The question of what the Xiaomi Mi 8 looks like often comes to those who are looking for a balance between performance and aesthetics, but do not have the opportunity to personally experience the device in the store. This smartphone became a landmark for the company, marking the transition to more premium positioning and adoption of technologies previously available only in top segments of the market.
At the first glance at the front panel, the absence of physical control buttons is striking, which was made possible thanks to the use of the AMOLED-The screen occupies the overwhelming area of the front surface, creating a immersion effect that was revolutionary for the mass segment at the time of release. The frames around the matrix are minimal, although they have not completely disappeared, preserving the functionality of sensors and conversational speaker.
The overall perception of the device depends not only on the shape, but also on the tactile sensations that the case gives. Xiaomi engineers paid special attention to ergonomics, rounding the corners and making the back panel smoothly transition into the side faces. This allows you to confidently hold the gadget with one hand, despite its diagonal of 6.21 inches, and creates the feeling of an expensive, well-assembled product that is pleasant to hold in the palms.
Materials of manufacture and tactile sensations
The visual style of the Xiaomi Mi 8 is based on a combination of glass and metal, which gives the device a cold but noble rigor. The front part is fully protected by tempered glass Gorilla Glass, which not only protects the matrix from scratches, but also provides perfect smoothness of the slip of the finger. The back cover is also made of glass, but it has a specific treatment that makes it matte or glossy depending on the color modification chosen.
The frame surrounding the perimeter of the smartphone is made of aviation aluminum. This material is not chosen by chance: it is lightweight, durable and perfectly removes heat from the processor during active operation. To the touch, the metal has a rough sandblast coating that prevents small scuffs and provides a reliable grip, preventing the phone from slipping out of your hands.
⚠️ Warning: Glass panels on both sides of the case make the smartphone slippery and vulnerable to falls.The use of a protective cover and film is a prerequisite for maintaining the presentable appearance of the device for a long time.
The junction between the glass and the metal frame is made with minimal gaps, which indicates high build quality. However, glass surfaces are a magnet for fingerprints, especially in the black version. Users choosing this color will have to put up with the need to constantly wipe the case, or accept the presence of traces of exploitation on the glossy surface.
Dimensions, weight and ergonomics of the body
When you look at what the Xiaomi Mi 8 looks like in your hand, you can not ignore its physical parameters. The smartphone has a standard size for its time, but thanks to the aspect ratio of the 18:9 screen, it seems narrower than the old models with 16:9 screens. The height of the device is 154.9 mm, the width is 74.8 mm, and the thickness is 7.6 mm. These figures indicate that the phone is not the thinnest on the market, but does not feel like a “brick”.
Weight of 175 grams is the result of a trade-off between battery capacity and material strength. For a device with a metal frame and two glasses, this is quite a standard indicator. With prolonged use, for example, when reading books or watching videos, the hand does not have time to get tired, which makes the gadget a convenient multimedia center.
The ergonomics of the side faces are designed to keep all controls within reach of the thumb, the buttons are clear, short and non-backlash, which adds confidence in the reliability of the design, the location of the elements does not require interception of the phone, which is especially important for users with different sizes of palms.
☑️ Verification of ergonomics before purchase
It's worth noting that the protruding part of the main camera is still present, though not as much as some competitors', and the camera block rises slightly above the plane of the back cover, which can cause the phone to sway if you put it on a flat table. This is a typical feature of many optically stabilized smartphones, but it slightly disrupts the ideal geometry of the rear panel.
Design of the front panel and display
The Xiaomi Mi 8's front panel is a realm of black when the screen is off. At the top is a distinctive bang, in which engineers have managed to fit a front camera, light and proximity sensors, and an LED event indicator. The presence of bangs was dictated by the need to place a complex sensor system to work the Face ID-like unlock function.
The lower frame, or chin, of this device is much wider than the upper and lateral frames, and this visual imperfection was an inevitable technical limitation when used. OLED-But in everyday use, especially in dark interface themes, this difference is almost invisible, and the screen is perceived as a whole.
The quality of the oleophobic coating on the display is high, the finger slides across the surface easily, without unnecessary friction, and the greasy traces are erased in one movement, which is critical for touch control, as it provides accuracy of input and comfort when playing or typing.
| Parameter | Meaning | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Screen diagonal | 6.21 inches | 18:9 format |
| Permission | 2248 × 1080 | Density 403 ppi |
| Type of matrix | Super AMOLED | Samsung production |
| Protective glass | Gorilla Glass | Resistance to scratches |
| Neck (bangs) | There is. | For sensors and cameras |
Can I hide the "bangs" on the screen?
Rear cover design and camera module
The back of the case is where the Xiaomi Mi 8 shows off its character. The vertically positioned dual-camera flash unit is shifted to the top left corner. This arrangement has become industry standard, allowing you to conveniently pick up your phone without putting your finger over your lenses. There's an LED flash between the lenses, and underneath it is a laser autofocus that speeds up sharpening in the dark.
The Xiaomi logo is centered, below the middle of the device. In some versions, especially in the special edition, the logo can be made in gold or have a transparent substrate. In standard versions, it is simply a laconic silver inscription that does not catch the eye or spoil the overall look.
The Transparent Edition, which has a graphical image of the interiors of the back window, is a stylization printed on the inside of the glass, but it looks very spectacular and gives the illusion of technological complexity of the device, and it's a great option for those who like to stand out and show their love for technology.
⚠️ Warning: The glossy versions of the back cover (especially the blue and gold ones) show very clearly the micro scratches from carrying in a pocket without a cover. Over time, the glossy coating can wear out, so the matte black version or use of a cover is a more practical choice.
Location of connectors and controls
The layout of ports and buttons on Xiaomi Mi 8 is classic for the company's devices. On the lower end from left to right are located: tray for the company. SIM-card, connector USB Type-C for charging and data transfer, the main microphone and multimedia speaker. Having a full-fledged lower speaker, not just a sound hole, provides loud and high-quality sound, although somewhat inferior to stereo systems with a separate conversational speaker.
On the top end is only the opening of the second microphone used to cancel noise when talking.The lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack came as a nasty surprise to many brand fans, a decision driven by a desire to save interior space for a more capacious battery and NFC module, but forcing users to use adapters or wireless headsets.
On the right side are the volume control buttons and the lock/power button, which have the same texture and slightly protrude above the body, which allows you to feel their purpose, and on the left is the card tray, which is very tight and requires the use of a special clip to extract.
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Since the Xiaomi Mi 8 does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack, it is recommended to purchase a quality USB-C adapter or wireless headphones with support for the aptX codec for better sound.
Color options and their features
Xiaomi Mi 8's color line wasn't overly broad, but each variant had its target audience. Onyx Black is a pragmatic choice. It looks strict, it's least visible to contamination, but any scratches on the glass will be noticeable because of the contrast. It's the most popular and liquid option on the secondary market.
Midnight Blue is a much deeper and more interesting color in person than renders, and when it is illuminated, it shimmers into dark purple to create a night sky effect, an elegant variant that is suitable for both men and women, and less susceptible to visible use than black gloss.
The gold variant (Platinum Gold) has a warm, champagne hue, it looks very premium, but requires perfect care, any speck of dust or print immediately catches the eye, and most often, this color is chosen by those who plan to constantly wear the phone in a case, opening it only for demonstration.