Xiaomi Pad 9 leaked even before Pad 8 hits the global market

Only a month after the Xiaomi Pad 8 series made its debut in China, Xiaomi has already started preparing its next-gen tablets — the Xiaomi Pad 9 and Pad 9 Pro. According to new data in the internal database of the company, the latest tablets use the code names “Erhu” (for Xiaomi Pad 9) and “Guitar” (for Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro). They both are set to release in all global regions except Japan, with India possibly missing the Pro variant.

For comparison, the Xiaomi Pad 8 series is yet to make its global debut, reported, but it appears Xiaomi is already in the works for the next model of its tablet series.

Codenames and Regional Availability

Xiaomi Pad 9 (Erhu): To come out globally, reported, save for India and Japan.
Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro (Guitar): To launch globally save for Japan.

This code name pattern follows Xiaomi’s long-standing musical instrument naming tradition for its tablets, similar to previous “Pipa” and “Lyra” references in development stages.

Early Development Hints and Possible Chipset

While it’s too early for hardware confirmation, the Pad 9 series is expected to bring major performance improvements. The current Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro features the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, offering flagship-level performance. However, speculations suggest that the Pad 9 Pro might debut with the next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which could align with Xiaomi’s 2026 product roadmap.

If true, this would position the Pad 9 Pro as one of the first tablets to embrace Qualcomm’s new flagship chipset, making Xiaomi a leading force in the Android tablet industry.

What’s Next for Xiaomi Tablets

Xiaomi’s rapid development cycle indicates its strategy to expand the tablet ecosystem across multiple price segments and regions. With the Pad 8 global release still pending, the discovery of Pad 9 code names shows that Xiaomi is already focusing on future generations powered by HyperOS 3 and deeper AI integration.

The Xiaomi Pad 9 series could arrive in mid-2026, possibly alongside other premium devices like the Xiaomi 18 series, marking another leap in Xiaomi’s connected device lineup.

Leaks