A gaming tablet that weighs less than most water bottles. That’s the pitch iQOO is making with the Pad Pro, and honestly, it’s hard not to be curious. According to Gizmochina, iQOO has started teasing the Pad Pro’s design and specs on Weibo ahead of its official launch, and what’s been confirmed so far paints a pretty compelling picture for anyone who takes mobile gaming seriously.
The display is 8.8 inches, which puts it right in that sweet spot between phone and full-size tablet. At 298 grams, it’s light enough to hold comfortably for long sessions without your arms giving out. iQOO is positioning this thing specifically as a gaming device, not a do-everything tablet, and the hardware choices back that up. The processor is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, paired with iQOO’s own Q3 gaming chip. That combination is aimed at handling demanding titles, pushing better frame rates, and keeping graphics processing sharp. iQOO also mentions precise touch controls and tuned audio as part of the package, which tells you this isn’t being designed for Netflix binges.
But the part that really stands out is the cooling setup. iQOO is putting a large active cooling fan inside this thing alongside a passive cooling system. Active fans in tablets aren’t new, but pairing one with a compact 8.8-inch body takes some engineering effort. The goal is to keep temperatures in check during extended gaming so the processor doesn’t have to throttle performance to protect itself. That’s a real problem on smaller devices, and iQOO is clearly taking it seriously. On top of that, 3C certification has already confirmed 66W fast charging support, so downtime between sessions should be short.
Here’s the broader context worth knowing. iQOO only just dropped the Pad Ultra last month, a compact tablet running the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. So the brand is building out a proper tablet lineup fast, and both devices are clearly aimed at the same crowd: competitive gamers who want power without the bulk of a 12-inch slate. That’s a segment that’s been underserved for a while, and iQOO is staking out territory there before anyone else gets too comfortable.
The Pad Pro is already open for reservations in China and is expected to launch alongside the iQOO Neo 12 later this month. The Neo 12 is shaping up to be a beast too, with a 2K 185Hz display, the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Q3 chip combo, a 9,000mAh battery, and iQOO’s new Ice Dome cooling system. A tablet and phone launch together, both targeting the same gaming audience, is a smart move that gives buyers a full ecosystem play.
Key confirmed specs for the iQOO Pad Pro so far:
- 8.8-inch display
- 298g weight
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor
- iQOO Q3 dedicated gaming chip
- Active cooling fan plus passive cooling system
- 66W fast charging (confirmed via 3C certification)
Pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet, but given iQOO’s history of aggressive value in the Chinese market, expectations are high. The real question is whether it makes it outside China. If it does, compact gaming tablets might actually have a moment.