Xiaomi Mi 8 is a legendary smartphone that in 2018 was a real breakthrough for the brand. This is the first model of the company with a Snapdragon 845 processor, a dual camera with optical zoom and an infrared face unlocker similar to the iPhone X. But what does it look like today, after 6 years? Should I buy it in 2026 in terms of design and ergonomics?
In this article, we’ll take the look of the Mi 8 down to the smallest detail: from the body materials to the location of the speakers, compare it to modern smartphones and tell you which design decisions have become trends and which are gone. If you’re considering this model for purchase or just interested in the evolution of Xiaomi smartphones, read on.
Dimensions and weight: compactness vs. modern "shovels"
By standards. 2026 Mi 8 It looks remarkably compact. It's about the size of the car — 154.9 × 74.8 × 7.6 mm 175 For comparison: Xiaomi 14 (2023) sized 152.8 × 71.5 × 8.2 Mmm, but weighs on 10 The difference in thickness is almost imperceptible, but the width and height make Mi. 8 single-handed.
Key features:
- 📏 Screen to body ratio: 83.8% is a great figure for 2018, but today even budget smartphones are over 90%.
- ⚖️ Weight: 175g - lighter than most modern flagships (190-220g).
- 👆 Ergonomics: rounded side faces and metal body provide a reliable grip.
Fun fact: Despite being compact, the Mi 8 doesn’t seem “small” due to the minimal bezels around the screen, and the notch is only 25% of the width of the top bezels, one of the neatest cutouts of Android smartphones of the time.
Shell materials: glass + metal
Xiaomi Mi 8 was the first smartphone with a three-layer body: glass (Corning Gorilla Glass 5) in front and back, and in between – an aluminum frame.
- 💎 Durability: glass protected from scratches, metal - from deformations during falls.
- 📶 Antenna lines: plastic inserts on the frame for better signal reception (like the iPhone 6-8).
- 🔥 Heat sink: metal middle helped dissipate heat from the processor.
However, this design had disadvantages:
⚠️ Warning: The Mi 8's glass back is slippery and easily stained by fingerprints.Without a case, the smartphone literally "slips" out of hand, especially in hot weather.
| Materials | Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|
| Glass (Gorilla Glass 5) | Scratching resistant, premium-looking | Slippery, beats when falling |
| Aluminum frame | Durability, heat sink, antenna inserts | Can bend under high pressure |
| Plastic inserts | Don't disturb the signal. LTE/Wi-Fi | They look cheaper than metal. |
For comparison: modern smartphones Xiaomi (for example, 13T Pros use Gorilla Glass Victus and stronger alloys, but the principle remained the same. But budget models (like the Redmi Note 12) are often made entirely of plastic — it is cheaper, but less premium to the touch.
Color options: from classic to exclusive
The Mi 8 was offered in four main colors, but some were exclusive to specific regions.
- ⚫ Black is a classic, the most common version.
- ⚪ White – less common, but looks stylish (back panel slightly transparent).
- 🔵 Blue is exclusive to China, later on in global sales.
- 🟣 Twilight Gold is a limited edition with a gradient similar to Huawei. P20 Pro.
The rarest option is the Mi 8 Explorer Edition, which has a PCB under the glass, which looks futuristic but gets dirty and scratched quickly, and it also has an underscreen fingerprint scanner, an innovation for 2018!
How to distinguish the original transparent version from a fake?
Today, finding the Mi 8 in purple or clear color is a big deal, and in the secondary market, these options cost 20 to 30 percent more than standard black/white.
Location of buttons and ports: convenience or archaism?
By modern standards, the placement of the controls of the Mi 8 looks logical, but there are nuances:
Right:
- 🔘 Power button (with red accent in some versions).
- 🔊 Volume buttons (two separate, without a rocker").
Left:
- 📶 Tray for two nano-SIMs (without microSD support!).
Downstairs:
- 🔌 Connector. USB Type-C (without Thunderbolt support).
- 🎤 Main microphone.
- 🔈 Dynamics (mono, no stereo).
Top:
- 🎤 Second microphone (for noise reduction).
- 📡 Infrared port (for technical control).
The key differences from modern smartphones:
⚠️ Warning: The Mi 8 doesn't have stereo speakers -- it only comes from the bottom speaker, and you can see that when you watch horizontal video, and you don't have a 3.5mm audio jack, which was rare in 2018.
☑️ What to check for when buying a used Mi 8
Camera and flash: the design that became a trend
The rear camera of the Mi 8 is located vertically in the upper left corner – today this design is used in most smartphones (for example, iPhone 12-15, Samsung Galaxy). S22). But in 2018, it was a novelty: many brands placed cameras horizontally or centrally.
Composition of the module:
- 📷 Main camera: 12 MPP, f/1.8, optical stabilization.
- 🔍 Telephoto: 12 MPP, f/2.4, 2× zoom.
- 💡 Flash: double LED, temperature 5000K.
- 📡 Laser AF sensor (rare for Android in 2018).
Interesting fact: the camera protrusion is minimal – only 1.2 mm. for comparison, the Xiaomi 13 Pro protrusion reaches 4 mm. This makes the Mi 8 more stable on the table (does not swing when pressed on the screen).
And on the front is a 20-MP frontal with an infrared scanner to unlock the face, and this module takes up the entire neckline, but it's faster than many of today's crack-hole solutions.
Screen: AMOLED secretive
Xiaomi Mi 8 fitted 6.21-inch AMOLED-resolution-screen 2248×1080 (Full HD+). By modern standards, this is not the brightest display (maximum). 600 baldness 1200+ flag-carry 2026 year, but it has unique features:
Screen-plus:
- 🌈 Support DCI-P3 (colour-coverage).
- ☀️ Adaptive brightness with light sensor.
- 🔄 Frequency of update: 60 Hz (Net) 90/120 Hz, but for 2018 year's norm).
- 🖤 Always-On Display (displays time and notifications when the screen is off).
Cons:
- 🔍 A pixel barcode (Pentile-matrix) is seen on close inspection.
- 🌡️ Yellow at low brightness (typical for the AMOLED then).
Comparison with modern screens Xiaomi:
| Parameter | Xiaomi Mi 8 (2018) | Xiaomi 14 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of matrix | AMOLED | AMOLED 2K |
| Frequency of update | 60 Hz | 1–120 Hz (LTPO) |
| Brightness (max.) | 600 nits | 3,000 nits |
| Support for HDR | HDR10 | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ |
💡
If the Mi 8 screen starts to turn yellow, try calibrating the colors in the settings along the Settings path. → Screen. → Colors and style. Select an sRGB profile for a more natural picture.
Comparison with modern smartphones: what is outdated and what is not
Let’s take a look at how the Mi 8 looks in 2026.
What remains relevant:
- ✅ Compact: 74.8mm wide – comfortable for one hand.
- ✅ Minimalist design: no unnecessary logos or pretentious elements.
- ✅ Infrared port: still useful for air conditioning/TV control.
- ✅ Neckout-"Bangs": many users prefer it to a hole in the screen.
What's out of date:
- ❌ Monodynamics: today even budget smartphones have stereo sound.
- ❌ Lack of protection IP68: The Mi 8 only has a IP53 (spray-proof).
- ❌ Thick frames: lower frame 5 mm vs 2 mm in modern models.
- ❌ No wireless charging (only available in the Mi 8 Pro).
The conclusion: The Mi 8 looks modern in terms of ergonomics and minimalism, but it loses in multimedia capabilities. If you care about design rather than technical innovation, this smartphone still looks stylish today.
💡
Xiaomi Mi 8 is one of the latest flagships with really compact dimensions. Modern smartphones with a diagonal of 6.2" are usually wider and heavier.