Xiaomi Mi 8: What CPU is Inside and Why It’s Still Relevant in 2026

Xiaomi Mi 8 is the flagship of 2018, which still remains in demand among fans of powerful but affordable smartphones. One of the key questions that worries buyers of used models or customization enthusiasts: what processor is installed in this device and what it is capable of today? In this article, we will analyze the technical characteristics of the chipset, compare it with modern budget solutions, and give practical tips on overclocking, cooling and choosing firmware for maximum performance.

6 years after the release of the Mi 8 continues to surprise: its Snapdragon 845 processor is still able to pull modern games at mid-range settings and multitask better than some new budgeters. But to unlock the full potential of the device, you need to understand its architecture, power consumption and limitations. We analyzed benchmarks, user feedback and engineering test data so you can make an informed decision before buying or upgrading.

Technical characteristics of the Xiaomi Mi 8 processor: a detailed analysis

The heart of Xiaomi Mi 8 is 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (SDM845), built on the 10nm process technology Samsung LPE. This chipset was the first in the line of Snapdragon 800, which received support for LPDDR4X memory and UFS 2.1 drives – which gave a significant increase in speed compared to its predecessor (Snapdragon 835).

The architecture of the Kryo 385 includes:

• 🔥 4 cores Cortex-A75 clock speed up to 2.8 GHz (production tasks)
• ❄️ 4 cores Cortex-A55 frequency up to 1.8 GHz (energy efficient operations)
• 🎮 Adreno 630 Graphics Accelerator with OpenGL Support ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.1 and DirectX 12
• 📱 Snapdragon modem X20 LTE (downloading up to 1.2 Gbit / s, return - 150 Mbit / s)

Feature SDM845 Optimization for machine learning: the chip supports Qualcomm Hexagon 685 DSP and Neural Processing SDK, This allowed the Xiaomi Mi 8 to work with the functions efficiently. AI-Cameras, facial recognition and voice assistants are back in 2018, by comparison, many budget smartphones from 2023 to 2026 still lack hardware-accelerated AI.

Comparison with competitors: how the Snapdragon 845 looks today

In 2018, the Snapdragon 845 competed with the Apple A11 Bionic, Kirin 970 and Exynos 9810. Today, its direct counterparts in performance are budget chipsets like the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (2023) or Dimensity 700.

As can be seen from the table, in single-core tasks (for example, opening applications), the SDM845 loses to modern chips by 20-30%, but in multi-core loads (video rendering, games), the gap is reduced to 10-15%. The main advantage of the Mi 8 is the optimization of MIUI for this processor: even on stock firmware, the smartphone runs smoother than many new devices with the MediaTek Helio G-series.

⚠️ Warning: When buying a used Xiaomi Mi 8, check the thermal paste! over time, it dries up, leading to trottling (automatic frequency reduction) at 70°C. This can reduce performance by 30-40% in games.

Game Performance: What the Snapdragon 845 Will Pull in 2026

Despite its age, the Adreno 630 paired with 6/8GB of RAM (depending on the Mi 8 modification) allows you to run most modern games on medium settings.

• 🎮 Genshin Impact: 30 FPS on the "Low" settings (resolution) 720p), Rare friezes in battles with bosses.
• 🎮 Call of Duty: Mobile: 60 FPS on "High" settings, but with shadows turned off.
• 🎮 PUBG Mobile: 40 FPS on "Balanced" settings (graphics "HD").
• 🎮 Honor of Kings (Arena of Valor): 90 FPS at maximum settings without lag.

To improve the gaming experience, we recommend:

Disable background applications in Settings → Battery → Optimization

Install Pixel Experience firmware (best optimization for gaming)

Use a cooling cover or fan (critical temperature - 75 ° C)

Reduce screen resolution to HD+ developer-setting-->

Critical: In games with high graphics requirements (for example, Diablo Immortal), the Mi 8 begins to warm up after 15-20 minutes. This leads to FPS drawdowns to 20-25 fps. The solution is to force the CPU frequency to 2.4 GHz through the FrancoKernel core (requires root).

Overclocking and undervolting: how to squeeze the maximum out of the Snapdragon 845

The Snapdragon 845 processor has hidden overclocking potential, but there are nuances:

1. CPU overclocking: Through the Kiriskernel core, you can raise the frequency of the Cortex-A75 to 3.0 GHz (2.8 GHz runoff), and the increase in Geekbench is up to 10%, but so is heat generation.
2. GPU overclocking: The Adreno 630 can be overclocked to 710 MHz (stack 680 MHz), which gives +5-7 FPS in games, but reduces battery life.
3. Undervoltage: A 50-100 mV reduction in voltage allows you to reduce heating by 10-15 °C without losing performance, and this requires root and the Kernel Adiutor application.

⚠️ Attention: Acceleration on Xiaomi Mi 8 with factory thermopaste fraught with overheating to 90°C and automotive shutdown.Be sure to replace the thermopaste with Arctic before experimenting. MX-6 Or the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut.

For those who don’t want to take risks, there is an alternative: firmware optimization, such as LineageOS 20 (based on Android 13) gives a 15-20% increase in smoothness by removing unnecessary Xiaomi services.

💡

Before firmware, backup the persist partition via TWRP! its damage can lead to loss of IMEI and network problems.

Energy consumption and autonomy: Mi 8's weak spot

The main disadvantage of the Snapdragon 845 is the high power consumption compared to modern 4-5 nm chips. When used actively (games, video, navigation), the Mi 8 discharges in 4-5 hours, and in standby mode loses up to 10% per night.

• 🔋 Outdated 10-nm process technology (modern chips – 4-5 nm).
• 📡 Power-consuming modem X20 LTE (new modems, for example X65, 30% more efficient).
• 🖥️ AMOLED-resolution-screen 2248×1080 (High consumption at maximum brightness).

How to extend the working time:

1. Turn off Always-On Display (Settings → Screen → Screensaver).
2. Limit the background activity of applications through Settings → Battery → Optimization.
3. Install the FrancoKernel core with a battery profile (saving up to 20% charge).
4. Replace the battery with a new one (the capacity of the original one is 3400 mAh, after 3-4 years of operation it drops to 2500-2800 mAh).

💡

Replacing the battery on Xiaomi Mi 8 costs 1,500-2,500 ₽ (2026) and returns autonomy to 70-80% of the factory. Use only original batteries labeled MDY11EM!

What firmware is best for the Mi 8 in 2026

The stock MIUI on the Mi 8 has not been updated for a long time, so users are switching to custom firmware.

To install custom firmware will require:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (waiting 7-14 days).
2. Install TWRP (version 3.7.0 or later).
3. Switch firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI-VoLTE and ViLTE may not work. Before you run the firmware, check your operator's support in the forum. 4PDA.

Should you buy Xiaomi Mi 8 in 2026?

The Xiaomi Mi 8 is now a budget flagship for enthusiasts, not a mass-produced smartphone, and is justified in several cases:

• 💰 Budget up to 10,000 ₽: On the secondary market, the Mi 8 can be found for 8,000-12,000. ₽ (2026 – cheaper than new smartphones with Snapdragon 6-series.
• 🎮 Game Experiments: The processor allows you to test emulators (PPSSPP, Dolphin) and custom kernels.
• 🔧 Customization: Large community on 4PDA and XDA, plentiful.
• 📸 Camera: Dual main camera (12 MP) + 12 MP) with optical zoom is still better than many public sector employees.

But there are some serious downsides:

• ❌ No official support for Android 13+ (safety in question).
• ❌ Weak autonomy (maximum 4-5 hours of screen time in games).
• ❌ No. 5G, Wi-Fi 6 and modern wireless charging standards.

💡

Xiaomi Mi 8 in 2026 is a “rare” smartphone for those who like to mess with hardware and firmware. For everyday use, it is better to consider the POCO X6 or Redmi Note 13 Pro with Snapdragon 7s Gen 2.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Xiaomi Mi 8 processor