Xiaomi has today officially announced their new Redmi Note 8 devices in China. One thing that is evident about the new series is that they are meant to overturn the lower mid-range market with their crazy prices. Redmi Note 8 Series pricing is just too good to be true!
Redmi Note 8 Pro is now the first device to be powered by Mediatek’s gaming-focused chipset, Helio G90T and even utilize Samsung’s recently launched 64MP lens.
Redmi Note 8
The Redmi Note 8 is the base variant of the duo running Qualcomm’s Octa-Core Snapdragon 665 made up of four powerful Kryo 260 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, and the other four power-efficient Kyro 260 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz.
The base variant has a Quad camera setup on the rear with a 48MP primary camera + 8 MP (ultra-wide-angle lens) + 2 MP (dedicated macro camera) + 2 MP (depth sensor). On the other hand, the selfie camera is a 13MP snapper.
The front panel is a notched 6.3-inch IPS LCD with Full HD+ resolution. Other offerings from this device include a 4000mAh battery with 18W fast charge support, 3.5 mm jack, MIUI 10 on top of Android 9.0 Pie, 4G LTE support, Bluetooth 5.0 and a USB Type-C port. Redmi Note 8 comes in different memory configurations, including a 4/64GB model, a 6/64GB, and a 6/128GB model.
In China the device has been priced at CNY999 ($140, approx. KSh 14,000) for the 4/64GB model, CNY1,199 ($167 approx. Ksh 17,000) for the 6/64GB and CNY1,399 ($195, approx. Ksh 20,000) for the highest memory variant model.
Redmi Note 8 Pro
The Redmi Note 8 Pro sports a 6.53-inch IPS LCD with FHD+ resolution and just like its peer has a quad-camera setup on the rear. However, the primary camera is a 64MP snapper paired with a similar combo just like in the Redmi Note 8. The selfie camera on this model is 20MP snapper. Under the hood, Redmi Note 8 Pro features MediaTek’s Helio G90T SoC, Android 9.0 Pie flushed with MIUI 10, 4G LTE support, Bluetooth 5.0 and a 4500mAh non-removable battery with 18W fast charge support.
Unlike the base model, the Redmi Note 8 Pro comes in three variants with either 6/64GB, 6/128GB or an 8/128GB memory variant. Pricing in China starts at $195, approx. Ksh 20,000 with the highest model costing $250, about Ksh 25,000, which is excellent for the value offered.
Availability
Since the new Redmi Note 8 Series has just been launched in China, we are yet to know when the devices will be available locally. But with the availability of Mi Home Stores in Kenya, I expect Xiaomi will not take longer before shipping the devices locally.