Xiaomi Pad Mini for €538.99: Compact Tablet as a Cheaper iPad Mini Alternative

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents Xiaomi Pad Mini for €538.99: Compact Tablet as a Cheaper iPad Mini Alternative.

An 8.8-inch tablet with a 165Hz display and 512GB of storage for €538.99? That sounds like an offer worth remembering – at least if you've already been eyeing a smaller tablet. According to Xataka, the Xiaomi Pad Mini positions itself directly against Apple's iPad mini. We take a sober look at the deal.

The Xiaomi Pad Mini isn't officially available in stores in Spain yet – which has implications for warranty, updates, and service. But you can get it through Spanish online retail: Powerplanet lists the version with 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage for €538.99. That puts it noticeably below the current iPad mini in terms of price.

What the Xiaomi Pad Mini has technically under the hood

The biggest argument is the size: 8.8 inches is rare in the tablet market. That means the device fits into a slightly larger jacket pocket or a small backpack – a point that particularly appeals to mobile users who want to use the tablet on the train, in a café, or in lectures.

The display is also high-quality: Xiaomi typically reserves a 165 Hz refresh rate for gaming smartphones. Add HDR10 and Dolby Vision to the mix. Content with a high dynamic range benefits visibly, and everything feels fluid when scrolling and gaming.

Under the hood, the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ is at work – a high-end chip that, according to Xataka, is equipped to handle current games in good quality. Combined with 12 GB of RAM, the configuration also sounds solid for multitasking. Internal storage is generously sized at 512 GB. Xiaomi's XiaoAI tablet operating system runs on a customized Android base.

The manufacturer rates the battery at 7,500 mAh, with 67-watt fast charging. That makes it smaller than in typical 11-inch tablets, but tailored to the more mobile form factor.

Price comparison: What does an iPad mini currently cost?

For comparison, Xataka puts the current Apple iPad Mini with A17 Pro, an 8.3-inch display, and 128 GB of storage at €679. Apple's model is nominally more expensive – but it offers an established ecosystem, longer update guarantees, and official service in Europe.

The Xiaomi variant is cheaper to come by, but comes with an open question: since it isn't officially listed in Spain yet, software updates and warranty handling could be more complicated. That's exactly what you should factor in before hitting the order button.

Who is this deal worth it for?

If you're specifically looking for a small tablet for on the go, appreciate a high refresh rate, and need 512 GB of storage, the Xiaomi Pad Mini configuration is rare in this price range. You get a lot of hardware for the money – with the usual limitations of a non-officially imported device.

Anyone who values a wide app selection, years of iPadOS updates, and straightforward service in Europe is better served by the iPad mini – even if it means digging deeper into your pocket. Compare display, software, service, and battery before you decide.