How Xiaomi Redmi 8 looks like: photos, design and features of the body

Xiaomi Redmi 8, launched in October 2019, has become one of the brand’s most popular budget devices thanks to its balanced specs and stylish design. This model has replaced the Redmi 7, offering users not only improved technical parameters, but also an updated look. If you are considering buying this device or just wondering what it looks like in real life, this article will help you understand all the nuances.

Externally, the Redmi 8 combines the features of Xiaomi’s classic design with modern trends: a minimalist body, rounded edges and compact dimensions. 3D-And then we'll go through all the design elements, all the colors, all the materials available, and compare the model to the competition.

Dimensions and weight: compactness vs. battery capacity

One of the key questions when choosing a smartphone is its size. - Xiaomi Redmi 8 It's not too bulky, but it's not ultra-compact either. 156.3 × 75.4 × 9.4 mm, and weight — 188 For comparison, it's a little heavier than the Redmi. 7 (180 d), but lighter than the Redmi Note 8 Pro (200 The increase in mass is due to a larger battery — 5000 m.h. 4000 PMh from the predecessor.

Despite being 9.4mm thick, the smartphone doesn’t seem cumbersome due to the smooth rounding of the body. However, it’s worth considering that because of the weight, holding the phone with one hand can cause discomfort, especially when using without a cover – the glossy back panel slides in the palm of your hand.

For those who prefer compact devices, you should pay attention to the alternatives:

• 📱 Redmi 7A — 140 g, thickness 8.1 mm (but battery only 4000 mAh)
• 📱 Samsung Galaxy A10 — 168 g, thickness 7.9 mm (battery 3400 mAh)
• 📱 Huawei Y6 2019 – 150 g, thickness of 8 mm (battery 3020 mAh)

⚠️ Note: If you plan to use the Redmi 8 without a case, be careful with the glossy back panel - it easily gets dirty and slides.

Materials of the case: plastic vs. glass

Unlike the flagship models of Xiaomi, which uses tempered glass Gorilla Glass, the Redmi 8 used a plastic case with a glass glass. 3D-This solution has reduced the cost of the device, but it has affected the tactile experience. The back panel looks like glass, but it's actually glossy plastic:

• ✅ Lighter and stronger than real glass (less risk of cracking when falling)
• ❌ It is quickly covered with scratches and fingerprints.
• ❌ Less premium looks in the sun (no effect of depth")

The front panel is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, which provides scratch resistance in everyday use. The phone frame is also plastic, but with a metallized coating that mimics aluminum. This solution is typical for budget smartphones and helps improve antenna reception.

For comparison, the table below shows the materials of housings of similar models:

Color options: which one to choose?

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is available in three official colors, each with its own hues and textures:

1. Onyx Black is a classic deep black with a mirror shine, and the sun shows blue-purple shimmers.
2. Sapphire Blue is a rich dark blue with a gradient that turns black at the edges. It looks the most premium.
3. Ruby Red is a bright red with a slight metallic glow that attracts attention, but can quickly get bored.

It is important to note that the Indian version also had an Ocean Green variant, but it was not officially sold in Russia and Europe. When choosing a color, keep in mind that the darker versions (Black and Blue) are less dirty, and the red one visually increases the size of the phone.

Tips for choosing colors:

• 🖤 If you want a restrained style, choose Onyx Black (universal for business meetings).
• 💙 For those who like brightness, but without screaming shades - Sapphire Blue.
• 🔴 Ruby Red is for those who want to stand out, but be prepared for the fact that it quickly loses its novelty.

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Before you buy, watch the unpacking video of the chosen color — the shades are often distorted in the photo. For example, "Sapphire Blue" is actually darker than in the promotional images.

Location of elements: buttons, connectors, cameras

The design of the Redmi 8 follows the classic layout of Xiaomi, but with a few important nuances:

Beam panel:

• 📱 The screen is 6.22" with a drip notch for the front camera, the frames on top and sides are thin, the bottom is wider (~1cm).
• 🎤 Speaker - placed above the screen (in the speaking band), the sound quality is medium, but the volume is enough for calls.
• 📷 Front camera - 8 MP, located in the notch in the center of the upper frame.

Back panel:

• 📷 Dual main camera - vertical module in the upper left corner (12 MP) + 2 MP) Extends above the hull on ~1 mm.
• 🔦 LED flash - located to the right of the cameras.
• 🎵 Xiaomi logo - at the bottom, without backlight.
• 📡 Fingerprint scanner – a round button in the center, just above the middle.

Side edges:

• 🔊 3.5 mm audio jack - on the upper end (rare for modern smartphones!).
• 🔌 USB Type-C - lower center (replacement with microUSB compared to Redmi 7).
• 📢 Main speaker - on the lower end to the right of the connector.
• 🔋 Slot for 2 SIM + microSD – on the left side (hybrid, but supports up to 512 GB of memory cards).

⚠️ Attention: With the protruding camera module, Redmi 8 "swings" on the table if you put it up with the screen. This can lead to scratches on the camera windows. Always put your phone on a flat surface or use a cover with sidebars.

Comparison with other Xiaomi models

To better understand what the Redmi 8 looks like against the background of other devices of the brand, compare it with its closest competitors in design:

The main differences between Redmi 8 and Redmi 7:

• 🔋 Fatter body due to battery 5000 mAh (Redmi 7 – 4000 mAh).
• 🔌 Transition to USB Type-C (instead of microUSB).
• 📷 Vertical camera location (Redmi 7 has horizontal camera layout).
• 🎨 Glossy back panel (Redmi 7 - matte).

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The Redmi 8 retained its predecessor’s compactness, but it was made heavier and thicker by the larger battery, a trade-off between autonomy and ergonomics.

Covers and accessories: what is suitable?

Due to the specific dimensions and arrangement of elements for the Redmi 8 are not suitable for all universal accessories.

Covers:

• 🛡️ The original Xiaomi cases are the best option, as they accurately repeat the cutouts for the cameras and connectors. For example, the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Case model with the texture "carbon fiber".
• 🛡️ Cases with wireless charging support – despite the absence of Wireless Charging in the phone itself, such cases protect against scratches and do not interfere with the connection of wired charges.
• 🛡️ The bumpers are thin covers covering only the side faces, suitable if you want to keep the original design of the back panel.

Safety glasses:

• 📱 2.5D glass with rounded edges that repeat the curve of the screen. ~4 mm).
• 📱 Full-screen windows – cover the entire front panel, but can interfere with the operation of the proximity sensor.
• 📱 Hydrogel films are a cheap alternative, but they wear out quickly.

Additional accessories:

• 🔋 Power Bank – despite the capacious battery, when actively used, you may need an external battery (recommended Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 3 20000 mAh).
• 🎧 Type-C headphones – since the usual 3.5 mm headphones are included in the kit, an adapter or headphones with a connector will be required for digital sound. USB-C.

Photo of the real device: what does it look like in life?

Promo photos on websites are often distortive, so it’s important to see how the Redmi 8 looks in real-world settings.

In the sun:

• ☀️ The glossy back panel is very glaring, especially in the Sapphire Blue version.
• ☀️ The chamber module casts a shadow on the body, which visually makes it less neat.
• ☀️ Screen with matte surface, so there is almost no glare (brightness up to 400 nits).

Indoors:

• 🏠 Black looks the most restrained, but collects fingerprints.
• 🏠 The red version seems less aggressive than in the photo, but still catches the eye.
• 🏠 Blue in artificial lighting loses its gradient and looks monotonous.

With a cover vs. no cover:

• 🛡️ Without a cover, the phone is slippery, especially if your hands are wet.
• 🛡️ A matte case makes the device visually thicker, but more convenient to use.
• 🛡️ Transparent cases quickly become cloudy due to dust falling between the case and silicone.

If you haven’t seen Redmi 8 live yet, we recommend watching unpacked video reviews, which are better at conveying real colors and texture than static photos.

• 🎥 What does the chamber module look like in side lighting (does it act strongly?).
• 🎥 How much screen size is visible when watching a video.
• 🎥 How does the back panel look in different angles (glare, overflows).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the appearance of Redmi 8