What processor is in Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro: a full analysis of the Snapdragon 845 and its capabilities

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro, launched in 2018, is still a subject of interest among brand enthusiasts and collectors. Its heart is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, the top-end chip of its time that set the standards for performance for Android devices. But is it relevant today, 6 years later? And what does its characteristics look like against the background of modern budget and mid-budget chips?

In this article, we will take a closer look at the Snapdragon 845 architecture, analyze its performance in benchmarks and real-world tasks, compare it to competitors (including current chips from 2023-2026), and answer the question: should you buy the Mi 8 Pro in 2026 from the point of view of hardware, learn how to verify the processor for authenticity, what problems can occur with cooling and how to optimize the chip to extend the life of the smartphone.

If you own or plan to buy the Mi 8 Pro, this article will help you understand the nuances of its “stuffing” and make an informed decision. For those who are fond of retro technology, we have prepared a comparison with the flagships of previous years – from the Snapdragon 835 to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

Specifications Snapdragon 845 in Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro

Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (SDM845) — It's an 8-core processor built on a 10-nm processor (an improved version of Samsung's FinFET), and it was Qualcomm's first chip to support the technology. LPDDR4X memory UFS 2.1 drives, which significantly accelerated the work with data. In the Mi 8 Pro, the processor is paired with the Adreno 630, a graphics accelerator that at the time of release was considered one of the most powerful in the mobile segment.

Key features of the chip:

• 🔹 Central processing unit (CPU): 4 Kryo core 385 Gold (up) 2.8 GHz) + 4 Kryo core 385 Silver (up to) 1.8 GHz, architecture ARM Cortex-A75/A55.
• 🎮 Graphics processor (GPU): Adreno 630 with OpenGL support ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.1 and hardware acceleration H.265 (HEVC).
• 📡 Modem: Snapdragon X20 LTE (before 1.2 Gbps for download, support 4×4 MIMO).
• 🤖 Artificial Intelligence: Hexagon 685 DSP with TensorFlow support and Caffe2.
• 🔋 Energy efficiency: process technology 10nm LPP (Low Power Plus by Samsung.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro chip works with 6 or 8 GB of RAM (depending on the modification) and 128 GB of internal memory (without support for microSD cards).It is important to note that this smartphone uses a liquid cooling system – a rare solution for 2018, which helped to cope with overheating under prolonged loads.

⚠️ Warning: Some Mi 8 Pro batches have had heatpaste issues between the processor and the cooling system.If your smartphone is too warm even under moderate loads, you may need to remix the chip.

Performance in benchmarks and real-world tasks

At the time of the release of the Snapdragon 845 showed record results in synthetic tests. For example, in AnTuTu 7 smartphones based on it scored 270-300 thousand points, which is 30-40% higher than its predecessor (Snapdragon 835).

The current results of Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro in 2026:

In real-world applications, the Snapdragon 845 still handles:

• 🎮 Medium-heavy games (PUBG Mobile on settings HDR + Ultra, Call of Duty: Mobile at Maximum).
• 📸 Photo processing in Lightroom Mobile or Snapseed (with delays in export) RAW).
• 🎥 Video editing in CapCut or KineMaster (up to) 1080p).
• 🤖 Running neural networks (for example, Stable Diffusion through the ONNX Runtime – but with limitations).

However, in heavy games (Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail) or in multitasking (e.g. streaming) + messengers + The navigator starts trottling, which is to reduce the frequency because of overheating, and it's like jerking and falling. FPS.

Comparison with modern processors (2023–2026)

In 6 years, mobile chips have come a long way, and even the budget processors of 2026 are overtaking the Snapdragon 845 in performance and energy efficiency, and for the sake of clarity, compare it to the current chips:

Critical difference: Snapdragon 845 supportive 5G, Modern standards of Wi-Fi 6/6E It is not optimized for Android. 13+. This means that even when upgrading the firmware to MIUI 14 (If you have one for your model, you will not be fully compatible with the new OS features.

Where the Snapdragon 845 can still compete:

• 💰 Price: Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro in 2026 is 3-5 times cheaper than smartphones on Snapdragon 7 Gen 1.
• 🔧 Repairability: Replacing a battery, screen or camera is cheaper than modern flagships.
• 🎮 Game potential: for emulators (PPSSPP, Dolphin - its performance is enough with a margin.

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If you buy the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro for gaming, be sure to check the battery status – a worn-out battery will lead to even more aggressive trottling due to power restrictions.

How to check the processor for authenticity and performance

In the market of used technology, it is not uncommon to find Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro with replaced processors (for example, on cheap Snapdragon 660 or fake Snapdragon 845 from China).

Install the app CPU-Z or AIDA64|Compare the name of the processor in Settings → About the phone and in the diagnostic software|Check the results in AnTuTu – they must meet the benchmark for SDM845|Examine the motherboard (when disassembling) for the presence of soldered elements|Run a stress test (for example, 3DMark in cycles – counterfeit chips overheat in 2-3 minutes-->

Pay attention to the following signs of counterfeiting:

• 🔍 V CPU-Z not-reflect MSM8998 (The code name is Snapdragon 845, and another designation is.
• 📉 Geekbench scores below 650 in single-core.
• 🔥 The temperature of the processor under load exceeds 85°C (norm for original - 70-78)°C).
• 🔋 Battery life is less than 3 hours when used actively (even on a worn-out battery, the original chip should hold a minimum of 3.5 hours).

If you suspect that the processor has been replaced, you can use the Xiaomi Authenticity Check service (available at official service centers). IMEI via ##4636## - Data mismatch may indicate a firmware overflash or hardware replacement».

⚠️ Attention: In some cases, scammers are stitching smartphones based on Snapdragon 660/675 under- 8 Pro, changing only the shell. These devices give you a lack of support. 4K@60fps Video and low performance in games.

Optimization of the processor: how to extend the life of the smartphone

Even with the Snapdragon 845 becoming obsolete, you can make the most of it if you follow a few guidelines.

Heating control:

• 🧊 Use the Game Turbo (built-in) MIUI FOR LIMITIZATION FPS In games up to 40-45 frames, this will reduce the load on the game. GPU.
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly and remove background processes through Settings → Annexes → Cleanup.
• 🔋 Turn off Fast Charging (in Settings) → Battery, if you play heavy games, it will reduce heat generation.

2. Software tweaks:

• 🛠️ Install Kernel Adiutor (root required) and reduce the maximum core frequency to 2.4 GHz – this will prolong the life of the chip.
• 📱 Enable Performance Mode in Settings → Additionally. → Performance mode (not available on all firmware).
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest available version MIUI (for example, MIUI 12.5 Enhanced) – newer versions better optimized trottling.

Hardware improvements:

• 🔧 Replace the thermopaste with a liquid metal (such as Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut) – this will reduce the temperature by 5-10°C.
• 🔋 Install a new battery (original) BL-41 or analogue from Patona) - worn-out battery forcing trottling.
• 📡 Use 5GHz Wi-Fi instead of Wi-Fi 4G — modem X20 LTE It warms up more when mobile Internet.

Frequent Processor Problems and Solutions

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro with the Snapdragon 845 is not without the typical age-related “diseases” of the chip, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

1. Overheating and trottling:

• 🔥 Symptoms: A sharp drop FPS in games, lags when recording video 4K, temperature°C.
• 🔧 Solution: Clean the vents (they are in the bottom of the case). Turn off background activity for applications in Settings → Battery → Optimize: Install Coolify (root required) to enforce temperature restriction.

Hangings and rebuttals:

• 🔄 Symptoms: The smartphone spontaneously reboots, especially when charging or playing games.
• 🔧 Solution: Check the error logs through AIDA64 (system → Logs, re-flash your smartphone on stock MIUI Replace the power capacitors on the motherboard (sweeping station required).

3. Low performance in games:

• 🎮 Symptoms: Games slow down even at minimal settings, GPU Utilization in GameBench is below 50%.
• 🔧 Solution: Update the drivers GPU via Qualcomm Graphics Driver (available on the XDA Disable VSync in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Use it 7 times. GFX Tools to force a reduction in render resolution (e.g., with 1080p before 720p).

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If your Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro started to “glutch” after the update MIUI, Try to roll back on the previous firmware version. Often the processor problems are related to nonoptimized software, not hardware».

Should you buy Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro in 2026?

The answer depends on your goals. Consider the pros and cons of buying this smartphone today:

✅ Pluses:

• 💰 Low price: In the secondary market, the device costs 5-8 thousand rubles (against 20-30,000 for new state employees).
• 🔧 Repairability: It is easy to find parts (screens, batteries, cameras) and repair craftsmen.
• 🎮 Gaming potential: For retro games, emulators and undemanding projects, performance is enough.
• 📸 Camera: Dual camera 12 MP + 12 MP (main) + Telephotos still give decent quality with good lighting.

❌ Cons:

• ⚡ Battery: Original battery (3000 mAh) by 2026 lost 30-50% of capacity.
• 📡 Network: No 5G, sluggishness 4G Compared to modern smartphones.
• 🔄 Updates: The latest official firmware — MIUI 12.5, security patches are outdated.
• 🔥 Heating: With prolonged loads, the temperature reaches 80-85°C, which causes discomfort.

Key takeaway: The Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro in 2026 is only suitable for secondary tasks – a spare phone, a device for playing on medium settings or experimenting with custom firmware. If you need a smartphone for everyday use, it is better to consider models on the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 or Dimensity 9000.

Alternatives to the Mi 8 Pro in the secondary market:

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Xiaomi Mi processor 8 Pro