Xiaomi launches the Redmi 8 budget smartphone with the Snapdragon 439 and dual cameras

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Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi offers an impressive portfolio of smartphones. Right from entry-level devices like the Redmi 8A to flagships like the Mi Mix 3 to concept phones like the Mi Mix Alpha, the company has it all. But while the flagships haven’t really taken off in India, Xiaomi’s budget and mid-range devices are very popular in the country. Now, the company has added yet another entry-level device to its lineup with the launch of the new Redmi 8.

Xiaomi’s budget devices have improved considerably over the last couple of years and with its latest launch, the company aims to continue this trend. The all-new Redmi 8, which has previously been spotted on China’s TENAA and Thailand’s NBTC certification authorities, packs in some impressive hardware for the price.

Xiaomi Redmi 8: Specifications

Specification Xiaomi Redmi 8 Dimensions and Weight 156.3 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm

190g Display 6.22″ HD+ (720 x 1520) LCD, 19:9

Waterdrop notch

Corning Gorilla Glass 5 SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 RAM and Storage 3GB + 32GB

4GB + 64GB

Expandable up to 256GB via dedicated microSD card slot Battery & Charging 5,000 mAh with 18W fast charging support USB USB Type-C Rear Camera 12MP, f/1.8, Sony IMX363

2MP depth sensor Front Camera 8MP Android Version MIUI 10 based on Android 9 Pie

When it comes to the design, the Redmi 8 borrows some of the Redmi 7’s looks but adds in its own identity. For instance, while there isn’t much of a noticeable difference up on the front, the dual-camera setup on the back has now been moved to the center of the device. This new camera setup, coupled with the centrally mounted fingerprint scanner, gives the device a more symmetrical look. The 6.22-inch display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection is also a smidge smaller than the 6.26-inch display on the Redmi 7.

On the inside, the new Redmi 8 packs in a Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 chip clocked in at 2.0GHz, with up to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. The device also packs in a dedicated microSD card slot which supports cards up to 512GB. You also get P2i’s splash resistant coating which is a welcome addition. Much like the Redmi 8A, the device also includes support for wireless FM radio.

The phone is backed up by a massive 5,000mAh battery which will easily last you more than a day. On top of that, the device now includes support for Quick Charge 3.0, which will allow you to charge the device up to 65% in just an hour using an 18-watt charger. However, the device will ship with a 10-watt charger in the box. We also get a USB Type-C charging port, which is a substantial upgrade from the Redmi 7’s microUSB port.

As for the cameras, the Redmi 8 sports a 12MP f/1.8 primary sensor with a large 1.4 micron pixel size and a 2MP sensor for depth perception on the back. Up on the front, the device houses an 8MP selfie shooter. In the software department, the device runs Android 9 out of the box with Xiaomi’s MIUI 10 UX on top.

Pricing and Availability

The Xiaomi Redmi 8 will be available at a price of ₹7,999 (~$112) for the 3GB RAM variant and ₹8,999 (~$126) for the 4GB RAM variant. The device will go on sale in India starting from October 12, via mi.com, Flipkart and Mi Home Stores. Buyers will get three color variants, including a glossy Onyx Black, a Ruby Red and Sapphire Blue.

As an introductory offer, Xiaomi is offering the 4GB + 64GB variant for ₹7,999 for the first five million customers. Users who place an order for the 3GB + 32GB variant will be bumped up to the higher variant. In essence, the first five million customers spending ₹7,999 on the Redmi 8 will get the higher RAM and storage variant.

What are your thoughts on the Xiaomi Redmi 8? Is this a compelling budget smartphone? Share your thoughts in the comments below!