Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: the official release date and what you need to know about the debut of the smartphone

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

MediaTek Helio G90T

Qualcomm Snapdragon

Redmi Note

Many users still confuse the Redmi Note 8 Pro with the base version of the Redmi Note 8, although there is a gap between them not only in performance, but also in the announcement dates. In this article, we will analyze the chronology of events from the first leaks to the start of sales in different regions, and also reveal little-known facts about the debut firmware and features of the first edition of devices.

Spoiler: If you're planning on buying the Redmi Note 8 Pro today, consider that the model has been discontinued for a long time, but its relevance is maintained thanks to a vibrant community of custom firmware developers.

Redmi Note 8 Pro release date: chronology of events

The official announcement of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro took place on August 29, 2019, as part of the presentation in China, but it was only a prelude to the global release: the launch in the home country began on September 3, 2019, and the international debut lasted until the end of the month.

📅 China: 29.08.2019 — announcement, 03.09.2019 — start of sales.

📅 India: 21.10.2019 – local announcement, 23.10.2019 – sales.

📅 Europe/Russia: November 2019 – First Official Deliveries.

Fun fact: The Redmi Note 8 Pro was the first Xiaomi smartphone to debut a MediaTek processor in the Note line, a decision driven by the company’s desire to diversify chipset suppliers and reduce reliance on Qualcomm. However, the move has drawn criticism from the company’s historical problems with optimizing MediaTek processors in the brand’s past models.

The first batch of smartphones went on sale with the firmware MIUI 10.3.1.0 based on Android 9 Pie. This caused confusion among some users, since by that time there was already Android 10, and competitors (for example, Realme 5 Pro) offered more recent versions of the OS “out of the box”.

What is the difference between the debut Redmi Note 8 Pro and subsequent revisions?

The first Redmi Note 8 Pros, which rolled off the assembly line in September 2019, had several key differences from later installments.

• 🔋 Battery: early versions used batteries from the manufacturer ATL (Amperex Technology Limited), while Xiaomi later switched to elements from Sunwoda, which affected durability and degradation rate.
• 📱 Screen: the first batches were equipped with Samsung panels AMOLED (despite marketing claims about IPS), The company later standardized the supply of displays from BOE.
• 🔊 Speakers: in the debut version, a defect with a “wheeze” at maximum volume was noticed, eliminated in revisions after November 2019.
• 📦 Set: in the boxes of the first batches there was no silicone case, which appeared only in 2020.

In addition, early firmware suffered from gyroscope bugs (especially in games like PUBG Mobile) and NFC malfunctions in some regions, which were fixed in MIUI 11 updates released in December 2019.

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If you are buying a used Redmi Note 8 Pro, check the production date by serial number (the first two digits after "SN" are the year and month).

Redmi Note 8 Pro vs Redmi Note 8 vs Redmi Note 9 Pro

Many people mistakenly believe that the Redmi Note 8 Pro and the base model of the Redmi Note 8 came out simultaneously, in fact, almost two months have passed between their releases!

Interestingly, the Redmi Note 8, despite the later release, used a Qualcomm processor, which emphasized Xiaomi’s strategy for audience segmentation: the Helio G90T was positioned as a “gaming” chipset for the Pro version, while the Snapdragon 665 – as a balanced solution for everyday tasks.

Another nuance: the Redmi Note 8 Pro was the last model in the lineup to support the IR Blaster port, which was removed from the Redmi Note 9 Pro, causing discontent among users who used the smartphone as a remote for technology.

Why is the Redmi Note 8 Pro release date controversial?

Redmi Note 8 Pro was accompanied by several scandals related to dates and characteristics:

1. While the smartphone was launched in China in September, European and Indian users waited until November or December, leading some enthusiasts to order the device through gray channels from Asia, at the risk of receiving maladapted firmware.
2. Conflict with MediaTek.The first benchmarks showed the Helio G90T losing out on the Snapdragon 730G in energy efficiency, prompting criticism that Xiaomi later admitted that optimizing the software for the new chipset took longer than planned.
3. Camera issues: Early reviews noted that the Samsung GW1 64-megapixel sensor was not stable in low light conditions, and only patches came with the MIUI 11.0.4.0 update in January 2020.

The most scandal erupted around the declared support 900 MHz in the range 4G (Bands 38/40/41). It turned out that in the first batches of the module LTE limited 800 MHz, which slowed the Internet speed in densely populated areas. Xiaomi promptly issued a patch, but the reputational damage had already been done.

How did the release date affect price and availability?

At the time of the release of the Redmi Note 8 Pro was positioned as a “killer flagships” with a price tag of 17,000 rubles (for the version 6/64 GB). However, six months later, by March 2020, the cost fell by 20-25% due to the release of the Redmi Note 9 Pro.

• 🇨🇳 China (September) 2019): 1399 renminbi (~13 000 ruble 6/64 GB.
• 🇮🇳 India (October) 2019): 14 999 rupees (~15 500 ruble 6/128 GB.
• 🇷🇺 Russia (November) 2019): 16 990 rub 6/64 GB, 19 990 rub 8/128 GB.
• 🇪🇺 Europe (December 2019): EUR 229–249 depending on configuration.

A key factor affecting the price has been the trade wars between the US and China, with Xiaomi facing increased tariffs on electronics exports in 2019, forcing the company to rethink logistics, for example, smartphones for the European market first shipped through Hong Kong and later directly from factories in India.

Today (2026) Redmi Note 8 Pro in the secondary market can be found at a price of 8 000 to 12 000 rubles, but is it worth buying?

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Redmi Note 8 Pro became the first Xiaomi smartphone with a 64-megapixel camera and a MediaTek chipset in the Note line, which determined the trends of the brand for the next 2 years.

Is the Redmi Note 8 Pro coming in 2026?

It’s been almost 5 years since the release, but the Redmi Note 8 Pro is still in demand due to several factors:

⚠️ Note: If you plan to use your smartphone for modern games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile), consider that Helio is a mobile phone. G90T They're not pulling them at high settings anymore. FPS 30–40.

🔹 Pros of buying in 2026:

• 💰 Low price on the used market (2-3 times cheaper than new state employees).
• 🔧 Active support for custom firmware (for example, LineageOS 20 or Pixel Experience).
• 📸 64 MP camera still competes with new budget employees in daytime conditions.
• 🔋 Removable battery (despite the adhesive mounting, it can be replaced without specialized equipment).

🔸 Cons:

• ❌ Lack of security updates (last patch from Xiaomi came out in 2022).
• ❌ Problems with 5G — The smartphone only supports 4G, What could be a limitation in the coming years.
• ❌ MicroUSB connector (instead of old) USB-C).

Who is the Redmi Note 8 Pro for today?

• 🎮 Gamers on a budget (for lightweight games like Brawl Stars or Free Fire).
• 📷 Amateur photographers who are interested in a physical 64 MP sensor.
• 🛠️ Custom software enthusiasts ready to stitch alternative OS.

Where to buy the original Redmi Note 8 Pro in 2026?

Since the model was discontinued long ago, there are no official channels of purchase, but there are proven sites for finding used devices:

• 🛒 Avito/Yula: price 7 000 before 12 000 RUB, but the risk of running into a "gray" import with unadapted firmware is high.
• 🌍 AliExpress: new (unpacked) copies are still found in Chinese sellers, but the price can reach 15 000 rubles.
• 🔧 Service centers: sometimes sell refurbished appliances with a warranty (for example, after changing the screen or battery).
• 🤝 Thematic groups in Telegram: for example, @xiaomi_ru or @redminote_fans, Where enthusiasts sell proven devices.

⚠️ Note: When buying from hand, be sure to check IMEI The Redmi Note 8 Pro has had two revisions of the motherboard (with the help of the service imei.info). IMEI, starting at 86 and 35), and some copies may have been assembled from non-original components.

If you are looking for a new smartphone with similar specs, consider modern analogues:

• Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (120 Hz AMOLED, 200 MP camera, but without IR-port).
• POCO X5 Pro (Snapdragon 778G, 108 MP camera, 5G support)
• Realme 10 Pro+ (120 Hz screen, 108 MP camera, quick charging 67W)

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note release date 8 Pro