The choice between Xiaomi and Huawei in 2018 was relevant for millions of users, and today, 6 years later, these smartphones continue to attract attention in the market of used technology. In 2018, both brands released iconic models: Xiaomi Mi 8 with the revolutionary for the company fingerprint scanner under the screen and Huawei P20 Pro with three Leica cameras that set new standards for mobile photography.
In this article, we will analyze key aspects: performance, quality of shooting, autonomy and relevance of firmware in 2026, and focus on how these devices age: which components fail first, how difficult it is to find parts, and whether it is worth considering them for everyday use. If you are going to buy a used flagship of 2018, this guide will help to avoid errors.
Flagship models of 2018: a brief overview
In 2018, Xiaomi and Huawei unveiled their top-of-the-line smartphones, which are still remembered as benchmarks for their time.
- 📱 Xiaomi Mi 8: the first smartphone company with AMOLED-It was equipped with a screen and a fingerprint scanner under the display (in the Explorer Edition version). 845, 6 GB RAM and dual main camera (12+12 MP) with optical zoom.
- 📱 Huawei P20 Pro: a revolutionary model with a triple camera Leica (40+20+8 MP), Kirin processor 970 neurally-coprocessor NPU, battery-powered 4000 mAh - record for flagships of that time.
- 💰 Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S: It's an alternative flagship with a frameless design and a ceramic body, but no scanner under the screen. Used the same Snapdragon 845, but with an improved cooling system.
- 💰 Huawei Mate 20 Pro: Autumn flagship with curved OLED-screen, wireless charging support and even more powerful Kirin 980 processor (7 nm).
Interestingly, in 2018, Huawei was focusing on photography and autonomy, while Xiaomi focused on innovative design and hardware at an affordable price, and today this is reflected in the secondary market: the P20 Pro is often marketed as a “smartphone for photographers”, and the Mi 8 as a “good screen gaming machine”.
Performance: Snapdragon 845 vs Kirin 970/980
In 2018, the power balance in the mobile processor market was unambiguous: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 was considered the benchmark, and Huawei’s Kirin 970/980 was a decent alternative with unique chips.
| Parameter | Snapdragon 845 | Kirin 970 | Kirin 980 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technique | 10 nm | 10 nm | 7nm |
| CPU cores | 4×2.8 GHz + 4×1.7 GHz | 4×2.4 GHz + 4×1.8 GHz | 2×2.6 GHz + 2×1.92 GHz + 4×1.8 GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 630 | Mali-G72 MP12 | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| Support for 5G support | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| Relevance in 2026 | ✅ Good (many games in medium settings) | ⚠️ Medium (problems with heavy games) | ✅ Good (better optimized) |
In practice, in 2026, the difference between these processors is felt in the following scenarios:
- 🎮 Games: Snapdragon 845 better copes with the PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact on mid-sets, while the Kirin 970 can slow down in dynamic scenes.The Kirin 980 holds up at Snapdragon level but basks harder.
- 📸 Photo/video processing: Huawei wins here NPU (Neural coprocessor, which speeds up the camera and editors like Lightroom Mobile.
⚠️ Note: If you plan to use a smartphone for modern games, consider that the Kirin 970 is in Huawei P20 Pro may not pull new titles at high settings. for gaming, it is better to consider Xiaomi Mi 8 or Mi Mix 2S.
Cameras: Triple Leica vs Double Sony IMX
In 2018, the Huawei P20 Pro made a splash with a triple camera with a Sony IMX600 (40 MP) sensor and 3× optical zoom. Xiaomi Mi 8, in turn, used a proven pair of Sony IMX363 (12 MP) with large pixels of 1.4 microns. How do these cameras work today?
According to the results of the tests of 2026:
- 🌃 Night photography: P20 The Pro still delivers great results thanks to Huawei’s big sensor and algorithms.The Mi 8 loses in detail but handles noise better.
- 🔍 Zoom: 3× zoom P20 The Pro is still relevant, while the Mi 8 offers only 2.× Optical zoom (in the Explorer Edition version).
- 🎥 Video: Xiaomi is recording video in 4K@60fps, And Huawei, just 4K@30fps. Stabilization is better at Mi 8.
- 📸 Huawei Algorithms More Detach the Background, But Xiaomi Gives More Natural Skin Colors.
Critical: In 2026, the Huawei P20 Pro cameras are suffering from an aging sensor, with many instances showing a purple hue in bright light photos. It's a hardware problem and it's not software-treated.
How to check the camera before buying a used smartphone?
Screen and design: AMOLED vs LCD, frameless vs classics
In 2018, manufacturers experimented with the design: Xiaomi released the Mi Mix 2S with minimal bezels and a ceramic body, and Huawei placed a bet on gradient colors in the P20 Pro and a curved screen in the Mate 20 Pro.
| Model | Screen type | Permission | Frequency of update | Features of design |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 8 | AMOLED | 2248×1080 | 60 Hz | Under-screen fingerprint scanner (Enquirer Edition only), glass case |
| Huawei P20 Pro | OLED | 2240×1080 | 60 Hz | Cut ("monobrov"), gradient color, IP67 |
| Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S | IPS LCD | 2160×1080 | 60 Hz | Ceramic case, frameless design, but with a lower "chin" |
Today. AMOLED-screens in Mi 8 and P20 Pros can suffer from pixel burnout (especially if the previous owner often used maximum brightness). 2S s LCD It's not a problem, but the colors are less saturated:
- 🔧 Replace the screen with Mi Mix 2S cheaper than P20 Pro (because of curved glass).
- 💧 Water Protection: Only Huawei P20 Pro is certified IP67 — This is a plus if you are often on the street.
- 👆 Ergonomics: Mi 8 is more compact P20 Pro, but the latter has a better balanced weight.
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Before buying a used smartphone with AMOLED-Turn on gray mode (in the engineering menu or through apps like Screen Test) to help identify burnt-out pixels that are not visible on the color background.
Autonomy and charging: what will live to the evening?
In 2018, Huawei P20 Pro set a new standard of autonomy among flagships thanks to the battery of 4000 mAh Xiaomi Mi 8 had a modest 3400 mAh, but compensated for this with fast charging Quick Charge 4.0+.
According to the results of the tests of 2026:
- 🔋 Huawei P20 Pro: moderate use (social networks, instant messengers, calls) lasts 1.5-2 days, but many instances suffer from battery degradation - the real capacity often drops to 70-80% of the original capacity.
- ⚡ Xiaomi Mi 8: When used actively (games, videos) discharges in 6-8 hours, but supports fast charging of 18 watts, which compensates for the lower capacity.
- 🔄 Battery replacement: B P20 Pro battery soldered, and its replacement costs 2-3 times more expensive than in the Mi 8 (where the battery is on the connector).
⚠️ Note: If you are buying Huawei P20 Pro with root access or custom firmware, check battery status through the AccuBattery app. Many sellers reset the charging cycle meter, but the real capacity can't be hidden.
Fun fact: Xiaomi Mi 8 can still be charged from modern USB Power Delivery power supplies, whereas Huawei P20 Pro requires an original charger for full charging speed.
Find out the date of production of the battery (on the sticker)
Check the real capacity through AccuBattery
Estimate the discharge rate in simple (should be <1% per hour)
Make sure your phone doesn’t turn off at 10-15% charge-->
Programmatic support: MIUI vs EMUI in 2026
One of the most painful issues when buying a used smartphone is the relevance of firmware. In 2026, both Xiaomi and Huawei officially stopped supporting their 2018 flagships, but the situation with custom firmware and security is different.
Compare the current state of the software:
- 🤖 Xiaomi Mi 8/Mi Mix 2S: The latest official version MIUI 12.5 (Android 11). There are unofficial ports of LineageOS 20 (Android 13). Support for Google Mobile Services (GMS) preserved.
- 🤖 Huawei P20 Pro/Mate 20 Pro: The latest official version EMUI 12 (Android 10). No custom firmware with GMS because of Huawei restrictions. Huawei Mobile Services (HMS), But many applications (like Google Maps) require workarounds.
Huawei’s key problem in 2026 is that the lack of Google services makes it unusable for everyday use in most countries. Even if you install GMS via workarounds, many banking apps and games will fail.
For Xiaomi, the situation is better: custom firmware allows you to upgrade to the current Android 13, and GMS support is saved.
- 🔒 Security: Lack of security updates makes your smartphone vulnerable to new threats, not recommended for financial data.
- 🎮 Many modern games (such as Honor of Kings or Diablo Immortal) require Android 11.+ and may not be running on a stock firmware.
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If you care about access to Google services and relevant applications, the Xiaomi Mi 8 is the only meaningful choice among the flagships of 2018. Huawei is only suitable for secondary tasks or enthusiasts of custom firmware.
Prices on the secondary market in 2026
The cost of used flagships in 2018 varies depending on the condition, configuration and region. Below are the approximate prices for the CIS market (according to Avito, OLX and Yula for May 2026):
| Model | "Like new" state | Good condition. | Satisfactory | What affects the price? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 8 | 12 000 – 15 000 ₽ | 8 000 – 11 000 ₽ | 5 000 – 7 000 ₽ | Box availability, fingerprint scanner (in Explorer Edition), battery status |
| Huawei P20 Pro | 15 000 – 18 000 ₽ | 10 000 – 13 000 ₽ | 6 000 – 9 000 ₽ | Operating capacity of all cameras, no screen burnout, charging |
| Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S | 10 000 – 13 000 ₽ | 7 000 – 9 000 ₽ | 4 000 – 6 000 ₽ | Integrity of the ceramic case, state of the speakers (a frequent problem is a quiet sound) |
What to look for when buying:
- 🛠️ Repair history: Ask if the battery, screen or cameras have been replaced. - Huawei P20 Pro common problem – non-original camera modules that give worse shooting quality.
- 🔋 Battery: The best option is if the capacity is not less than 85% of the original. In Xiaomi Mi 8, the battery is easier and cheaper to replace.
- 📦 Complete: Having original charging is important for Huawei (fast charging only works with native PCs).
⚠️ Attention: There are many Huaweis in the market P20 Pro with "service" batteries that actually have a capacity of 2500-3000 mAh instead of the declared 4000 mAh. Check the real capacity through AccuBattery or similar applications.