Small tablets are making a comeback recently, and Xiaomi is stepping right into that sweet spot with the Xiaomi Pad Mini. Designed for users who want portability without compromising on power, this pint-sized tablet packs flagship-level hardware into an ultra-compact body. With its 8.8-inch high-resolution display, Dimensity 9400+ chipset, and sleek all-metal construction, the Pad Mini aims to be the go-to device for entertainment, gaming, and productivity on the go.
Priced in Malaysia from around RM1,999 to RM2,299 depending on available promotions, the Xiaomi Pad Mini sits in a competitive space where the Apple iPad mini has traditionally dominated. But Xiaomi’s offering brings several modern upgrades and a surprising amount of versatility that is enough to make any compact tablet lover take notice.
In this full review, we break down the design, display, performance, software experience, battery, cameras, and overall usability to help you decide if the Xiaomi Pad Mini is worth the investment.
Design & Build Quality – Small, Stylish, and Premium
The first thing that stands out about the Pad Mini is its feather-light and ultra-slim build. At just 6.5mm thin and weighing roughly 326 grams, it feels incredibly comfortable to hold which is almost like a small paperback book. Whether you’re reading in bed, watching videos on the couch, or gaming during your commute, the Pad Mini offers effortless one-hand use.
Xiaomi opted for a solid aluminium body with flat sides, giving it a modern and premium aesthetic similar to its flagship devices. The matte finish helps enhance grip and keeps fingerprints at bay.
However, the button and port layout does require some getting used to. The power button sits close to the top corner, which can occasionally may lead to accidental presses when holding the tablet in landscape mode. There are two USB-C ports which is a rare feature in tablets, though only one supports full data transfer and DisplayPort. But still, the inclusion of dual ports adds convenience for users who want to charge the tablet while attaching an accessory like a DAC, Game controllers or external display.
For its size and price, the Xiaomi Pad Mini delivers an impressive overall build quality that feels durable and refined.
Display – Sharp, Smooth, and Surprisingly Immersive
One of the highlights of the Pad Mini is undoubtedly its 8.8-inch display, offering a crisp 3008 × 1880 resolution that is nearly 3K quality packed into a compact frame. The screen is sharp, remains vibrant, and excellent for reading, gaming, and streaming movies.
Even more impressive is the up to 165Hz refresh rate, which ensures buttery-smooth visuals whether you’re scrolling through social media or playing fast-paced games. This makes the Pad Mini one of the most fluid compact tablets available today.
Brightness levels are solid too, with settings that allow comfortable indoor viewing and even some outdoor usability in shaded areas. Colors are fairly accurate with good contrast, though it’s important to note that Xiaomi has chosen an LCD panel instead of OLED. While the LCD screen is bright and sharp, it doesn’t offer the deep blacks and richer contrast that OLED tablets achieve.
For most users, however, the Pad Mini’s display delivers an excellent experience, especially considering its price point and refresh rate capabilities.
Performance – Flagship Muscle in a Tiny Body
Talking about specifications, the Xiaomi Pad Mini is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+, a 3nm flagship chipset capable of delivering top-tier performance. Paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the tablet handles demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming with ease.
Whether you’re playing graphically intensive titles like Genshin Impact, editing photos, or running multiple apps side-by-side, the Pad Mini maintains smooth performance with minimal throttling. Thermals are generally well-managed thanks to the lightweight aluminium body that helps dissipate heat.
This level of performance in a compact tablet is rare, making the Pad Mini ideal for students, mobile gamers, commuters, and professionals who want laptop-like power without carrying extra weight. And for those who are interested in benchmarks, above is the scores that we obtained though synthetic tests.
Software & Productivity – Practical for Work and Play
The Pad Mini runs on HyperOS2 with Android 15, offering a tablet-optimized interface with multi-window support, floating apps, and enhanced stylus compatibility. The UI feels responsive, clean, and modern, though we can safely say that it does getting to the level of optimization similar to it’s competitions.
Stylus support is available with Xiaomi’s Focus Pen (sold separately), turning the Pad Mini into a handy digital notebook for drawing, sketching, and taking notes. Combined with its small size and lightweight build, it’s a perfect companion for students or professionals attending meetings and classes.
While the Android tablet ecosystem is still not as mature as iPadOS, the Pad Mini handles productivity apps like Google Workspace, Canva, Adobe Lightroom, and note-taking tools smoothly.
Audio & Speakers – Loud Enough, But Not Exceptional
Xiaomi includes a dual-speaker setup on the Pad Mini, which produces respectable sound quality for its size. Voices are clear, mids are balanced, and the volume can get surprisingly loud. However, bass is limited, and the soundstage isn’t as wide as what you’d get from larger tablets with more speaker chambers.
For casual media consumption, the speakers perform well, but audiophiles or movie enthusiasts may prefer using wireless earbuds or external speakers.
Battery Life & Charging – Small Size, Decent Endurance
The Pad Mini packs a 7,500mAh battery, which is modest compared to full-sized tablets but fairly generous for an 8.8-inch device. In everyday use like web browsing, video streaming, light gaming, with that you can expect around 12 to 13 hours of mixed usage.
While not groundbreaking, the battery is sufficient for a full day of typical tasks.
Charging is where Xiaomi really shines: the Pad Mini supports 67W fast charging, allowing a near-full charge in around an hour. It also offers 18W reverse charging, letting you top up smaller devices like earphones or smartphones when needed.
Camera Performance – Basic but Functional
Tablets aren’t known for exceptional cameras, and the Xiaomi Pad Mini follows that trend. The 13MP rear camera takes decent photos in good lighting that is adequate for scanning documents or quick shots. The 8MP front camera works well for video calls, producing clear images with minimal noise under sufficient lighting.
While these are not standout features, the cameras are perfectly usable for everyday needs.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Compact, lightweight, and premium build
- High-resolution display with 165Hz refresh rate
- Flagship-level performance
- Dual USB-C ports for added flexibility
- Fast 67W charging with reverse charging
- Good value for its specifications
Cons
- LCD instead of OLED
- No fingerprint sensor
- One USB-C port has limited functionality
- Battery life is good but not class-leading
Verdict & Conclusion – Fantastic Compact Tablet for Its Price
The Xiaomi Pad Mini is one of the most compelling compact Android tablets available today. It combines a premium design, strong display quality, fast performance, and practical features into a highly portable package. While there are minor compromises such as the LCD panel and lack of fingerprint sensor, the overall experience is excellent for the price.
If you’re looking for a small, powerful, and stylish tablet for everyday use, entertainment, gaming, and light productivity, the Xiaomi Pad Mini delivers outstanding value. It stands as a strong alternative to the iPad mini, especially for users who prefer Android or are already in the Xiaomi ecosystem.
In conclusion this is a small tablet with big capabilities that we can highly recommend.
For more information and purchase, click here to know more about the Xiaomi Pad Mini