Selection of the smartphone in the segment to 15-20 Thousands of rubles always turns into a difficult dilemma, especially when the scales are the models of different generations and classes.
On the one hand, we have Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro – a modern “king of the middle segment” with a huge battery and a fresh shell.
On the other hand, the Xiaomi Mi 8 is the legendary flagship of 2018, which still attracts interest due to the top characteristics of its time.
Many users are lost trying to understand what is more important: a fresh model with a guarantee of long-term support or a lost in history top level with premium materials.
In this article, we will make a deep comparison to find out which of them will be the best choice for you in the current realities.
Design and Ergonomics: Plastic vs Glass
The first thing that catches the eye when familiarizing with the devices is the difference in the materials of the case.
Xiaomi Mi 8 is made in full compliance with the flagship standards: it uses a single frame made of aviation aluminum and tempered glass on both sides.
In the hand, it feels expensive and weighty, but the slippery case requires the mandatory use of the case, otherwise the risk of dropping the gadget is extremely high.
In addition, the presence of “bangs” at the top of the screen, which became a trend after the release of the iPhone X, still looks controversial and reduces the usable area of the display.
In contrast, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro has a completely plastic body, although visually it can mimic glass.
This decision made the smartphone lighter and more pleasant to the touch, as the plastic is less slippery and better retains heat.
Ergonomics Redmi Note 9 Pro thought out better: the rounding of the faces allow you to comfortably hold the device even with one hand, which can not be said about the more angular Mi 8.
An important difference is the presence of a full 3.5 mm audio jack in the Redmi, which in the flagship Mi 8 was ruthlessly removed by engineers.
⚠️ Warning: Buying used Xiaomi Mi 8, carefully check the integrity of the rear glass panel – it breaks when falling much more often than the plastic back of the Redmi Note 9 Pro.
If tactile experience and premium are important to you, the Mi 8 wins, but in everyday use, the Redmi Note 9 Pro is more practical.
Plastic is not cold in winter and does not warm as much in the sun, which is an undeniable advantage in hot climates.
Screen: AMOLED vs IPS and refresh rate
The display is a window into the digital world, and the differences between the models are enormous.
Xiaomi Mi 8 equipped with a Super matrix AMOLED from Samsung with permission 2248×1080 pixel.
This provides perfect black, high contrast and rich color reproduction, which is critical for watching videos and working with graphics.
However, the screen refresh rate is a standard 60 Hz, which is considered a baseline today.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro got it. IPS-resolution-matrix 2400×1080 pixel.
Thought IPS lose AMOLED In the depth of black, it uses the protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which is stronger than the glass on the Mi 8.
Redmi’s main trump card is the support of technology DisplayP3 Higher brightness in automatic mode, which makes the picture readable in direct sun.
Besides, IPS-panels are less likely to burn out static interface elements during long-term operation.
- 📱 Mi 8: Deep black and Always On Display, but there's a risk of pixels burning out over time.
- ☀️ Redmi Note 9 Pro: Excellent color reproduction and protection against burnout, but black is more likely to be dark gray.
- 🛡️ Protection: Redmi glass is newer and stronger, which reduces the risk of scratches.
For those who like to read from the phone in the dark, AMOLED The Mi 8 screen can be tiring due to flickering (PWM) at low brightnesses.
In this regard, the Redmi Note 9 Pro is safer for the eyes due to the lack of low-frequency PWM, characteristic of the lens. OLED technology.
Performance: Snapdragon 845 vs Snapdragon 720G
Inside the Xiaomi Mi 8 hides the legendary Snapdragon 845 processor, which at one time was the absolute top level.
Even years later, it is able to pull heavy games and applications, ahead of many public sector employees in terms of clean computing power.
The Adreno 630 graphics accelerator still shows decent results in Genshin Impact or in the future. PUBG Mobile on Medium Settings.
However, it is worth remembering that the processor architecture is already quite old, and optimizing new applications for it may not be ideal.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is based on Snapdragon 720G — It is a modern “medium farm”, created with an emphasis on energy efficiency.
In synthetic tests (AnTuTu, Geekbench), the flagship Snapdragon 845 still overtakes 720G, But in real work, the difference isn't always noticeable.
The Redmi Note 9 Pro is better at performing background tasks and has a more modern neural platform for photo processing.
Importantly, the Mi 8 can heat up more under load due to its glass body and tight layout, leading to trottling.
Real-world AnTuTu figures v9
If you are a mobile gamer, the Mi 8 will give you more. FPS, Redmi Note 9 Pro will provide more stable operation without sudden temperature spikes.
For everyday tasks – social networks, messengers, browser – the power of both devices is more than enough, and you are unlikely to notice the lags.
Cameras: Night shooting and detailing
Photographic capabilities are one of the main reasons why users choose Xiaomi.
The main module Xiaomi Mi 8 at 12 MP (Sony) IMX363) optically stabilized (OIS) He is considered one of the best in the history of the company.
Presence OIS It allows you to take clear pictures in low light and shoot videos without a “shaking”, which is critical for bloggers.
Algorithms for processing photos in the flagship are sharpened for naturalness, although sometimes they may not have enough sharpness at the edges of the frame.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro offers 64MP core module GW1) non-optical stabilization.
In the afternoon, in good light, the 64-megapixel sensor gives amazing detail, allowing you to zoom photos without loss of quality.
However, the absence OIS Makes night shooting difficult: any hand movements lead to lubrication, and exposure is automatically lengthened.
Redmi video footage limited to stabilization EIS, which works worse than optical and cuts the frame.
⚠️ WARNING: If you often shoot videos on the go or at night, there is no optical stabilization (OIS) Redmi Note 9 Pro will be a serious disadvantage for you.
The wide-angle camera in the Redmi Note 9 Pro (8MP) is significantly better than in the Mi 8 and allows you to capture more detail in the landscapes.
Macro camera in Redmi (5 MP) is more of a marketing move, the quality of images on it is mediocre, but it will work for documents.
Autonomy and charging speed
In the matter of time, Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro destroys a competitor with no chance of winning.
The battery with a capacity of 5020 mAh allows you to safely withstand a day and a half to two of active use.
In conjunction with the energy-efficient Snapdragon processor 720G, This smartphone is a true champion of autonomy.
Support for fast charging of 33 watts allows you to replenish the energy reserve from 0 to 100% in about an hour and ten minutes.
Xiaomi Mi 8 is equipped with a battery of only 3000 mAh, which for the modern user is catastrophically small.
Even with the system optimised, this device will have to be charged twice a day in an active use case.
A charge of 18 watts (Quick Charge 4.0) restores the capacity longer, and a complete unit often lacks in the box of used devices.
Battery wear on used Mi 8 ce 2026 year-round 20-30%, Which further reduces the working time.
- 🔋 Redmi Note 9 Pro: 5020mAh + 33 Watts - the leader in survival.
- ⚡ Mi 8: 3,000 mAh + 18 watts – daily (or more) charging is required.
- 📉 Wear: On older flagships, the battery degrades faster due to high processor temperatures.
☑️ Checking the battery before buying
If you don’t want to carry a power bank with you and search for a power outlet in the middle of the day, the Redmi Note 9 Pro is the only logical choice.
The Mi 8 is suitable only for those who are willing to put up with a constant "binding" to the charger for the sake of other characteristics.
Software and relevance
Software support is a key factor in the longevity of any Android smartphone.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro came out with Android 10 And it got updates to Android. 12 (MIUI 13/14 depending on the region).
The device still gets security patches and has every chance of installing custom firmware in the future.
Optimization of the system for the processor 720G allows the interface to work smoothly and without jerks even in 2026.
Xiaomi Mi 8 officially stopped on Android 10 (MIUI 12), although enthusiasts ported and newer versions.
The lack of official updates means that some new apps may stop working in a couple of years.
Also, unlocking the bootloader on older flagships sometimes causes problems with Widevine. L1 (disappear HD Netflix).
Stability of work MIUI Redmi Note 9 Pro is higher, as it is a more recent platform.
💡
When buying a used Mi 8, be sure to check the lock status FRP Resetting passwords on older models can be difficult without a check.
For the average user who doesn’t want to dig into firmware, the Redmi Note 9 Pro offers a more predictable experience.
Mi 8 is the choice for geeks ready to experiment with Global ROM, custom recavers and tweaks of the system.
Summary table of characteristics
To organize the information, let’s turn to the comparative table of key parameters.
Here you can clearly see the advantages of each model depending on your priorities.
| Characteristics | Xiaomi Mi 8 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 845 | Snapdragon 720G |
| Screen. | Super AMOLED, 60Hz | IPS, 60 Hz. |
| Camera (Main) | 12 MP, OIS | 64MP, no OIS |
| Battery | 3,000 mAh | 5020 mAh |
| 3.5 mm connector | No. | There is. |
As you can see from the table, the choice depends on whether you put the main focus: multimedia and camera or autonomy and practicality.
Both models have their own strengths, but they are targeted at a completely different audience.
Final verdict: What to buy?
To sum up, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is the smarter choice for 90% of users in 2026.
It offers a modern design, excellent autonomy and the availability of all the necessary connectors for adequate money.
This is a reliable "workhorse", which will not fail at the right time because of the dead battery.
Xiaomi Mi 8 is only worth considering if you are a fan AMOLED-Optical camera stabilization is critically important, or if you find the device in perfect condition at a very low price.
⚠️ Warning: Buying the Mi 8 in 2026 is a risk of running into a worn-out battery and a lack of spare parts for repairs in the future.
If you are willing to put up with autonomy for the sake of tactile sensations and screen quality, the flagship will please you.
In other cases, the Redmi Note 9 Pro remains the king (price-to-quality ratio).
💡
The Redmi Note 9 Pro’s victory is due not only to its fresh release date, but also to the competent balance between performance and a huge battery, which the aging flagship lacks.