Redmi Note 8 Pro: release date, release history and first versions of the smartphone from Xiaomi

The Redmi Note 8 Pro became one of the most talked-about Xiaomi models in 2019, not only thanks to the powerful MediaTek Helio G90T processor, but also because of the 64-megapixel camera, which is revolutionary for the budget segment. However, many users still confuse the release dates: whether it was August or September, and some mistakenly attribute the premiere to 2020. In this article, we will analyze the exact chronology of the release, including preliminary announcements, official presentation and sales in different regions.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro was the brand’s first chipset smartphone from MediaTek after a long collaboration with Qualcomm, which sparked a heated debate among Xiaomi fans, with some fearing optimization issues, others rejoicing at increased gaming performance. But let’s get back to the key question: when exactly did this gadget come out, and what events preceded its introduction to the market?

Redmi Note 8 Pro release date: Premium and start of sales

The Redmi Note 8 Pro was officially unveiled on August 29, 2019, at a special Xiaomi event in China, but it was just a presentation – sales started later, and it’s important to understand that release dates for different countries could vary by weeks or even months.

Here are the key milestones:

• 📅 August 29, 2019 – Official announcement in Beijing, China, with the Redmi Note 8 and other Mi ecosystem devices also being unveiled.
• 🛒 September 3, 2019 – start of sales in China through the official website of Xiaomi and partner sites.
• 🌍 September–October 2019 – Gradual entry into global markets including India, Europe and Russia.

Interestingly, in some countries, such as India, the Redmi Note 8 Pro was only released on October 21, 2019, almost two months after its premiere, due to logistics and firmware adaptation to local communication standards.

Preparation for release: leaks, rumors and preliminary announcements

In the months before the official announcement, numerous leaks about the new smartphone appeared online. The first rumors about the Redmi Note 8 Pro began to spread in June 2019, when a device codenamed T005 was discovered in the database of the certification agency TENAA.

Among the most high-profile leaks:

• 📸 July 2019 – the first renders of the smartphone, confirmed the design with a square camera module (like the iPhone 11).
• 🔍 August 1, 2019 – Performance tests with a mention of the Helio processor appear in Geekbench G90T.
• 💰 Mid-August — price tag leak: in China, the smartphone was supposed to cost from 1399 yuan (about 190).$ at that time).

Particular excitement caused information about the 64-megapixel main camera with a sensor Samsung ISOCELL Bright GW1. This was the first time when a budget smartphone received such a powerful matrix – before that, such solutions were found only in flagships.

💡

If you’re looking for information about upcoming Xiaomi releases, follow @Xiaomi’s Twitter account and XDA Developers’ website – they often post leaks in advance.

Technical specifications of Redmi Note 8 Pro at the time of release

At the time of its release, the Redmi Note 8 Pro offered a unique combination of specs for its price segment.

One of the key benefits was the support for liquid cooling, a rare feature for budget smartphones of the time, and the Redmi Note 8 Pro received stereo speakers, TÜV Rheinland certification for eye protection and even an infrared port for managing household appliances.

However, there was no criticism: users noted the lack of NFC (in some regions, and not the brightest screen compared to AMOLED-Yet, for its price, the device offered an unprecedented set of features.

Regional differences: when the Redmi Note 8 Pro appeared in Russia and other countries

Unlike China, where the smartphone went on sale almost immediately after the announcement, in other countries, release dates varied greatly: for example, in Russia, official sales began only on October 10, 2019 through Xiaomi partners, including Svyaznoy and M. Video.

Here is the timeline for key markets:

• 🇮🇳 India — 21 October 2019 (price 14 999 rupees 6/64 GB).
• 🇪🇺 Europe – November 2019 (Germany and France, the smartphone cost from 249)€).
• 🇺🇸 The US was not officially sold but was available through importers (e.g. Amazon Global).
• 🇧🇷 Brazil – December 2019 (with localized firmware for Latin American market).

In some countries, such as Ukraine, the Redmi Note 8 Pro was only released in January 2020 due to delays in certification, while China was already preparing to announce a successor, the Redmi Note 9 Pro.

💡

If you buy Xiaomi from abroad, always check compatibility. LTE-European and Chinese versions may not support all frequencies of Russian operators.

Updates and support: how to change the Redmi Note 8 Pro after the release

After the release of the Redmi Note 8 Pro received several major firmware updates that added new features and fixed bugs, the first significant update was released in November 2019, it brought:

• 🎮 Optimization for games (Game Turbo 2.0).
• 📷 Improved photo processing on a 64-megapixel camera.
• 🔋 Corrections for more stable battery operation.

However, in 2020, users faced a problem: Xiaomi announced that the Redmi Note 8 Pro will not receive an update to MIUI 12 based on Android 11 due to the limitations of the MediaTek Helio G90T processor. This caused a wave of discontent, as competitors (for example, the Realme 5 Pro) received similar updates.

The smartphone ended up staying on MIUI 11 with Android 10, but received extended security support until 2022, the last official update was released in March 2022.

Go to Settings → About the phone → System update

Check the version of MIUI with the latest announcements on miui.ru

Make sure that the firmware assembly date is not older than 2022

If necessary, manually upgrade via Recovery.-->

Comparison with competitors: why the Redmi Note 8 Pro was revolutionary in 2019

At the time of the release of the Redmi Note 8 Pro had no direct counterparts in the budget segment.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro was the first smartphone in the world to feature a 64-megapixel camera in the budget segment, its main competitive advantage, and it offered better gaming performance thanks to the Helio G90T, which in AnTuTu tests beat the Snapdragon 712 by 10-15%.

However, competitors had their advantages: for example, the Realme 5 Pro received a smoother version. AMOLED-screen and Samsung Galaxy A50s — However, the price/quality ratio of the Redmi Note 8 Pro remained out of competition.

Frequent questions about the release date and purchase of the Redmi Note 8 Pro

Why the Redmi Note 8 Pro is a legend

The Redmi Note 8 Pro has become a symbol of how Xiaomi can offer flagship features in the budget segment. Its release in August-September 2019 showed that 64-megapixel cameras, liquid cooling and powerful processors can be available not only in premium devices. Despite controversial decisions (for example, choosing MediaTek over Snapdragon), the smartphone has met the expectations of millions of users.

Five years after its launch, the Redmi Note 8 Pro remains a popular aftermarket destination, especially for those looking for a low-cost photo-capture gadget or a backup phone, and its story is a reminder of how fast the mobile industry is evolving: what seemed like a revolution in 2019 is now modest with new models.

💡

If you’re looking for a modern alternative to the Redmi Note 8 Pro, look for the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (200 MP camera) or the POCO X5 Pro (Snapdragon 778G).