Redmi Note 8 2021
The Redmi Note 8 series is arguably the most successful Redmi Note series in the last decade. A couple of days ago, the company announced it sold over 25 million units globally. However, it’s unclear if that triggered the release of a refreshed version of the device, which is essentially the same phone except for a few tweaks. The Redmi Note 8 2021 sports the same old design but features a different processor, while the color options are down to three from five.
Redmi Note 8 2021 specs highlights
- 6.3-inch IPS LCD panel
- 500 nits brightness
- Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- MediaTek Helio 685 Octa-Core processor
- 4GB RAM + 64/1288GB ROM
- 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP rear camera sensors
- 13MP single selfie snapper
- Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner
- 4000mAh battery
- 18W fast charging support
- Redmi Note 8 price: $150
Redmi Note 8 2021 specs
Of course, it’s only a refreshed version of the 2019 Redmi Note 8, and hence, the design is identical. The front and back panels are designed using Gorilla Glass 5 with plastic coming on the frame. It has been a while since we saw a Xiaomi phone with a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, but it’s back once again while the Quad-camera arrangement sits at the top left. Around the front panel is a tear-drop notch for the selfie camera. There’s a Redmi crest at the Chin while the headphone jack, volume rocker, USB-C port, speakers grills, sim-tray all kept their position. This time, the device will be available in Neptune Black, Moonlight White, and Space Black.
Redmi Note 8 2021 display
The display has equipped with everything it needs to deliver seamless details. Unfortunately, there’s a little upgrade in performance compared to the old version. Both have a 6.3-inch dot display for an immersive and crisp visual experience. It’s a full HD display with 500 nits of brightness and 409ppi density. There’s a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 glass for protection to complement the sturdy build.
Redmi Note 8 2021 performance
Under the helm is the Mediatek Helio G85 Octa-Core processor. It’s built on a 12nm process, giving the Snapdragon 665 (11nm) on the old version an edge. Both SoC has their highest cores at 2.0GHz, but with newer software, the Redmi Note 8 2021 model will come on top. The device runs Android 11 on top of MIUI 12.5 outside-of-the-box, while the 2019 models are currently on Android 10 on top of MIUI 12.
Redmi Note 8 2021 camera
Instead of an upgrade, there has been a downgrade. Perhaps, the SoC is the issue here as it seems not to handle 4K@30fps shooting. With the Redmi Note 8 2021, video shooting is capped at 1080@30fps. Aside from that, everything is essentially the same, from the 8MP ultra-wide lens to the 2MP macro and depth sensors. The front camera keeps the 13MP shooter for video calls and face unlocking.
Redmi Note 8 2021 battery and security
A 4000mAh battery phone in 2021 isn’t ideal. Here’s where Redmi should have done better, at least increase the capacity to 5000mAh. However, with the battery capacity, you can still get a 24-hour battery life on a decent usage, and with the 18W fast charging support, you’d refill the battery in a couple of minutes.
For security, the device used a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, just like the old version. However, with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi has optimized the function of the scanner to integrate other functionalities.
Redmi Note 8 2021 Price and Availability
The Redmi Note 8 2021 price starts at $149 for the base 4/64GB variant while the more premium 4/128GB sets you back additional $50. Both models are available now and you can purchase via this link. (AliExpress)
Full Redmi Note 8 2021 specs
| General | |
| Model | Redmi Note 8 2021 |
| Released | May 2021 |
| Sim Quantity | 2 |
| Sim Type | Nano (Hybrid) |
| Hardware | |
| OS | Android 11 (MIUI 12.5) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| Memory | |
| RAM | 4/6GB |
| ROM | 64/128GB |
| External | 256GB |
| Sensor | Fingerprint (rear-mounted) Gyro, Compass, proximity ,accelerometer |
| Display | |
| Type | IPS LCD capacitive touch screen |
| Size | 6.3-inches (84% screen to body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340px 19.5:9 aspect ratio |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Pixel density | 405PPI |
| Color | N/A |
| Camera | |
| Rear | 48MP (f/1.8, 1/2.0″, 0.8um, PDAF) 8MP Ultrawide (f/2.2, 13mm, 1/1.40″, 1.12µm 2MP Macro sensor (f/2.4, 1.12µm), AF 2MP Depth sensor (f/2.4) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, Panoroma |
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
| Front | 13MP (f/2.3, 1/3.1″, 1.12µm) |
| Features | HDR, Panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
| Connectivity | |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Radio | FM |
| USB | 2.0 type-C |
| Infrared NFC | Yes No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11, a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot |
| Sound | |
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| Headphone jack | Yes |
| Battery | Non-removable Li-Po 4000mAAh |
| Fast charge | Yes (18W, Quick Charge 4) |
| Body | |
| Dimension | 158.3 x 75.3 x 8.4mm |
| Weight | 190g |
| Colors | Neptune Blue, Moonlight White, Space Black |
| Network | |
| 2G bands | 850/900/1800/1900 |
| 3G bands | 850/ 900/ 1700 (AWS)/1800/ 1900 |
| 4G bands | 1/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6/ 7/ 8/ 20/ 28/ 38/ 40 |
| Speed | LTE-A (3CA) 450/50Mbps |
| Redmi Note 9 price | $150 |
| Order | Here |
