Which stylus to choose for Xiaomi Pad: compatibility and comparison

Choosing the right tool to draw or take notes on a tablet is a task that requires careful study of technical specifications. Many users mistakenly believe that all active styluses are universal, but the Xiaomi ecosystem has its own nuances. If you are wondering which stylus will suit your device, it is important to understand the difference between the generations of tablets and signaling protocols.

Modern tablets from the Chinese manufacturer, such as the Pad 5 and Pad 6 series, use advanced technology to recognize press and tilt. Incorrect accessory can not only fail, but also interfere with the touchscreen. In this article, we will discuss in detail the compatibility of models, the differences between original solutions and third-party counterparts and help you avoid unnecessary costs.

The tablet peripheral market is saturated with offers where prices can vary by many times. What does the cost depend on? First of all, the availability of magnetic charging, support for 4,096 levels of pressing and Palm Rejection technology. Let's see what is really necessary for comfortable work, and what does not make it worth overpaying for.

Official styluses Xiaomi Smart Pen and their features

The original accessories are designed by the company’s engineers specifically for specific tablet models, which ensures perfect integration. For the Xiaomi Pad 5 and Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro series, the main tool is the Xiaomi Smart Pen (1st generation), which has a input delay of only 8 ms, which is almost invisible to the eye with fast handwriting or active sketching.

Newer models like the Xiaomi Pad 6 and Pad 6 Pro have received an updated version, the Xiaomi Smart Pen (2nd generation), the main difference being improved ergonomics, two control buttons and support for wireless charging right from the edge of the tablet. It is important to note that the first generation is also compatible with the second generation of tablets, but the functionality may be limited.

⚠️ Note: The first generation stylus does not support magnetic charging on Pad 6 tablets, although you can write them.To fully work with wireless charging on new models requires a version of the 2nd generation.

The key advantage of the original solutions is to support proprietary MIUI functions, such as double tapping on the body to take a screenshot or start notes. Bluetooth protocol provides stable connection and accurate determination of battery level in the system interface. Using certified equipment is a guarantee of no delays and "shaking" lines when drawing.

Compatibility of stylus with different models of tablets

Compatibility is the most pressing issue, as the visual similarity of tablets does not always mean the identity of the technology. For example, the budget model Xiaomi Pad SE or older versions may not support active styluses with (Bluetooth) pairing, in such cases, the device will only work in capacitive input mode, if it reacts at all.

For the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro series and the newer ones, the requirements are even stricter: it is recommended to use only the Xiaomi Smart Pen 2nd generation with updated firmware. Trying to use older models can lead to a lack of reaction to pressing or incorrect palm protection function.

Below is a table that will help you quickly navigate device compatibility. Note that third-party vendors often list a wide range of supported devices, but the actual functionality may differ from the stated.

When selecting an accessory, always check the version of the tablet software. Sometimes support for new stylus features is added through the OTA-If your tablet hasn't been updated in a long time, the stylus may not be determined or work correctly.

Analogues and third-party solutions: is it worth saving?

The market offers many alternatives from brands like Baseus, Ugreen or Goojodoq. These manufacturers often copy design and basic functionality, offering a price two to three times lower than the original. However, the build quality and materials they have can vary significantly.

The main problem with budget analogues is that they don't have a full calibration, and that's because a line can come in with a little delay or a little bit of displacement relative to the tip of the pen, and for simple notes, it might not be critical, but for professional art or accurate drawing, it's not acceptable.

On the other hand, some Chinese brands produce quality copies that are 90-95% replica of the originals, and they can also connect over Bluetooth, show charge, and respond to tilt, and if budgets are tight, this can be a reasonable compromise, especially for students.

⚠️ Attention: Cheap styluses without a brand name (NoName) often lack overheating protection and can damage a tablet touchscreen when running long.

Technical Specifications: What to Look at When Buying

When choosing a graphics tool, the key is sensitivity to the force of pressing. The 4,096-level standard allows for smooth transitions of line thickness, which is critical for calligraphy and drawing. Less sensitive models will give a ladder on smooth strokes.

The second important aspect is response time (latency). A good score is less than 20 ms. If the latency is higher, you will notice that the line is running away from under the pen. For Xiaomi tablets, this parameter is optimized at the system level, but only when using compatible devices.

Also worth paying attention to the battery capacity and type of charging: Magnetic-charging models (Pogo Pin or wireless induction) eliminate the need to carry a cable. The autonomy of modern styluses allows you to work up to 10-12 hours, which is enough for several days of active use.

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To check the actual number of levels of pressing, use special application-testers, such as "Stylus Test", which visualize pressure and help to identify "dead zones" or sudden jumps.

Setting and calibration of the stylus in the system

After buying and pairing the device, an initial setup is often required. In Xiaomi tablets, this happens automatically when connected, but manual calibration may be needed if you notice a cursor shift. To do this, go to Settings → Special Features → Stylus.

In this section, you can adjust the sensitivity to press and the speed of double tapping. If you often take screenshots, make sure that the dual tap function is activated. Sometimes the system can "forget" the device, then you will need to re-pair through the Bluetooth menu.

The path to reset stylus settings:


Settings -> Connected devices -> Bluetooth -> Find "Xiaomi Smart Pen" -> Press the gear -> Forget the device.

Remember to update the stylus firmware, notifications come to the system notification center, firmware improves motion prediction algorithms and fixes connection bugs, and ignoring updates can lead to unstable performance in new versions of MIUI or HyperOS.

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Regular updates to the stylus and tablet firmware are key to avoiding delays and maximizing input accuracy. Don't ignore system notifications.

Frequent problems and ways to solve them

Users may experience a situation where the stylus stops responding or is working in jerks, most often due to sticky dirt on the tip of the pen or the magnets of the tablet, wipe the contacts and tip with soft cloth, and also check if the tablet is wearing a thick cover that interferes with the magnetic connection.

Another common problem is false pressing, which can happen if you have a poor-quality protective film on the screen that creates static electricity, and in these cases, it helps to replace the film with a high-quality, oleophobic coating, or use a grounding glove.