Xiaomi Mi 8: when the flagship of 2018 came out, specs and where to buy today

Why is the Xiaomi Mi 8 still relevant?

Xiaomi Mi 8 has become one of the most talked-about flagships of the brand, despite the fact that its presentation took place in May 2018. Today, a few years later, this device continues to interest users as a budget alternative to modern devices. But when exactly did its official release? And should you buy it in 2026?

In this article, we will analyze the exact release date of the Mi 8, compare it with the predecessor Mi 7 (which, incidentally, never saw the light of day), analyze the leakage of characteristics that preceded the announcement, and give recommendations for buying a used model, you will learn what problems can arise when using a smartphone today and what alternatives are worth considering.

If you’re looking for information about Xiaomi’s new 2026 models, go to our “Top Flagships” section, and here we’ll focus exclusively on the Mi 8, a device that was a watershed for the company and laid the foundation for future Mi 9, Mi 10 and Xiaomi 12 lines.

The official release date of Xiaomi Mi 8: the chronology of events

Xiaomi Mi 8 was introduced on May 31, 2018 at a special event in Shenzhen, China, an anniversary model dedicated to Xiaomi’s 8th anniversary – hence the “8” in the name – which started on June 5, 2018 in China, and the global release took place a little later – in July-August, depending on the region.

Interestingly, the Xiaomi Mi 7 was originally expected, but the company missed this figure in the naming-e to emphasize the special role of the model, which caused a lot of rumors and speculation in the press – some analysts even assumed that the Mi 7 will be canceled due to production problems.

• 📅 May 31, 2018 – Official presentation in China.
• 🛒 June 5, 2018 – start of sales in China (the first batch sold out in 1 minute!).
• 🌍 July-August 2018 – Global sales (including Russia).
• 💰 September 2018 – the appearance of the first discounts and sales.

In Russia, the Mi 8 officially went on sale through Xiaomi partners such as M.Video, Svyaznoy and Citilink. The starting price was about 30,000 rubles for the version with 6/64 GB of memory. For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S9 at the time cost more than 50,000 rubles, making the Mi 8 one of the most affordable flagships on the market.

How did the Xiaomi Mi 8 differ from its competitors in 2018?

At the time of its release, the Mi 8 offered specs that could compete with even the top-end models from Apple and Samsung, and here are the key features that set it apart from other smartphones:

Special attention deserves the display: Mi 8 was the first smartphone Xiaomi with a AMOLED-screen-and-support HDR10. Also, the device received an infrared port for controlling equipment, wireless charging (in the Mi 8 Explorer Edition version) and a fingerprint scanner under the screen - a rare feature for Android smartphones of the time.

⚠️ Attention: Mi 8 version SE (The Snapdragon 710 processor is not a flagship and has a stripped-down spec.

Leaks and rumors before the release: what promised, and what happened?

In the months leading up to the announcement, there were a lot of leaks about the Xiaomi Mi 8, some of which were true, others were not.

• 🔍 3D-The face scanner (like the iPhone X) is partly true. The Mi 8 Explorer Edition did have an infrared scanner to unlock, but it worked worse than Face. ID Apple.
• 📸 Triple camera is a lie. Xiaomi was expected to follow in Huawei's footsteps P20 Pro, but in the end it turned out a dual camera with a telephoto lens.
• 🔋 The 4,000mAh battery is a lie, with real capacity of 3,400mAh, the average for the 2018 flagships.
• 🎮 The liquid-cooled game mode is true. The Mi 8 used a heat pipe cooling system to help avoid trottling in games.

One of the most talked-about moments was the cancellation of the Mi 7. According to rumors, Xiaomi planned to release the Mi 7 with a Snapdragon 845 processor and a frameless screen, but decided to skip the number “7” due to superstitions (in China, the number 7 is associated with mourning). 2S as an intermediate model, and then - a full-fledged flagship Mi 8.

Should you buy Xiaomi Mi 8 in 2026?

6 years after the release of the Xiaomi Mi 8 can be bought on the secondary market for 8 000-15,000 rubles (depending on the condition).

✅ Pros of buying in 2026:

• 💰 Low price – for this money it is difficult to find a flagship with Snapdragon 845 and AMOLED-screen.
• 🔧 Good repairability – spare parts are cheap, many service centers.
• 📱 Support for custom firmware – you can install LineageOS or Pixel Experience for updated software.

❌ Cons and risks:

• 🔋 Outdated battery – even when replacing the battery, autonomy will be worse than modern smartphones.
• 📡 Absence 5G — Snapdragon 845 does not support fifth-generation networks.
• 🛠️ Problems with MIUI — Official updates have been discontinued, and older versions may contain vulnerabilities.
• 📸 Weak camera by modern standards – even budget smartphones 2026 shoot better.

If you need a smartphone for calls, instant messengers, and easy tasks, the Mi 8 might be an option, but for gaming, video shooting, or long-duration, you’d better consider newer models like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or the POCO X5 Pro.

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Before buying a used Xiaomi Mi 8, be sure to check the battery status through the AccuBattery application or enter the code ##4636## (section “Battery Information”) in the engineering menu.

Xiaomi Mi 8: What to choose instead of it?

If the Mi 8 doesn’t suit you, but you want to stay in the Xiaomi ecosystem, consider the following models (new and used):

For gamers, the best choice is the POCO F1, which is optimized for gaming and has a liquid cooling system. If design and camera are important, look for the Redmi K20 Pro or Mi 9. If you want a smartphone with 5G support, you will have to consider models no older than 2020 (for example, the Mi 10 Lite).

⚠️ Warning: When buying used Xiaomi smartphones, check the firmware region! Chinese versions (China) ROM) Do not have Google Play Services and may work in an unstable manner with the Russian SIM-map.

How to check the originality of Xiaomi Mi 8 before buying?

In the secondary market, there are often fakes or smartphones with replaced components. To avoid getting into scams, follow this checklist:

Check the IMEI via imei.info (must match the box)

Ask the seller for a screenshot of the menu ##4636## ("Phone Information")

Look at the box – the original has a hologram and a serial number that matches the sticker on your smartphone

Check firmware: Settings path → About phone → MIUI version (should be official, not custom)

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Also pay attention to the following details:

• 🔍 The camera has the original inscription 48MP Not available (this is a marketing move of later models).
• 🔋 Charging – the Quick Charge 4.0 power supply must be included+ (18 W).
• 🎧 Audio jack - Mi 8 does not have it (only Type-C).

If the seller refuses to provide IMEI photos or test menus, this is a reason to be wary, and avoid buying from sellers with a zero reputation at sites like Avito or Yula.

Xiaomi Mi 8 Problems and How to Solve Them

Even though it’s reliable, the Xiaomi Mi 8 has a number of common problems that come up over time, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the smartphone starts to spontaneously reboot, this may indicate a motherboard malfunction or a firmware conflict, in which case only diagnostics in the service center will help. AMOLED-matrix that is eliminated only by replacing the display (~5 000 ₽).

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If the Xiaomi Mi 8 doesn’t turn on after the upgrade, try going to Fastboot mode (keep Volume Down + Power) and reflash the device via the Mi Flash Tool.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Mi 8