Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max Can Turn Into a 13.3-Inch Second Monitor - Here's how

Xiaomi keeps revealing more about the Pad 9 Pro Max ahead of its launch on September 7. This time, the company is showing off its huge 13.3-inch display and a very useful trick. Connect the tablet to your PC through USB-C and it can work as a second monitor.

It can even become a much bigger screen for your handheld gaming device.

The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max comes with a 13.3-inch 3.4K display with a 3:2 aspect ratio. Xiaomi says brightness can reach 1,000 nits, while color accuracy is rated at around Delta E 0.47.

That 3:2 shape should work well for more than movies and games. It gives you extra vertical space for documents, websites and other work apps, which fits well with Xiaomi's plan to make this tablet feel more like a PC.

HyperOS 4 will also bring a PC-style interface to some apps. Xiaomi has already shown better file tools, a desktop-like browser and support for up to six apps on the screen at once.

The USB-C port is where things get more interesting. Xiaomi says you can connect the Pad 9 Pro Max directly to a computer and use it as a second display.

You can also use the touchscreen and stylus while connected. Add the Xiaomi Focus Pen Pro and a TourBox controller, and the tablet can work as a drawing screen for photo editing, design and other creative work.

I really like this idea. A 13.3-inch tablet already takes up quite a bit of space in your bag, so having it replace a portable monitor makes much more sense than carrying both.

The same trick works with gaming handhelds. If your device supports DisplayPort 1.2 or newer, you can connect it to the tablet and use the Pad 9 Pro Max as an external display.

That gives you a 13.3-inch gaming screen with stereo speakers without needing a TV or monitor nearby. It could be especially useful in a hotel room or when traveling.

Inside the tablet is Xiaomi's own Xring O3 chip, while LPDDR6 memory is also confirmed. Xiaomi claims the new memory offers 48 percent more bandwidth than before.

The Pad 9 Pro Max will launch in China on September 7, alongside Xiaomi's other new flagship products. Pricing and global plans haven't been announced yet.

Xiaomi clearly wants this to be more than another large Android tablet. If I'm carrying a 13.3-inch tablet anyway, having it double as a portable monitor is exactly the kind of extra feature I want.