Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is still one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but many owners face a problem: the battery discharges in a few hours, although it used to last a day.
In this article, we will discuss 12 key causes of rapid discharge, from background processes to hardware malfunctions, and give step-by-step instructions for diagnosing and restoring autonomy. We will focus on the specifics of the Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia model), its MIUI firmware, and the features of the Mediatek Helio G90T processor that directly affect power consumption.
If your smartphone is running 30-50% per night or doesn't last longer than 4-5 hours when you're in active use, here's a solution: start with simple checks and end with radical measures to extend battery life.
1. Natural wear of the battery: how to check and what to do
The Redmi Note 8 Pro was released in 2019, and if your smartphone was not bought by hand, then its battery has already worked 4-5 years - a critical period for lithium polymer batteries. Even with careful use, capacity drops by 20-30% per year, and after 500-600 charging cycles, degradation accelerates.
You can check the current battery capacity through an engineering menu or apps like AccuBattery. Normal wear for a 4-year battery is 70-80% of its original capacity (4500 mAh → 3150-3600 mAh). If the rate is below 60%, it is time to change the battery.
- 📊 How to find out how many charging cycles you need: Install AccuBattery (Play Market) → Open the Health tab → See the parameter Capacity Assessment.
- 🔋 Critical signs of wear: The smartphone turns off when 20-30% charge, quickly heats up when charging, bloating the body.
- ⚡ What to do: Replace the battery (original costs) ~1500-2000 ₽) or calibration (if the capacity is 60-70%).
⚠️ Warning: If the battery is swelling (the smartphone body is "unplugged"), immediately turn it off - risk of fire! Do not try to charge or use the device.
2. MIUI software errors: background processes and optimization
MIUI is Xiaomi’s proprietary shell, known for its “aggressive” background management, which saves power on the one hand, and sometimes leads to uncontrolled battery consumption due to optimization bugs or application conflicts.
The main culprits: Auto-update MIUI (downloads firmware in the background), Google Play Services (synchronization and geolocation), Applications with push notifications (Vkontakte, Telegram, Instagram).
Often the problem is solved by resetting the cache or disabling unnecessary services.
- ⚙️ Turn off auto-update MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → tap on three points → Settings → Turn off Automatic Booting.
- 📱 Limit background activity: Settings → Annexes → Application management → select the application → Limit background activity.
- 🔄 Drop the cache. MIUI: Settings → Memory. → Clear cache (does not delete data, only temporary files).
Turn off auto-update firmware |
Limit background activity of social networks |
Reset the system cache |
Turn off Google Photo| sync
Virus testing (if the battery is heated)-->
3. Viruses and malware: hidden charge eaters
If the Redmi Note 8 Pro starts to run out suddenly (for example, after installing a new application), the fault may be a virus or a mining script, such programs masquerading as legitimate utilities (optimizers, launchers, games) and load the processor to 100%, which leads to overheating and rapid discharge.
Signs of infection:
The battery sits down 10-15% in 10-15 minutes without active use.
The smartphone is warming up in standby mode.
In Settings → Battery, an unknown process with high consumption is visible (for example, com.android.system with 30% consumption).
- 🛡️ Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light → perform a full scan.
- 🔍 Manual Check: Go to Settings → Battery → Battery utilization → Look at what processes are used. >10% charge.
- 🚫 Remove suspicious apps: If you see an unknown app (like System Update, but not from Xiaomi) uninstall it and restart your smartphone.
⚠️ Warning: Some viruses block removal through standard settings, in which case the safe mode will help (press the power button). → Safe mode) or reset to factory settings.
Hardware malfunctions: from charge control to board damage
If the software methods did not help, the problem may lie in the iron:
Faulty charge controller (smartphone does not hold charge, quickly discharges when disconnected from the network).
- Damaged USB-C connector (bad contact → unstable charging → accelerated battery wear)
Oxidation of battery contacts (humidity, falls).
Diagnosing hardware problems is more difficult, but there are indirect signs:
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The swelling is in progress (it stops and goes) | The USB-C connector or cable is damaged | Clean the connector with alcohol, replace the cable |
| The smartphone turns off at 20-30% charge | Battery wear or controller failure | Battery replacement or diagnostics in the service |
| The battery warms and discharges quickly even when switched off. | Short circuit on board | Renovation is required at the service center |
| Charging is very slow (1% in 10-15 minutes) | Failed power controller | Replacement of the chip (solding required) |
To check the connector USB-C Connect your smartphone to another charger, and if the problem persists, you need to replace the connector. ~800-1500 ₽). If the smartphone does not turn on after full discharge, the power controller may have failed (repair) ~2000-3000 ₽).
How to check the charge controller without disassembly?
5. Network and geolocation settings: hidden energy costs
The Redmi Note 8 Pro supports 4G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 and GPS, but each of these modules consumes energy even in the background. For example, constant search for Wi-Fi networks can eat up to 10% of charge per day, and high-precision geolocation can eat up to 15-20%.
Optimizing the cost will help:
- 📶 Turn off network search in the background: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Searching for networks in the background → turn off.
- 📍 Switch geolocation to Device Only: Settings → Location → Regime. → Device only (without device) GPS mobile data).
- 🔄 Turn off automatic synchronization: Settings → Accounts. → Synchronization → Disable unnecessary services (Google Photos, Contacts).
If you rarely use mobile Internet, switch to mode 2G/3G: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Preferred type of network → choose 3G. This will reduce energy consumption by 20-30%.
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If you're in a low 4G signal zone, your smartphone is constantly switching between 3G/4G, which drains your battery, manually select 3G in the settings or turn on "On the plane" mode while you're in the subway/elevator.
6.Screen and brightness: how to reduce consumption without loss of comfort
The Redmi Note 8 Pro (6.53, IPS LCD) display is one of the main charge eaters. At maximum brightness, it consumes up to 1.5-2 watts, and if the refresh rate is high, the battery goes down 2-3 times faster.
Optimal settings for savings:
Brightness: 40-50% (or automatic with the light sensor turned off in the dark).
Update frequency: 60 Hz (90 Hz increases consumption by 10-15%).
Screen timeout: 15-30 seconds.
- 🌞 Turn off autobrightness: Settings → Display. → Automatic brightness → turn off.
- 🔄 Set the frequency of 60 Hz: Settings → Display. → Screen refresh rate → Choose 60Hz.
- ⏱️ Shorten screen timeout: Settings → Display. → Sleeping mode. → Set it 15 seconds.
If you use dark wallpaper, turn on the dark theme (Settings) → Display. → Dark subject. IPS-On the screen, it saves up to 5-7% day-load.
7. Wrong charging: myths and real tips
Many Redmi Note 8 Pro users make charging errors, which accelerates battery degradation.
“You need to discharge to 0% before charging” → harmful to lithium-polymer batteries.
“Charge only with the original charger” → not necessary if the power supply supports Quick Charge 3.0/4.0.
Correct recommendations:
Optimal charge range: 20-80% (full cycles 0-100% shorten service life).
Avoid overheating (>40°C) and hypothermia (<0°C) during charging.
Do not use your smartphone while charging fast (this increases heat).
- ⚡ Use high-quality chargers: Power supply should be 18 watts (original adapter Xiaomi or certified analogues).
- 🔌 Don't charge from USB-Computer port: Current is too weak (0.5A), This increases the charging time and load on the controller.
- 🛌 Do not leave on charging overnight: After 100%, the smartphone continues to recharge with “microcycles”, which accelerates wear and tear.
⚠️ Note: If the smartphone is not charged higher 80-90%, Recharge protection may have worked (optimized charging function in new versions) MIUI). Turn it off in Settings. → Battery → Battery settings.
8 Radical measures: reset to factory settings and firmware
If all previous methods have failed, there are two options:
1. Reset to factory settings (will delete all data but clear the system of debris).
2. flashing (relevant if the problem occurred after the MIUI update).
Reset is done like this: Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Erase All Data. Important: Pre-backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.
If the problem is in the firmware (for example, after upgrading to MIUI 14, the battery jolt appeared), you can roll back to the old version or install custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience).
- 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (via Mi Unlock Tool).
- 📥 Download firmware for the begonia model (for example, with Xiaomi.eu or 4PDA).
- 🔧 Set through TWRP (root access required).
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Firmware is a last resort. If you're not sure about your skills, you better go to the service. The wrong firmware can turn a smartphone into a brick.