Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 passes through FCC with quad cameras and waterdrop notch

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Xiaomi’s Redmi sub-brand has been in the limelight for the right reasons. The Redmi Note 7 series has helped Xiaomi retain the top spot in the Indian market for the 8th consecutive quarter, contributing to over 5.5 Million units sold within the first five months of launch. Redmi also entered the premium segment with the Redmi K20 Pro, dubbed as the ‘Flagship Killer 2.0’ by Xiaomi itself. Early leaks suggest that Redmi may be planning to release the Redmi Note 8 very soon, possibly alongside the Redmi 4K Smart TV. Now, a new Xiaomi device has passed through the FCC, giving us our first look at the live images of what is the Redmi Note 8, and further indicating a possible launch in the US as well.

Devices that are intended to be sold in the USA must be evaluated by an independent lab to ensure that they conform to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) standards, and the lab results need to be furnished to the FCC as proof of the same in order to obtain an FCC ID. The FCC ID then allows users to find details on the wireless operating frequency of the device, photos of the device, and the SAR reports on the wireless emissions.

The Xiaomi Redmi M1908C3JG has passed through the FCC (with FCC ID 2AFZZC3JG), giving us a good look at the device, as well as a preliminary idea on the network support for the same.

The front of the device is similar to what we saw on the alleged Xiaomi Redmi 8 that recently passed through TENAA. What we see is a waterdrop notch for the front camera and the Redmi branding on the bottom chin. This device isn’t all that different from the device that passed through TENAA, but the back of the device reveals a different story.

The back of the device shows off the quad-camera setup, the LED flash placement, and the fingerprint sensor. We can also spot the volume rocker and the power button. Images of the power cable indicate that the phone will come with a USB Type-C port.

Curiously, the filing document mentions only 3GB + 32GB and 4GB + 64GB variants, though it is important to remember that FCC information pertains only to USA and is not applicable to the rest of the world.

While the FCC documentation does not indicate that this phone will be the Redmi Note 8, we do predict the Redmi M1908C3JG to be the next device in the Redmi Note lineup. The Redmi Note 8 is being teased by Redmi’s CEO Lu Weibing, though those teasers are within the context of a Chinese launch. The next Redmi Note is expected to come with a quad rear camera setup involving the 64MP Samsung ISOCELL GW1 sensor, which lines up to an extent with what we see above. This filing does not line up with other unverified leaks that suggested that the Note 8 will have a centered camera module with the fourth camera on the side, but these were unverified leaks in the first place, and we would put much more weight on FCC listings. The other probable explanation we have for the disparity is that there might be different designs for the Redmi Note 8 and the Redmi Note 8 Pro, but we do not have concrete evidence to back this up.

FCC approval also does not necessarily mean that the phone will absolutely launch in the USA — it merely increases the probability of it being launched in the USA. There could be other hindrances along the way that could deter a launch, so we wouldn’t get our hopes up too high.

Update: We have confirmation from a second source that this phone is indeed the Redmi Note 8.