Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
Mediatek Helio G90T
Today, we're going to analyze 10 smartphones that outperform the Redmi Note 8 Pro in key ways, from budget-friendly new products to the flagships of the past at an affordable price, and focus on gaming performance, photo quality and battery life, which are the aspects that most often disappoint owners of the old model, and also consider what to look for when choosing to not overpay for unnecessary features.
Spoiler: If you want a phone strictly for gaming, look at the POCO F5 with Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2. For photos, the Samsung Galaxy A54 with Sony optics is better. And for those who want maximum autonomy, consider the Motorola Moto G84 with a Snapdragon 695 chip and a 5,000 mAh battery.
1.Why is the Redmi Note 8 Pro obsolete in 2026?
Even though the Redmi Note 8 Pro is still available for sale (sometimes priced below 10,000 rubles), its specifications are no longer up to date.
- 🔋 Outdated processor: Helio G90T (12 nm) loses even budget Snapdragon 6xx 2023 on energy efficiency and performance in games, like Genshin Impact on mid-size settings. FPS drops below 30.
- 📸 Weak camera optimization: Samsung's 64MP sensor GW1 It produces noisy low-light images, and Xiaomi’s 2019 processing algorithms are inferior to modern Google Camera or Samsung Expert. RAW.
- 🔄 No updates: after release MIUI 12.5 Support for the model has stopped.This means security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues with new applications (for example, WhatsAppsoon will stop working on Android 10).
- 🔌 Slow charging: 18W today is very little.In comparison, even the budget Realme Narzo 60 supports 33W.
Also, Redmi Note 8 Pro doesn't support 5G, What could be a problem already in 2026 The year when operators will start to shut down networks 3G. And the resolution display. 2340×1080 frequency 60 Hz looks dull against the backdrop of modern AMOLED-screen 90/120 Hz.
⚠️ Warning: If you plan to use the phone for longer than 1-2 years, buying a Redmi Note 8 Pro in 2026 is a risky investment. The battery is already worn out (even in new devices from warehouses), and the lack of updates makes it vulnerable to viruses.
2. TOP-5 Budgetary alternatives (up to the budget) 15 000 ₽)
If you want a phone that is cheaper than 15,000 rubles, but better than the Redmi Note 8 Pro in key terms, pay attention to these models. They all support 5G, have modern processors and current versions of Android.
| Model | Processor | Screen. | Battery | Price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POCO M6 Pro | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) | 6.79" AMOLED, 90 Hz. | 5000 mAh, 33 Wh | ~12 000 ₽ |
| Realme Narzo 60 | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7nm) | 6.43" AMOLED, 90 Hz. | 5000 mAh, 33 Wh | ~13 500 ₽ |
| Samsung Galaxy M14 | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) | 6.6" PLS LCD, 90 Hz | 6000 mAh, 15W | ~14 000 ₽ |
| Motorola Moto G32 | Snapdragon 680 (6 nm) | 6.5" AMOLED, 90 Hz. | 5000 mAh, 30 Wh | ~11 000 ₽ |
Best choice in this segment — POCO M6 Pro. It's equipped. AMOLED-display-mounted HDR10+, The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor, although budget, will cope with Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings (unlike Helio). G90T, And there's also stereo speakers here. NFC — What is not available in the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
The critical difference from the Redmi Note 8 Pro: all of these models will receive at least 2 major Android updates (to Android 15-16), while support for the old Xiaomi has long been discontinued.
3.The best phones for gaming: POCO F5 vs Redmi Note 12 Pro+
If you’re actively playing Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile or Diablo Immortal, the Redmi Note 8 Pro will not be able to cope with modern requirements.
- 🎮 POCO F5 (Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2) is the best choice in price/performance ratio. In the benchmark, AnTuTu is gaining ~800,000 points (against) ~250,000 for the Redmi Note 8 Pro. Supports 120Hz and has a liquid cooling system.
- 🔥 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (Mediatek Dimensity 1080 – alternative with 200-MP camera and OLED-In games, a little bit inferior. POCO F5, but wins in autonomy (battery 5000 mAh vs 4820 mAh).
For clarity, compare FPS in popular games:
| Game/Settings | Redmi Note 8 Pro | POCO F5 | Redmi Note 12 Pro+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genshin Impact (Mediocre) | ~25 FPS (lags) | ~55 FPS (stable) | ~45 FPS |
| PUBG Mobile (HDR + Ultra) | ~30 FPS (overheating) | ~60 FPS | ~50 FPS |
| Call of Duty Mobile (Max) | ~40 FPS | ~90 FPS | ~70 FPS |
Both phones support 5G, have NFC and fast charging (67 watts for the POCO F5, 120 watts for the Redmi Note 12 Pro+).However, the POCO F5 has an important advantage - stereo speakers with support for Dolby Atmos, which is critical for immersive gameplay.
⚠️ Note: When buying Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Check the firmware version. Some of the batches are sold with Chinese. MIUI, It doesn't have Google Services, and it makes the phone virtually useless to most users.
Make sure you support 120Hz in games (not all models include this option)
Check for liquid cooling (otherwise it will be trottling)
Pay attention to the capacity of the battery (less than 4500 mAh - risk)
Watch the test of a specific game on YouTube (FPS might be very different)-->
4.Best cameras: Samsung Galaxy A54 vs Google Pixel 6a
If you prioritize the quality of photos and videos, the Redmi Note 8 Pro is losing even to budget models in 2023.The main problems of the old Xiaomi: weak detail at zoom, noisy shots in the dark and lack of video stabilization in 4K.
We compared the two best cameras in the up to 30,000 segment. ₽:
- 📷 Samsung Galaxy A54: Main camera: 50 MP, Sony. IMX766, OIS Ultrashire: 12 MP, 123° Macro: 5 MP Video: 4K@30fps hybridized
- 📸 Google Pixel 6a: Main camera: 12.2 MP, Sony. IMX363 (But with the best software: 12 MP, 114° Video: 4K@60fps, Cinematic Pan
According to the DXOMARK test results:
The Galaxy A54 scored 121 points (color and detail are better).
Pixel 6a scores 118, but wins in night photography and portrait processing thanks to Google’s HDR+ algorithms.
Examples of differences:
In low light conditions, the Pixel 6a retains more detail in the shadows.
The Galaxy A54 is better at color saturation (ideal for Instagram bloggers).
Both phones support optical stabilization, which the Redmi Note 8 Pro does not.
How to check the camera before buying?
5. Maximum Autonomousity: Motorola Moto G84 vs Redmi Note 12
If you want a phone that lasts 2-3 days without recharging, look for models with a battery of 5000 mAh and energy-efficient processors.
- 🔋 Motorola Moto G84: Processor: Snapdragon 695 (6 nm, very economical) Battery: 5000 mAh + 30 W Charging Screen: pOLED, 120 Hz (adaptive frequency) Autonomy: up to 120 hours in standby mode
- ⚡ Redmi Note 12: Processor: Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) Battery: 5000 mAh + 33W charging Screen: AMOLED, 120 Hz Autonomy: up to 90 hours (because of the MIUI)
The Moto G84 benefits from a clean Android 13 with no encumbering software (unlike MIUI, which eats up to 15% of the charge in the background).Motorola also has a unique TurboPower feature that charges the battery by 50% in 15 minutes.
An important nuance: if you often use mobile Internet, choose a model with 5G support (the Moto G84 has it, the base Redmi Note 12 does not).
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To extend the battery life, turn off adaptive brightness and set a charge limit of 80% in the settings (path: Settings → Battery → Battery Mode).
6.Premium alternatives: flagships of past years at the price of Redmi
If you are willing to spend 20,000-25,000 ₽, You can buy the flagship of 2021-2022, which will surpass the Redmi Note 8 Pro in all respects:
- 🏆 Xiaomi 11T (Snapdragon 888: Screen: 6.67" AMOLED, 120Hz, Dolby Vision Camera: 108MP (main) + 8 MP (ultrashifter) + 5 MP (telephoto) Battery: 5000 mAh, 120 W charging (0-100% in 17 minutes!)
- 💎 OnePlus Nord 2T (Mediatek Dimensity 1300: Screen: 6.43" AMOLED, 90 Hz, HDR10+ Camera: 50MP (Sony) IMX766) + 8 MP (ultrashifter) + 2 MP (mono) Battery: 4500 mAh, 80 W charging
The main advantage of these phones is the flagship performance at half the price. 11T AnTuTu dials ~700,000 points (2.5 times more than the Redmi Note 8 Pro) AMOLED-The display supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ — perfect for watching movies.
The downside is the lack of official support (updates are over), but forums (for example, 4PDA) have custom firmware with Android 13-14.
⚠️ Warning: When buying used flagships, be sure to check the battery status through the engineering menu (#4636##).If the battery health value is below 80%, the battery will soon have to be changed (cost ~3 000 ₽).
7. Which is better: a new budgetary or a used flagship?
This question worries many who want to save money but get the most out of it, so let's compare the pros and cons of both options:
| Criteria | New budget smartphone (10-15 thousand. ₽) | B/u flagship (15-25 thousand. ₽) |
|---|---|---|
| Productivity | Medium (suitable for social networks and easy games) | High (flagship chipset 2021-2022) |
| Camera. | Medium (budget sensors, weak software) | Excellent (flagship modules, advanced processing) |
| Autonomy | Good (5,000 mAh + economical processor) | Medium (battery worn out but fast charging) |
| Updates | There will be 2-3 years of support | No (official support is over) |
| Guarantee | Aye (12-24 months) | No (risk of hidden defects) |
Our verdict:
If you need a reliable phone for 3-4 years, take a new budget phone (for example, POCO M6 Pro or Realme Narzo 60).
If you want maximum performance here and now (for example, for games or video shooting), you can consider a used flagship, but only from a trusted seller with a check.
The best trade-off is buying a refurbished phone (like a Back Market or Avito Confidential Shopping) that is diagnostic, 12-month warranty, and 20 to 30 percent cheaper than a new one.
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The used flagship is profitable only if you are sure of its condition. Before buying, be sure to check: IMEI (on the site imei.info), battery status, operation of all cameras and sensors (gyroscope, compass).