The question of how much weigh Xiaomi Mi 8 often arises from potential buyers who are looking for a balance between premium specs and usability in everyday life. This smartphone, which became a real hit of its time, attracted attention not only with a powerful processor, but also with a glass case, which inevitably affects its weight.
Understanding the exact weight of the device is critical for those who plan to wear it in their pockets or use it in conjunction with lightweight accessories. In this article, we will examine in detail the physical parameters of the model, the effect of materials on the final weight and compare these figures with other devices in the line.
The weight of a smartphone is not just a number in the spec, but a complex metric that depends on the battery capacity, the size of the screen and the type of glass used. Let's dive into the technical details so you can make an informed decision.
Official data on the mass of the smartphone
According to the official technical documentation submitted by the manufacturer, the weight of the standard version of Xiaomi Mi 8 is 175 grams, this figure is relevant for the model with a conventional glass body, which was the main one at the time of the release of the device.
It's worth noting that the weight of 175 grams feels confident in the hand, but not overloaded. Engineers managed to achieve a great balance by distributing the mass so that the center of gravity does not shift too much up or down, which provides comfort with prolonged conversations or reading with one hand.
However, if you hold the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition, you will notice the difference: the transparent back cover of this modification is made of thicker and stronger glass, and also contains decorative elements inside, which is minor, but changes the tactile sensation, although formally the weight remains within the margin of error of the base model.
It's important to understand that the claimed 175 grams is the weight of the device itself, without a protective film, a SIM card and most importantly, without a case.Any additional accessory, even an ultra-thin silicone bumper, will increase the total weight you'll have to carry in your pocket.
⚠️ Attention: Specified weight in 175 gram may vary slightly (±3-5 gram) depending on the production batch and the specific configuration of the device.
Effect of body materials on weight
The main factor determining how much the Xiaomi Mi 8 weighs is the use of glass in the body design. Unlike earlier models with aluminum bezel and plastic inserts, it uses tempered Gorilla Glass both front and rear, which gives the device a premium look and supports wireless charging, but adds substantial weight.
The frame of the smartphone is made of 7000 series aviation aluminum, and it's not a random alloy, because it has a high kink strength and is less dense than steel or titanium. If engineers used a steel frame to enhance the strength, the weight of the device could grow to 190-200 grams, making it significantly heavier.
Glass also requires a more robust adhesive base and sometimes additional layers to quench vibrations, which also contributes to the overall weight, although the glass sandwich remains a popular solution precisely because of its aesthetics and functionality, despite the added grams.
By comparison, the all-plastic cases that were found in the budget segment could reduce weight to 150-160 grams, but they lack the tactile coolness and visual depth that flagships appreciate.
Comparison of weights of different modifications
The Mi 8 lineup was not limited to one basic version, and different modifications could have differences in design that affected weight, the main difference being between the standard version and the transparent backrest version of the Explorer Edition.
The base model has a single back panel of matte or glossy glass, hidden from the user's eyes inside, so engineers could use standard solutions to accommodate antennas and components, and the weight here strictly corresponds to the declared 175 grams.
The Explorer Edition features a transparent back cover that shows the stylized interior elements. To ensure the strength of the transparent glass and create a depth effect, the back panel of this version may be slightly thicker, but the overall weight of the device remains almost identical to the standard, as the difference is compensated by minimal changes in other components.
There was also a version of the Lite (Mi 8 Lite), which was structurally different from the older brother, and had an aluminum back cover instead of a glass one, making it noticeably lighter, about 169 grams with similar screen sizes.
⚠️ Note: When buying a used device, pay attention to replaced parts. Installing non-original glass or an increased capacity battery can change the weight of the phone.
Below is a table showing the difference in weight between the different versions of the smartphone and their key features:
| Model | Weight (gram) | Case material | Screen diagonal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 8 | 175 | Glass/Aluminum | 6.21" |
| Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer | 177 | Glass (transparent) / Aluminum | 6.21" |
| Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite | 169 | aluminum | 6.26" |
| Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro | 177 | Glass/Aluminum | 6.21" |
Dimensions and ergonomics in the hand
Weight is just one side of the comfort equation. Equally important are the dimensions that determine how those 175 grams are distributed across the palm of your hand. The Xiaomi Mi 8 is 154.9 mm tall, 74.8 mm wide and 7.7 mm thick.
This 7.7mm thickness is modest for a device with a capacious battery, meaning that the smartphone is thin enough to slide easily into a jeans pocket without creating a distinctive “brick.” However, a thin body with heavy glass can create the illusion of greater fragility than it really is.
Ergonomics of the device is appreciated highly due to the rounded edges of the frame and 2.5D-The fingers do not rest on sharp corners, which allows you to hold the phone confidently even with one hand, despite the slipperiness of the glass. The distribution of mass is uniform: the top does not outweigh, which reduces the fatigue of the hand during prolonged use.
For people with a small palm, a width of almost 75 mm may seem limiting, in which case the weight of 175 grams is felt stronger, since the footprint is smaller, and using a cover with anti-slip coating in this case will not only protect against falls, but also improve control over the device.
Comparison with competitors of the time
To understand whether the Xiaomi Mi 8 weighs much or little, you need to compare it with direct competitors released in 2018.
For example, the Samsung Galaxy S9, which was the main rival in the market, weighed 155 grams. The difference of 20 grams seems small, but in the hand it is tangible. Samsung sacrificed battery capacity and screen size for lightness, while Xiaomi chose the path of maximum filling.
The Apple iPhone X, which has often been compared to the Mi 8 for its screen cutout and glass body, weighed 174 grams. Here we see a near-total coincidence, which suggests a common industry trend: glass and metal dictate their weight classes.
The OnePlus 6, another popular Chinese, weighed 177 grams and had a metal body. Despite the lack of wireless charging (which required glass), the OnePlus was even slightly heavier, underscoring the density of the interior.
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If you are switching from a lightweight plastic smartphone, the difference of 30-40 grams will be felt in the first days of use until the muscles of the hand adapt.
So the Xiaomi Mi 8 is in the middle of nowhere, not as light as some of the competitors’ ascorded versions, but it’s not a heavyweight like some gaming smartphones of the time, which could weigh as much as 200 grams.
The effect of accessories on the final mass
When we buy a smartphone, we rarely use it naked. Security accessories are a necessity that changes the weight performance. How much will the Xiaomi Mi 8 weigh in full body?
A standard protective glass adds about 5-8 grams. A tight silicone lining (TPU) adds about 20-30 grams. If you choose a hybrid case with reinforced angles or a leather bumper, the additive can be up to 40-50 grams.
As a result, a fully protected smartphone can weigh around 220-230 That's a lot of weight, comparable to today's giant flagships, and for some, it's a reasonable security charge, for others, it's an excuse to look for easier alternatives.
☑️ Choice of protection for Xiaomi Mi 8
In addition, the use of ring holders (pop sockets) or magnetic mounts for the car also contributes. Magnetic plate pasted on the case or case adds another 3-5 grams, which in combination with other elements becomes noticeable.
Internal layout and weight distribution
Look inside the device. The bulk of the Xiaomi Mi 8, as in any modern smartphone, is the battery. It has a capacity of 3400 mAh. Lithium polymer batteries are quite dense, and this unit is the heaviest individual component.
The motherboard, the Snapdragon 845 processor, the cooling system and the camera modules occupy the top of the body. Interestingly, the Mi 8 uses a two-part L-shaped battery, which allowed more efficient use of space and balance the center of gravity, shifting it closer to the center of the device, rather than to the bottom, as is the case with smartphones with a single battery.
The optically stabilized main camera module also has weight.The OIS mechanism requires moving elements and magnets, making the camera block heavier than in the non-stabilization models.This is another factor affecting how much the Xiaomi Mi 8 weighs at the top.
⚠️ Warning: Self-replacement of the battery or other components may disrupt the balancing of the device if non-original parts with different weights are used.
The vibrator system in the Mi 8 is also powerful enough to provide a pleasant tactile return, and takes a certain place in the weight balance, usually located in the lower or middle part of the body.
Practical advice on the use of
Given the weight and dimensions of the Xiaomi Mi 8, it is worth giving some recommendations for its use. Despite the strong glass, falls from a height to asphalt for a device weighing 175 grams can be fatal due to high inertia on impact.
It is recommended to use cases with raised sides. They not only protect the screen and camera from scratches, but also slightly increase the grip area, making holding a heavy glass smartphone more reliable.
The Myth of Glass Heaviness
If you use your smartphone upright frequently (social media, reading), try to change your hand or take breaks periodically to avoid the static strain in your wrist that can occur with prolonged holding of a device weighing almost 200 grams (with a case).
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The Xiaomi Mi 8 weighs 175 grams, which is the optimal balance for a device with a glass case and a capacious battery, providing premium sensations without excessive weight.