Xiaomi has pulled back the curtain on a major hardware upgrade for its upcoming Pad 8 Pro tablet, revealing it will run on the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. This step up from the previous model’s chip promises smoother performance for gaming, multitasking, and creative work, just ahead of the tablet’s expected launch later this month alongside the Xiaomi 17 phone series.
The company shared the news through a teaser poster on Weibo, posted by executive Lu Weibing, highlighting the Pad 8 Pro’s new brain.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite, Qualcomm’s latest high-end chip, delivers about 45% faster graphics and 40% better energy efficiency than the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Pad 7 Pro.
Early tests on a prototype scored it at 2,967 in single-core tasks and 9,485 in multi-core performance on Geekbench, showing it can handle demanding apps without slowing down.
Paired with up to 16GB of memory, it makes the Pad 8 Pro one of the strongest Android tablets yet, ready for heavy video editing or running multiple programs at once.
The Pad 8 series, including the standard Pad 8 and Pro, keeps Xiaomi’s familiar slim design with an 11.2-inch screen that’s light and easy to carry. It supports a detachable keyboard and stylus for work or drawing, and runs on the new HyperOS 3 software built on Android 16 for a more connected experience across Xiaomi devices.
Expect a large 10,000mAh battery with fast charging—45W for the base model and 67W for the Pro—to keep you going all day. While full camera and display details are still under wraps, leaks suggest an LCD panel with anti-glare coating for clear viewing indoors or out.
Xiaomi opened pre-reservations in China this week, signaling a debut by the end of September, with global sales likely in October or November.
Pricing hasn’t been announced, but it could start around $500 for the base Pad 8, undercutting rivals like the iPad Air while offering similar power. The Pro might push toward $700, competing with Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S10 series.
This reveal comes as Xiaomi ramps up its tablet push, especially after the Pad 7’s success. The Snapdragon 8 Elite gives it an edge over upcoming models from Honor and others using the same chip, positioning the Pad 8 Pro as a productivity powerhouse for students and pros.
Fans on Weibo are already praising the “massive leap,” with one commenter saying, “Finally, a tablet that can keep up with my phone’s speed—can’t wait to test it for gaming.”
With the launch just days away, Xiaomi teases more specs soon. This could be the upgrade that makes the Pad 8 series a global hit, blending flagship power with everyday ease.
