If you’re looking for information about the look and feel of the Xiaomi Mi 8 Not, you’re likely to have a title confusion or a typo, because there’s no official Mi 8 Not model in the Xiaomi lineup — probably the Xiaomi Mi Note 8 (or Mi 8 Pro in some regions) or later Redmi Note 8 series models. In this article, we’ll look at what Xiaomi’s closely-named smartphones look like so you can identify the device accurately.
Xiaomi’s Note series has traditionally been balanced in design, combining premium materials with an affordable price tag. If you’re thinking of the Redmi Note 8 (2019), it’s one of the most popular budget smartphones with a recognizable look: a gradient-shifted glass back, a vertical camera, and a minimalist front panel. If you’re talking about the Mi Note 8 (released later), the focus is on body thinness and premium materials.
To avoid confusion, note the markings on the case or box of your smartphone.
- 📱 Xiaomi Mi 8 (2018) – flagship with a transparent back cover in the version of Explorer Edition;
- 📱 Redmi Note 8 (2019) – budget camera module;
- 📱 Mi Note 8 (2020+) — premium series with curved screen.
1. Design Xiaomi Mi 8: transparent rear panel and metal body
If by Mi 8 Not you mean Xiaomi Mi 8, it is the flagship of 2018, which is remembered for the unique design in the version of Explorer Edition. The main feature is a transparent rear panel, under which you can see the internal structure of the smartphone: board, battery and even the inscription Designed by Xiaomi.
Basic materials of the shell:
- 🔹 Aluminum frame with anodized coating;
- 🔹 Gorilla Glass 5 front and rear (in the standard version opaque);
- 🔹 3D-gradient in the color options Blue, Black and Gold.
The front of the Mi 8 looks minimalist: thin bezels (especially on the top and sides), a neckline for the front camera and sensors, and AMOLED-screen HDR10. The rear is a double camera in a vertical module with LED-The flash, and below is the fingerprint scanner.
⚠️ Warning: The Mi 8 Explorer Edition with a transparent back cover was released in a limited edition. If you buy a used device, check the originality of the case - fakes often use cloudy glass instead of transparent.
2. Redmi Note 8: square camera module and gradient colors
If we are talking about the Redmi Note 8 (2019), it is one of the most recognizable Xiaomi smartphones thanks to the square camera module on the back.
- 🎨 Gradient colors: Space Black, Neptune Blue, Moonlight White and Cosmic Purple;
- 🔄 3D-squirted glass on the back panel;
- 📏 The thickness of the body is 8.35 mm, weight is 190 g.
The front of the Redmi Note 8 was an IPS-screen with a drop-shaped cutout for the front camera (resolution 2340×1080). Behind it, four cameras in a square block, which was a novel solution for the budget segment. The body is made of plastic, but due to the high-quality build looks premium.
| Characteristics | Xiaomi Mi 8 | Redmi Note 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Case material | Glass + aluminum | Plastic (glossy) |
| Camera module | Vertical (double camera) | Square (four chambers) |
| Screencutting | "Bangs" (broad) | Drop-shaped (miniature) |
| Color options | Blue, Black, Gold, Transparent (Explorer) | Space Black, Neptune Blue, Moonlight White, Cosmic Purple |
A unique feature of the Redmi Note 8 is the protection of the chamber module with protruding glass, which prevents scratches when placing the smartphone on the table, a solution that was later adopted by many manufacturers.
3.Mi Note 8: Premium design with curved screen
Xiaomi Mi Note 8 (if we are talking about it) refers to the premium line and looks like the Mi Note 10, but with more restrained shapes.
- 🌈 3D-Gradient glass in Midnight Black, Glacier White and Sunset Purple;
- 📱 curved AMOLED-screen-frame;
- 🔍 The fingerprint scanner is built into the display;
- 📸 Vertical camera module with five lenses (in Pro version).
The body of the Mi Note 8 is thinner than the Redmi Note 8 (7.95 mm), and the weight is more evenly distributed. The rear panel is covered with Gorilla Glass 5, and the frame is made of aluminum alloy. There are almost no bezels in the front, and the neckline for the front camera is minimalist.
⚠️ Note: In some regions, the Mi Note 8 was sold under the Mi name CC9 If you see this designation on the box, it’s the same model with the same design.
4. How to distinguish the Mi 8 from the Redmi Note 8 in appearance?
If you compare the Mi 8 and Redmi Note 8, the key visual differences are:
- Camera module: 📷 Mi 8: Vertical unit with two cameras; 📷 Redmi Note 8: a square block with four cameras.
- Screencutting: 🔺 Mi 8: the broad bangs»; 💧 Redmi Note 8: a drop-shaped cutout.
- Materials: ⚙️ Mi 8: glass + metal; 🧱 Redmi Note 8: glossy plastic.
The Mi 8 is also thinner (7.6mm vs 8.35mm on the Note 8) and has a more premium build.If the smartphone is in your hand comfortably and the body doesn't creak when pressed, it's most likely the Mi 8.
☑️ How to determine the model by appearance
5. Color options: which one to choose?
The color of a smartphone affects not only aesthetics, but also practicality.
Xiaomi Mi 8:
- 🔵 Blue – Gradient from dark blue to purple, collects prints;
- ⚫ Black - Classic matte black, less stamps;
- 🟡 Gold - a golden hue with shine, suitable for a premium look;
- 🔮 Transparent (Explorer) - unique, but requires careful handling.
Redmi Note 8:
- 🌌 Space Black is universal, not markings;
- 🌊 Neptune Blue is a bright gradient with a blue tint;
- 🌙 Moonlight White is light, but it gets dirty faster;
- 🟣 Cosmic Purple – a purple-pink overflow popular with young people.
Mi Note 8:
- ⚫ Midnight Black is a strict, business-friendly style;
- ❄️ Glacier White is light but requires a cover;
- 🌅 Sunset Purple – the gradient from pink to orange, the most spectacular.
If you drop your smartphone often, choose matte colors (Black or Midnight Black) - they slide less in your hand. For fans of bright accents, Neptune Blue or Sunset Purple are suitable.
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To check the originality of the color of the case, light the flashlight at an angle - on fakes, the gradient often looks unnaturally sharp.
6. Comparison with other Xiaomi models
If you doubt that you are in front of Mi 8 or Redmi Note 8, compare with other popular models:
| Model | Year of release | A distinctive feature of design |
|---|---|---|
| Mi 8 SE | 2018 | Compact housing (5.88"), glass back panel without transparency |
| Redmi Note 8 Pro | 2019 | Round camera module with the inscription "64MP", metal frame |
| Mi 9 | 2019 | Holographic colors, triple camera in a vertical block |
| Mi Note 10 | 2019 | Curved screen, five-fold camera in vertical module |
For example, the Redmi Note 8 Pro is easily distinguished by a round camera module with the inscription 64MP, and the Mi 9 is remembered by holographic overflows on the back.
7. Frequent questions about the appearance of Xiaomi Mi 8/Note 8
🔍 How to check if the back panel is original on the Mi 8 Explorer Edition?
📏 Why the Redmi Note 8 is so thick compared to the Mi 8?
🎨 What color Mi Note 8 is less dirty?
🔋 Can I replace the back panel with Mi 8 transparent?
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If you are buying a used Xiaomi, be sure to check the originality of the case – fakes are often given out as premium versions (for example, the Mi 8 Explorer instead of the standard Mi 8).
8.Conclusion: Which design to choose?
The choice between Mi 8, Redmi Note 8 and Mi Note 8 depends on your priorities.
- 💎 Premium: Mi 8 (especially Explorer Edition) or Mi Note 8;
- 📸 Cameras: Redmi Note 8 (four modules) or Mi Note 8 (five modules in the Pro version);
- 💰 Budget: Redmi Note 8 is the most affordable option;
- 🎨 Color: Bright gradients on Note 8, low-key 8/Note 8.
If you want a unique design, look for the Mi 8 Explorer Edition with a transparent back panel, the Redmi Note 8 with a square camera module is suitable for amateurs, and if you want a premium build, the Mi Note 8 with a curved screen.
Before buying, be sure to check the smartphone for originality: compare the serial number on the box and in the settings (Settings → About the phone → General information), and also evaluate the quality of the body assembly.