Apple’s iPad Mini has ruled the small tablet market for years, but Xiaomi has now entered the arena with the Pad Mini. Released without much fanfare in markets like the UAE and parts of Asia, this compact device wants to challenge the notion that tiny tablets can’t pack serious punch.
The Pad Mini weighs only 326g and fits into a backpack pocket, making it lighter than many phones claiming to be phablets. Its aluminum frame is 206.1 x 132.5 x 6.3mm, which is thin enough to grip on a turbulent train trip. Available in gray or purple, the finishes are more fingerprint-resistant than expected, and the rounded edges allow for more natural thumb-swiping across the screen. Two USB-C ports flank the sides, one for charging and one for video output, along with volume sliders and a power button that also functions as a fingerprint scanner.
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In terms of cameras, the back sports a 13MP sensor, while the front has an 8MP shooter for video calls, both of which are flanked by narrow bezels that keep the glass in focus. The 8.8-inch IPS display boasts a resolution of 3,008 x 1,880 (about 403ppi), while boasting a refresh rate of 165Hz for smooth scrolling, up from 60Hz on the iPad Mini. The peak brightness is 700 nits, sufficient for direct sunlight viewing on a park bench, and the 16:10 aspect ratio minimizes black bars in 16:9 content.
A MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chip powers this device, along with 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB or 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage. Xiaomi claims the battery can last for up to 10 hours of movie playback or a full day of intermittent use and can recharge to 100% in under 90 minutes at 67-watt wired speeds.
The 12GB/512GB variant is AED 1,599 (approximately $435) in the UAE, while the 8GB/256GB variant starts at $429 in Asia. Europe and the US are waiting in anticipation with no release dates set, but there are plenty of import options available for those who cannot wait.
