Summary
The Xiaomi Pad 6s Pro aims to bring top-tier performance and advanced features at a relatively contained price. Positioned as a direct successor to the Xiaomi Pad 5s, it refines the formula with a new SoC, a bigger battery, and improved design elements. But are these upgrades enough to make it stand out in an increasingly crowded tablet market? Here is our thorough verdict after several days of testing.
Technical Data
- Operating system: Android 14, MIUI for Pad
- Processor (SoC): Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, up to 3.4 GHz
- RAM: 8 or 12 GB (LPDDR5X)
- Storage: 128, 256, or 512 GB (UFS 4.0)
- Screen: 11.6 inches, 2880 × 1800 pixels, 144 Hz
- Cameras:
- Rear: 16 MP
- Front: 8 MP
- Battery: 10,000 mAh
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C
- Dimensions: 264 × 177 × 6.4 mm
- Weight: ~510 g
- Base Price: from ~£419 (varies by region)
(All data subject to final confirmation; specifics may vary by market.)
A More Elegant, Sturdy Design
Visually reminiscent of the Xiaomi Pad 5s, the Xiaomi Pad 6s Pro refines the aesthetic with slightly narrower bezels and a sleeker aluminium unibody. It measures 6.4 mm in thickness and weighs about 510 g, leaving it comfortable to hold for extended reading or streaming sessions.
Handling and Build
Thanks to the matte metal finish, the device resists smudges and is easy to grip. The edges are softly curved, avoiding the sharpness of some competitor tablets. The camera module protrudes only marginally, ensuring the tablet rests fairly flat on a surface. Xiaomi includes a pogo-pin connector on the bottom edge for an optional keyboard cover, and an official stylus is also available for purchase separately.
Display: Vibrant 144 Hz Panel
The 11.6-inch display has a 2880 × 1800 resolution, yielding roughly 284 ppi. Xiaomi touts a 144 Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and animations remarkably smooth. Automatic refresh scaling (from 30 to 144 Hz) helps moderate power usage. Colour reproduction is generally rich, with a default “Vivid” mode slightly oversaturated. If you prefer a more neutral calibration, toggling into “Standard” or “sRGB” mode brings more faithful colours.
Maximum brightness is decent at around 580 nits, allowing comfortable indoor usage. In direct sunlight, you’ll need to angle the screen carefully to minimise reflections. The device lacks advanced HDR certifications but still handles HDR10 content with forced tone-mapping.
Software: MIUI for Pad
Android 14 Underpinnings
The Pad 6s Pro runs MIUI for Pad on top of Android 14, bridging the gap between Xiaomi’s phone OS and a more desktop-like environment. Multitasking is robust, with floating windows, split-screen, and easy app docking. Xiaomi has further refined stylus integration, though certain gestures remain less intuitive than on Samsung’s or Apple’s ecosystem.
Productivity Tools
- Multi-window: Dragging an app from the side panel opens it as a floating window or splits the screen.
- Desktop-like dock: Commonly used apps can be pinned for quick access.
- Xiaomi cross-device: Wireless projection to a Xiaomi TV or collaboration with a Xiaomi phone, though features can vary regionally.
Update Policy
Xiaomi promises 3 Android version updates and 4 years of security patches, which is moderate by current tablet standards. Rival brands sometimes push further. For longevity, it’s neither poor nor best-in-class.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite
SoC and Memory
The Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers near-flagship performance. Applications open instantly, multitasking is seamless, and high-end games run smoothly at stable frame rates. Xiaomi also integrates 8 to 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, plus up to 512 GB of speedy UFS 4.0 storage. Our real-world usage found no stutters or slowdowns, even with demanding 3D titles or large multi-app workflows.
Benchmarks
Antutu and Geekbench results place the Pad 6s Pro alongside certain high-end smartphones. 3DMark tests confirm reliable sustained GPU performance, with minimal downclocking under longer loads. Surface temperatures remain comfortable, likely thanks to an improved vapour chamber design inside.
Cameras: Serviceable, Yet Not a Priority
Tablet cameras rarely excel, and here is no exception:
- Rear: 16 MP, straightforward single-lens setup. Daylight shots turn out acceptably sharp, though dynamic range can be modest. Night photos quickly degrade due to smaller sensor and lack of OIS.
- Front: 8 MP, well-suited for video calls with decent face exposure. Still captures can look oversmoothed if lighting is suboptimal.
Video recording peaks at 4K/30 for the rear lens, stable enough for casual use, but hardly a professional setup. Overall, cameras suffice for scanning documents, quick snapshots, or FaceTime-style calls, but won’t replace a dedicated smartphone camera.
Battery Life: Large 10,000 mAh
Mixed Usage Endurance
Armed with a 10,000 mAh battery, the Pad 6s Pro typically lasts 10–11 hours of mixed usage (web, streaming, moderate brightness). With heavy gaming or brightness at max, that dips closer to 7–8 hours. Our continuous video playback test in default 144 Hz mode saw roughly 9 hours.
Charging
Included is a 67 W fast charger, finishing a 0–100% charge in around 100 minutes. A 20-minute top-up yields about 25–30%. There’s no wireless charging option, standard among Android tablets.
Audio & Additional Features
Quad Speakers
Xiaomi employs a quad-speaker arrangement, two on each side in landscape orientation. Sound is fairly powerful with decent clarity, though not on par with premium iPad or Galaxy Tab S series. Dolby Atmos support shapes output for either music or film modes. For best results, headphones or external speakers remain recommended—particularly as the 3.5 mm jack is absent.
Accessories
Xiaomi sells an official keyboard cover with a trackpad, plus a separate stylus. The keyboard’s key travel is shallow but helps short-form typing. The stylus offers pressure sensitivity and palm rejection, though some note-labelling or stylus-friendly apps are not quite as advanced as what’s found on Samsung or Apple.
Pricing and Release
The Pad 6s Pro starts at about £419 for the 8 GB / 128 GB variant, rising up to around £499 for 12 GB / 512 GB. Prices may differ by region, and promotional deals might bring it lower. The stylus and keyboard each cost extra, typically between £60–£90. The official launch commenced in mid-2025 across multiple European markets.
Verdict
Overall Rating: 8/10
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Large, smooth 144 Hz display
- Strong performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Thin, comfortable design
- Solid battery life for typical tasks
- MIUI for Pad includes robust multitasking
Cons
- Cameras remain basic for a high-end device
- Optional stylus and keyboard sold separately
- Some advanced cross-device features region-limited
- Only 3 Android version upgrades
Conclusion
The Xiaomi Pad 6s Pro stands out with powerful hardware, a high-refresh screen, and a refined design that’s comfortable in daily usage. Its performance is on par with top-tier tablets, enabling smooth multitasking, gaming, and media consumption. While the cameras aren’t a highlight and certain advanced features remain regionally limited, the device’s overall package is compelling for the price. If you’re seeking a large Android slate that balances speed, build quality, and battery life, the Pad 6s Pro belongs on your shortlist.
