Posted on March 03, 2025, by Brad, Tech Reviewer for Creative Professionals

Are you looking for a powerful tablet that doesn’t break the bank? Xiaomi is back with the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro, a spiced-up version of the Pad 7, packed with pro-level features. I’m Brad, a tech reviewer who focuses on tools for creative professionals, and I’ve spent the last week testing this tablet. From its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor to its matte screen and optional accessories, there’s a lot to unpack. Let’s dive into this review to see if it’s worth your money—at around $430 USD—and how it performs for daily use, drawing, and more.

Context: What Is the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro?

The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro is a mid-tier Android tablet with premium specs, designed to compete with big names like the iPad Air and Samsung Galaxy Tab series. It’s powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, offers up to 512GB of storage, and comes with an 8850mAh battery. You also get solid cameras, good audio, and an 11.2-inch LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate. At about $430 (based on listings from sites like AliExpress), it’s a budget-friendly option for a pro tablet.

However, there’s a catch: Xiaomi has no plans for an official U.S. release. If you’re in the U.S. (like 23% of my audience), you’ll need to order it online from platforms like AliExpress. It doesn’t come with a stylus (called the Focus Pen) in the box—that’s an extra purchase—but it supports a USI stylus for drawing and note-taking. Xiaomi also sent me accessories like keyboard covers to test, which I’ll cover later.

I’ve been using this tablet for sketching (mostly hands, since February was my unofficial “hand month”), and I’ll share my honest thoughts based on my experience as a creative professional. Whether you’re an artist, a student, or just someone who wants a powerful tablet, this review will help you decide if the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro is right for you.

Analysis: Breaking Down the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro

Let’s look at the key features, performance, and accessories of the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro to see what it’s really capable of.

Design and Display: Solid Build, Unique Screen

The tablet has a sleek aluminum body with squared-off edges, similar to an iPad. It feels sturdy and comfortable to hold, with a premium vibe despite its mid-tier price. What surprised me most was the matte screen coating. Most Android tablets have glossy screens for vibrant colors, but this one has an anti-glare surface. It’s smooth—not as textured as the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad (a drawing-focused tablet)—and reminds me of the nano-texture glass on last year’s iPad Pro.

Does the matte finish affect the display? Not much. The 11.2-inch LCD has a super-sharp 3200 x 2136 resolution—higher than the iPad Air’s 2360 x 1640. It’s not OLED, so colors don’t pop as much, but the 144Hz refresh rate makes animations smooth, and the 800 nits peak brightness is great for indoor use. I couldn’t test it in sunlight (thanks, winter!), but the anti-glare coating should help outdoors. Overall, the screen earns a B grade—good, but not the best for color enthusiasts.

Note: My unit came with the matte coating, which might be optional. Check your listing to see if it’s standard or a variant.

Performance: A Powerhouse Processor

The star of the show is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. This is one of the best chips for Android devices, and at $430, it’s a steal. I threw art apps like HiPaint, Clip Studio Paint, and Krita at it, and it handled them effortlessly. For example, in HiPaint (a Procreate-like app for Android), I got 80 layers on a large canvas—way more than I need for sketching. The 8GB or 12GB RAM (depending on the model) keeps everything running smoothly.

This processor isn’t just for artists. If you’re into gaming or video editing, it’ll handle those too. Storage options are 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB, but there’s no microSD slot. I don’t need much space (art files are small, like 25-50MB), but gamers or video editors might want the higher tiers. Battery life from the 8850mAh pack is solid—I used it for hours of sketching without worry. For internals, I give it an A grade.

Stylus and Drawing: Good, But Not Perfect

The Focus Pen (sold separately for $60-$70) is a USI stylus. It feels nice in hand and works well for handwriting or basic sketching. Pressure sensitivity and accuracy are decent, but there’s a catch: the lines have a slight wobble. You’ll need to turn on stroke smoothing in apps to get clean lines, which slows down your drawing and sacrifices some precision. As an artist, I prefer the Samsung S Pen (included with Galaxy Tabs) for its smoother performance.

I’ve been sketching hands on apps like HiPaint and Clip Studio Paint. The tablet’s power handles large canvases and layers, but the stylus holds it back for professional artwork. It’s fine for casual use, though. If drawing is your priority, this might not be the best pick.

Accessories: Mixed Results

Xiaomi sent two keyboard covers: the Pro Keyboard Cover (just keys) and the Pro Focus Keyboard Cover (with a trackpad). The trackpad version is heavier—about the tablet’s weight—and mimics Apple’s Magic Keyboard by hovering the screen above the keys. The trackpad works well, with smooth gestures (e.g., two-finger swipes or four-finger app closing), but it takes a second to switch to mouse mode. It’s great for productivity but adds bulk.

There’s also a cover accessory with a pen flap. It protects the screen and props the tablet up, but the angle is too shallow for drawing or watching. Flipping it for a steeper angle makes it bouncy and unstable. I’d skip it and look for third-party cases (check Amazon for Pad 6 cases—Pad 7 ones might appear soon).

What’s in the Box?

You get the tablet, a power brick, and a USB-C cable. The charger type depends on your region (mine was international). No stylus or extras included, so factor that into your budget.

Recommendation: Should You Buy the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro?

The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro is a strong contender in the mid-tier tablet market. Here’s my take:

Who It’s For:

• Budget-conscious power users: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 at $430 is unbeatable for gaming, multitasking, or creative apps.
• Casual artists or note-takers: The stylus works for sketching or handwriting, especially with smoothing tweaks.
• International buyers: If Xiaomi products are cheaper in your region, this beats pricier competitors like Samsung.

Who Should Skip It:

• Serious artists: The stylus wobble and lack of grip on the matte screen make it less ideal for finished artwork.
• U.S. buyers wary of imports: No official release means relying on sites like AliExpress, which might not suit everyone.
• Storage expanders: No microSD slot could limit you if 512GB isn’t enough.

For me, as a creative professional, I’d lean toward a Samsung Galaxy Tab with an S Pen for drawing. But if you want raw power on a budget, the Pad 7 Pro is a solid pick. I rank it highly among Android tablets—I cover more rankings on my website if you’re researching options.

Engagement: Let’s Hear From You!

What do you think of the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro? Are you tempted by its processor and price, or does the stylus hold you back? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! If you’re into drawing, I’m also updating my “Learn to Draw in 60 Days” course this spring—free for existing users, and there’s a link on my site if you’re new. Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you in the next review!