Many users still wonder which phone is better: the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro or more modern budget models. This smartphone, released in 2019, became a real hit and set a high bar for the entire mid-range. MediaTek Helio G90T in conjunction with a 64-megapixel camera made a furore, forcing competitors to reconsider their pricing strategies.
But as time goes on, 5G-enabled devices, faster charging and updated screens are on the market. Should we consider the Redmi Note 8 Pro as the main device today or is its time irrevocably gone? In this article, we will examine in detail the current state of the device, its strengths and hidden shortcomings that manifest after several years of operation.
We'll compare the performance with the current models, analyze the build quality and discuss software support, and if you're looking for a reliable device for minimal money or want to understand whether to change your old flagship to this "people's" choice, this information will be critical to you.
Technical characteristics and productivity
The heart of the device was the Helio G90T processor, which was marketed as a gaming chipset at the time of its release. The eight-core architecture with the Cortex-A76 and Cortex-A55 cores provided excellent performance in medium-severity tasks.
In everyday use, the smartphone behaves confidently: social networks, navigation and streaming video work without delay. But when you run heavy applications or multitasking, you can see micro-freezes, especially if the RAM is 6 GB. The version with 8 GB of RAM feels much more comfortable in 2026.
An important aspect is the cooling system. Xiaomi engineers have introduced liquid cooling, which has reduced the heating of the case. However, under prolonged loads, the temperature of the processor can reach 45 degrees, which leads to trottling and lower frame rates in games.
- 🚀 MediaTek Helio processor G90T Still doing the basics.
- ❄️ Having liquid cooling helps, but doesn't save you from heating up in games.
- 💾 128GB or 256GB of memory remains the current standard.
⚠️ Note: When buying a used instance, be sure to check the status of the battery, as the high power consumption of the chipset quickly wears out the battery.
For those who plan to use their phone for mobile gaming, it's important to understand the limitations: Modern games like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile at high settings will work with difficulty, and it's better to keep the graphics settings to a minimum to get a playable FPS.
Display and multimedia quality
The screen is made using IPS technology and has a diagonal of 6.53 inches. Resolution 2340×1080 pixels provides good picture clarity, and the pixel density of about 395 ppi makes fonts readable. Color reproduction is set up quite accurately, although the black color is not as deep as on AMOLED-matrixes.
The model's hallmark is a 3.5mm headphone jack and support for the LDAC codec. It allows you to connect high-quality wired acoustics without losing bitrate. It has only one speaker on the bottom end, which makes the sound monophonic but loud enough.
Why isn't there AMOLED?
Gorilla Glass 5 protector glass does a good job of dealing with small scratches, but when falling on asphalt, the risk of breaking remains high. It is recommended to immediately purchase a protective glass or case with raised sides.
| Parameter | Meaning | Relevance in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Type of matrix | IPS LCD | Medium (behind AMOLED) |
| Frequency of update | 60 Hz | Low (standard 90-120 Hz) |
| Brightness | 450 nits | Enough room for you. |
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Basic |
The brightness of 450 nits may not be enough in direct sunlight, but under normal conditions the screen reads perfectly. The lack of a high refresh rate (90 or 120 Hz) makes the scrolling of tapes less smooth compared to new budgeters.
Photo and video capabilities
The 64MP main camera is based on the Samsung GW1 sensor, which can take detailed pictures with a wide dynamic range in good lighting. Xiaomi’s post-processing algorithms often oversaturate colors to make them more “appetizing” for social media.
Night photography is a separate story, and optical stabilization (although it doesn't have one, only electronic) and nighttime mode make it possible to get acceptable footage, but the lack of OIS affects sharpness when shooting with hands in low light.
💡
Use a tripod or wrap your phone around a stationary object when shooting at night – this will significantly improve the quality of the photo due to increased shutter speed.
The 8MP ultra-wide-angle module and the 2MP macro camera are more decorative in nature. Video is shot in 4K at 30 frames per second, but stabilization when recording video works mediocrely, creating a "jelly" effect.
- 📸 The 64MP core module gives excellent daytime detailing.
- 🌙 Night mode saves the situation, but there is a lot of noise.
- 🎥 Videotape 4K Yes, but without quality stabilization.
The front camera is 20 MP, it's hiding in a drop-shaped cutout, it's doing a pretty good job of portraits, blurring the background in software, and it's good enough for Zoom or Skype video calls.
Autonomy and charging speed
A 4,500mAh battery is a good indicator, but a gluttonous processor makes its own adjustments. When used actively (social media, 4G, video), the smartphone lives full time. In standby mode, the discharge is minimal, which indicates good system optimization.
With a full 18W charge, the device can be fully charged in about 2 hours. In 2026, it’s a slow rate, with even budget models supporting 33W or higher. Quick Charge 4.0 works correctly, but does not deliver superspeeds.
⚠️ Note: Do not use damaged cables USB-C, because the power controller may incorrectly determine the current strength, which will lead to even slower charging.
Battery capacity inevitably drops over time. If you buy a Redmi Note 8 Pro, be prepared for a battery replacement after a year or two of use, and fortunately, the design of the case makes it relatively easy to do so.
Software and updates
The smartphone originally launched on Android 9 with the shell MIUI 10. At the moment, official support for Android updates for this model is discontinued. The latest available version is Android 11 with the shell MIUI 12.5. This means that the user will not receive new features of the system.
However, security patches continue to come sporadically, which is important for protecting personal data. The MIUI shell is overloaded with features that on the old hardware can cause interface slowdowns. Many users prefer to install custom firmware such as Xiaomi.eu or LineageOS.
☑️ Checking before buying a b/w
Unlocking the bootloader is possible, but requires a wait of 7 days (168 hours), which gives you the freedom to install any modifications, but deprives you of warranty (if it is still relevant) and can lead to problems with banking applications (Google Pay / Wallet).
Comparison with modern analogues
Compare the Redmi Note 8 Pro with current models of the Redmi Note series 12 or 13, The difference will be noticeable. New smartphones offer AMOLED-frequency-screen 120 Hz, stereo and a more modern camera, but they cost a lot of money. 2-3 higher.
In the segment before 10-12 Thousands of competitors with such a set of characteristics (NFC, 64 MP, 18 W) hard to find. Budget innovations are often lacking NFC-Module or have weak Helio processors G35/G37. In this context, the Redmi Note 8 The Pro still looks attractive.
It’s also worth mentioning that there’s an NFC module that works consistently for payment and transportation, which is not something that all manufacturers can boast of in the ultra-budget segment of 2026.
- 📱 New budget holders have screens 90/120 Hz vs. 60 Hz on the Note 8 Pro.
- 🔋 Stereo speakers became the standard, in the Note 8 Pro – mono.
- 💰 Price Note 8 Pro in the secondary market in 3-4 low-frequency.
If you have a budget that's limited and you want to get the most out of it, the old mid-range flagship will be better than the new budget model.