The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 arrived in 2019 as one of the brand’s most popular budget all-rounders, pairing a 48 MP quad-camera system with the efficient Snapdragon 665 platform at a starting price of about 220 EUR. Although the device is now officially discontinued, it remains a useful reference point for anyone studying how Xiaomi packed flagship-sounding features into an affordable mid-range body.
This article breaks down what the Redmi Note 8 actually delivers in day-to-day terms, where it cuts corners, and which type of buyer it still suits. Specifications are anchored to Xiaomi’s official Redmi Note 8 listing and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665 documentation, with cautious wording around pricing and availability since both vary by region and have changed since launch.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 |
| 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps |
Launch
| Announced | 2019, August 29. Released 2019, October 16 |
| Status | Discontinued |
Body
| Dimensions | 158.3 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.23 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 190 (6.70 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
Display
| Type | IPS LCD |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
Platform
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (4×2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4×1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 |
Memory
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 |
Main Camera
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
Selfie camera
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Features | HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
Sound
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | Yes |
Comms
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| NFC | No |
| Infrared port | Yes |
| Radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Features
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
Battery
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 18W wired |
Misc
| Colors | Neptune Blue, Moonlight White, Space Black, Nebula Purple, Cosmic Purple |
| Models | M1908C3JH, M1908C3JG, M1908C3JI |
| SAR | 0.26 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.19 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| Price | About 220 EUR |
Our Tests
| Performance | AnTuTu: 141915 (v7), 161572 (v8) GeekBench: 5590 (v4.4), 1339 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1521:1 (nominal) |
| Camera | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 78dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 81dB |
| Audio quality | Noise -94.0dB / Crosstalk -93.3dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 108h |
Price and Availability
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €220, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of June 11, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $254
- Japan: ¥40,753
- United Kingdom: £190
- Australia: A$363
- Canada: C$354
- Taiwan: NT$8,039
- Denmark: kr1.642
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼952
- South Korea: ₩386,872
- Germany: €220
- Brazil: R$1.315
- Vietnam: ₫6.659.786
- Kenya: KSh 32,931
- India: ₹24,199
- Indonesia: Rp 4.549.536
- Nigeria: ₦343,705
- Pakistan: ₨70,683
- Philippines: ₱15,585
- Bangladesh: ৳৩১,১৮৯
Is the Redmi Note 8 Still Worth the Money?
At roughly 220 EUR when new, the Redmi Note 8 positioned itself as a value champion rather than a performance leader. The appeal was never raw speed; it was the combination of Gorilla Glass 5 on both sides, a high-resolution main camera, a large 4000 mAh battery and a headphone jack at a price most rivals reserved for plainer hardware. As a discontinued model, current pricing depends entirely on remaining stock and the second-hand market, so treat any figure as an estimate rather than a fixed retail price.
Design and Build Quality
The Redmi Note 8 feels more premium than its class suggests thanks to a glass front and glass back, both protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, wrapped around a plastic frame. At 158.3 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm and 190 g it is comfortably sized for a 2019 device, and it shipped in expressive finishes such as Neptune Blue, Moonlight White, Space Black, Nebula Purple and Cosmic Purple. The dedicated microSD slot alongside dual Nano-SIM support is a practical touch that many newer phones have dropped.
Display Experience
The 6.3-inch IPS LCD panel runs at 1080 x 2340 pixels in a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, working out to roughly 409 ppi and an 81.7% screen-to-body ratio. It is sharp and bright enough for everyday browsing, video and social apps, and our measured contrast ratio of around 1521:1 is respectable for LCD. There is no AMOLED depth or high refresh rate here, but for the price the display stays an easy strength rather than a compromise.
Everyday Performance
Performance comes from the 11 nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 with an octa-core Kryo 260 CPU and Adreno 610 GPU, backed by up to 6GB of RAM and eMMC 5.1 storage in capacities up to 128GB. Benchmark figures of around 161,572 in AnTuTu v8 and 1339 in Geekbench v5.1 single-core confirm its mid-range positioning: smooth for messaging, media and light multitasking, but not built for demanding 3D gaming. The chip’s efficiency is the real win, helping the phone last through a full day.
Camera System in Practice
The headline feature is the rear quad camera, led by a 48 MP f/1.8 wide sensor and supported by an 8 MP ultrawide with a 120-degree field of view, a 2 MP macro lens and an auxiliary depth lens. Video tops out at 4K@30fps with gyro-EIS, while 1080p reaches up to 120fps for slow motion. The 13 MP f/2.0 front camera handles selfies and 1080p@30fps video. It is a flexible setup for daylight shooting, though low-light results reflect the sensor sizes and budget tuning rather than flagship optics.
Battery Life and Charging
A 4000 mAh Li-Po battery drives all-day endurance, reflected in an older endurance rating of about 108 hours, and 18W wired charging keeps top-ups reasonable for the era. There is no wireless charging, but the capacity-to-efficiency balance of the Snapdragon 665 means the Redmi Note 8 rarely leaves moderate users hunting for an outlet before evening.
Software and Connectivity
The phone launched on Android 9.0 (Pie) with MIUI and is upgradable to Android 11 with MIUI 12.5, giving it a longer useful life than many budget peers of its generation. Connectivity covers dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2, USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG, an infrared port, FM radio and a 3.5mm jack. The notable omission is NFC, so contactless payments are off the table, and the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor handles biometric unlocking.
Who Should Buy the Redmi Note 8?
This phone makes the most sense for budget-conscious buyers who want a versatile camera, dependable battery life and expandable storage without paying for flashier features. It is a solid pick for a first smartphone, a backup device or a secondary line, but anyone who relies on NFC payments, fast charging or heavy gaming should look at newer or higher-tier alternatives.
Conclusion
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 remains a thoughtfully balanced budget phone, blending a glass-and-Gorilla-Glass 5 build, a sharp 6.3-inch display, a flexible 48 MP quad camera and a reliable 4000 mAh battery for an original price near 220 EUR. Its main gaps are the missing NFC and the modest gaming headroom of the Snapdragon 665. If you want maximum everyday value and can live without contactless payments, the Redmi Note 8 is an easy recommendation; verify current availability and pricing locally, since the model is now discontinued.
Official references
- Xiaomi India Redmi Note 8 Specifications – Official Xiaomi product specifications page covering processor, camera, battery, display, dimensions, network bands, sensors, and package contents for the India variant.
- Xiaomi / Redmi Official Product Pages (mi.com) – Primary manufacturer domain for checking regional Redmi Note 8 pages and variant differences before publishing generalized specifications.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 Mobile Platform – Primary chipset source for verifying Snapdragon 665 CPU, GPU, modem, Wi-Fi, camera ISP, and charging platform details used by Redmi Note 8.
- FCC Equipment Authorization Search – Official U.S. regulator database for checking FCC filings, radio compliance, SAR, and model identifiers for certified Redmi Note 8 variants.
- Bluetooth SIG Launch Studio Listings (launchstudio.bluetooth.com) – Official Bluetooth qualification database for verifying Bluetooth certification and supported Bluetooth versions for specific Xiaomi model numbers.
