Xiaomi working on three high-end Android tablets: Report

A new report suggests that Xiaomi could be working on three premium Android tablets with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 series processors, high refresh rates and an 8720mAh battery

Xiaomi's older Mi Pad 4 Plus tablet. (My Next Tablet)

Android smartphones and Apple's iPhones are almost neck and neck when it comes to features and functionality, but there aren't many options if it's tablets you're looking for. Samsung does offer a few options, on both the affordable and flagship ends of the price spectrum, but it's hard to find a tablet to recommend from other manufacturers. A new report suggests that Xiaomi could be working to change that and is currently working on three Android tablets with premium specifications.

After decompiling the code from various system apps on Xiaomi's recently released MIUI 12.5 update, XDA reports that it found multiple references to three devices with evidence to support the possibility that they might offer tablet functionality. The three devices have reportedly been codenamed “elish”, “enuma” and “nabu” according to references in MIUI's system apps.

MIUI 12.5 contains a hidden system setting section for tablet navigation as spotted by XDA.  (Kacper Skrzypek/XDA)

MIUI 12.5 contains a hidden system setting section for tablet navigation as spotted by XDA.  (Kacper Skrzypek/XDA)

The three codenames were found in the MIUI Settings app, which suggests that the device could feature a foldable display. However, XDA refers to a Xiaomi tipster along with analysis of source files by a group on Telegram that suggests these devices could offer a more traditional 1560x1600 resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate instead of a foldable display. According to the report, the Xiaomi tipster also suggests that the device could sport an 8720mAh battery.

However, while many of Xiaomi's older Mi Pad models were launched with middling specs offering very subpar performance when compared to offerings from Google, Samsung and Apple, it looks like these three devices will all run on Qualcomm's high-end Snapdragon 8xx series chipsets. Of these, the “enuma” and “elish” models could sport the Snapdragon 865, 865 Plus, or 870 chipsets. Meanwhile, the “nabu” tablet could run the Snapdragon 855, 855+, or 860 chipsets, according to the report.

It remains to be seen how well Xiaomi can develop its software for tablets, as using Android, in general, is an extremely poor experience on tablets when compared with Apple's iPads – although that could also change with the arrival of Android 12. However, the report suggests that Xiaomi could already be working on that front with some references to gestures in the system application. It remains to be seen to what extent the company will be able to leverage the rumoured high-end specs on these devices and if it will be able to match up to the premium experience offered by their Apple counterparts.