How much weighs Xiaomi Mi8: a full analysis of all modifications and comparison with competitors

Introduction: Why Smartphone Weight Is Important

Choosing a smartphone is always a trade-off between specs, design and usability. One of the key parameters that is often overlooked when buying is the weight of the device, while it determines how comfortable it will be to lie in your hand, whether your wrist will tire with prolonged use, and even how quickly you forget about the phone in your pocket.

The Xiaomi Mi8, launched in 2018, has become one of the company’s flagships, combining powerful hardware and premium design. But how heavy is it compared to modern devices? In this article, we will not only answer the question “how much weighs Xiaomi Mi8”, but also analyze how this parameter affects everyday use, compare with competitors and give advice on choice.

If you're planning on buying a used model or just interested in technical details, this information will help avoid disappointment, for example, many users complain that heavy smartphones fall out of hand or leave marks on their jeans. Let's see if the Mi8 falls into this category.

The official weight of Xiaomi Mi8: data from the manufacturer

According to the technical specification provided by Xiaomi, the standard version of the Mi8 weighs 175 grams, which is relevant for the base model with a glass case and an aluminum frame, but there are modifications to the smartphone, the weight of which may vary slightly:

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi8 Standard Edition - 175g (classic version)
• 🔋 Xiaomi Mi8 SE — 164g (compact version with smaller screen)
• 💎 Xiaomi Mi8 Explorer Edition – 177g (premium version with transparent back panel)
• 📶 Xiaomi Mi8 Pro – 177g (version with improved camera and screen)

The difference in weight is not only due to the dimensions, but also to the materials of the case. For example, the Explorer Edition has an additional layer of glass to create a "transparency" effect, which adds a few grams. It is important to note that the weight is indicated without taking into account the protective film, cover or SIM card, in real conditions it can increase by 10-20 grams.

By comparison, today’s flagships, such as the iPhone 15 Pro Max (221g) or Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (234g), are significantly heavier, making the Mi8 pretty light even by today’s standards, despite its metal body.

Comparison of weight Xiaomi Mi8 with competitors 2018-2019

To give an objective estimate of how heavy (or light) the Mi8 is, compare it to other flagships of the same period.

As you can see from the table, the Xiaomi Mi8 is in the “golden middle” – it is lighter than the Samsung Galaxy S9+ and Huawei P20 Pro, but heavier than the iPhone X (although it has a larger screen). Interestingly, the OnePlus 6, which was positioned as “ultra-light flagship”, weighs almost the same – a difference of 2 grams is imperceptible in practice.

It’s important to consider that weight is distributed differently, for example, the iPhone X, because of its compact dimensions, seems lighter than the Mi8, although their weight is almost identical, due to the density of weight distribution: Xiaomi’s 3400 mAh battery occupies a significant part of the body, while Apple’s battery is smaller (2716 mAh).

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The Xiaomi Mi8 weighs as much as the iPhone X, but has a larger screen and battery, making it one of the most balanced flagships of 2018 in terms of weight and performance.

How weight affects the usability of Xiaomi Mi8

The weight of a smartphone directly affects several aspects of everyday use, and here are the key points to consider:

• 🤲 One-handed retention: at 175g weight Mi8 It does not cause extreme fatigue, but prolonged retention (such as while watching a video) can put a strain on the wrist.For comparison, smartphones weighing more than 200 g often require the use of two hands.
• 👖 Wearing in your pocket: a glass back panel combined with a weight of 175 g can lead to slipping out of your pocket, especially if it is shallow.
• 🔋 Balance: center of gravity y Mi8 It's shifted closer to the top because of the camera's position, which can create a sense of "overweight" when held.
• 🎮 Game experience: for gamers, the weight of 175 g is considered optimal - the phone does not "flew" from the hands with intense gestures, but also does not tire with long sessions.

The main complaints about the weight of the Mi8, according to users, are not so much its weight as the slippery body. Glass panels (front and rear) combined with a glossy frame make the device unstable in the hands, which is especially noticeable when used without a case.

⚠️ If you drop your phone frequently, for Xiaomi Mi8 A case with sidebars is required. Falling on the glass back almost always leads to cracks, and repairs cost 30-50% of the cost of the device.

To check the convenience, you can use a simple test: take in your hand any object weighing 170-180 g (for example, a small fruit or a pack of chewing gum) and try to hold it for 5-10 minutes. Mi8 You'll be fine.

How to reduce the “feeling” weight of Xiaomi Mi8: practical tips

Even if the weight of a smartphone is objectively small, it can be made even less noticeable in everyday use.

1. Use a thin case. Paradoxically, a high-quality case (such as polycarbonate) distributes weight more evenly, reducing the load on your fingers. Avoid heavy metal bumpers.
2. Customize gestures. MIUI has a Customization feature → Additional → Gestures, which allows you to control the phone with one hand. This reduces the need to intercept the device.
3. Calibrate the proximity sensor. If the screen goes out too slowly during a call, you have to hold the phone to your ear longer, which tires your hand. Check the settings in Settings → Screen → Sleep Mode.
4. Use a finger ring. Inexpensive metal or plastic rings that are glued to the back allow you to more reliably fix the smartphone and reduce the risk of falling.

Another useful life hack is to turn off the vibration when typing, and the vibromotor, although light, adds "feel" weight by constantly micro-oscillating, which is especially noticeable during long-term chat, and to turn off the vibration, go to Settings → Sound → Vibration when pressed.

Install a thin case with texture | Activate gestures for one hand | Calibrate the proximity sensor | Attach a finger ring | Turn off vibration when dialing-->

If you use your phone frequently in transport or on the go, consider a wrist belt, which not only prevents falls, but also distributes the load on your arm.

Xiaomi Mi8 vs. modern smartphones: what has changed in 5 years

Since the Mi8 was launched in 2018, the average weight of the flagships has increased by 20 to 30 percent, driven by several trends:

• 🔋 Increased battery capacity (from 3400 mAh to 4500-5000 mAh).
• 📸 Installation of multiple cameras and sensors (e.g. periscopic zoom).
• 🛡️ Use of stronger glass (e.g. Corning Gorilla Glass Victus).
• 🖥️ Increase in screen size (from 6.2" to 6.7-6.8").

For comparison, the weight of popular flagships of 2023-2026:

• Xiaomi 14 Pro – 223g (+48g to Mi8)
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – 232 g (+57 g)
• iPhone 15 Pro Max - 221 g (+46 g)
• OnePlus 12 - 225g (+50g)

The Xiaomi Mi8 is still competitive in weight, with the Google Pixel 8 (187 g) being 12g heavier, although it has a smaller battery (4575 mAh vs. 3400 mAh for the Mi8), proving that Xiaomi engineers have been able to strike a balance between performance and ergonomics.

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If you’re looking for a modern smartphone with a weight like the Mi8, look for the Xiaomi 13 Lite (171g) or Google Pixel 7a (193g).

Interestingly, some manufacturers are trying to bring back the lightness of flagships, such as the Asus Zenfone 10 (2023) weighs only 172 grams — almost like the Mi8, but equipped with a top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. This proves that weight does not always correlate with performance.

Myths about the weight of smartphones: what is true and what is not

There are many myths surrounding the weight of smartphones. Let's take a look at the most common ones.

• ❌ Myth 1: “The heavier the smartphone, the more reliable it is.” Reality: weight depends on materials and battery, not on strength. For example, the iPhone 12 (164 g) is stronger than many heavy Android smartphones thanks to an aluminum frame and ceramic coating.
• ❌ Myth 2: "Lightweight smartphones are always plastic." Reality: Xiaomi Mi8 It weighs 175 grams, but it has a glass case, and modern composite materials allow you to lose weight without losing premium.
• ❌ Myth 3: "Weight doesn't matter if you have a case." Reality: a case adds 10 to 30 grams, which can make a smartphone uncomfortable, Mi8 The bumper case already weighs ~200g as a modern flagship.
• ❌ Myth 4: "Heavy smartphones are better at holding their charge." Reality: battery weight doesn't affect battery capacity. Mi8 With a battery of 3400 mAh (175 g) loses in autonomy Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5,000 mAh (208 g), not because of weight, but because of software optimization.

Another common stereotype is that heavy smartphones are better at taking photos. In fact, the weight of the camera depends on the size of the sensor and stabilization, but not on the overall mass of the device. For example, the Mi8 with dual camera (12 + 12 MP) weighs less than the Huawei P20 Pro (40 MP), but that doesn’t make it worse.

⚠️ Note: if you see a smartphone weighing less than 150 g with a large screen and a powerful processor, it is most likely a fake. Current technology does not allow you to create such a device without sacrificing performance.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about the weight of Xiaomi Mi8

If you still have questions about the weight of the Xiaomi Mi8 or other models, we recommend that you consult the technical specifications at GSM Arena, which provides accurate data on all modifications.