Why is the Xiaomi Mi 8 still interesting?
Xiaomi Mi 8, released in May 2018, has long been discontinued, but still attracts interest from a certain category of buyers, the reason for this is a unique combination of characteristics that even after 6 years look competitive for the budget segment: Snapdragon 845 processor, AMOLED-screen HDR But it's almost impossible to find a new camera on sale today, with only handheld options or rare leftovers in warehouses.
In this article, we will look at where else to find the Mi 8 in 2026, what to look for when buying a used model, and whether to consider this smartphone as a primary device at all, and analyze alternatives from Xiaomi’s current budget that can offer similar features at a similar price.
Spoiler: If you're looking for a new Mi 8 in the original package, the odds are close to zero.
Previous articleThe official sales channels: why the Mi 8 is no longer sold
Xiaomi Mi 8 was introduced on May 31, 2018 and was actively sold until mid-2019, after which the company completely switched to the Mi 9 line. Since then, the model has officially been discontinued, and the remains in warehouses sold out 3-4 years ago. Today, even on the official website of Xiaomi in the “Archive” section, there is no information about the Mi 8 – it has been replaced by more recent devices.
However, sometimes users find mentions of the Mi 8 in some regional stores, such as:
- 🛒 Mi Stores in India or Indonesia are rare, but new devices from older batches (usually marked "Refurbished") are found").
- 🌍 Local distributors in Africa or Latin America, where demand for low-end flagships remains high.
- 📦 Online marketplaces like AliExpress or eBay, where sellers can offer "new" devices from unsold stocks (the risk of counterfeiting is high!).
Importantly, any proposals for a new Xiaomi Mi 8 in 2026 are likely either refurbished or a fraud, and the company is no longer officially shipping the model to any region.
Secondary Market: Where to Look for the Mi 8 and What to Look for
The main source of Xiaomi Mi 8 today is the market of used equipment.
- 📱 Avito and Yula - here the most proposals, but the risk of running into the "killed" device is higher.
- 🛒 Facebook Marketplace – popular in Europe, sometimes come across devices from the EU with a guarantee.
- 🌐 Thematic forums (e.g, 4PDA Mi Community – here sellers often publish real photos and videos of the device.
When buying a used Mi 8, be sure to check:
Battery condition (capacity not lower than 80% of the original)|Operating capacity of cameras (especially optical zoom)|Absence of yellow pixels on AMOLED-screen|Type-C connector state (no backlash)|Original box and documents (optional)-->
⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi Mi 8 known problem with memory chips (especially in modifications with 6/128 When buying, be sure to test the device for writing / reading large files - some devices "glutch" when working with memory.
Prices for Xiaomi Mi 8 in 2026: how much it costs and what the cost depends on
The cost of Xiaomi Mi 8 in the secondary market varies widely - from 5 000 to 15 000 rubles depending on the condition, configuration and region. Below is a table of average prices as of the first quarter of 2026:
| Status. | Price, ₽ | What's included | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Like New" (95-100%) | 12 000 — 15 000 | Original box, all accessories, check | Probability of forgery of documents |
| Good (85-90%) | 8 000 — 10 000 | The box may be missing, small scratches | Battery wear ~20-30% |
| Satisfactory (70-80%) | 5 000 — 7 000 | Scratches, chips, possible replacement of the screen | Risk of problems with memory or communication module |
| Refurbished (restored) | 6 000 — 9 000 | 3-6 months warranty, battery replacement | It is not known what details were replaced. |
The price is strongly influenced by the modification:
Mi 8 Standard (6/64 GB) is the cheapest option.
Mi 8 SE (4/64 GB) – even cheaper, but with a Snapdragon 710 processor.
Mi 8 Explorer Edition (8/128 GB) – the most expensive, with a transparent back panel and a fingerprint scanner under the screen.
⚠️ If the seller asks for Mi 8 more than 15 000 rubles, most likely it is either fraud, or the device is presented as a "collector" (which is unlikely for a mass model).
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Before buying, ask the seller to take a screenshot from the CPU Throttling Test app – this will help check whether the processor is not “braking” due to wear of the thermal paste or problems with the board.
Xiaomi Mi 8 in 2026: what to buy instead
If your goal is to get a smartphone with characteristics close to the Mi 8, but with a new and official warranty, consider the following models from Xiaomi’s modern range:
- 📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G — Snapdragon 778G, 200-MP camera, AMOLED 120Hz Price: ~25 000 ₽.
- 📱 POCO X5 Pro 5G — same-sense 778G, but at a more aggressive price (~20 000 ₽).
- 📱 Xiaomi 12 Lite — Snapdragon 778G, thin case, 67-watt charge: ~22 000 ₽.
- 📱 Redmi K50i — MediaTek Dimensity 8100, 144Hz screen, 67-W charging.Price: ~23 000 ₽.
All of these devices outperform the Mi 8 in performance, cameras and screen, while costing little more than the used flagship of 2018. The only drawback is the lack of optical zoom (except for the Note 12 Pro+, where it is software).
If you are interested in optical zoom, pay attention to:
Xiaomi 13 Lite (50 MP main + 8 MP telephoto, 3x optical zoom).
POCO F5 Pro (64-MP main + 8-MP ultra-wide, but without optical zoom).
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Modern budget Xiaomi smartphones offer a better price/quality ratio than the used Mi 8, except when you need optical zoom or transparent case Explorer Edition.
Next Post:Should I Buy the Mi 8 Today?
Despite its age, the Xiaomi Mi 8 may still be relevant for specific applications, and consider its strengths and weaknesses in 2026.
Pros:
- ✅ Performance: Snapdragon 845 still pulls most modern games on mid-sets (Genshin Impact – 30) FPS, PUBG — 40 FPS).
- ✅ Screen: 6.21" AMOLED supportive HDR — Better than many of the 2026 budgetees.
- ✅ Cameras: dual main (12 MP) + 12 MP optical zoom still gives more detailed photos than many modern budget smartphones.
- ✅ Design: a glass case with a metal frame looks premium than many plastic devices in 2026.
Cons:
- ❌ Battery: even when replacing the battery, the autonomy does not exceed the 4-5 screen-clock (against) 7-9 modern-day smartphones).
- ❌ Updates: latest version MIUI — 12.5 (based on Android 11) Secure patches no longer come out, making the device vulnerable to new threats.
- ❌ 5G: No support for fifth generation networks.
- ❌ No memory card slot: in the version 6/64 GB of memory is critically lacking in modern applications.
Details about MIUI support for Mi 8
Where else to find Mi 8: Unobvious sources
If you are determined to buy Xiaomi Mi 8, but did not find suitable offers on popular sites, try the following options:
- Xiaomi Service Centers: Sometimes after repairs, refurbished devices remain, which are sold with a warranty 3-6 The cost is from 7 000 before 10 000 ruble.
⚠️ Note: When buying from overseas sites (eBay, Japanese auctions), pay attention to regional firmware. Some versions of the Mi 8 for China do not support Google Services and require manual firmware for the global version. MIUI.