Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is still one of the most talked-about smartphones in the budget segment, released in 2019. Despite its respectable age, the device is actively used due to balanced characteristics and affordable price in the secondary market.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the MediaTek Helio G90T chipset that underpins the Redmi Note 8 Pro: its architecture, technical parameters, comparison with Qualcomm analogues, as well as real gaming performance, multitasking and energy efficiency. We will focus on current issues: whether to buy this smartphone today, how to overclock it (or vice versa, limit it to save battery) and what alternatives to consider.
If you are planning to purchase the Redmi Note 8 Pro from hand or already own it, here you will find answers to all the technical nuances associated with the processor, including unique data on trottling and heating the chip under long loads (information is based on tests 2023-2026).
Technical characteristics of the MediaTek Helio G90T processor
The MediaTek Helio G90T chipset was announced in July 2019 and was MediaTek’s first Gaming Series processor for low-end and mid-range gaming smartphones, built on 12nm process technology (TSMC), which for its time was a tradeoff between performance and power consumption.
Key features of the Helio G90T:
- 🔹 Architecture: 2 cores Cortex-A76 (2.05 GHz) + 6 cores Cortex-A55 (2.0 GHz) in a big.LITTLE configuration.
- 🎮 Graphics: video accelerator Mali-G76 MC4 with a frequency of up to 800 MHz.
- 📱 Memory support: LPDDR4X (up to 10 GB) and storage UFS 2.1.
- 📡 Modem: 4G LTE Cat-12 (up to 600 Mbps per download) with Dual 4G VoLTE support.
- 🔋 Energy saving technologies: CorePilot and HyperEngine for optimization of gaming loads.
Importantly, the Helio G90T is a modified version of the standard Helio G90, featuring an increased clock speed graphics core (800 MHz vs. 720 MHz).It is this chipset used in the Redmi Note 8 Pro, while the base model of the Redmi Note 8 received Qualcomm Snapdragon 665.
Comparison with competitors: Snapdragon 665 vs Helio G90T
At the time of the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s release, the main competitor was the Redmi Note 8 on the Snapdragon 665.
| Parameter | MediaTek Helio G90T | Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 |
|---|---|---|
| Technique | 12 nm (TSMC) | 11nm (Samsung) |
| Central cores | 2×A76 (2.05 GHz) + 6×A55 (2.0 GHz) | 4×A73 (2.0 GHz) + 4×A53 (1.8 GHz) |
| Graphics | Mali-G76 MC4 (800 MHz) | Adreno 610 (600 MHz) |
| Performance in AnTuTu (2026) | ~220,000 points | ~170,000 points |
| Support for cameras | Up to 64 MP (single) or 24+16 MP (dual) | Up to 48 MP (single) or 16+16 MP (dual) |
The table shows that the Helio G90T outperforms the Snapdragon 665 in graphics performance and overall benchmark score, but loses in energy efficiency due to older process technology.This means that in games Redmi Note 8 Pro will show better results, but the battery will go down faster.
⚠️ Warning: In 2026, the performance difference between these chipsets became less noticeable due to software optimization. However, Helio G90T is still better suited for gamers, and the Snapdragon 665 is better suited for those who value battery life.
Game Performance: What Will the Helio G90T Take in 2026?
The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s main trump card is the ability to run modern games in medium settings, and here are the results of tests in popular projects (data is relevant for MIUI 14 and Android 12):
- 🎮 PUBG Mobile: ~40 FPS at the settings HD + Ultra (with noticeable heating after 30 minutes of play).
- 🎮 Call of Duty: Mobile: ~50 FPS on High (possible rare friezes in multiplayer matches).
- 🎮 Genshin Impact: ~25–30 FPS on Low (with antialiasing enabled, lags are inevitable).
- 🎮 Free Fire: ~60 FPS on Ultra (stable operation without trottling).
To improve the gaming experience, it is recommended:
Disable background applications through Settings → Applications → Autorun
Activate Game Turbo mode in the notification curtain
Set FPS limit to 45-50 to reduce heat
Use a cooler or play in a cool room-->
It's important to understand that the Helio G90T is prone to trottling, which is a kind of throttling phenomenon, and after 20 to 25 minutes of intense play, the core frequency can drop by 20 to 30 percent, leading to FPS drawdowns, especially in Genshin Impact and Honor of Kings.
What is trottling and how to avoid it?
Energy efficiency and heating: the weaknesses of the Helio G90T
The main complaint against MediaTek Helio G90T is increased heat generation, in tests under load, the temperature of the chip can reach 80-85 ° C, which leads to:
- ⚠️ Automatically reduce the brightness of the screen.
- ⚠️ Slowing down charging (if the device is connected to the network).
- ⚠️ Accelerated battery discharge (up to 15-20% per hour in gaming).
By comparison, the Snapdragon 665 heats up to 65-70°C under the same conditions, and energy consumption is 10-15% lower, making the Redmi Note 8 Pro less suitable for long sessions of gaming without recharging.
⚠️ Warning: If your Redmi Note 8 Pro heats up above 85°C in simple tasks (e.g., watching videos), this may indicate: Thermopaste wear (relevant for devices older than 3 years); Charging connector or port contamination (check for oxidation); background mining processes (installe antivirus, e.g., Malwarebytes).
💡
To reduce heat during everyday use, turn off unnecessary background processes through Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode and set a 60Hz limit for the screen (if your firmware supports this option).
Can I overclock or limit the processor?
Unlike a PC, overclocking a processor on a smartphone is impossible without deep firmware interference, but there are ways to optimize the performance of the Helio G90T:
To improve productivity:
- 🔧 Use custom cores (e.g. Perseus Kernel for Redmi Note 8 Pro).
- 🔧 Install Android-based firmware 13/14 (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS).
- 🔧 Activate Force GPU Rendering in the developer settings.
To reduce heat and save battery:
- ❄️ Limit background activity through Settings → Special features → Battery optimization.
- ❄️ Install Kernel Adiutor for manual core frequency control.
- ❄️ Turn off Adaptive Brightness and set a fixed value of 50-60%.
Warning: Changing the kernel or firmware settings may result in loss of warranty (if it is still valid) or device blink. Before experimenting, back up via TWRP Recovery.
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Custom firmware can improve Helio G90T performance by 10-15%, but requires unlocking the bootloader and carries risks. For most users, the best solution is a regular firmware with background processes disabled.
Relevance in 2026: Is it worth buying?
In 2026, the Redmi Note 8 Pro with the Helio G90T can be considered as follows:
Pros of buying:
- ✅ Low price in the secondary market (4-7 thousand rubles depending on the state).
- ✅ Good screen IPS 6.53" FHD+ with support for HDR10.
- ✅ 4500 mAh battery (with moderate use enough for a day).
- ✅ 64MP main camera (does well in daylight).
Cons and limitations:
- ❌ No support. 5G and modern Wi-Fi 6 standards.
- ❌ An outdated version of Bluetooth (5.0 without LE Audio support).
- ❌ Official updates to MIUI have been discontinued (the latest version is MIUI 14 based on Android 12).
- ❌ Heating and trottling at long loads.
Alternatives in the same price range:
- 📱 Redmi Note 10 Pro (Snapdragon 732G, better camera and screen AMOLED).
- 📱 POCO X3 Pro (Snapdragon 860, significantly more powerful, but with a worse camera).
- 📱 Realme 8 Pro (Snapdragon 720G, more energy efficient).
💡
If you want a smartphone that’s purely social, calling, and light gaming, the Redmi Note 8 Pro is still a good fit. For modern games or long-term use, consider the Snapdragon 7xx or Dimensity models.
Frequent Processor Problems and Solutions
Owners of the Redmi Note 8 Pro often face the following issues related to the Helio G90T:
1. Heavy unloaded heating
Cause: background processes or damaged thermal paste.
Decision:
- Check the active processes in Settings → Battery → Battery use.
- Reinstall the firmware via Fastboot (instructions for 4PDA).
- If the problem remains, contact the service to replace the thermal paste.
2.Spike FPS drop in gaming
Reason: Trottling due to overheating or MIUI restriction.
Decision:
- Use Game Turbo in Xiaomi settings.
- Turn off VSync in the developer settings.
- Install GLTools to force the resolution down in games.
3. Fast battery discharge
The reason: high power consumption Helio G90T against the background of battery wear.
Decision:
- Replace the battery (the original costs ~1,500 rubles).
- Activate the Power Saving Mode in the settings.
- Limit background activity through Greenify.
⚠️ Warning: If the battery is still running out quickly after the battery is replaced, check the status of the contacts on the motherboard. Often, oxidation of the tracks leads to increased current consumption. Diagnosis can be done with a multimeter at a service center.