Redmi Note 8: What You Need to Know Before You Buy
If you’re scrolling through endless phone options, the Redmi Note 8 often pops up as a budget‑friendly pick. But does it actually deliver on the hype? Let’s break down the key parts – display, performance, camera, battery and price – so you can decide if it fits your daily routine.
Display and Design
The Note 8 sports a 6.3‑inch IPS LCD with a 1080p resolution. Colors are decent, brightness hits around 400 nits, and the 19.5:9 aspect ratio makes movies feel more cinematic. The glass front feels solid, though the back uses a plastic finish that’s prone to fingerprints. If you’re after a phone that looks good in hand without breaking the bank, this screen is a solid compromise.
Performance and Software
Under the hood sits the Snapdragon 665 paired with 3‑4 GB of RAM (depending on the variant). Everyday tasks – browsing, social apps, light gaming – run smoothly. Heavy games may dip a few frames, but the device never feels completely sluggish. MIUI 12, based on Android 10, powers the phone. It’s fairly clean, but you’ll still see a few pre‑installed apps you can disable if they bother you.
One practical tip: keep the storage tidy by moving media to an SD card. The Note 8 supports up to 256 GB microSD, which helps avoid the dreaded “storage full” warnings.
Camera Setup
The quad‑camera array includes a 48 MP main sensor, an 8 MP ultra‑wide lens, a 2 MP macro, and a 2 MP depth sensor. Daylight shots are sharp with good detail, and the ultra‑wide captures landscapes without much distortion. Low‑light performance is passable; you’ll notice noise after ISO 800, but the Night mode does a decent job of brightening dark scenes.
If you mainly snap Instagram stories or quick family photos, the camera does the job. For serious photography enthusiasts, the limited dynamic range might feel restricting.
Battery Life
A 4,000 mAh battery paired with the efficient Snapdragon 665 easily lasts a full day of mixed use. Screen time, a few videos, and some gaming push the battery to around 80% by night. The included 18W charger isn’t the fastest, but it tops up the phone in about an hour and a half – acceptable for a budget device.
Price and Verdict
In 2025, the Redmi Note 8 can be found for roughly $150‑$180, depending on sales. For that price, you get a reliable screen, decent performance, and a versatile camera setup. It won’t beat flagship phones in raw power or premium build, but it covers the basics without draining your wallet.
Bottom line: if you need a phone for browsing, streaming, and snapping everyday photos, the Redmi Note 8 is worth a look. It balances cost and capability nicely, making it a practical choice for students, first‑time smartphone users, or anyone hunting for a reliable secondary device.
Arvind Chatterjee, Jan, 31 2023
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is a budget-friendly smartphone with a sleek design and powerful performance. It features a 6.3” IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB internal storage, and a 4000mAh battery. The device is equipped with a 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP quad-camera setup and a 13MP selfie camera. Additionally, it runs on Android 9.0 Pie and is powered by MIUI 10. Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is an excellent choice for those who are looking for an affordable, good-looking and powerful phone.
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