The Xiaomi Redmi 8, released in 2019, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its balanced performance and reliability. But even with this time-tested device, there are questions about operation — especially when it comes to charging. Users often face the dilemma: can you use charging from another smartphone? Why does the original adapter warm up? How to speed up charging without harming the battery? In this article, we will examine all the nuances from technical specifications to practical tips for choosing accessories.
Redmi 8 supports fast charging, but with reservations. Unlike Xiaomi’s flagship models, there are no advanced protocols like Quick Charge 4+ or Power Delivery, but there are some features that you should consider. If you lost your native adapter or want to buy a spare, it is important to understand which parameters are critical and what you can save. Next, a detailed analysis of tables, warnings and life hacks.
Technical Charging Specifications of Xiaomi Redmi 8
Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 8 is equipped with the original power adapter with the following parameters:
- 🔌 Connector type: USB Type-A (on the adapter side) → Micro-USB (on the cable to the phone)
- ⚡ Power: 10W (5V/2A) – standard for most low-end Xiaomi models of the time
- 📦 Technology: Quick Charge 3.0 support (but limited to 10W due to hardware features)
- ⚠️ Feature: When using non-original adapters, the power can automatically be reduced to 5 W (5V/1A)
It’s important to understand that the Redmi 8 doesn’t support ultra-fast charging like the 33W or 67W models of today’s Redmi Note or POCO. The maximum power a smartphone can digest is 10W. This means that even if you plug in an 18W or 30W adapter, the phone won’t charge faster than the native power supply. However, there are compatibility nuances that we’ll talk about below.
The charging speed also depends on the battery and background of the device. For example, if you play a heavy game and charge the phone at the same time, the process can slow down by 20-30%. whereas in aircraft mode with the screen off, the Redmi 8 charges in about 2 hours 10 minutes from 0% to 100% (when using the original adapter).
Original vs. Non-Original Charging: What to Choose?
Xiaomi's native adapter for the Redmi 8 has a model called the MDY-08-EM (or similar with minor variations at the end of the article), certified and passed compatibility tests, but many users prefer alternatives. Let's compare the pros and cons:
| Criteria | Original charging | Non-original (quality) | Cheap fake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charging speed | 10 W (optimum) | 10 watts (if QC 3.0 supports) | 5-7 W (safety restriction) |
| Security | ✅ Protection against overheating, CC, surges of voltage | ⚠️ Depends on the brand (e.g. Anker or Baseus are reliable) | ❌ Risk of overheating, battery damage |
| Term of service | 3-5 years with proper operation | 2-4 years (depending on quality) | A few months to a year. |
| Price. | ~500-800 rubles (new) | ~300-600 rubles (brand analogues) | ~100-250 rubles. |
⚠️ Warning: Cheap uncertified charging can produce unstable voltages, causing the battery to bloat or the power controller to go off. If the phone starts to warm up a lot after connecting the non-original adapter or the charging is snatching, turn it off immediately!
If you decide to buy an unoriginal charger, pay attention to the following points:
- 🔍 Certification: presence of CE, RoHS or UL marks on the case
- 📌 Protocol: Quick Charge 3.0 support (indicated on packaging)
- 🔗 Cable: Better to use the original Micro-USB from Xiaomi or a certified counterpart (e.g. from UGREEN)
- 💡 Reviews: Check the ratings on sites like AliExpress or Yandex Market – if the adapter has less than 4.5 stars, you should not risk it.
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If you travel frequently, consider buying a compact adapter with a folding fork (like the Xiaomi Compact 18W).It supports QC 3.0 and is compatible with Redmi 8 despite the high power - the phone will only take 10 watts.
Can I use charging from other smartphones?
One of the most popular questions is, "Will the Redmi Note 8/9 or POCO X3 charge?" The answer is yes, but with reservations. The main rule is that the adapter should not be above 18 watts. More powerful units (for example, 33 watts) will not damage the phone, but will not speed up charging - the Redmi 8 controller will limit consumption to 10 watts.
Here is a list of compatible adapters from other Xiaomi devices:
- 📱 Redmi Note 7/8/9 (18 W, Quick Charge 4+) – will run at reduced power (10 W)
- 📱 POCO X3/X3 Pro (33W) — the phone will only take 10W, but the adapter is safe.
- 📱 Mi 9/10 (27 W) — compatible but not speeding up
- ❌ Older models (e.g. Redmi) 5A 5W – charging will be very slow
But charging from other brands should be used with caution:
- ✅ Samsung (15–25 W, Adaptive Fast Charging) – compatible, but may not give a full 10 W
- ⚠️ iPhone (5W or 12W) — The 5W option will charge very slowly, 12W is acceptable but not optimal
- ❌ Cheap “no-name” – high risk of battery damage
⚠️ Warning: If you connect charging from an iPhone or MacBook (with USB-C), use a quality adapter USB-C → Micro-USB. Cheap adapters can cause short circuits due to unstable contact.
The power of the adapter does not exceed 18 watts |
Certificates (CE, RoHS)|
Cable in good condition (no bare wires)|
The phone doesn't warm much than usual-->
How to speed up the charging of Redmi 8: working ways
While Redmi 8 doesn’t support ultra-fast charging, there are a few ways to speed things up a little without harming the battery:
- Turn on airplane mode. Shutting down the network (especially 4G/LTE) reduces the CPU load, and the phone charges 15-20% faster.
- Use the original cable. Cheap Micro-USB cables often have thin veins that limit current. Xiaomi's original cable is thicker and provides a stable 2A.
- Close your background apps. Programs like Facebook, Instagram, or instant messengers are constantly syncing data, which slows down charging. Close them through Settings → Apps.
- Turn off Charging Optimization. Xiaomi limits charging to 80% by default to extend battery life. To turn this off, go to Settings → Battery → Settings → Charging Optimization.
A critical nuance: if the battery temperature exceeds 40°C, the controller automatically reduces the charging current. So do not put the phone on charging in direct sunlight or near heat sources (for example, a laptop).
Another life hack is to use a portable power bank with Quick Charge 3.0 support. For example, Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 3 Pro (30W) will provide the same 10W as the original adapter, but with the ability to charge on the go. The main thing is not to take cheap power banks without certification: they can give unstable voltage.
What happens if you use fast charging all the time?
Frequent charging problems and their solutions
Redmi 8 users often face typical charging problems, and consider the most common ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone's not charging. | Micro-USB connector contaminated or cable damaged | Clean the connector with a toothpick (carefully!), try another cable |
| Charging is going very slowly. | Use a 5W adapter or cheap cable | Connect the original adapter (10 watts) and cable |
| Phone warms up when charging | Uncertified adapter or background processes are used | Turn off heavy apps, let your phone cool down |
| The charge is interrupted (it comes, it does not). | Poor contact in the connector or damaged cable | Try another cable or adapter, check the connector for physical damage |
| Phone shows "charging suspended" | Protection against overheating or a faulty battery | Let the phone cool down if the problem recurs - check the battery in the service |
If none of these methods worked, the problem may lie in the power controller or battery, in which case we recommend you to contact the service center. The average cost of replacing the battery for the Redmi 8 is about 1,200-1,800 rubles (depending on the region).
⚠️ Warning: If after a fall or impact, the phone stopped charging, don't try to disassemble it yourself! In the Redmi 8, the battery is glued to the body, and sloppy extraction can damage the plumes or display.
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If the phone only charges when it's off, it's a sign of a serious malfunction of the power controller or battery.
How to extend the life of the Redmi 8 battery
The Redmi 8 battery has a capacity of 5000 mAh, which is one of the key advantages of the model, but over time, the capacity inevitably decreases.
- 🔋 Avoid full discharge. Optimal charging range is 20 to 80 percent. Regular discharges to 0% reduce battery life by 30 to 40 percent.
- ⚡ Don't use your phone while charging. Playing, video, or navigating heats up the battery, which accelerates its degradation. If you need to respond to a message urgently, do so and put the phone down.
- 🌡️ Watch the temperature. The ideal temperature to charge is 10–30 °C. Charging in the cold or in the heat will damage the battery.
- 🔌 Turn off charging after 100%. If you leave your phone charging overnight, the controller will support 100% charge with microcycles, which wears out the battery.
It is also useful to calibrate the battery every 2-3 months: completely discharge the phone before turning off, then charge to 100% without interruption. This helps to reset controller errors that can lead to incorrect display of the charge level.
You can use apps like AccuBattery (available on Google Play) to monitor battery health, and it shows the actual battery capacity, the number of charging cycles and the rate of degradation, and if the capacity has dropped below 80% of the original capacity (~4,000 mAh), you should consider replacing it.
Where to buy the original charger for Redmi 8
If you decide to buy an original adapter or cable, here are the proven options:
- 🛒 Official Xiaomi store: mi.com or brand stores (for example, in M. Video, Citilink). Price: ~ 600-800 rubles.
- 🌍 AliExpress: Look for sellers with a rating above 98% and reviews in Russian. Original adapters cost ~400-600 rubles, but delivery can take 2-4 weeks.
- 🏬 Yandex Market/OZON: Filter by the original and check the photo of the package. Be careful with fakes - often sell replicas at the price of the original.
- 🔧 Xiaomi Service Centers: You can buy an adapter for battery replacement or repairs. Prices are the same as in the official store, but there is a warranty.
⚠️ Warning: In markets or small stalls, counterfeits are often sold under the guise of Xiaomi’s original adapters. These adapters are distinguished by: - poor-quality packaging (blurred logo, curved seams); - no hologram or certificates on the case; - too low price (below 300 rubles for the “original”).
If the original adapter could not be found, consider certified analogues from proven brands:
- Anker PowerPort III (18 W, ~900 RUB) – reliable and compact;
- Baseus GaN 2 (20 W, ~1 200 RUB) - modern adapter with warranty;
- UGREEN 18W (~700 rubles) - a good price/quality balance.
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When buying a charger on AliExpress, always check if it supports Quick Charge 3.0. If the description only says 5V/2A without mentioning QC, the charging speed will be lower than the original.