Redmi Note 8 Pro Charging Time: What Owners Need to Know
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro remains a popular choice among users who value price-performance balance. One of the key questions when using the device is charging time — especially if you are actively using fast 18W charging, which comes with the bundle. In this article, we will discuss how long it takes to fully charge from 0% to 100%, what factors affect speed, and how to properly operate the battery to last longer.
It's important to understand that the manufacturer's stated charging time is an average of the ideal lab conditions, and in reality, there are many variables that affect the process, from ambient temperature to battery status and the charger used. We tested the Redmi Note 8 Pro with original and third-party RAM, and we analyzed user feedback to give the most accurate recommendations.
Official data: charging time from Xiaomi
According to Xiaomi specifications, the Redmi Note 8 Pro is equipped with a 4500 mAh battery and supports Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging technology with up to 18 watts. The manufacturer says that it takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes to fully charge from 0% to 100% when using the original charger.
In real life, the time may be different:
- 🔋 From 0 to 50%: ~30-40 minutes (the fastest stage due to high current).
- ⚡ From 50% to 80%: ~40–50 minutes (speed is gradually decreasing).
- 🐢 From 80% to 100%: ~30-40 minutes (charging slows down to protect the battery).
Interestingly, in the first 15 to 20 minutes, the device can collect up to 30 to 35 percent of the charge, which is especially convenient if you need to leave the house urgently, but after 80 percent, the speed drops almost twice as the charging controller limits the current to extend the life of the lithium polymer battery.
Factors affecting charging speed
Even if you use the original charger, charging times can vary.Here are the key factors to consider:
| Factor. | Impact on speed | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Ambient temperature | At t° < 10°C or > 35°C, the speed drops by 30-50%. | Charge at 15–25°C, avoid direct sunlight |
| Battery status | After 300-500 cycles, the capacity decreases by 15-20%. | Calibrate the battery every 3 months (discharge to 0% → charge to 100%) |
| Cable used | Uncertified cables can limit current to 1–1.5A | Use the original cable or a certified USB-Type-C |
| Background processes | Games, updates, or syncs increase time by 10 to 25% | Activate the aircraft mode or disable unnecessary applications |
The cable is worth paying special attention to. Many users are unaware that a cheap, unoriginal cord can limit power to 5 to 10 watts, turning "fast" charging into normal. To check the real power, use the AccuBattery app (available on Google Play), which will show current and voltage in real time.
⚠️ Note: If your Redmi Note 8 Pro is charging longer than 3 hours from the original RAM, it may indicate a malfunction of the battery or power controller.
Comparison with other Xiaomi models
For clarity, compare the charging time of the Redmi Note 8 Pro with other popular smartphones of the brand. All tests were conducted with the original chargers and cables at room temperature (22-24 ° C):
- 📱 Redmi Note 8 Pro (4,500 mAh, 18W): 2h 10min (0-100%).
- 📱 Redmi Note 10 Pro (5020 mAh, 33W): 1h 15min (0-100%).
- 📱 Poco X3 Pro (5,160 mAh, 33W): 1h 20min (0-100%).
- 📱 Mi 11 Lite (4250 mAh, 33W): 1h 05min (0-100%).
As you can see, the Redmi Note 8 Pro is less than the modern models in charging speed due to the lower power supply, but the difference of 30-40 minutes is not critical for most users, especially considering that the battery here is 200-500 mAh more than the competition.
Why didn’t Xiaomi release a fast charging update for 33W?
How to speed up charging: practical tips
If you need to charge your smartphone as quickly as possible, follow these guidelines:
Use the original 18W (MDY-11-ED) RAM
Turn off your smartphone or activate the aircraft mode
Charge at 18-25°C
Do not use the device while charging (especially for gaming)
Periodically clean the port USB dust-and-foil-->
One of the most effective ways to turn off your smartphone while you're charging. When you're off, the Redmi Note 8 Pro charges 20 to 25 percent faster because the operating system doesn't use energy for the background. If you're not comfortable turning off your phone, at least turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile data.
Another nuance is the position of the smartphone, which is that if you put it on a soft surface (like a bed or a sofa), it can block the vents and cause the device to overheat, and it's optimal to charge it on a hard surface, like a table, away from direct sunlight.
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If you charge your smartphone frequently at work or university, buy a power bank with Quick Charge 3.0 support.This will allow you to charge the Redmi Note 8 Pro at the same speed as from the outlet, without being tied to stationary RAM.
Myths about charging: what really hurts the battery
There are many myths surrounding lithium polymer batteries, and we'll take a look at the most common ones and find out which ones are true and which ones aren't.
- ❌ Myth 1: "You always have to discharge to 0% before charging." Reality: Modern batteries don't have a memory effect.
- ❌ Myth 2: "Taking at night ruins the battery." Reality: It's not the charging itself that causes the damage, but overheating or staying at 100% for a long time. Use Optimized Charging in the battery settings.
- ✅ Fact: Fast charging reduces battery life by 10-15% compared to slow charging (5W). However, the difference becomes noticeable only after 400-500 cycles.
The most dangerous scenario for the battery is simultaneous charging and heavy use (for example, games with connected RAM), in which case the battery temperature can exceed 40 ° C, which leads to degradation of the electrolyte. If you need to urgently charge the smartphone, first let it cool for 10-15 minutes, and then connect to the network.
⚠️ Warning: If after a year of use, charging time increased by more than 50% (from 2h 10min to 3h 20min)+), This may signal a battery bloating, so stop using the device immediately and contact a service center, as the risk of fire increases significantly.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Redmi Note 8 Pro users sometimes experience charging problems, and here are the most common situations and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Charging is very slow (5-10 hours) | Faulty cable or RAM, contaminated USB port | Try another cable/ROM, clean the port with alcohol |
| The smartphone does not charge above 80% | Activated function Optimized charging | Turn it off in Settings → Battery |
| The charge is interrupted (it comes, it does not). | Poor port contact or faulty controller | Check the port for physical damage, contact the service |
| The smartphone is warming and discharged quickly | Background processes or damaged battery | Check the status of the battery in AccuBattery |
If none of the tips worked, the problem may be the firmware: Update your smartphone to the latest version of MIUI via Settings → About Phone → System Update. In some cases, factory resets help (don’t forget to back up your data!).
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If the battery replacement time has not improved, the problem may be the power controller on the motherboard, which costs 2-3 times less than buying a new smartphone.