Xiaomi Pad Mini Review: The Small Tablet with Giant Ambition
January 18, 2026Performance: MediaTek Dimensity 9400+, 12GB RAM
Operating system: Xiaomi HyperOS 2
Display: 8.8-inch ( 3K Crystal-clear display)
Weight: 326g
Storage: 512GB
Battery: 7,500 mAh
Features: Dual Type-C support
Rear Camera: 13 MP 4K video recording
Front Camera: 8 MP 1080p video recording
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, IPv6,
Colour: Gray
Price RM 1,999
Many would argue that for an 8.8-inch tablet priced close to RM2,000, it makes more sense to buy a larger device that comes bundled with a keyboard and stylus. As a consumer, I would think the same—value for money always matters.
However, setting aside my identity as a tech reviewer, the moment I turned on the display, it immediately caught my attention. The colours were incredibly vivid, and once I started streaming a movie on Netflix, my reaction was simple: this little tablet is actually doing the job.
So now, let’s break it down one by one and explore why mini tablets like this deserve to be taken seriously.
Inside the box, Xiaomi includes the tablet itself, a 67W power adapter for fast charging, a USB Type-C cable, a quick start guide, and a warranty card.
The Display vs. Performance
Don’t let the unassuming exterior of the Xiaomi Pad Mini fool you. While its design is deliberately plain—avoiding the flashy “embroidery” or decorative patterns found on some competitors—this tablet is built for users who care more about what’s under the hood. Xiaomi has shifted all the focus away from external gimmicks and poured it directly into raw horsepower.
The centerpiece of this strategy is the elite 8.8-inch display. It features a stunning 3K Ultra Clear resolution with a pixel density of 403 PPI, making text and images razor-sharp. With a peak brightness of 700 nits, the screen remains perfectly visible even in sunlight.
But what truly makes this display a joy to use is the flagship 165Hz refresh rate. It is so incredibly fluid that you won’t be able to regret your purchase for a single second—scrolling and gaming feel almost instant.
Xiaomi has also prioritized your health and usability with two standout features:
Triple TÜV Rheinland Certification: The screen is officially certified for Low Blue Light (Hardware Solution), Flicker-Free viewing, and Circadian Friendly performance. This ensures that even during long night sessions, your eyes stay protected from strain and your sleep cycle isn’t disrupted.
Wet Touch Technology: In a brilliant move for practicality, the screen remains fully responsive even if you are using it with wet hands—perfect for checking recipes while cooking or using the device by the pool.
Beneath that simple face lies the beastly MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ processor. By keeping the outside minimalist, Xiaomi has ensured that every cent of the price goes toward this high-end internal tech. It’s a “sleeper” device: it looks like a standard tablet, but it performs like a professional workstation or a high-end gaming console.
Accessories & Investment Value
When investing in the Xiaomi Pad Mini, it is vital to understand that the tablet is sold as a standalone unit. This means that both the Xiaomi Pad Mini Cover (with the integrated “Focus Band” hand strap) and the Xiaomi Focus Pen are optional accessories that must be purchased separately. While this might initially seem like an added expense, the ecosystem is designed with long-term utility in mind.
The Xiaomi Focus Pen, in particular, represents a smart investment rather than a one-off purchase. Unlike cheaper, device-specific styluses, the Focus Pen is built to be a cross-device tool within the Xiaomi family. It is fully compatible with Xiaomi’s flagship lineup, including the Pad 6S Pro, the Pad 7 series, and even the Pad 6 (with recent software updates).
This means that if you decide to upgrade to a larger professional tablet later on, or if you own multiple Xiaomi devices, your Focus Pen remains a valuable part of your kit. Far from being a waste, the pen’s high-end features—like the virtual laser pointer and 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity—make it a versatile professional tool that can travel with you across different devices in the Xiaomi ecosystem for years to come.
Advanced Cooling & Thermal Management
While the horsepower of the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ is impressive, maintaining that level of performance in such a small frame requires a sophisticated cooling strategy. Xiaomi has equipped the Pad Mini with an innovative centralized SoC thermal architecture. By placing the “brain” of the tablet in the center rather than near the top, the device is able to distribute heat evenly across the entire metal body.
This prevents the “hot spots” that usually plague small tablets during heavy gaming sessions. In fact, this architecture allows for a 75% faster heat equalization speed, meaning the tablet cools down significantly quicker after a heavy workload.
For the user, this specialized design has a massive practical benefit: it keeps the grip temperature significantly lower. Even when the processor is running at its limit, the edges where you hold the device remain roughly 4°C cooler than those of traditional tablet layouts.
This ensures that whether you are pushing the 165Hz refresh rate in a competitive game or multitasking with the Focus Pen, the device remains comfortable in your hands. It is a “quiet” piece of engineering that ensures the tablet’s plain design doesn’t just look cool—it stays cool.
The Cinematic Powerhouse (Viewing & Performance)
The reason the Xiaomi Pad Mini feels like a “portable 4K TV” is due to the seamless synergy between its elite hardware and intelligent software. At its heart is the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+, a flagship 3nm chipset that serves as a professional-grade image processor. When you stream movies on Netflix or play high-end games, this chipset’s AI Image Engine works in the background to upscale every frame in real-time. Because the 8.8-inch screen features a 3K Ultra Clear resolution with a dense 403 PPI, the processor can pack so much detail into a small space that the image appears even sharper than many large living-room TVs.
This performance is what allows for smooth Dolby Vision and HDR10 playback, ensuring that colors are vibrant and shadows are deep, while the 165Hz refresh rate keeps fast-paced action scenes looking perfectly fluid with zero “ghosting” or lag. To match this “crystal killer” visual experience, Xiaomi has equipped the tablet with a Dual-Symmetrical Stereo Speaker system.
These aren’t standard plastic speakers; they are built with large-amplitude acoustic units and high-quality vibrating diaphragms designed to produce a wider soundstage despite the tablet’s slim 6.5mm body. Supported by Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio, these speakers deliver clear vocals and surprisingly punchy mids that make you feel like you are in the middle of the movie.
Whether you are socializing on video calls or binging a cinematic series, the combination of the 3nm Dimensity 9400+ horsepower and the immersive audio system ensures you won’t regret a single bit of your purchase. It is a true flagship entertainment center that delivers high-end “home theater” quality you can hold in one hand.
The Camera’s Smartphone DNA
One of the most impressive “hidden” details about the Xiaomi Pad Mini is the origin of its camera optics. While it is a compact tablet, Xiaomi didn’t just use generic parts; they borrowed the camera lens architecture from their proven smartphone lineups. The 13MP rear camera utilizes the OmniVision OV13B sensor with a 5P (five-element) precision lens—the same reliable optics found in the Redmi Note 13 and 14 series smartphones.
By utilizing smartphone-grade lenses, the Pad Mini achieves a “crystal killer” image quality that significantly surpasses that of typical tablets. Because these lenses were originally designed for phones where space is tight but clarity is vital, they provide the Pad Mini with incredible sharpness and a wide color gamut. This heritage is why your photos look so vibrant on the 3K Ultra Clear display; the camera is literally seeing the world through a smartphone’s eyes.
Why this matters for your photos:
Smartphone Heritage: Using the lens from the Redmi Note series means you get mobile-optimized autofocus (PDAF) that locks onto subjects instantly.
Crystal Clarity: The 403 PPI screen shows off the full detail of this 13MP sensor, making it perfect for “crystal” sharp document scanning.
The Zoom Trade-off: However, because it is a wide smartphone lens adapted for a tablet, the downside is the digital zoom. If you zoom in, the “smartphone” quality fades into grain; it is best kept at 1x for a professional, clear look.
Wet Touch Ready: Since it’s a portable “mini,” Xiaomi has included Wet Touch technology, allowing you to snap a quick photo or join a video call even if your hands are wet from a workout or chores.
Power That Keeps Up With You
When I first picked up the Xiaomi Pad Mini, I was a little skeptical about the battery. How could a tablet this thin (only 6.5mm!) actually last a full day? Well, I was pleasantly surprised. Inside that slim frame, Xiaomi has managed to fit a 7,500mAh battery, and in my real-world testing, it’s an absolute champ.
Whether I was binging a series on Netflix or scrolling through social media, I consistently got around 12 to 13 hours of active use. For a “Mini” tablet, that is impressive—it means I can head out for the day without constantly looking for a wall socket.
But the real “wow” factor for me isn’t just how long it lasts—it’s how fast it comes back to life. Xiaomi included 67W HyperCharge support, and it is a game-changer. I plugged it in when I was at 0%, and in just 30 minutes, I was already back at nearly 60%. A full charge takes about an hour, which is perfect for a quick power-up while I’m grabbing lunch.
There are two “pro” features I found during my review that really stood out:
Dual USB-C Ports: This is a genius move. There is a port on the bottom and one on the side. This means if I’m gaming in landscape mode or watching a movie, the charging cable doesn’t get in the way of my hands. It’s a small detail, but it shows Xiaomi really thought about how we actually use our tablets.
18W Reverse Charging: I’ve actually used the Pad Mini as a power bank to charge my phone when I was in a pinch! It’s a lifesaver feature that makes this tablet feel like an essential part of my daily carry.
My Personal Verdict: Is the Xiaomi Pad Mini Worth It?
After spending significant time with the Xiaomi Pad Mini, I’ve come to a pretty solid conclusion: this is a “sleeper” hit. On the surface, it looks like a simple, plain metal tablet—no flashy embroidery, no loud colors. But the moment you turn it on, the Dimensity 9400+ horsepower takes over, and you realize you’re holding a beast.
It’s rare to find a device that feels so “normal” but performs like a high-end workstation. For me, the standout was the “4K-TV-in-your-hand” feeling; binging movies on that 3K, 165Hz screen is an experience I’m genuinely going to miss when I put this tablet down.
Of course, no device is perfect, and I want to be honest with you about where it falls short. Here is my personal breakdown of the hits and misses:
The Pros (What I Loved)
The “Invisible” Power: It handles everything I throw at it—from heavy gaming to 4K streaming—without breaking a sweat or getting uncomfortably hot.
Visual Perfection: The 403 PPI density is no joke. It makes text look like a printed book and movies look incredibly lifelike.
The Dual USB-C Genius: Being able to charge from the side while watching a movie in bed is a small detail that I now wish every tablet had.
Wet Touch Reality: I actually tested this with wet hands after a workout, and it worked flawlessly. It’s a lifesaver for those “real life” moments.
The Cons (What I Didn’t)
The Zoom Struggle: While the camera is “crystal” for documents, don’t expect to be a wildlife photographer. The digital zoom loses detail fast, so keep your subjects close.
Hidden Costs: It’s a bit of a bummer that the Focus Pen and the Focus Band Cover are separate purchases. You really need them to get the “full” experience, so you have to factor that into your budget.
Design Simplicity: If you’re someone who wants a tablet that “looks” expensive and flashy, this plain design might feel a bit too basic for you.
Final Thought
If you are looking for a compact powerhouse that prioritizes raw speed, a killer display, and long-lasting battery over a flashy exterior, you will not be able to regret a bit of this purchase. It’s a smart, professional tool that hides its strength until you need it. And remember—that Focus Pen isn’t a waste; it’s a long-term partner that will work with your next Xiaomi tablet too.
