Creator Revolution! Can the Xiaomi Pad 8 with Focus Pen Pro and Matte Glass Surpass the iPad Pro? A 15-Year Gadget Writer Shares Honest Thoughts on the Creative Experience
"I want to carry around a drawing experience like a pen display more easily..."
"The iPad Pro and Apple Pencil Pro set is nearly 200,000 yen, so it's out of reach..."
"The reflection of fluorescent lights while drawing is stressful and makes it hard to stay focused..."
To all the creators and students who do digital illustration or precise note-taking daily, I understand those frustrations all too well. In my 15 years, I have tested countless tablets with my own money, and there were even times I returned to analog, seeking the feel of "paper."
But now, a device has arrived that overturns the common wisdom of Android tablets and has declared itself as a true iPad killer. That is the Xiaomi Pad 8 series.
In particular, the combination of the newly designed Focus Pen Pro and the matte glass version, which suppresses light reflection to the limit, holds the potential to become the "ideal canvas" for creators.
In this article, I will provide a thorough explanation with an overwhelming amount of information, from the use of the latest AI tools to the true capability of the pen that detects pressure, tilt, and rotation, as well as the secret to its astonishing cost-performance. By the time you finish reading this article, you should be able to judge with confidence which is the "smart choice" to update your creative environment.
Chapter 1: The "Brush" Sensation Brought by Focus Pen Pro. How Rotation Detection Changes the Common Sense of Digital Art
When creators choose a tablet, what they value most is not the SoC numbers, but the "pen responsiveness and expressive power." The Focus Pen Pro compatible with the Xiaomi Pad 8 series has brilliantly met those expectations.
Pressure, Tilt, and "Rotation" Set Drawing Free
Previous stylus pens were limited to pressure and tilt detection. However, the Focus Pen Pro newly supports "rotation detection."
What does this mean? For example, when painting with a flat brush, you can intuitively change the direction of the brush just by rotating the pen. This sensation, like handling an analog brush, is a magical feature that dramatically improves work efficiency for artists who do thick painting and those who enjoy calligraphy.
The "Paper" Texture Brought by 8192 Levels of Pressure Sensitivity and Low Latency
With a millisecond-level low-latency design, you can experience the sensation of the line sticking to the tip the moment you move it.
Furthermore, the 3.2K high-resolution display and a maximum 144Hz refresh rate back up the smoothness of the drawing. While the iPad Air remains at 60Hz, the benefit of 144Hz minimizes the "gap between the pen tip and the stroke," enabling professional-level precise detailing.
Integrated Design Without Physical Buttons and Smart Operation
The Focus Pen Pro also looks very sophisticated. Despite its minimalist design with no buttons, you can instantly switch between brushes and erasers, adjust thickness, or display the color wheel by lightly "pinching" or "sliding" the pen body.
Minimizing hand movement allows you to keep drawing without stopping your train of thought. This is a major advantage for long creative sessions.
Chapter 2: The Visual Magic of the Matte Glass Version. The Immersion Brought by 70% Reflection Reduction
External light and reflections are the greatest enemies that sap a creator's concentration. The "matte glass version" prepared as a high-end model of the Xiaomi Pad 8 series offers exactly that solution.
AG Nano-Texture That Cuts Reflections by 70%
This model features the latest AG nano-texture processing, which reduces screen reflection by approximately 70% compared to standard glass.
Whether by a cafe window, in a bright classroom, or directly under fluorescent lights, scenes where you previously lamented that 'reflections of my face or the lights behind me make the drawing area invisible' now maintain a clear view, as if you were drawing on high-quality paper. Glare is also reduced by 44%, which is a major benefit for reducing eye strain.
The Overwhelming Aesthetics of the 3.2K 144Hz High-Definition Display
The resolution is 3.2K (3200×2136), displaying every detail with clarity. The pixel density reaches 345 PPI, so you won't feel any dot roughness even when zoomed in.
What is particularly noteworthy is the '3:2' aspect ratio. Because the vertical display area is wider than standard 16:10 tablets, there is more room to arrange tool palettes when creating illustrations, and you can display the finished work larger. For those who read e-books or creators who frequently use portrait-oriented canvases, this ratio can be called justice.
Chapter 3: The Instant Power of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. Heavy Layers and AI Processing Run Smoothly
No matter how good the pen or screen is, if the performance is sluggish, your creative passion will cool down. The Xiaomi Pad 8 is equipped with the latest 4nm process SoC, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4.
The 'iPad Killer' Capability That Goes Beyond Sub-High-End
In the AnTuTu benchmark (V11), it marked a staggering score of approximately 2.3 million points.
This indicates that GPU performance has improved by approximately 67% compared to the previous model. Whether you are creating complex illustrations with many layers or editing 4K video, you can immerse yourself in your work without feeling any stuttering. This power, which easily handles gaming at the highest quality settings, gives you immense confidence in creative multitasking.
The Synergy of HyperOS 3 and Workstation Mode
The latest HyperOS 3 has evolved the tablet from a mere 'large smartphone' into a 'mobile workstation'.
In the evolved Workstation Mode, you can open multiple apps in windowed format and operate them like a PC. For example, you can display reference sites or PDFs on the left, place illustration software on the right in a size close to full screen, and even place chat tools or a calculator in floating windows.
Such advanced multitasking is completed within a 5.75mm thin body.
Chapter 4: A New Frontier for Creativity Opened by Xiaomi HyperAI
For creators in 2026, coexistence with AI tools is unavoidable. The Xiaomi Pad 8 series has Xiaomi HyperAI integrated at the system level.
Elevating Sketches into Masterpieces with AI Art
The most shocking feature is the ability for AI to finish your rough sketches into artistic works in just a few seconds. Because you can quickly visualize the 'seeds' of your ideas, you will experience a sense of speed like never before when creating concept art or considering compositions.
AI Writing and Real-Time Translation Support Your Creation
The 'AI Writing' feature powerfully backs up your social media posts, setting materials for your work, and the structure of blog articles.
Furthermore, when you want to refer to overseas tutorial videos or interact with creators abroad online, 'AI Interpreter (real-time translation)' removes the language barrier. Your creativity is no longer bound by linguistic constraints.
Chapter 5: The 5.75mm Impact. A Fusion of Aesthetics That Satisfies Ownership and Stamina
Because it is a tool I carry every day, I cannot compromise on design and portability.
The 5.75mm thinness stripped down to the limit
The moment you pick it up, everyone will be surprised by its "thinness." It is only5.75mmthick. This is even thinner than the iPad Air (6.1mm) and slides easily into the gaps in your bag.
The body is a seamless full-metal unibody with a sandblasted finish that makes fingerprints less noticeable. The elegant color variations, such as Pine Green and Blue, which highlight a creator's individuality, are also appealing.
9200mAh large-capacity battery and 45W fast charging
Despite such a thin chassis, a9200mAhlarge-capacity battery is packed inside.
It boasts stamina that lasts for about 17 hours or more of continuous video streaming and about 13 hours or more of online meetings. Furthermore, it supports45W fast chargingallowing you to secure several hours of work time during a short break.
Even more convenient is the22.5W wired reverse chargingfeature. When your smartphone runs out of battery while you are out, you can charge your phone from this tablet, allowing you to remove one heavy mobile battery from your luggage.
Chapter 6: Calmly Comparing Price and Cost-Performance. Why Xiaomi "Now"?
Now, let's talk about the realisticpriceandcomparisonhere.
The decisive difference from an iPad set
If you want an equivalent drawing experience and purchase an iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) and Apple Pencil Pro, the total price starts from thehigh 170,000 yen range(approx. 186,000 yen and up).
On the other hand, the market price for theXiaomi Pad 8(8GB+128GB) is expected to be in themid 70,000 yen range(approx. 74,980 yen). Even adding the Focus Pen Pro (approx. 17,000 yen), the total is in thelow 90,000 yen range. Surprisingly, for about half the price of the iPad set, you get pressure, tilt, and rotation detection along with a 144Hz display.
"Do you pay for the brand, or do you invest in specs for practical benefits?" Considering that with the 80,000 to 100,000 yen saved, you could subscribe to high-performance illustration software for several years or purchase top-tier peripherals, it is clear which is the right answer for a rational creator.
Chapter 7: For a Fair Judgment. Pros and Cons of the Xiaomi Pad 8
As a writer with a 15-year career, I will also dare to tell you the "reality that creators face."
◎ Pros
First is thetop-tier pen experience. The rotation detection of the Focus Pen Pro dramatically changes the freedom of drawing. In addition, theoverwhelming visual experiencecannot be overlooked. The 3.2K detail and the reflection reduction of the matte glass maximize concentration. And theunbeatable cost-performance. Getting professional-grade hardware for nearly half the budget of an iPad Pro is a major attraction. Furthermore, theultra-thin and lightweight mobilityis also worth noting; the 5.75mm and 485g figures achieve portability that can turn anywhere into a studio. Finally, theadvanced AI integrationalso shines. HyperAI supports the realization of your ideas.
△ Cons and Solutions
On the other hand, I will also touch upon some points of concern from a fair perspective.
First, there is the point that it does not support microSD cards. Large illustration data files will take up space on the internal storage. As a solution, I recommend utilizing cloud storage such as Google Drive or OneDrive and frequently migrating completed data.
Next, there is the point that it is not SIM-compatible (Wi-Fi only). Tethering is required for sharing data outdoors. This can be solved by utilizing your smartphone's tethering function, and if you are using Xiaomi devices, they connect seamlessly via "Network Sync."
Finally, there is the issue of OS-specific app compatibility. Specific apps exclusive to the iPad (such as Procreate) cannot be used. However, Android has a wealth of professional-grade alternative apps like "Clip Studio Paint" and "HiPaint," so this should not be a major barrier.
Summary: Lessons and Insights. The Xiaomi Pad 8 Unleashes Your "Talent"
What I felt through this verification is that the Xiaomi Pad 8 is not just a "replacement for the iPad," but a unique evolution born to break down the walls of "glare" and "high costs" that creators have faced.
I would like digital artists to experience the depth of expression brought by the "rotation" of the Focus Pen Pro. For students and note-takers, I want to convey that the beauty of the 3.2K display and the gentleness of the matte glass make even long hours of study comfortable. And for AI-utilizing creators, I promise that the AI features integrated into HyperOS 3 will become your right-hand assistant.
The era of "you can draw good work if you have expensive tools" is over. Now is the era of "wisely choosing the tools that help you focus the most."
The answer lies within this 5.75mm-thick canvas. Why not start drawing your next masterpiece born from your fingertips with this Xiaomi Pad 8?