Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro in 2026: is it worth buying or is it outdated?

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

September 2019

8,000 to 12,000 rubles

Redmi Note 8 Pro

In this article, we will analyze the specifications of the smartphone, compare it with current alternatives (including the Redmi Note). 12/13 and other brands, we will test the performance of the 2026 And then we'll answer the big question: who's going to do this, and who's going to do the other thing? 8 Pro after years of operation and how to avoid them.

If you're looking for a smartphone for gaming, video or long battery life, you'll find honest tests and recommendations without embellishment, and if you already own a Redmi Note 8 Pro, you'll learn how to extend its life for another year or two.

Technical specifications Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: what is under the hood?

Redmi Note 8 Pro became the first Xiaomi smartphone with a processor MediaTek Helio G90T โ€” So, this is a chipset that was considered revolutionary for the budget segment at the time:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Screen: 6.53" IPS LCD, permit 2340ร—1080 (Full HD+), refresh rate 60 Hz, brightness to 500 thread.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery: 4500 mAh with fast charging support 18W (power-box โ€” 10W).
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Camera: 64 MP main quadrocamera (Samsung) GW1) + 8 MP (wide-angle) + 2 MP (macro) + 2 MP (deep sensor) Front camera - 20 MP.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Performance: MediaTek Helio chipset G90T (12 nm), 6 or 8 GB RAM, 64/128/256 GB of memory (slot for microSD).
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Connection: 4G (LTE Cat.12), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC (global).

On paper, the specs look solid even today, but it's important to understand: Helio G90T It is inferior to modern chipsets (for example, Snapdragon). 680 or Helio G99) It's energy efficiency and it's supporting new technologies, like a smartphone that doesn't support energy efficiency. 5G, Wi-Fi 6 It has an outdated Bluetooth standard. 5.0 (instead 5.2/5.3 new models).

Another important thing is the screen: in 2026, even budget smartphones are getting 90 Hz or 120 Hz, and there's still 60 Hz. This is evident in scrolling and dynamic gaming, IPS-The matrix with a high brightness (500 nits) still looks better than the AMOLED In budget smartphones of 2020-2021, where cheap ones were often used P-OLED burn-out.

๐Ÿ“Š What is the processor in your smartphone?
MediaTek Helio (G-series)
Qualcomm Snapdragon
Apple A-series
Other

Performance in 2026: Will modern games and apps pull?

Helio G90T It was once marketed as a gaming processor, but today it's not enough power to do everything. We've tested the Redmi Note 8 Pro in popular games and benchmarks:

Test/GameResult (2026)Comparison with new budgetary staff
AnTuTu 10~280,000 points2 times lower than the Redmi Note 12 (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1)
Genshin Impact20โ€“25 FPS (settings "Low")Redmi Note 13 is 40-45 FPS on "Mediocre"
PUBG Mobile40 FPS (graphics "HD")Modern smartphones hold 60 FPS on the Ultra HD"
Call of Duty: Mobile50โ€“60 FPS (graphics โ€œAverage")New chipsets pull 90 FPS at "maximum"

As you can see from the table, the Redmi Note 8 Pro handles most games, but only on minimal or medium settings. Heavy projects like Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail will have to put up with low-end games. FPS Or we can do it by squirting. PUBG Mobile, Free Fire or Mobile Legends will have enough power.

In everyday tasks (social networks, YouTube, messengers), the smartphone works quickly, but MIUI 14 based on Android 12 can slow down due to optimization for new versions of the OS. For example, when opening the camera or switching between applications, sometimes there are delays of up to 1-2 seconds.

โš ๏ธ Note: If you plan to use the Redmi Note 8 Pro for longer than a year, consider that Xiaomi stopped releasing security updates for this model in 2023.

๐Ÿ’ก

To reduce the lags, turn off animation in the developer settings (Settings) โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Version. MIUI โ€” Tap 7 times, then Settings โ†’ Additionally. โ†’ For developers โ†’ Scale of animation โ†’ Choose No Animation).

Camera: 64 MP in 2026 - marketing or real quality?

The main trump card of the Redmi Note 8 Pro at the release is a 64-megapixel camera with a Samsung sensor GW1. But in practice, high resolution isn't always the same as good photos. So let's see what we can expect today:

  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Daytime images: Details are level, but dynamic range is narrow - sky often overlit, shadows poorly worked out. Colors are natural, but without the wow effect".
  • ๐ŸŒƒ Night shooting: Without Night Mode, photos are noisy. With mode on, quality improves, but the Redmi Note 11 Pro is not up to the level of the Redmi Note 11 Pro.
  • ๐ŸŽฅ Video: Maximum โ€” 4K@30fps, without stabilization. 1080p@60fps It looks better, but the hand is shaking.
  • ๐Ÿ” Wide-angle and macro: 8MP wide-angle gives strong distortions at the edges. 2MP macro camera is almost useless - the detail is worse than when framing with the main camera.

For comparison, even the budget Redmi 12C (2023) shoots better in poor light thanks to improved algorithm HDR. And the flagship smartphones of 2026 (like Xiaomi 14) bypass the Note 8 Pro in all respects for 2-3 generations ahead.

But 64 MPs can be used to do good things, like taking pictures of documents or landscapes and then framing them, and the key is not to expect miracles automatically.

How to improve the quality of photos on Redmi Note 8 Pro?
1. Use GCam (a modified version of Google Camera) โ€“ it handles better HDR night-shot. 2. Manually lower ISO before 100โ€“200 in pro-mode, if there is enough light. 3. For video, turn on. 1080p@60fps Use an external stabilizer (for example, DJI Osmo Mobile). 4. Turn off digital zoom โ€“ it is better to take a frame with a margin and cut later.

Battery and autonomy: how long does it last in 2026?

The 4500mAh battery in the Redmi Note 8 Pro looks solid even today, but there are nuances:

  • โšก Fast charging: Supported 18W, but it's complete. 10W Full charge takes up ~2 hours.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Autonomy: With moderate use (social networks, messengers, 3-4 hours of screen time) lasts for 1.5-2 days.
  • ๐Ÿ“‰ Degradation: After 3-4 years, the battery capacity decreases by 20-30%. If the smartphone is actively used, you may need to replace it.

For comparison, the Redmi Note 12 has a 5,000mAh battery with support 33W Charging, which gives an increase in autonomy by 15-20%, but the Note 8 Pro wins over many modern public sector with batteries 4000-4500 mAh (for example, Samsung Galaxy). A14).

How to extend the life of the battery?

Do not discharge below 20%|Do not charge to 100% (optimally 30-80%)|Use the original cable|Avoid overheating (do not play while charging)

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โš ๏ธ Note: If the Redmi Note 8 Pro suddenly turns off at 30-40% charge, this is a sign of severe battery degradation. ~1,500โ€“2,500 rubles).

Comparison with modern alternatives: what is the best to buy in 2026?

If youโ€™re choosing between the Redmi Note 8 Pro and the newer models, here are the key differences:

ModelAdvantagesDeficienciesPrice (2026)
Redmi Note 8 ProStrong case, good screen, 64 MP cameraOutdated processor, no. 5G, weak optimization MIUI8 000โ€“12 000 โ‚ฝ
Redmi Note 12AMOLED 120Hz, Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, 5G, NFCWeak front camera, plastic case15 000โ€“18 000 โ‚ฝ
Poco X5 ProSnapdragon 778G, 67W charging, 108 MP cameraMore expensive, no 3.5mm audio jack20 000โ€“22 000 โ‚ฝ
Samsung Galaxy A1490Hz screen, 4 years of updates, good optimizationWeak processor (Exynos 850), 15W charging14 000โ€“16 000 โ‚ฝ

Who will be the Redmi Note 8 Pro in 2026?

  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Those who are looking for the most budget smartphone with acceptable characteristics.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ To gamers who play in PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty or Mobile Legends in Medium Settings.
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Photographers in good lighting (64 MP can be used with a good sense).
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Those who are ready to optimize the smartphone themselves (firmware, GCam, battery replacement).

Who doesn't?

  • ๐Ÿš€ For those who want to 5G, Wi-Fi 6 or Bluetooth 5.2+.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Fans of the smooth interface (no) 90/120 Hz).
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Those who need long-term support for updates (MIUI 14 - latest version).
  • ๐ŸŽฅ Video Bloggers (No Stabilization in the Internet) 4K, faint-skinned).

Typical problems with the Redmi Note 8 Pro after 3-4 years of use

Like any smartphone, the Redmi Note 8 Pro is getting older over time, and these are the most common issues that owners face:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Fast battery discharge: In 3-4 years, the capacity drops to 60-70% of the original (~1 500 โ‚ฝ).
  • ๐Ÿ”Š Speaker problems: The bottom speaker is often clogged with dust or fails.clean or replace (~800 โ‚ฝ).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Overheating: During long games or charging, the body can heat up to 45-50ยฐC. The solution - replacement of the thermopaste (~1 000 โ‚ฝ).
  • ๐Ÿ“ต Poor network reception: Over time, the antenna module may be worse at catching the signal.
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ The dump of the plume of the touch screen: If the screen begins to "glutch" (self-pressing, non-working zones) - a soldering of the plume is required (~2 000 โ‚ฝ).

Most problems are solvable, but repairs can cost 30-50% of the cost of a smartphone.

  1. Battery status (#4636## โ†’ "Battery information").
  2. All cameras and speakers.
  3. The absence of "yellow spots" on the screen (a sign of a matrix burnout).
  4. Clean connector (Type-C, 3.5 mm audio, tray) SIM).

โš ๏ธ Warning: When buying a used Redmi Note 8 Pro, avoid models with a broken screen, even if it is replaced. 80% of the time after replacing the display, there are problems with touchscreen or backlighting.

How to extend the life of Redmi Note 8 Pro: tips for optimization

If you already own the Redmi Note 8 Pro or plan to buy it, these tips will help make your smartphone work smoother and longer to maintain autonomy:

1. Performance optimization:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Install custom software (such as Pixel Experience or LineageOS) to upgrade to Android 13/14.
  • ๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Clean the cache regularly (Settings) โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Clear the cache).
  • โ„๏ธ Turn off unnecessary background processes (Settings) โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Auto-start).

Improved autonomy:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Enable Charge Saving Mode and Limit Background Application Activity.
  • ๐Ÿ“ต Use it. 2G/3G instead 4G, If you donโ€™t need high-speed internet.
  • ๐ŸŒ™ Set a dark theme and reduce screen lighting time.

Protection against overheating:

  • ๐ŸงŠ Do not play games while charging.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฆ Remove the cover under intense load.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Clean the Type-C connector from dust regularly (you can use a toothpick).

๐Ÿ’ก

If the smartphone began to slow down strongly, try to reset it to factory settings (Settings) โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Resetting settings. This will delete the files that are not needed and return the original smoothness!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

โ“ Does the Redmi Note 8 Pro support the 5G?
No, the smartphone only works on networks. 2G/3G/4G. For 5G You need to consider models no older. 2021 year (e.g. Redmi Note) 11 Pro+ 5G).
โ“ Can I put Android 13 on the Redmi Note 8 Pro?
Officially, no, the latest version. MIUI for this model โ€” MIUI 14 is based on Android 12. However, you can install custom firmware like Pixel Experience or LineageOS 20 (Android 13), but this will require unlocking the bootloader and may not be warranty-free.
โ“ How much does it cost to replace the screen on the Redmi Note 8 Pro?
The cost of replacing the original display with a touchscreen is 3,500-5000 rubles (depending on the service center). Cheap Chinese counterparts will cost 2000-2500 rubles. โ‚ฝ, They may have problems with color reproduction or sensitivity.
โ“ Which case is better to buy for Redmi Note 8 Pro?
Recommended: ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Spigen Tough Armor โ€“ reliable protection against shocks. ๐Ÿ’ง Nillkin Super Frosted โ€“ Thin but Strong, with Anti-Slip Coating. ๐Ÿ”‹ Cheero Power Plus is a case with built-in battery (2,500 mAh) Avoid cheap silicone cases, which stretch quickly and do not protect against falls.
โ“ Should you buy the Redmi Note 8 Pro in 2026 for gaming?
Depends on the games: โœ… It's good for you: PUBG Mobile (medium settings), Call of Duty: Mobile, Mobile Legends, Brawl Stars. โŒ Not suitable for: Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, Diablo Immortal (will be lags even at minimal settings). X5 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Snapdragon 778G.