a dedicated app drawer and floating windows, that make the experience feel more native than a phone‑ported UI.

Security updates roll out monthly, and the device supports Google Play services out of the box, so you won’t miss any popular apps.

Camera – Good Enough for Video Calls

The 8‑MP rear camera isn’t a selling point, but it captures decent snapshots in good light. The 5‑MP front shooter shines in video calls, offering clear video on Zoom or Teams. If photography is your main reason for a tablet, you might look elsewhere.

Price and Value – Competitive on the Mid‑Range Market

In South Africa, the Xiaomi Pad 8 retails around R5,999, positioning it below the iPad 10 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. Considering the specs, you’re getting a solid all‑rounder without breaking the bank.

If you need a portable work device, a family entertainment hub, or a student tablet, the Pad 8 checks the boxes. For power users who demand high‑end gaming or professional‑grade displays, a pricier flagship might make more sense.

Where to Buy – Tips for Getting the Best Deal

Look for official Xiaomi stores online, major e‑commerce sites, or local electronics retailers. Keep an eye out for bundle offers that include a keyboard or a stylus – they add value without a huge price jump. Also, check for seasonal sales; the Pad 8 often drops 10‑15 % during holiday promotions.

Bottom line: the Xiaomi Pad 8 delivers a balanced mix of design, performance, and battery life at a price that feels fair. If those are the features you care about, it’s definitely worth a closer look.