Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is world’s first smartphone with 64MP camera 

Even though Realme tried stealing its thunder, Xiaomi has officially become the first smartphone brand in the world to launch a smartphone equipped with a 64MP camera. The phone in question, is unsurprisingly, the Redmi Note 8 Pro. The Redmi Note 8 Pro is also officially the first smartphone in the world to pack MediaTek’s newly announced Helio G90T processor, also making this one a potent gaming powerhouse – on a budget. 

Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Note 8 Pro in China (to begin with) in as many as three variants - 6GB/64GB, 6GB/128GB and 8GB/128GB. There will be three colour options available, Pearl White, Ice Emerald, and Electric Light Grey, plus a limited World of Warcraft edition inspired by the popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game. 

The main highlight of the Redmi Note 8 Pro is its four-camera setup on the rear. It has a 64MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, a 2MP depth camera, and a 2MP macro lens. That main camera uses Samsung’s 64MP GW1 sensor which works on the same principle as its 48MP GM1 and 32MP GD1 sensors – effectively producing sharper, more detailed 16MP photos in low light, and using software interpolation to produce high resolution 64MP photos as and when required. 

Speaking of core specs, the Redmi Note 8 Pro seems like a comprehensive update to the Redmi Note 7 Pro – on almost all the fronts. It has a 6.53-inch 1080p+ IPS LCD display with Xiaomi’s dot-notch – which also houses a 20MP selfie cam. There’s Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the front as well as on the back, and IP52-certification for limited water and dust resistance. Under the hood, the Redmi Note 8 Pro has a MediaTek Helio G90T processor paired with up to 8GB RAM and up to 128GB storage. There’s also liquid cooling for seemingly cooler extended gameplay. Software inside is Android 9 Pie-based MIUI 10. The Redmi Note 8 Pro further comes with a 4,500mAh battery with 18W fast charging through USB Type-C. 

As is customary, Xiaomi has also launched a vanilla Redmi Note 8 alongside that tries to bring Redmi Note 8 Pro-like experiences at an even more affordable pricing. A quick refresh on the Redmi Note 8 hardware now – the phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor paired with up to 6GB RAM and up to 128GB storage, it packs a 4,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging through USB Type-C, a 48MP main plus 8MP ultra-wide plus 2MP depth plus 2MP macro quad rear camera setup, a 13MP front camera, and it has a 6.39-inch 1080p+ display with Xiaomi’s dot notch and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the front as well as on the back. The Redmi Note 8 will be available in Dream Blue, Meteorite Black, and White colours. 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, Redmi Note 8 Pro prices 

Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Note 8 Pro in China starting at CNY 1,399 (roughly Rs 14,000) for the base variant with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage, while the 6GB/128GB and 8GB/128GB models have been launched at CNY 1,599 (roughly Rs 16,000) and CNY 1,799 (roughly Rs 18,000) respectively. 

Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Note 8 in China starting at CNY 999 (roughly Rs 10,000) for the base variant with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, while the 6GB/64GB and 6GB/128GB models have been launched at CNY 1,199 (roughly Rs 12,000) and CNY 1,399 (roughly Rs 14,000) respectively. 

Although the Redmi Note 8 Pro and Redmi Note 8 are a China-only affair for now, Xiaomi has confirmed that both these phones will be coming soon to India. 

Also Read:  Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro Review: Rewriting The Flagship Phone Rulebook, circa 2019