The look of a smartphone is often a deciding factor when choosing a device, and the Redmi 8 Pro (known globally as the Redmi Note 8 Pro) is no exception.This device, launched in 2019, set new standards in the budget segment, offering users a premium look at an affordable price. The glossy surface, glass back panel and carefully crafted edges create the feeling of an expensive gadget that is immediately striking at the first visual contact.
When you look at what the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro looks like, it’s important to consider not only the color options, but also the ergonomics of the device. Engineers have tried to make the case as comfortable as possible for one hand, despite the screen diagonal of 6.53 inches. The weight of the device is about 200 grams, which feels like a confident, solid mass in the hand, indicating the presence of quality materials of the build.
In this detailed review, we will look at every aspect of the design, from the location of the camera modules to the texture of the protective coating, why this smartphone still looks relevant and what visual features distinguish it from its competitors at the time, and pay special attention to how different colors change the perception of the shape of the case.
Materials of the body and tactile sensations
A fundamental feature of the design is the use of glass for the rear panel. Unlike plastic counterparts, the tempered glass Gorilla Glass 5 provides not only protection, but also a pleasant chill when touched. The surface is treated with a special oleophobic coating that minimizes the number of fingerprints, although in bright light the traces can still be visible on the dark versions.
The frame is made of polycarbonate, which is painted as close as possible to the shade of the back cover, which creates a monolithic effect of the design, hiding the transition between the materials. To the touch of the frame has a slight roughness, which prevents the smartphone from slipping out of the hands, but does not scratch the skin during prolonged use without a cover.
⚠️ Warning: Despite the strong glass, the back panel is very slippery.The use of a protective cover or bumper is critical to prevent accidental falls, as a smooth surface does not provide reliable grip to the palm.
The body is built at a high level, the gaps between the parts are minimal and evenly distributed around the perimeter. When compressed in the hand, the body does not make creaks or bends, which indicates a rigid internal structure, an important indicator of quality that is often overlooked when assessing only the appearance of a gadget.
Dimensions, weight and ergonomics of form
The smartphone is 161.35 x 76.4 x 8.79 mm in size, making it quite large but not beyond what is reasonable for a modern shovel. The 8.79 mm thickness allows the smartphone to not look bulky, and the rounded edges of the back panel provide a smooth transition to the palm, improving grip.
Weight of 200 grams is felt immediately. This is not the case when the phone is invisible in the pocket. However, the distribution of mass is balanced: the center of gravity is approximately in the middle, which makes it easier to control the big screen with the thumb of one hand. The top part does not outweigh, which often happens in models with massive camera modules.
- 📏 The 6.53-inch screen size provides excellent area for content.
- ⚖️ Weight 200g gives the device a sense of reliability and quality.
- 👐 Rounded edges improve ergonomics with prolonged holding.
The ergonomics of the buttons are also well thought out, and the volume and power buttons are on the right side, they have a clear, short stroke and a nice tactile response, and the mechanical power button, unlike many competitors, is not a lumpy light, and it gives a nice click, which makes it easy to feel its position.
💡
When buying a case, pay attention to the height of the sides around the screen. Due to the curvature of the glass (2.5D), low-profile cases may not protect the edges of the display when flattened.
Color solutions and visual effects
Xiaomi designers have come up with a number of color options, each changing the way the device feels, and the most popular is Mineral Grey, which shimmers from dark gray to almost black in different lighting, a versatile variant that looks strictly and-oriented.
The Pearl White version (white) looks more classic and visually lighter than it actually is. White perfectly hides the small scratches and scuffs that inevitably appear during operation. White backgrounds are less visible fingerprints, making this option more practical in everyday life.
The Electric Blue version, which is particularly noteworthy, is not just blue, but a gradient that flows from deep blue to turquoise, and the back covers are glare-like in the light, creating a depth effect, and this is the one that is most often associated with the question of "what does the Redmi 8 Pro look like," because it's the brightest and most recognizable.
| Colour | Surface effect | Practicality | Visual perception |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral Grey | Matte gradient | Tall (hidden scratches) | Strict, businesslike. |
| Pearl White | Glossy | Average (visible pollution) | Light, classic. |
| Electric Blue | Bright gradient | Low (seen scuffling) | Bright, youthful. |
| Forest Green | Deep gradient | Tall. | Premium, rare. |
It's worth noting that color also affects how the device heats up in the sun, and darker versions (grey, green) absorb more heat than white ones, and if you plan to use the navigator or play outside, the white body will be less heated in direct sunlight.
Face panel and display design
The front of the smartphone is almost entirely occupied by the screen. Capless Full Screen technology has removed the brand logo from the bottom, making the design cleaner and more modern. The bottom frame ("chin") is only 2.1 mm, which is a great indicator for devices in its class.
At the top of the screen is a drop-shaped cutout for the front camera, which is compact enough to be very intrusive when watching video or playing, and protected by Gorilla Glass 5 with 2.5D, which means rounding the edges to make a nice slide of the finger from the center to the edges.
⚠️ Attention: The camera cutout ("drop") takes up part of the usable area. In some applications, the status bar may be blocked, but in the settings of the Settings system -> Special features can hide the area around the neckline, making it black.
The brightness of the screen and the color rendering make the image rich. Even in bright sunlight, the picture remains readable, although the maximum brightness does not reach the flagship. OLED-The absence of a bezel around the display on the sides creates an immersive effect, which is especially noticeable when watching movies in a horizontal orientation.
Technical characteristics of the display
Location of elements and interfaces
The body layout is industry-standard, but it has its own characteristics. On the bottom end is a USB Type-C port that supports fast charging up to 18 watts. Nearby is the main speaker and microphone. Having a modern USB-C connector makes it easier to connect accessories and charge.
On the top end, there's a second microphone, an IR port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The IR port makes the smartphone a universal remote control for all household appliances in the home. It's a rare feature that's highly valued by users of the Xiaomi ecosystem.
- 🔊 The main speaker is located at the bottom, which is convenient for conversations, but easily overlaps with the hand.
- 🎧 The 3.5 mm connector is saved, which allows you to use wired headphones without adapters.
- 📡 Antennas are built into plastic inserts on the ends without violating the integrity of the design.
Slot for SIM-It's on the left side of the card and the memory card, and it's in triple tray format, two nano-SIMs and one microSD card, which means you can use two SIMs at the same time and expand your memory without sacrificing one of the SIMs. The mechanism of the tray is dense, opens with a paper clip included in the kit.
☑️ Checking of equipment and ports
The main camera module and its design
The rear camera is perhaps the most visible design element, and the module is centered at the top, and it's a vertical stripe, and it's built in with four main camera lenses, a flash and sensors, a position often referred to as the "calling card" of the Redmi Note 8 series.
The camera block protrudes prominently above the body surface, with a protrusion of about 1 mm, which can cause the smartphone to sway if placed on a flat surface without a cover, and around the lenses are decorative rings that add to the device's technological performance, but also collect dust.
Under the camera block is the Redmi logo, and below, at the bottom of the back panel is the 64MP QUAD CAMERA logo. The inscriptions are made by laser engraving or embossing, they do not erase over time. The vertical orientation of the module is convenient in that when shooting, the fingers are less likely to soil the lenses than in horizontal modules.
💡
Vertical block of 4 cameras is the main visual identifier of the model, making it recognizable even in a case with a cutout for the camera.