Xiaomi Pad Mini Review: A Powerful Small Tablet Competing with the iPad Mini

For years, if you wanted a premium, powerful small tablet, your only real choice was the iPad Mini. Today, that changes. Xiaomi has just launched the Xiaomi Pad Mini, its first "flagship mini tablet" for the global market, and on paper it looks like a little powerhouse. It's not just a budget tablet in a small package; it's a true flagship. It's built around a stunning 8.8-inch 3K display, which is incredibly sharp for its size and boasts a super-fluid 165Hz refresh rate. The real story, however, is on the inside. The Pad Mini is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+, the same kind of top-of-the-line chip you'd find in a high-end flagship phone. It also features a premium metal design, fast 67W charging, and dual USB-C ports for versatility, all starting at a competitive $429 USD.

• Display: 8.8-inch 3K (3008 x 1880) display at 165Hz
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ (Flagship-grade)
• Storage: 8GB+256GB and 12GB+512GB configurations
• Battery: 7500mAh
• Charging: 67W HyperCharge & 18W reverse charging
• Ports: Dual USB-C ports
• Audio: Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos

The small tablet category has been dominated by Apple for a reason: nobody else was taking it seriously. With the Pad Mini, Xiaomi isn't just releasing another small Android tablet — it's creating a new benchmark for what one can be.