Xiaomi unveils WinPlay, bringing Windows gaming to Android tablets
Xiaomi is revolutionizing tablet gaming with its cutting-edge WinPlay engine, a system-level innovation that enables seamless compatibility between Xiaomi’s Hyper OS and Windows games.
Designed for the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4, this feature allows users to play Windows games locally on their tablet without requiring an internet connection.
WinPlay: A New Era for Tablet Gaming
Zhang Guoquan, the Director of Xiaomi Mobile System Software Department, explained that the WinPlay engine utilizes a core technology called Xiaomi HyperCore. This advanced system establishes a virtualized environment on the tablet, ensuring efficient support for Windows games while maintaining exceptional performance and stability. Gamers can easily access and download titles from platforms like Steam and GOG, delivering a console-like experience on their tablets.
WinPlay supports various gaming accessories such as controllers, keyboards, and mice, creating a PC-like interface. It also features multiplayer support for up to four players. Moreover, the system has been fine-tuned for Xbox controllers, offering enhanced haptic feedback similar to that of the original console. A demonstration video shared by DCS highlights the system’s ability to run Windows games on the Pad 6S Pro seamlessly.
Internal testing by Xiaomi reveals that the WinPlay engine results in only a 2.9% GPU performance reduction, providing near-native gaming efficiency. With an average power consumption of just 8.3W, the system combines high performance with energy efficiency. Xiaomi’s tri-layer virtualization approach handles essential APIs, image rendering, and command execution, delivering a smooth and resource-friendly gaming experience.
The intelligent resource management system further optimizes performance by balancing the load on the device’s resources. From game loading to rendering, every aspect has been designed for fluidity and responsiveness.
Currently, WinPlay is exclusive to the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro and does not support standard Windows applications. However, Xiaomi is committed to refining and broadening the feature based on user feedback. Although a release timeline for the stable version has not been disclosed, the company plans to roll out an improved version soon.
A beta program is now available for Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 users running Hyper OS 2 Beta. Interested participants can apply via the Xiaomi Community app. Once enrolled, users must update their device firmware and transfer game files from a PC to a specified directory on the tablet. They can then connect their peripherals and start gaming effortlessly.
