The Xiaomi Redmi 8T, launched in 2019, is still a popular choice among budget devices due to its balanced performance and reliability. The centerpiece of its “stuffing” is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor, a mid-range chipset that combines energy efficiency and sufficient performance for most everyday tasks. But what exactly is it? How does this processor cope with modern games, multitasking, and why did its choice for the Redmi 8T become a good solution?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Snapdragon 665 architecture, its key features, compare it to competitors like MediaTek’s Helio G80, and analyze real-world performance tests. You’ll learn what the processor is capable of in 2026, whether to buy the Redmi 8T today, and how to evaluate its capabilities correctly when choosing between budget smartphones.
Specifications of the Snapdragon 665 in Xiaomi Redmi 8T
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor (codenamed SM6125) is built on Samsung’s 11nm LPP process technology, making it more energy efficient than previous generations’ 12nm and 14nm chips. It is the first chipset in the Snapdragon 600 line to receive the Kryo 260 cores, a modified version of the ARM Cortex-A73 and Cortex-A53 architecture with improved performance per clock.
The configuration of the kernels is as follows:
- 🔹 4 production cores Kryo 260 Gold (based on) Cortex-A73) clockwise.
- 🔹 4 energy efficient Kryo 260 Silver cores (based on the Cortex-A53) frequency up to 1.8 GHz.
- 🔹 Adreno 610 Graphics Accelerator with OpenGL Support ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.1 and video decoding hardware H.265 (HEVC).
- 🔹 Support for RAM LPDDR4X (up to 8 GB) and storage devices UFS 2.1 / eMMC 5.1.
It is important to note that in Redmi 8T processor works in pair with 4 GB of RAM (in the basic version) or 6 GB (in the modification of Redmi 8T Pro, which was not officially sold in Russia). the Adreno 610 graphics processor, although inferior to flagship solutions, but copes with most mobile games at medium settings. For example, in PUBG Mobile you can comfortably play on HD + Ultra graphics with a frame rate of 30–40 FPS.
Architecture and technology: why the Snapdragon 665 is more efficient than its predecessors
One of the key improvements to the Snapdragon 665 over the Snapdragon 660 (which stood for example in the Redmi Note 7) was the optimization of power consumption. Thanks to the transition to 11-nm process technology and the refined architecture of the Kryo 260, the chipset shows 15-20% better energy efficiency at a similar load, which means that the Redmi 8T holds the charge longer when used actively, especially in scenarios with frequent switching between applications.
Among other technological features:
- 📡 Snapdragon modem X12 LTE: Support for download speeds up to 600 Mbps (Cat. 12) and up to 150 Mbps (Cat. 13) means stable signal reception in real-world conditions, even under low coverage conditions.
- 🎮 Quick Charge 3.0 Technology: Redmi 8T complete with an 18-watt charger, the processor supports accelerated charging to 18W, which reduces the full cycle time to 1.5-2 hours.
- 📷 Double. ISP (Image Signal Processor: allows data from two cameras to be processed simultaneously (e.g., for bokeh or wide-angle shooting) without loss of performance.
- 🔒 Hardware support for encryption: built-in Qualcomm Secure Processing Unit (SPU) protects biometric data (fingerprint, facial recognition).
Support deserves special attention AI-Snapdragon 665 integrated processor Hexagon 686 DSP, It's the machine learning system that handles machine learning tasks, and it's used for example:
- 🤖 Optimizing photos in real time (improvement) HDR, noise-reducing).
- 🗣️ Voice recognition in apps (e.g. Google Assistant).
- 🎯 Predicting user behavior to save energy (e.g., turning off background processes).
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If your Redmi 8T is slowing down, try turning off unnecessary background processes in the settings: Settings → Apps → Auto-Run. This will reduce the load on the processor and increase battery life.
Comparison with competitors: Snapdragon 665 vs Helio G80 vs Kirin 710
To objectively assess the capabilities of the Snapdragon 665, compare it with the main competitors in the budget segment of 2019-2020: MediaTek Helio G80 (for example, in the Redmi Note 9) and Huawei Kirin 710 (in the Huawei P Smart 2019).
| Characteristics | Snapdragon 665 | Helio G80 | Kirin 710 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technique | 11nm | 12 nm | 12 nm |
| CPU(core) | 4×2.0 GHz + 4×1.8 GHz (Kryo 260) | 2×2.0 GHz + 6×1.8 GHz (Cortex-A75/A55) | 4×2.2 GHz + 4×1.7 GHz (Cortex-A73/A53) |
| WP (graphics) | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| Memory support | LPDDR4X, up to 8 GB | LPDDR4X, up to 8 GB | LPDDR3, up to 6 GB |
| Modem (LTE) | X12 (600/150 Mbps) | Helio G80 (300/150 Mbps) | Balong 5000 (300/150 Mbps) |
The table shows that the Snapdragon 665 beats the competition in process technology and energy efficiency, but is inferior to the Helio G80 in graphics performance (due to the weaker Adreno 610 compared to the Mali-G52).
- 📊 In AnTuTu 9, the Snapdragon 665 scores about 170-180 thousand points, while the Helio scores about 170-180 thousand points. G80 — 200-210 thousand (difference) ~15%).
- 🎮 In games (like Call of Duty Mobile), both chipsets have similar results: 40-50. FPS mid-set.
- 🔋 Snapdragon 665 leads in the test of autonomy (video playback) Redmi 8T It lasted 1 to 1.5 hours longer than the Helio smartphone. G80.
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The Snapdragon 665 is the best choice for those who value the balance between performance and battery life.If you want maximum graphics in games, look out for the Helio G80, but be prepared for a faster discharge.
Game performance: what settings will the Redmi 8T withstand
One of the most popular questions Redmi 8T owners have is: "Can I play on this smartphone in Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile or Free Fire?" The answer is yes, but with reservations. The Snapdragon 665 processor is not a gaming flagship, but thanks to the optimization of Adreno 610 drivers, it handles most projects at medium or low settings.
Here are the real test results in popular games (including 4 GB of RAM in the base version of Redmi 8T):
- 🎮 PUBG Mobile: HD + Ultra - 30-40 FPS (stable, no lags. When switched on HDR or extrame FPS possible inhibition.
- 🎮 Call of Duty Mobile: Medium settings – 45–55 FPS. On high - drawdowns to 20-30 FPS battle-fighting.
- 🎮 Genshin Impact: Low settings + 30 FPS — playable, but with rare friezes when loading the open world.
- 🎮 Free Fire: High settings + 60 FPS — no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no.
To improve the gaming experience, we recommend:
Close background applications before starting the game|Activate Performance Mode in Settings → Special facilities → Game mode|Turn off automatic brightness (fixed brightness reduces load)|Use a cooling stand for long sessions|Update graphics drivers through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system-->
It is important to consider that the Redmi 8T does not have active cooling, so for long gaming sessions (more than 30-40 minutes), trottling is possible, a forced decrease in the frequency of the processor due to overheating, in which case performance can fall by 10-15%.
What is trottling and how to avoid it?
Performance Tests: Benchmarks and Real Use
To objectively assess the capabilities of the Snapdragon 665 in Redmi 8T, we ran a series of tests in popular benchmarks and simulated real-world use cases. Results may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (MIUI or custom), but generally reflect typical device performance.
Results of synthetic tests:
- 📊 AnTuTu 9: 175,000–185,000 (compared to Snapdragon 730 scores) ~250 000).
- 📊 Geekbench 5 (Single-Core): 310-330 points.
- 📊 Geekbench 5 (Multi-Core): 1,300–1,400 points.
- 📊 3DMark (Sling Shot Extreme: 1,200-1,300 points (graphics).
In real-world applications, the Redmi 8T shows the following results:
- 📱 Multitasking: It simultaneously holds 8-10 apps (e.g. Telegram, Chrome, YouTube, Instagram) in memory.
- 📸 Photo/video processing: Snapseed app runs smoothly, rendering 4K-Video from Kinemaster takes ~2-3 minutes (compared to the Snapdragon 450, it would take 5-7 minutes).
- 🌐 Web surfing: Chrome opens up to 15-20 tabs without noticeable lags.
The Snapdragon 665 is particularly good at machine learning tasks, such as camera object recognition (Scene Detection AI mode) working almost instantly, and Google Assistant’s voice assistant responding to commands without delay.
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Snapdragon 665 is ideal for everyday tasks: social networks, photography, video in Full HD. For resource-intensive games or professional video editing, it is better to consider smartphones on Snapdragon 7xx or 8xx.
Optimization and Overclocking: Can Productivity Be Improved?
Although the Snapdragon 665 does not support official overclocking (unlike some MediaTek chipsets), there are several ways to optimize its performance in the Redmi 8T. It is important to understand that any manipulation of system settings can lead to loss of warranty or unstable device operation.
Safe methods to improve productivity:
- 🛠️ Firmware update: Xiaomi regularly releases updates to MIUI, which include processor optimizations. Check the current version in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
- 🧹 Cache Clearing: Once a month, clear the system application cache through Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning. This will free up 1-3 GB of memory and reduce the CPU load.
- ⚡ Activation of the performance mode: B MIUI There's a hidden option for you to force all the cores of the CPU. To turn it on: 1. Activate Developer Mode: 7 times click on Version MIUI In Settings → About the phone. 2. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers. 3. Find the option Fixed CPU performance and turn it on. ⚠️ Warning: This mode increases battery heat and consumption, and only use it when necessary (e.g. for gaming).
For advanced users (at your own risk):
- 🔧 Castom cores: Some developers are creating modified cores for the Snapdragon 665 that allow you to fine-tune the core frequencies and graphics accelerator. For example, the FrancoKernel core can improve performance by 5-10%, but requires unlocking the loader and installing a custom recaveria (TWRP).
- 📉 Undervoltage: Reduce the voltage at the cores of the processor to reduce heat and increase autonomy).
What is undervolting?
Frequent CPU Problems in Redmi 8T and Their Solutions
Despite the reliability of the Snapdragon 665, Redmi 8T owners sometimes face performance issues, most of which are solved by software methods, but in some cases, you may need to contact a service center.
Typical problems and ways to eliminate them:
- 🔥 Overheating and trottling: ⚠️ Note: if the processor temperature exceeds 80°C in simple tasks (e.g., watching a video), this may indicate a malfunction of the thermal paste or sensor. Don't ignore the problem - prolonged overheating reduces the life of the chipset. Solutions: Remove the case and clean the charging connector of dust (it can block the heat sink). Turn off application background synchronization in Settings → Accounts and syncs. Use the Coolify app to monitor temperature (does not require root).
- 🐢 Slowdown after update MIUI: Sometimes new versions MIUI They contain bugs that load the processor, for example, after upgrading to MIUI 12.5 Some users complained about lags when scrolling Solutions: Reset to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recover and Reset! – Reverse to the previous firmware version via Fastboot (instructions are available on the forum) 4PDA). Turn off animation in Settings → Special facilities → Remove animations.
- 🎮 Departures in games: If games close with an error (e.g., "App Stopped"), the problem may be in the Adreno 610 drivers Solutions: Update graphics drivers via Google Play Store (search for "Adreno Drivers"). Install GPU Turbo (if available for your model) Reduce the in-game graphics settings to Average.
If none of the methods worked, the cause may be a hardware malfunction (for example, detachment of the chipset from the board), in which case, contact the Xiaomi service center or a proven wizard, the cost of diagnosis is usually 500-1000 rubles.