Xiaomi Mi 8 is one of the most iconic smartphones of the brand, released in 2018. Despite the fact that since its premiere it has been 6 years, the model is still in demand in the secondary market due to its balanced characteristics and memorable design. In this article, we will discuss in detail what the Mi 8 looks like, what materials were used in its creation, and why the appearance of this smartphone is still considered the reference for many users.
If you’re planning to buy a used Xiaomi Mi 8 or just interested in Xiaomi’s smartphone design history, this material will help you understand the nuances from color options to body ergonomics. We’ll also compare the Mi 8 to later models – the Mi 9 and Mi 11 – to show how the style of the brand’s flagships has evolved.
Spoiler: The Mi 8 was Xiaomi's first smartphone to have a screen cutout (called a bang), which sparked a lot of discussion among users, but everything in order.
Design and materials of the case: glass + metal
Xiaomi Mi 8 is made in the classic style of flagships of 2018: a combination of aluminum frame and glass panels in the front and back, while the rear panel is not just glass – it is covered with a 7-layer nanocoating that gives depth to color and protects against scratches. In the hand, the smartphone feels premium, although the weight of 175 g is considered excessive by some users.
Dimensions of the device: 154.9 × 74.8 × 7.6 mm. For comparison, modern flagships (for example, Xiaomi 14) are thinner by 1-1.5 mm, but wider due to the large screens. Mi 8 conveniently lies in the hand due to rounded edges and optimal width - it can be used comfortably with one hand, which is not true of many modern "scapula".
Fun fact: The rear panel of the Mi 8 has a gradient effect that is manifested at a certain angle of light, especially in the colors Twilight Gold and Blue. The black version (Black) looks more rigid and less stamped, but it is more visible fingerprints.
- 🔹 Shell materials: aluminium (frame) + Gorilla Glass 5 (front and back panels)
- 🔹 Weight: 175 g (average for flagships 2018-2019.)
- 🔹 Protection from moisture: no official IP-rating, but the design is resistant to splashes
- 🔹 Color options: Black, Blue, Gold, Twilight Gold (limited series)
⚠️ Warning: The Mi 8 glass back is prone to microcracks when falling, even from low altitudes. If you buy a used device, be sure to check the integrity of the glass at different lighting angles - cracks are not always visible on the first inspection.
Screen and bangs: a revolutionary solution of 2018
The Xiaomi Mi 8 was the brand’s first notch smartphone, dubbed “brows,” which caused a mixed reaction from some as ugly, others as a progressive solution for placing front-facing cameras and sensors. Today, bangs seem archaic against the background of hole-hole and underscreen cameras, but in 2018, it was an innovation.
The screen — 6.21-inch AMOLED permittingly 2248 × 1080 (Full HD+), aspect-relationship 18.7:9 support HDR10. Brightness reaches 600 The colors are saturated but a little cold out of the box — you can fix this in the display settings (Settings) → Screen. → Color scheme).
Interestingly, the Mi 8 supports Always-On Display (AOD), although this feature was rare for Android smartphones in 2018.The screen displays time, date, notifications and even personalized signatures - this is convenient, but slightly reduces battery life.
| Parameter | Xiaomi Mi 8 | Xiaomi Mi 9 | Xiaomi Mi 11 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | AMOLED, 6.21" | AMOLED, 6.39" | AMOLED, 6.81" |
| Permission | 2248 × 1080 | 2340 × 1080 | 3200 × 1440 |
| Frequency of update | 60 Hz | 60 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Cut-off/camera | "Bangs." | drop-neck | Hole screen |
| HDR | HDR10 | HDR10 | HDR10+ |
Comparing the Mi 8 to later models, Xiaomi has gradually shed its necklines: the Mi 9 has turned the bangs into a drop, and the Mi 11 has a small hole under the camera. However, many users still believe that the Mi 8 looks more harmonious due to the symmetrical location of the cutout.
Location of buttons and connectors: ergonomics at height
Xiaomi Mi 8 features a well-designed arrangement of controls. The power button and volume control are on the right end, which is convenient for right-handers. The left side of the body remains clean - there are no buttons or slots, which gives the smartphone a minimalist look.
At the bottom of the device are located:
- 🔊 Dynamics (mono, no stereo)
- 🔌 Connector. USB Type-C (without support) USB 3.1)
- 🎤 Microphone
- 📶 2 Nano-SIM tray (without microSD slot!)
The upper end is occupied by:
- 📞 Talking speaker (hidden under the bars)
- 🔍 Infrared port (for technical control)
- 🎤 Second microphone (for noise reduction)
The lack of a 3.5mm audio jack was one of the main drawbacks of the Mi 8 for music fans. Xiaomi compensated for this with a free adapter bundled, but many users had to buy wireless headphones or use Bluetooth.
💡
If you’re buying a used Xiaomi Mi 8, be sure to check the infrared port’s performance — it often fails when you fall. Launch the Mi Remote app and try to control your TV or air conditioner.
Back panel: camera, scanner and logo
The back of the Xiaomi Mi 8 is designed in a minimalist style, with the top left corner:
- 📷 Double main camera (vertically)
- 🔦 Double. LED-flash
- 👁️ Fingerprint scanner (central)
The camera protrudes slightly above the body (about 1 mm), so when placing the smartphone on the table, it sways slightly. This is a typical problem for many flagships, but in the Mi 8, the protrusion is less noticeable than in the Mi 9 or Mi 11.
The fingerprint scanner works fast and accurately, but not everyone likes its location — some users complain that the finger slides down when unlocked. The Xiaomi logo is placed at the bottom and is designed in body color, which looks neat.
An interesting detail: in the Mi 8 Explorer Edition (limited edition), the fingerprint scanner is built into the screen, and the back panel is made of transparent glass, under which you can see the internal components, which is considered a collectible modification and costs much more than the standard version on the secondary market.
How to distinguish the original Mi 8 from the fake on the back?
Comparison with other models: Mi 8 vs Mi 9 vs Mi 11
If you choose between the Mi 8 and the newer Xiaomi flagships, consider not only the design, but also the ergonomics.
Xiaomi Mi 8 (2018):
- ✅ Compact size (comfortable with one hand)
- ✅ Symmetrical neckline (fracks")
- ✅ Infrared port
- ❌ No 3.5mm connector.
- ❌ monodynamic
Xiaomi Mi 9 (2019):
- ✅ A drop-shaped cut (less noticeable)
- ✅ Brighter screen (up to 650 nits)
- ✅ Stereodynamics
- ❌ More slippery body
- ❌ Camera's stronger.
Xiaomi Mi 11 (2021):
- ✅ Hole screen (no cutouts)
- ✅ 120 Hz and 2K-permit
- ✅ Premium materials (ceramics in the top version)
- ❌ Very large and heavy (208g)
- ❌ No IR port.
If you’re interested in the compact size and convenience of one hand, the Mi 8 will be the best choice among these three models, but if you’re willing to sacrifice ergonomics for modern design and performance, it’s worth looking at the Mi 11 or newer flagships.
💡
The Xiaomi Mi 8 is the brand’s latest compact flagship with easy ergonomics, and all subsequent models (starting with the Mi 9) have become wider and heavier, making it difficult to control one hand.
Covers and accessories: what is suitable for the Mi 8
Thanks to the popularity of the model, the Xiaomi Mi 8 still produces cases and accessories.
- 🛡️ Protective cases: suitable models with a cutout under the dual camera and fingerprint scanner. The best options are cases from Spigen, Ringke or original from Xiaomi (Mi Protective Case series).
- 🔋 Chargers: Smartphone supports Quick Charge 4+ (18 watts), but the set comes with a 10 watt adapter. For fast charging, you need a separate power supply (we recommend Xiaomi). MDY-11-ES).
- 🎧 Wireless headphones: due to the lack of a 3.5 mm connector, you will have to use Bluetooth or USB-C-A good budget option - Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2.
- 📱 Security glass: you can choose bang-cut glass and a fingerprint scanner, and you can look at oleophobic glass, which is less stained.
When buying a case, pay attention to its compatibility with contactless charging - some thick cases block the signal. Also avoid cheap silicone cases: they quickly stretch and lose shape.
☑️ What to check when buying a used Xiaomi Mi 8
⚠️ Note: Many cases for Mi 8 are suitable for Mi 8 SE, But not the other way around! SE It has smaller dimensions and a different camera location, so the cases from it are not suitable for the standard version.