On June 26, 2025, Xiaomi released the Redmi K Pad — a compact tablet with an 8.8-inch screen that is openly positioned as an alternative to the Apple iPad mini 7th generation. The comparison turned out to be no marketing trick: on paper, the Android device wins in almost every technical aspect.
Processor No Worse Than a Flagship Smartphone
Performance is handled by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ on a 3nm process with an eight-core CPU (up to 3.73 GHz) and Immortalis-G925 graphics. As GadgetMatch notes, this is the same chip found in top 2025 smartphones — vivo X200s and OPPO Find X8s. The iPad mini 7, meanwhile, uses Apple's A17 Pro — the same one found in the iPhone 15 Pro from 2023.
RAM — up to 16 GB, UFS 4.1 storage — up to 1 TB. Cooling is provided by an aluminum vapor chamber with an area of 12,050 mm², which, according to the manufacturer, reduces temperature under load by 25°C.
Display: 165 Hz vs 60 Hz
8.8-inch IPS LCD with 1880×3008 resolution (~403 ppi), support for Dolby Vision, HDR Vivid, and peak brightness of 700 nits. For comparison, the iPad mini offers 8.3 inches, 60 Hz, and 362 ppi. The screen-to-body ratio on the Redmi K Pad is 82.9%.
"The Redmi K Pad has a larger screen but not a larger body — thanks to noticeably thinner bezels"
GadgetMatch
Battery — 9,100 mAh with 67W charging. Weight — 326g with 6.5mm thickness. Magnetic stylus support is included.
Price — The Main Argument, But With a Caveat
According to NotebookCheck, the starting price of the Redmi K Pad is expected to be around CNY 3,199 (~$445), while the iPad mini 7 in China costs CNY 3,999 (~$557). The difference is $112 at the start, and with better specifications on paper.
- Camera: 13 MP with PDAF and 4K video / 8 MP front camera
- OS: Android 15 + HyperOS 2
- Memory: 8/256 GB — 16/1 TB, no microSD slot
- Colors: Smoky Purple, Deep Black, Spruce Green
Where the Catch Is
The Redmi K Pad is currently officially available only in China — Xiaomi has not confirmed a global release. The iPad mini, despite losing in specifications, offers the Apple ecosystem, guaranteed iOS updates for years to come, and compatibility with Apple Pencil. For users outside mainland China, the device currently exists only as a "technical proposal."
If Xiaomi does announce a global launch by the end of 2025 — and maintains at least an $80–100 price difference — the compact tablet segment will face real competition for the first time in several years. The question is whether the company is ready for a battle beyond its home market.
