Owners of flagship devices often face the need to accurately identify the hardware of their gadget, especially when it comes to buying a used device or rechecking specifications. Xiaomi Mi 8 became a landmark device for the company, received the advanced at the time chipset, which still provides decent performance in everyday tasks. Knowledge of the exact model of the processor is critical to understanding the capabilities of the device, its compatibility with custom firmware and the potential in games.
Many users are confused about labeling, as there are different modifications and versions for different regions on the market, although the situation is more clear with this model. Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 is the heart of the device, which determines the speed of the interface, the quality of photo processing and energy efficiency. In this article, we will discuss in detail the software and hardware methods of verification of characteristics so you can be one hundred percent sure about the configuration of your smartphone.
We're not going to rely on dry specs out of the box, but rather on live diagnostics that allow us to look under the hood of the Android operating system, which will not only confirm the model of the chip, but also assess its current state, frequencies and presence of trottling. Let's go from theory to practice and figure out which tools provide the most reliable information.
Official characteristics of the Snapdragon 845 platform
Before we delve into the methods of verification, it is worth understanding what exactly we are looking for. the flagship chipset from Qualcomm, released in 2018, is made on a 10-nm process and contains eight computing cores. The architecture of the Kryo 385 provides high energy efficiency, separating tasks between powerful and economical clusters. It is this balancing that allowed the Xiaomi Mi 8 to keep a charge for a long time and not overheat under stress.
The Adreno 630 graphics accelerator built into this processor was considered the benchmark of mobile graphics at the time of its release. It still has the ability to run many modern games, although not always at maximum settings. Understanding the architecture helps to correctly interpret the results of benchmarks, which we will discuss later.
⚠️ Note: If your device features Adreno graphics 5xx Or the older version, it's a clear sign of a fake or a Chinese replicant that's been re-stitched. The original Mi 8 is always based on a bundle. SDM845 Adreno 630.
Importantly, the neural engine that first appeared in this chip line is responsible for artificial intelligence in the camera and facial recognition. The Face ID system on the Mi 8 works precisely because of the dedicated processing power, which makes checking the chip model important for data security.
Using Android system settings
The easiest way to get the basic information is to look at the standard smartphone menu. However, manufacturers often hide the technical details, leaving only the marketing name. However, sometimes you can find leads in the About phone section. To do this, go to Settings → About phone → All specs.
Here you'll see a general description, but rarely an exact model of the socket: a MIUI or HyperOS system can restrict the display of technical data to ordinary users, so this method should only be considered as a primary one, requiring confirmation by deeper tools.
Some firmware versions have hidden information when you repeatedly click on the kernel or build version, which can open up logs or an extended menu where System on Chip data sometimes slips through. However, you shouldn’t count on this, as this feature is often blocked in modern builds.
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Before starting the diagnosis, be sure to charge the device to at least 40-50% so that a sudden shutdown does not interrupt the data collection process or damage the file system.
Checking through the engineering menu and codes
A more reliable method is to use an engineering menu that provides real-time access to diagnostic data, and there is a special code in the MIUI shell that works on most devices without having to obtain root permissions. Open the Phone app and type the combination ##6484##.
Once you enter the code, you will see the CIT (Customer Information Test) menu, which is a list of all the modules on your smartphone, and we're interested in a section that's associated with the version or device information (often called Version Information or Hardware Info), and you go there and you can find the Platform or Board bar, where you'll find sdm845.
Dial the code ##6484## in the call
Wait for the test menu to open
Find the Version Information item
Check the Platform string for sdm845
Make sure all hardware tests are marked as Pass-->
There is also an alternative code ##4636## that opens the test menu. Go to Phone Information. Although this is more often the network information, there is sometimes a mention of a processor model at the bottom of the screen or in additional logs, which is less informative for a chipset, but is useful for checking the modem.
⚠️ Note: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu unless you know exactly what the parameter is responsible for. Resetting sensor calibration or changing network modes may cause communication modules to malfunction.
Third-party applications for detailed diagnostics
The most accurate and detailed information is provided by specialized tools from Google Play, which can read data directly from the registry, bypassing the limitations of the interface. The leader in this area is the CPU-Z application. Once installed, start the program and go to the Device or System tab.
In the SoC section, you'll see the full name: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845. Below is the manufacturing technology (10nm), voltage, and most importantly, the current core frequency, and you'll be able to see how the frequency changes in real time under load, which is useful for assessing the health of the processor.
Other useful applications, like AIDA64 or DevCheck, provide even deeper analysis, showing not only the CPU model, but also the type of RAM (LPDDR4x), the version of the graphics driver and the temperature of each core, an indispensable tool for enthusiasts.
When using third-party software, pay attention to permissions. Some utilities may need access to system logs to work properly, although basic information is available without it. If the application shows dashboards instead of frequencies, try closing other heavy programs.
Data analysis via computer and ADB
For advanced PC users, the ideal option is to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) debugging tool, which gives you access to configuration system files that are not visible to regular applications, and you’ll need to include USB debugging in the developer menu and connect your phone with a cable to your computer.
Once connected, open the command line on your PC and input a command to output information about the processor. The system will produce a text report that will contain the desired value in the Hardware string, which is the most reliable way, since the data is taken from the kernel of the system.
adb shell cat /proc/cpuinfoIn the output commands, you'll find the Hardware line: Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. SDM845. You can also use the adb shell getprop ro.board.platform command, which returns the short name of the platform, a method often used in flashing devices to make sure that the firmware and hardware match.
What if the ADB can’t see the phone?
Performance testing in benchmarks
An indirect but very telling way of testing is to run synthetic tests. If you have a different score from the Snapdragon 845 benchmark in AnTuTu Benchmark or Geekbench, it's worth thinking about. For example, for the Mi 8, it's normal to have a score of 280,000 to 300,000 in AnTuTu (version 8 or 9).
Highly understated performance may indicate trottling, background processes, or, at worst, a weaker processor that is software-laced as a flagship. Benchmarks will also show screen resolution and RAM, which together gives a complete picture.
Compare your results with the table below to assess the status of your device:
| Parameter | Normal value (Mi 8) | Sign of a problem |
|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v9 Score | 280 000 - 310 000 | Less than 200,000 |
| Geekbench 5 (Single) | 2400 - 2500 | Less than 1800 |
| Max. CPU frequency. | up to 2800 MHz | Doesn't rise above 1500 MHz. |
| Graphics (GPU) | Adreno 630 | Any other (Mali, PowerVR) |
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A sharp drop in performance in benchmarks when the CPU model is normally displayed often indicates wear and tear of the thermal paste or battery degradation, rather than a chip tampering.
Comparison with competitors and analogues
At the time of the release, the Xiaomi Mi 8 competed with devices based on the Exynos 9810 (Samsung Galaxy S9) and Kirin 970 (Huawei P20 Pro). The main advantage of the Snapdragon 845 was better optimization for emulators and custom firmware. If you plan to install LineageOS or Pixel Experience, confirmation of this chipset is a must.
Unlike some competitors, Qualcomm’s platform has no problems with the compatibility of banking applications with an unlocked bootloader (thanks to Widevine L1 support in most cases, although once unlocked, the level can drop to L3). This makes CPU verification important for those who watch content in high quality.
It’s worth remembering that there are versions of the Mi 8 Lite and Mi 8 SE that run on other processors (the Snapdragon 660 and Snapdragon 710 respectively). Visually they can be similar, so software validation protects against buying a weaker version at the price of the flagship.