In the world of modern technology, the race for new smartphone models seems endless, but there are devices that, even a few years after its release, are arousing a keen interest among users. One of these โpeopleโsโ devices was the Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite, released in 2018. Many are still looking for information about how good this gadget is and whether it is worth attention in the current realities of the market.
The smartphone was originally marketed as a budget solution with flagship features, and has largely met high expectations. Its stylish design, good camera and balanced performance have made it a hit not only in China but also in the global market. Today, as prices for new models rise, the question of the relevance of the time-tested model becomes especially acute.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the advantages of the Mi 8 Lite, weigh its strengths and weaknesses, and answer the main questions that potential buyers have: why this device is still found on store shelves and why it is chosen as a second phone or a gift for a child.
Body design and ergonomics
The first thing you notice when you look at the Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite is the look of it. Unlike many plastic budgeters of the time, this smartphone has a glass back panel. Not only did it (increase) the premium of perception, but it also provided a pleasant tactile experience when used. The glossy surface shimmers into the light, creating a depth of color effect.
The back cover is particularly noteworthy, and it's vacuum-sprayed, and it allows for unique gradient transitions. The Midnight Blue has a mirror effect that's not very common in this price range even today, but it's worth remembering that the glass collects fingerprints, so you'll have to use the case.
The ergonomics of the device are great. Despite the screen diagonal of 6.26 inches, the smartphone is conveniently in the hand due to the narrow bezels and the optimal aspect ratio of 19:9. Weight of 175 grams is almost not felt in a pocket of jeans or in a small purse. the fingerprint scanner is located on the side of the face, which is a very convenient and modern solution.
Structural reliability is also high. The frame is made of aluminum, which ensures the rigidity of the body and protects the internal components from deflections. The connectors and buttons are tightly adjusted, the backlashes are not observed even on used copies in good condition, which indicates the high build quality characteristic of Xiaomi.
- ๐จ Rear panel of tempered glass with gradient coating
- ๐ค Light weight of 175 grams and thin body 7.5 mm thick
- ๐ Side fingerprint scanner combined with power button
- ๐ Availability of a 3.5 mm connector for wired headphones
Display and multimedia quality
The screen is the face of any smartphone, and in Mi 8 Lite is installed with quality IPS-The matrix. 2280ร1080 The dots provide a high pixel density, making the text appear clear and the images detailed. Color rendering is finely tuned, although by default there can be a slight departure to cold tones, which is easily adjusted in the settings.
The brightness of the screen is enough for comfortable use in any lighting. In direct sun, readability is preserved, although it does not reach the level of top-end lights. OLED-It is important to note the presence of Corning Gorilla Glass, which protects the display from scratches and small chips in case of accidental falls.
โ ๏ธ Note: The screen has a distinctive neckline ("bangs") at the top. Some applications may not display correctly in this mode, hiding important interface elements under the camera.
Multimedia capabilities are complemented by powerful stereo speakers (in some versions) or simply a high-quality mophonic speaker with support for Smart PA technology. The sound is loud and clean, without obvious wheezing at maximum volume. For watching videos and listening to music without headphones, this is quite enough.
In the display settings, you can find the Read mode, which reduces the load on the eyes by changing the color temperature to the yellow spectrum, and the autobrightness feature is available, which works adequately and quickly responds to changes in indoor lighting.
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To save battery power, turn on a dark theme in the MIUI interface and reduce the brightness of the screen to a comfortable minimum in the room.
Productivity and gaming opportunities
At the heart of the smartphone is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 AIE. At the time of its release, it was one of the best chips of the middle class, and today it (still) shows itself confident. In conjunction with the Adreno 512 graphics accelerator and RAM from 4 to 6 GB, the device easily copes with everyday tasks: social networks, instant messengers, navigation and web surfing.
In the gaming segment, the situation is as follows: lightweight games like Clash Royale or Among Us are at maximum settings without problems; heavier projects like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty run at medium or low graphics settings. Stability remains acceptable, but you should not expect 60 FPS in heavy scenes.
The cooling system does its job well. The body can heat up under prolonged load, but critical overheating, leading to trottling and a sharp drop in performance, does not occur. This makes the Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite a reliable assistant on the road or during long trips.
The amount of internal memory varies from 64 to 128 GB, which is a great indicator, and there is also a microSD card slot that allows you to expand storage by another 256 GB. This solves the problem of lack of space for photos, videos and music.
- ๐ Snapdragon 660 processor provides smooth interface operation
- ๐ฎ Games go on average graphics settings without strong lags
- ๐พ Support for memory cards up to 256GB for storage expansion
- โ๏ธ Effective passive cooling system of the body
Secrets of MIUI Optimization
Cameras: photo and video
The main camera module in the Mi 8 Lite has a Sony IMX576 sensor with a resolution of 12 MP and an aperture of f/1.9. This allowed you to achieve excellent quality of images in daylight. The photos are bright, with good detail and natural colors. Image processing algorithms do a great job with HDR, restoring details in shadows and lights.
Night photography is the Achilles heel of most public sector workers, and our hero is no exception, with a lack of light, noises appear, and detail drops, but the presence of Night mode (in some firmware) allows you to slightly improve the situation, making the images more usable for social networks.
The 24MP front camera with Pixel Binning technology has become a hit, it can take great selfies even in imperfect lighting, and the presence of Portrait mode with software blurred background allows you to create spectacular images where the subject is clearly distinguished from the background.
Video is taken at up to 1080p at 30 frames per second. Electronic stabilization, so when walking, the picture can shake a little. The sound is recorded clearly, without strong wind noise, unless you bring the phone too close to the sound source.
| Characteristics | Main camera. | Front camera. | Video |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permission | 12 MP + 5 MP (Depth) | 24 MP | 1080p @ 30fps |
| Diaphragm | f/1.9 | f/2.0 | - |
| Pixel size | 1.28 ฮผm | 0.9 ฮผm | - |
| Features | Double PDAF, AI | Pixel Binning, AI | Electronic stabilization |
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The main feature of the Mi 8 Lite camera is a 24MP front-facing module that is head and shoulders above competitors in its class in selfie detailing.
Autonomy and charging speed
A 3,350mAh battery is the average for todayโs standards, but the energy-efficient Snapdragon 660 processor has enough of it. With moderate use (calls, messengers, a little YouTube), the smartphone lives quietly full-time. Active users can last until the evening, but may have to recharge the device during the day.
An important feature is the support of fast charging technology Quick Charge 3.0. the package often included a powerful power supply (depending on the region), which allows you to charge the battery from 0 to 100% in about 2 hours.
It is worth noting that over time, battery capacity can decrease, especially if you buy a used device, in which case it is recommended to calibrate the battery or think about replacing it to regain its previous autonomy.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Use only original or certified cables and power supplies. Cheap analogues can damage the charge controller, leading to unstable phone operation.
The MIUI shell energy saving mode works aggressively by closing background applications, which has a positive effect on uptime, but can interfere with notifications, a problem that can be solved by adding important applications to the exclusion list (โNo Limitsโ).
โ๏ธ Checking battery status
Software and relevance
The smartphone originally came with a MIUI shell based on Android 8.1. During its lifetime, the device received several major updates, reaching Android 10 (depending on the firmware version โ Global or China), which means that most modern applications are still supported and work correctly.
The MIUI shell offers huge customization possibilities: Themes, fonts, control gestures, second space, app cloning, all of which are available out of the box. For many users, it is the richness of MIUI features that becomes a decisive factor in choosing Xiaomi.
However, it is worth considering that the official support of the device is terminated, which means that security updates and new versions of Android from Xiaomi should not be expected. Enthusiasts can install custom firmware (LineageOS and others) to extend the life of the gadget, but it requires certain skills.
Presence NFC-The module (in global versions) allows you to use your smartphone for contactless payment, which is a huge plus for a budget device. In some regions, this feature can be disabled software, but often activated by changing the region in the settings.
- ๐ฑ Shell MIUI with a lot of customization and so on
- ๐ Possibility of installing custom firmware to extend life
- ๐ก Presence NFC Contactless payments (in the Global version)
- ๐ Regular (previously) security updates