Redmi Note 8 series announced: Quad cameras, capable silicon for under $150

Update, August 29 2019 (9:06AM ET): Xiaomi announced the Redmi Note 8 series in China earlier today, but when will we see the phones launch outside its home market?

Well, Xiaomi global vice-president Manu Kumar Jain has issued a tentative Indian launch date on Twitter. Jain notes that testing and certification could take roughly eight weeks, meaning we might see the Redmi Note 8 devices in the market by the end of October or beginning of November.

The suggested launch window means the realme XT will be the first 64MP smartphone in India, with a touted September launch time-frame. Which device would you get? Let us know via the comments!

Original article, August 29 2019 (2:45AM ET): The Redmi Note 8 series has been announced by the Xiaomi sub-brand in China today, succeeding the mega-popular Redmi Note 7 lineup.

Both phones offer quad rear cameras, rear fingerprint scanners, a waterdrop notch, a 3.5mm port, IR blaster, and USB-C. But what else do they bring to table?

Starting with the Redmi Note 8, it packs a Snapdragon 665 chipset, 6.3-inch FHD+ screen, a 4,000mAh battery with 18 watt charging, and a 48MP (Samsung GM-1) quad rear camera setup.

The quad-camera setup also features an 8MP ultra-wide snapper, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro camera.

Other Redmi Note 8 specs include a 13MP selfie camera, a 90 percent screen/body ratio, a rear fingerprint scanner, and Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back.

What about the Pro model?

The Redmi Note 8 Pro is the more impressive model of the lot. It delivers the previously disclosed MediaTek Helio G90T chipset, along with liquid cooling. Thanks to the G90T, the phone also supports the ability to simultaneously connect to 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz Wi-Fi networks, Xiaomi says.

The Pro model also brings a 4,500mAh battery with fast-charging support. Xiaomi says the phone can be fully charged in a little over two hours, and hits 50 percent capacity in 36 minutes.

Xiaomi previously confirmed that it would offer a 64MP quad rear camera setup on the Redmi Note 8 Pro and it’s indeed present here. The 64MP sensor is capable of delivering pixel-binned shots that are equivalent to a 16MP 1.6 micron pixel camera.

As for the rest of the quad rear camera setup, you’re getting an 8MP ultra-wide camera (120 degree field of view), a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro camera. It’s a little disappointing that we don’t see a telephoto camera here, although it isn’t surprising due to the budget nature of the device. Furthermore, the 64MP main camera might soften the blow thanks to its high resolution, potentially enabling better digital zoom.

Other details include a 6.53-inch FHD+ screen with a 91.4 percent screen/body ratio, a 20MP selfie camera, NFC, and Xiaomi’s take on 960fps slow motion. Xiaomi is also selling a version of the Black Shark gamepad attachment for the Redmi Note 8 Pro, retailing for 179 yuan (~$25).

Like the idea of the Note 8 Pro but want a little extra? Well, the company is also launching a World of Warcraft edition (seen above). The model seems identical to the Note 8 Pro, but comes with special edition goodies, including special packaging and a themed case.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro starts at 1,399 yuan (~$196) for the 6GB/64GB model, 1,599 yuan (~$223) for the 6GB/128GB model, and 1,799 yuan (~$251) for the 8GB/128GB variant.

Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 8 starts at 999 yuan (~$140) for the 4GB/64GB option, 1,199 yuan (~$168) for the 6GB/64GB variant, and 1399 yuan (~$196) for the 6GB/128GB model.

The company launched the RedmiBook 14 laptop at the event too, delivering 8GB of RAM and MX250 graphics. The laptop starts at 3,999 yuan (~$559) for the 256GB SSD model with a Core i5 processor, while the 512GB upgrade has a suggested price of 4,499 yuan (~$629). The top-end device, packing a 512GB SSD and a Core i7 processor, will set you back 4,999 yuan (~$699).

Finally, the firm revealed the Redmi TV 70″, marking the sub-brand’s first television. The new TV has a 4K 70-inch screen, octa-core chipset, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage (expandable via USB). Redmi’s first TV comes with a voice-enabled Bluetooth remote, the Patchwall operating system, and the XiaoAI smart assistant. The Redmi TV 70″ will retail for 3,799 yuan (~$532).