Xiaomi Mi 8 Review: High-End Smartphone on a Budget

A Flagship for 2018?

Stylish and Practical

The Mi 8 immediately catches attention with its shiny, smooth glass back panel, giving it a sophisticated look. The way it reflects light at different angles adds a touch of flair that feels both modern and artistic. As you hold it, the rounded edges and premium feel stand out, making it comfortable to use. However, its slippery nature can be a downside, especially since it’s prone to smudges, so a case is almost a must-have. Xiaomi thoughtfully included a transparent silicone case in the package, which keeps the phone secure while letting you admire its elegant design.

One thing I personally like is how thin and light the device is, making it easy to carry around. Whether in the pockets of my pants or shorts, it fits perfectly without feeling bulky.

The button layout is standard but works well. The power/lock button on the right and the dual-SIM card slot on the left are positioned intuitively. However, during one-hand operations, the buttons can be a bit hard to reach, especially for someone like me who prefers compact devices. One downside, though, is the absence of expandable storage. With no hybrid setup available, you’ll have to make do with the internal storage provided.

The USB Type-C port at the bottom is another thoughtful inclusion. Sandwiched between two speaker grilles, it supports smooth charging and connectivity. Even though there’s no 3.5mm audio port, Xiaomi includes an adapter in the package, so you won’t miss out on using your favorite wired headphones. The dual 12MP AI cameras with an LED flash and a fingerprint scanner on the back round off a thoughtfully constructed design that blends style and functionality seamlessly.

Immersive Viewing Experience

The Mi 8 features a 6.21-inch FHD+ AMOLED display designed by Samsung, which delivers an impressive visual experience. Thanks to the AMOLED technology, colors are well-saturated, blacks appear deep and rich, and the viewing angles are outstanding. While it doesn’t offer QHD or 4K resolution, the screen quality is more than enough for enjoyable viewing during daily use. Whether you’re scrolling through apps or watching your favorite shows, the screen-to-body ratio of 88.5% ensures you get an immersive experience that’s perfect for video or movie consumption.

Xiaomi took convenience to another level by automating the notch hiding process. When you play videos, the notch is hidden automatically, ensuring uninterrupted viewing. If you prefer to customize this, the option is available in the settings menu, so you can hide or show the notch during normal usage. It’s a thoughtful touch for users who value flexibility in their smartphone settings.

As for the audio, the single loudspeaker at the bottom delivers surprisingly crisp and clear sound, with the mids and highs coming through beautifully, even at max volumes. While the lows might be a bit non-existent, the overall audio quality is good enough for casual listening or enjoying multimedia on the go. Xiaomi strikes a fine balance between functionality and entertainment with these features, ensuring the Mi 8 meets the needs of modern smartphone users.

Versatile Photography

The Mi 8 comes with dual 12MP AI rear cameras paired with a 20MP front camera, making it versatile for both casual photography and professional-style shots. The rear cameras feature 4-axis Optical Image Stabilization and dual-pixel autofocus, ensuring sharp and stable images. With camera modes like Short Video, Photo, Portrait, Panorama, and Manual, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re shooting dynamic scenery or experimenting with settings. Even the front camera has nearly all the same features, except for Panorama and Manual. Additionally, the AI functions can be toggled on or off, letting you choose between enhanced or unedited shots.

Stunning Image Quality

The image quality from the dual rear cameras is truly impressive. Photos show excellent sharpness, a wide dynamic range, and spot-on color reproduction. Whether capturing food, nature, or urban landscapes, the AI processing helps adjust the settings perfectly to match the scene. Even in low-light, the results are good, although some noise can be visible. Interestingly, while the camera interface initially shows noticeable noise, the AI magic reduces it significantly during processing. The autofocus is quick, snappy, and highly accurate, making it easy to capture fast-moving subjects with clarity.

Perfect Selfies

The front camera is equally impressive, delivering selfies that are crisp, clear, and accurate in terms of color reproduction. The AI smoothing enhances the skin naturally, without making it look overly artificial, striking the perfect balance. If you prefer additional adjustments, there are Beauty options, but for most users, the AI features will be more than enough for effortless and stunning selfie captures.

Video Excellence

When it comes to video, the Mi 8 supports 4K at 30fps, allowing for high-resolution footage with excellent dynamic range, sharpness, and crisp details. The auto-focus works seamlessly during recording, ensuring smooth transitions between subjects. Additionally, the built-in mic picks up audio clearly, making the phone a reliable choice for casual videography or capturing memorable moments.

Software and User Interface Experience

The Xiaomi Mi 8 runs on the global version of MIUI 9.5, which is based on Android 8.1 Oreo. The UI is straightforward and simple, with no app drawer—everything is managed directly from the home screens. If you’re familiar with MIUI, you’ll feel right at home. The design is clean, making it easy to navigate through the phone’s features without being distracted by unnecessary complexity.

The phone offers several nifty features, such as Second Space, which splits the phone’s storage and operation into two separate spaces for personal and work use. Another helpful tool is Full-Screen Gestures, which replace traditional on-screen navigation buttons, making it easier to control the device with gestures. It also supports dual apps, allowing you to use two accounts for apps like WhatsApp or Facebook simultaneously. These features, along with what Android Oreo brings, make the overall experience close to stock Android, though Xiaomi’s customizations are minimal and simple.

Performance and Benchmarks

The Xiaomi Mi 8 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip, paired with 6GB of RAM that allows it to handle graphics-heavy tasks, multitasking, and even the most demanding games without a problem. We tested heavy titles like PUBG Mobile, Tekken 7, and Asphalt 9, and the performance was smooth, with no noticeable jitter, frame drops, or lags. Facial recognition works fast and responds well, even in bright areas, and it performs surprisingly well in low-light conditions with just a slight delay.