The question of when exactly one of the most iconic smartphones of the company was born often arises among those who plan to buy a device on the secondary market or are simply interested in the history of the brand. Xiaomi Mi 8 marked a turning point in the manufacturer’s strategy, offering users flagship features at an aggressive price and for the first time gaining support for face unlock.The release date marks the beginning of the era of bangs in the Chinese giant’s portfolio and the introduction of dual-frequency. GPS.
Many people confuse the date of the global announcement with the start of sales in specific regions, which leads to discrepancies in information: the official premiere took place in China, followed by a global release and entry into the Russian market, Understanding this chronology is important for assessing the relevance of software and the availability of security updates for the device.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the timeline of Xiaomi Mi 8, compare the modifications and assess how it is appropriate to consider this gadget today, learn about the key technical solutions that were introduced in this model, and why it is still mentioned in reviews as a benchmark for the ratio of price and quality of its time.
Official announcement date and presentation in China
The company’s historic date was May 31, 2018, when Lei Jun presented the eighth version of the flagship lineup in Beijing, marking the company’s 8th anniversary, which explains the choice of model number and the emphasis on anniversary design elements.
The smartphone was the first device of the brand to receive a screen cutout for the front camera and sensors, dubbed "bangs", this solution allowed to increase the usable area of the Super AMOLED display to 6.21 inches while maintaining the compact dimensions of the case. The presentation also highlight introduced the Snapdragon 845 processor, which at that time was the absolute leader in performance in the Android segment.
The Chinese version of the device was available for pre-order immediately after the event.The starting price of 2,699 yuan for the base version with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal memory caused a stir. Consumers received a device with Quick Charge 4+ technology and an infrared port for managing household appliances.
- 📅 Presentation date: May 31, 2018
- 📍 Venue: Beijing, China
- 🚀 Processor: Snapdragon 845
- 📱 Screen: AMOLED 6.21"
⚠️ China’s version of the smartphone may differ from the global set of supported frequencies LTE And the default Chinese language is in the firmware, and it's important to check the model labeling when you buy it.
Global release and entry into the Russian market
Following a successful launch in China, the company has embarked on a global expansion of its sales geography, with the M1803E1A global version unveiled at a separate event in Berlin on August 22, 2018, coinciding with IFA, which has attracted international attention.
In the Russian market, sales of Xiaomi Mi 8 started almost simultaneously with the global announcement. Official retailers began shipping in late August - early September 2018. For a domestic buyer, this meant the presence of full localization, boxes with Russian language and guarantees from a local distributor.
It is important to note that the global version has received support for a wider range of networks. 4G, And that's critical for roaming and for regions with specific operator frequencies, and it's also changed the logic. NFC-module adapted to international standards of payment and data transfer.
The date difference between the Chinese and global releases was about three months, during which time the engineers managed to further optimize the MIUI shell and fix a number of software bugs discovered by the first users in China.
Special Editions: Transparent Edition and Lite
The eighth generation lineup went beyond the base model, with modifications to meet the needs of different audience segments in parallel with the main release or with a slight delay, and the Transparent Edition is of particular interest.
This version was released on June 19, 2018, a little after the announcement, and featured a transparent tempered glass back cover that overlooks the interior, and engineers even added decorative elements that mimic the layout of the components, even though the real details are hidden by the protective screens.
A more affordable alternative was the Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite, which was unveiled on September 19, 2018, and received a less powerful Snapdragon 660 processor, IPS-screen and metal body, but retained the design of the front panel and the main camera with artificial intelligence.
| Model | Release date | Processor | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 8 | May 2018 | Snapdragon 845 | Basic flagship |
| Mi 8 Transparent | June 2018 | Snapdragon 845 | Transparent cover |
| Mi 8 Lite | September 2018 | Snapdragon 660 | Budget segment |
| Mi 8 Pro | September 2018 | Snapdragon 845 | Screen pressure. |
There was also a version of the Mi 8 Pro (or Explorer Edition in China) that came out in September, and it had a lot of technology. 3D-Face scanning (analogue of FaceID) and function "3D Touch" (strong press on the screen), which made it the most technically equipped device of the line.
Technical characteristics and innovation of the model
At the time of the release, the Xiaomi Mi 8 had specifications that allowed it to compete with the best devices of Samsung and Apple. The heart of the smartphone was the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset, made on a 10-nanometer process, which ensured high levels of energy efficiency and performance in games.
One of the key features of this is the dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5), which has significantly improved positioning accuracy in urban environments, where signals are often reflected from buildings, and for navigation applications, this is a significant step forward.
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When buying a used Mi 8 be sure to check the second SIM slot and microSD (if stated), as in some revisions contacts could oxidize over time.
The camera received the Sony IMX363 module with optical stabilization and dual focusing. AI Scene Detection algorithms automatically determined up to 200 scenes and selected the optimal color and exposure settings. Night Sight mode was turned on at night, allowing you to take high-quality pictures in low light.
- 🔋 Battery capacity: 3400 mAh
- 📡 Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo
- 🎤 Audio: Support for Hi-Res Audio
- 🔌 Jack: USB Type-C
⚠️ Note: Despite support for fast charging, the power supply kit in some regions may be missing or have a custom plug requiring an adapter.
Software and system updates
The smartphone originally came with Android 8.1 Oreo and the MIUI 9 shell. The device subsequently received updates to Android 10, which was the final major OS version for this model. Support for major Android updates ended there, but security patches came out for a while.
The MIUI shell provided a wide range of customization features, allowing users to customize controls, use a second space, and clone applications, but the abundance of pre-installed software and advertising in system applications often drew criticism from European users.
How do I check the firmware version?
For enthusiasts, the Xiaomi Mi 8 has become a popular platform for experimentation. Thanks to the unlockable bootloader and an active developer community, custom firmware such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience can be installed on the device, extending the life of the smartphone and getting more recent versions of Android.
The process of unlocking the bootloader requires permission from the company through the MI Unlock application and waits from 7 to 30 days, after which the user gets full access to the file system and can modify the system partitions.
The relevance of the purchase of Xiaomi Mi 8 in 2026
A few years after the release, the question of whether to buy Xiaomi Mi 8 remains relevant, especially in the segment of budget devices.In the secondary market, the price of this smartphone has fallen to a minimum, making it an attractive offer for those who are looking for a productive device for basic tasks.
The Snapdragon 845 processor still handles most everyday tasks: social media, instant messengers, navigation and video viewing work without problems. However, the lack of Android updates and an outdated version of security can be critical for some users.
☑️ What to look for when buying a used Mi 8
The main risk when buying a used instance is related to the state of the battery and screen. AMOLED technology is prone to pixel burnout over time, especially if the brightness is often twisted to the maximum, and it is worth considering that spare parts for an already unmanufactured model are more difficult to find.
If you’re considering this phone as a primary device, make sure you’re comfortable with the Android 10 version.To use as a navigator, media player or the first smartphone for a kid, the Mi 8 can still be a great choice thanks to a quality screen and a good main camera.
⚠️ Warning: When buying from hand, be sure to check the status of your Mi Account. If the device is tied to someone else's account, it will be impossible to unlock it even after resetting your settings.