The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 arrived in late 2019 as a budget all-rounder that punched well above its roughly 220 EUR price tag, pairing a 48 MP quad camera with the efficient Snapdragon 665 and a dependable 4000 mAh battery. Even though it now carries a discontinued status, it remains a reference point for anyone studying how much value the Redmi Note line packed into the sub-mid-range segment.
This breakdown looks past the spec sheet to explain what the Redmi Note 8 actually delivers in daily use, where it cut corners, and which kind of buyer still finds it relevant on the second-hand market. If you are weighing it against newer entry-level rivals, the sections below frame its strengths and compromises in plain terms.
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 12, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $254
- Japan: ¥40,739
- United Kingdom: £190
- Australia: A$362
- Canada: C$355
- Taiwan: NT$8,036
- Denmark: kr1.642
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼953
- South Korea: ₩388,028
- Germany: €220
- Brazil: R$1.309
- Vietnam: ₫6.670.737
- Kenya: KSh 32,889
- India: ₹24,292
- Indonesia: Rp 4.563.878
- Nigeria: ₦343,147
- Pakistan: ₨70,784
- Philippines: ₱15,568
- Bangladesh: ৳৩১,২৬৩
Why the Redmi Note 8 Still Matters
Launched at about 220 EUR, the Redmi Note 8 became one of the best-selling phones of its era because it bundled features usually reserved for pricier models. A 48 MP main sensor, Gorilla Glass 5 on both sides, a dedicated microSD slot, and a 4000 mAh cell rarely appeared together at this price. For shoppers prioritizing fundamentals over flagship flourish, it set a template that later budget phones followed.
Design and Build Quality
At 158.3 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm and 190 g, the Redmi Note 8 feels solid without being bulky. The glass front and glass back are both protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, with a plastic frame keeping costs down. The rear-mounted fingerprint sensor sits naturally under the index finger, and the color range, including Neptune Blue, Moonlight White, Space Black, and the Nebula and Cosmic Purple variants, gives the lineup some personality. The glass sandwich design looked far more premium than its price suggested in 2019.
Display Experience
The 6.3-inch IPS LCD runs at 1080 x 2340 pixels in a 19.5:9 ratio, yielding a sharp ~409 ppi density and an 81.7% screen-to-body ratio thanks to a small waterdrop notch. With a measured nominal contrast ratio of 1521:1, the panel is bright and crisp for video, browsing, and games. It is a 60 Hz LCD rather than an OLED, so blacks are not inky and there is no high refresh rate, but for the segment it remains a clean, comfortable screen.
Performance and Everyday Speed
The 11 nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 pairs an octa-core Kryo 260 CPU with the Adreno 610 GPU, tuned for efficiency rather than raw power. Benchmark results back this up: AnTuTu scored 161572 (v8) and GeekBench returned 1339 in the v5.1 single-core test. Configurations spanned 3GB to 6GB of RAM with 32GB to 128GB of eMMC 5.1 storage. In practice, the Redmi Note 8 handles messaging, social apps, and casual gaming smoothly, though heavier 3D titles need lowered settings.
Camera Capability
The quad-camera array is led by a 48 MP f/1.8 wide sensor with PDAF, supported by an 8 MP 120-degree ultrawide, a 2 MP macro, and an auxiliary depth lens. Video tops out at 4K@30fps, with 1080p available up to 120fps and gyro-EIS for steadier handheld clips. The 13 MP f/2.0 selfie camera covers social needs with HDR and 1080p@30fps recording. Daylight shots are detailed and the ultrawide adds flexibility, while low-light results soften, as expected at this tier.
Battery Life and Charging
The 4000 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery is a standout, earning a 108-hour endurance rating in testing. Combined with the power-frugal Snapdragon 665, the Redmi Note 8 comfortably lasts a full day and often into a second with lighter use. The 18W wired charging is reasonable rather than fast by modern standards, but it tops the cell up at a sensible pace for an entry-level device.
Software and Connectivity
The phone shipped with Android 9.0 Pie and was upgradable to Android 11 with MIUI 12.5, giving it a longer software life than many budget rivals. Connectivity covers Wi-Fi 802.11ac dual-band, Bluetooth 4.2, USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG, and GPS, GLONASS, and BDS positioning. Notably, it retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, FM radio, and an infrared port for controlling appliances, though there is no NFC, which limits tap-to-pay.
Who Should Buy the Redmi Note 8
This phone suits budget-conscious buyers who want a versatile camera, strong battery life, and expandable storage without paying for extras like 5G or OLED. It is also a sensible secondary or backup device, and a fine pick for students or first-time smartphone owners. Anyone needing NFC payments, fast charging, or high-refresh gaming should look at newer models instead.
Conclusion
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 remains a benchmark for budget value, combining a capable 48 MP quad camera, an efficient Snapdragon 665, a sharp Full HD+ display, and standout battery endurance for around 220 EUR at launch. Its trade-offs, no NFC and modest 18W charging, are easy to forgive at this price. For shoppers seeking a reliable, well-rounded entry-level phone, especially on the second-hand market, the Redmi Note 8 still earns a confident recommendation.