Xiaomi Redmi 8: the exact release date, technical features and why the model became a hit of 2019

The Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of those models that has forever entered its name in the history of budget smartphones. Launched in the midst of fierce competition between brands, this device managed to combine the current technology, affordable price and brand design Xiaomi. But when exactly did its official release? And why was the release date of October 9, 2019 became a landmark for the entire line of Redmi?

In this article, we will not only give you the exact date of the presentation, but also analyze how Redmi 8 fit into the company’s strategy, what innovations have brought to the market of budget smartphones, and why it is still discussed years after its release. You will learn about the key differences from its predecessor (Redmi 7), the features of the MIUI 10 firmware at the time of release, and how the model influenced the further development of the series. For collectors and fans of retro equipment, we have prepared a comparison table with other devices in 2019 – from the Samsung Galaxy A10 to the Realme 5.

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

The exact date of Xiaomi Redmi 8 is October 9, 2019, and was presented as part of a special event in India, which was a traditional step for the company: it was the Indian market that was (and remains) key to the Redmi line. Interestingly, in the days before the official announcement, numerous leaks appeared on the network, including design renders and partial specs, which caused a stir among fans of the brand, who expected the model to revolutionize after the success of the Redmi Note 7 Pro.

The start of sales in India began on October 12, 2019 - three days after the announcement. In other regions, including Russia and CIS countries, the smartphone began to arrive with a slight delay: the first batches were on sale in late October - early November. The price at the start was about 7 999 rubles for the version with 3/32 GB of memory, which made it one of the most affordable devices with a battery of 5000 mAh at that time.

• 📅 October 9, 2019 – Official announcement in India.
• 🛒 12 October 2019 – start of sales in India.
• 🌍 End of October 2019 – Entering global markets, including Russia.
• 💰 7 999-9 999 rubles - starting price depending on the configuration.

Curious fact: The Redmi 8 was the first smartphone in the lineup to receive TÜV Rheinland certification for battery packs, which meant the battery passed rigorous safety and durability tests, which was an important argument for buyers, remembering the exploding battery scandals of other brands.

Technical characteristics of Redmi 8: what offered the smartphone in 2019

At the time of the release, the Xiaomi Redmi 8 was marketed as a budget device with an emphasis on autonomy and build quality, and its heart was the Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 processor, not the most powerful chipset on the market, but optimized for energy efficiency, which allowed the device to work for up to two days on a single charge thanks to a 5,000 mAh battery, which was rare in the budget segment.

Other key characteristics:

• 📱 Screen: 6.22" HD+ (1520×720) drop-necked, aspect ratio 19:9.
• 📸 Main camera: dual module 12 MP (main, f/1.8) + 2 MP (depths).
• 🤳 Front camera: 8 MPP, f/2.0.
• 💾 Memory: options 3/32 GB 4/64 GB, microSD slot up 512 GB.
• 🔋 Charging: 18W (fitted with an adapter 10W).
• 🤖 OS: Android 9 Pie with shell MIUI 10.

The design is noteworthy: the Redmi 8 received P2i spray protection, which was rare for the budget segment, the case is made of plastic, but with a matte texture that prevented fingerprints, and was one of the first in the line to receive a USB Type-C connector - microUSB was previously used in the budget Redmi.

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If you buy a Redmi 8 today, check the battery status through the Settings menu → Battery → Battery status. After 4+ years of use, its capacity could have decreased by 20-30%.

Comparison with its predecessor: Redmi 8 vs Redmi 7

To see how significant the Redmi 8 was, it’s worth comparing it to the previous model, the Redmi 7, which was released in March 2019, with major improvements in autonomy, design and multimedia capabilities.

The key difference is the battery: the capacity gain of 1,000 mAh (from 4,000 to 5,000) made the Redmi 8 a true long-playing smartphone in its class, while the processor became weaker (Snapdragon 439 vs 632), but due to the optimization of MIUI, the difference in performance was minimal in everyday tasks.

Another important innovation was the infrared port for controlling household appliances, which was not available in Redmi 7, which limited the use of a smartphone in the smart home system. FM-A radio that could work without an internet connection is a useful feature for regions with poor coverage.

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The Redmi 8 was the first in the lineup to feature USB Type-C and P2i certification, highlighting Xiaomi’s move to more modern standards even in the budget segment.

Why Redmi 8 was a hit: Market Analysis 2019

2019 was a watershed year for the budget smartphone market, with competition between Xiaomi, Realme, Samsung and Huawei peaking, with each company having to offer unique chips to attract a buyer. Redmi 8 managed to stand out thanks to three key factors:

1. Autonomy: A 5000 mAh battery paired with an energy-efficient processor provided up to 2 days of operation – this was critical for users who did not have the ability to charge the device often.
2. Price: starting cost of 7 999 rubles made it more affordable than most competitors with similar characteristics (for example, the Samsung Galaxy A10 cost 20-30% more).
3. Xiaomi Ecosystem: Integration with other brand devices (such as smart lamps or fitness bracelets) through Mi Home has attracted fans of the ecosystem.

Xiaomi also used a “flash sale” strategy on Flipkart (in India) and AliExpress (in the global market), which created a hype, for example, in the early days of sales, the smartphone sold out in minutes, and the queue for purchase reached several thousand people.

Some experts have pointed out that the Redmi 8 has an outdated processor (the Snapdragon 439 debuted in 2018), and the cameras have not been characterized by high quality shooting in low light conditions.

Redmi 8 in 2026: Should I Buy Today?

It’s been almost 5 years since the release, and the natural question is: does it make sense to buy the Redmi 8 today?

• ✅ Suitable if you need the most budget smartphone for calls, instant messengers and simple tasks (social networks, YouTube in the Internet). 480p).
• ✅ Relevant as a spare phone or device for elderly relatives (simple shell) MIUI, big-pic).
• ❌ It is not suitable if you need modern games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile), shooting video in the video. 4K Long-term support for updates (last version) MIUI for this model — MIUI 12.5 based on Android 10).

Among the pluses even today:

• 🔋 Long battery life (with moderate use, it lasts 1.5-2 days).
• 🛠️ Ease of repair: parts (screen, battery, cameras) are cheap and widely available.
• 📦 Support for two SIM-map + microSD (hybrid slot).

The disadvantages that appeared with age:

• ⚠️ Older CPU: Snapdragon 439 brakes in modern applications.
• ⚠️ No support. 5G (theoretically).
• ⚠️ Cameras: 12 MP module does not cope well with the HDR night-time.

⚠️ Note: If you’re considering the Redmi 8 as the first smartphone for a child, note that the model does not support parental controls in the latest versions. MIUI. For this purpose, take a closer look at Redmi. 9A POCO C31.

The price in the secondary market today ranges from 3000-5000 rubles depending on the condition. New devices in the original packaging are extremely rare and are unreasonably expensive (from 8000 rubles), so it is impractical to buy them.

Battery condition (capacity must be at least 3,500 mAh)

All cameras (especially autofocus)

The absence of fingerprint sensor “glitches”

USB Type-C port integrity (a common problem when used actively)

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Frequent Problems and How to Solve Them: User Experience

Over the years, Redmi 8 owners have identified typical "diseases" of the model, most of which are related to the age of the device, but some can be eliminated on their own:

1. Fast battery discharge: after 3-4 years, the battery capacity drops to 60-70% of the original. The solution is to replace the battery (cost ~ 1,500 rubles).
2. Overheating when charging: associated with wear of the power controller, helps to replace the charger with the original (10W or 18W).
3. Hanging and lag: due to a lack of RAM (3-4 GB) when multitasking. The solution is to disable animation in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times).
4. Poor communication: weak signal GSM/LTE In some regions, network resetting helps (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings).

One of the most common complaints is that the USB Type-C connector is broken, and it's caused by a sloppy cable connection or the use of poor-quality accessories. If the phone stops charging, try:

1. Clean the jack from dust with a toothpick (carefully!).
2. Try another cable (preferably original).
3. If it does not help, you need to replace the connector (cost ~ 1000-1 500 rubles).

⚠️ Note: Do not use "fast" charging higher 18W — It can damage the power controller, and officially, the model only supports Quick Charge 3.0. 18W.

To extend the life of the device is recommended:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🛡️ Install a light firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience based on Android 10).
• 🔋 Avoid full battery discharge (keep the charge at 20–80%).

FAQ: answers to popular questions about Xiaomi Redmi 8