With an 8.8-inch display and impressive battery life, the Pad Mini is the compact Android tablet I’ve been eagerly anticipating.
If you’re in search of a quality Android tablet, there are plenty of options available, but most tend to be larger in size. Redmagic’s Astra stood out with its 9.06-inch OLED screen, making it an exceptional device. Personally, I’ve been searching for a small Android tablet since we’ve just relocated, and I wanted to create a smart home dashboard in my living area.
Although I appreciate using the iPad mini, I sought an Android tablet for running Home Assistant, and coincidentally, Xiaomi introduced the Pad Mini right when I needed it. The tablet was revealed alongside the 15T and 15T Pro, and I’ve been testing it for nearly two weeks now. Priced at $429, the Pad Mini rivals the iPad Mini, but this isn’t new territory for Xiaomi; they’ve been doing this for over a decade. Currently, the tablet is restricted to select Southeast Asian countries, though it is expected to reach other markets in the upcoming months.
Similar to the Xiaomi Pad 7 and Pad 7 Pro, the Pad Mini features a metallic body with a sleek design, and its compact size enhances portability. The build quality is solid, and although the grey version I’m using may not be visually striking, I appreciate that Xiaomi kept the design understated.
The Pad Mini has flat edges with slight bevels that make it comfortable to hold, and weighing in at 326g, it’s light enough to handle effortlessly. It is slightly heavier than the iPad mini, but you gain a larger display. The bezels are thicker than typical smartphones, yet they are consistent in size.
Regarding the display, the 8.8-inch IPS LCD can reach up to 165Hz, which seems excessive. The positive aspect is that the interface is smooth, and I experienced no lag during my two weeks with the Pad Mini. The impressive 3K resolution of 3008 x 1880 is more than sufficient, and the tablet operates on MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400+ platform — the same as the Xiaomi 15T Pro. Clearly, it packs a powerful punch, as the few games I played on the Pad Mini functioned flawlessly.
I’m using the 12GB/512GB model of the Pad Mini, but it is also offered in an 8GB/256GB variant. It’s refreshing to see Xiaomi leveraging UFS 4.1 storage technology in the tablet, which comes with a substantial 7,500mAh battery that reliably provides over 10 hours of usage without any issues.
The 8.8-inch display offers vibrant colors and is well-calibrated, and true to most Xiaomi products, there’s a good level of customizability. What I appreciate the most is that Xiaomi’s reading mode is maintained, allowing you to set the display to monochrome; this feature gives the Pad Mini an edge over the iPad mini for reading ebooks on the device.
Another unique feature is the side-mounted USB-C port. The Pad Mini includes the typical USB-C port at the bottom, plus an additional port on the left side, making it twice as convenient to charge the tablet while in use. Xiaomi also includes a 67W charger in the packaging — unlike the 15T Pro.
Using the Pad Mini is a pleasure; the compact tablet is easy to operate with one hand, and the display provides excellent color vibrancy and brightness. It’s just as effective for streaming HDR content as it is for browsing, and the stereo sound enhances the experience while watching videos.
Xiaomi has introduced two accessories intended for use with the Pad Mini; the Xiaomi Focus Pen closely resembles what you receive with the Pad 7 and 7 Pro, and it serves as a decent stylus for note-taking and doodling. It features buttons for easy annotation or quick note-taking in Mi Canvas.
Thanks to the Xiaomi Pad Mini Cover, I can utilize the Pad Mini as my smart home controller. The case features a back strap with built-in rivets, making it easier to grip the tablet. However, its standout function is as a kickstand, allowing the Pad Mini to be positioned on a desk or table for use.
The cover significantly enhances the tablet’s usability and is the main reason I’m opting for the Pad Mini over the Redmagic Astra as my smart home controller. Elsewhere, the software mirrors what you find on Xiaomi’s smartphones, and much like the 15T and 15T Pro, it lacks Android 16 — still operating on Android 15.
While that is somewhat frustrating, it’s clear
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