Redmi Note 8 series launched in China with quad rear cameras; pricing starts at approx 9,999 INR

The much-vaunted Redmi Note series has two new additions to its portfolio as Xiaomi’s sub-brand Redmi launched the Redmi Note 8 and Redmi Note 8 Pro today in China. The smartphones duo succeeds the Redmi Note 7 and Redmi Note 7 Pro, respectively.

The Redmi Note 8 and Note 8 Pro both come with quad-rear cameras, upgraded design, rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, Gorilla Glass 5 protection on both front and back, up to 128GB built-in storage, MIUI 10 based on Android Pie, and the same color options such as Pearl White, Ice Emerald, and Electric Light Gray.

However, it is the Note 8 Pro which stands out for rocking the much talked-about 64MP primary sensor. The Note 8 Pro also switches to integrating the latest MediaTek Helio processor this time.

Redmi Note 8 

Starting with the Redmi Note 8, the smartphone features a 6.39-inch 2340x1080p FHD+ LCD display with a water-drop notch, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, and 90% screen-to-body ratio- all giving way to slimmer bezels though with a noticeable chin.

The Redmi Note 8 is kitted with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 SoC coupled with 4GB/6GB RAM and 64GB/128GB internal storage which can be expanded via microSD card.

The smartphone includes a 4,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging support, a USB Type-C port, 3.5mm audio jack, and IR blaster.

The Redmi Note 8 has four sensors at the back comprising a 48MP Sony IMX586 primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle sensor, 2MP macro sensor, and 2MP portrait sensor. The selfie shooter is of 13MP same as the one found in the Redmi Note 7.

Redmi Note 8 Pro

The Redmi Note 8 Pro packs a 6.53-inch FHD+ LCD display with the 19.5:9 aspect ratio and water-drop notch. The smartphone houses a newly launched MediaTek Helio G90T SoC paired with 6GB/8GB RAM and 64GB/128GB default storage with support for expansion via microSD card.

The Helio G90T is already a game-centric SoC but good thing is that the Redmi Note 8 Pro is also armed with Game Turbo 2.0 mode and liquid cooling system for enhanced as well as less heating gaming experience.

The camera is what that is distinct for the Redmi Note 8 Pro as it mounts a 64MP Samsung’s ISOCELL Bright GW-1 primary sensor as part of the quad-rear-camera setup. The other three sensors are all carried over from the Redmi Note 8.

For physical difference, the quad-camera setup in the Redmi Note 8 Pro is centrally aligned at top of the back panel versus a top left corner alignment in the Redmi Note 8. The selfie camera is upgraded to 20MP on the Redmi Note 8 Pro compared to the 13MP on the Redmi Note 8 and its predecessor.

The smartphone is backed by a 4,500mAh battery along with 18W fast charging support as well as it includes goodies like the USB Type-C port, 3.5mm audio jack, and IR blaster same as the ones present in the Redmi Note 8.

Nevertheless, the support for NFC and IP52 water resistance rating are exclusive to the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

Pricing and Availability

The Redmi Note 8 will go on sale on September 17 in China in three price points: CNY999 (Approx. INR10,000) for the 4GB RAM+64GB storage model, CNY1,199 (Approx. INR12,000) for the 6GB RAM+64GB storage model, and CNY1,399 (Approx. INR14,000) for the 6GB RAM+128GB storage model.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro, on the other hand, will hit shelves on September 3 with the starting price of CNY1,399 (Approx.INR14,000) for the 6GB RAM+64GB storage variant. The 6GB RAM+128GB storage and the 8GB RAM+128GB storage variants are priced at CNY1,599 (Approx. INR16,000) and CNY1,799 (Approx. INR18,000), respectively.

In the case of last generation of Redmi Note series the company had stuck to the China pricing for the Indian market as well. So, considering that , the Note 8 series will most likely be aggressively priced in India to beat the competition.