Mid-rangers are Xiaomi’s “core business” and it is not a case if Redmi recently became an independent brand and carried the company’s sales to incredibly high levels. A few hours ago, the most awaited Redmi phone of the year finally made its debut. We are talking about the Redmi Note 8 Pro which was officially announced alongside the vanilla Note 8. But will the new affordable device become a best-seller like its predecessor Redmi Note 7? Does it have the potentialities to beat the concurrence? Before establishing if that is the mid-ranger for you, we think you first have to understand if it is the best option among several “value for money” devices you can find in the Xiaomi’s catalog. That is why we compared it with the latest ones available globally: the Redmi K20 (also known as the Mi 9T outside Asia) and Xiaomi Mi A3 (Mi CC9e in China).
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro vs Xiaomi Mi A3 vs Xiaomi Redmi K20
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi K20 | Xiaomi Mi A3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 161.3 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm, 199 grams | 156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm, 191 grams | 153.5 x 71.9 x 8.5 mm, 173.8 grams |
| DISPLAY | 6.53 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 395 ppi, LTPS IPS LCD | 6.39 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 403 ppi, AMOLED | 6.01 inches, 720 x 1560p (HD+), 286 ppi, Super AMOLED |
| PROCESSOR | Mediatek Helio G90T, octa-core | Qualcomm Snapdragon 730, octa-core 2.2 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 665, octa-core 2 GHz |
| MEMORY | 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD slot | 6 GB RAM, 64 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB | 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 4 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD slot |
| SOFTWARE | Android 9 Pie, MIUI | Android 9 Pie, MIUI | Android 9 Pie, MIUI |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS |
| CAMERA | Quad 64 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.2, f/2.4 and f/2.4 20 MP front camera |
Triple 48 + 13 + 8 MP f/1.8 and f/2.4 and f/2.4 20 MP f/2.2 front camera |
Triple 48 + 8 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.2 and f/2.4 32 MP f/2.0 front camera |
| BATTERY | 4500 mAh, fast charging 18W with Quick Charge 4+ | 4000 mAh, fast charging 18W | 4030 mAh, fast charging 18W with Quick Charge 3 |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | Hybrid Dual SIM slot | Dual SIM slot | Hybrid Dual SIM slot |
Design
If the design is your priority, then you should not opt for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro. Both Redmi K20 and Xiaomi Mi A3 are definitely better for both their design and their build quality. While Redmi K20 is the most futuristic due to its notch-less display and its pop-up camera, as well as its psychedelic glass back, the Xiaomi Mi A3 is the most compact and the most lightweight, but it has a classic waterdrop display. Both come with a glass back and an aluminum frame, so both have a premium and flagship-like build quality. Given that I am not a compact phones lover and I like notch-less displays, I prefer the Redmi K20. But if you want a device which is easier to use with one hand and to keep in a pocket there is no challenge: Mi A3 wins.
Display
The Redmi K20 is a clear winner when it comes to display quality. It is the only to sport an AMOLED panel which is Full HD+ resolution and HDR-compliant. So it boasts a better color reproduction and even a satisfying level of detail. Redmi Note 8 Pro is Full HD as well, but it has a lower-end IPS display and it even lacks an in-display fingerprint scanner. Xiaomi Mi A3 has an AMOLED display and a UD fingerprint reader, but it comes with a disappointing HD+ resolution instead of Full HD+. But do not forget that its display is smaller and better for one-handed use.
Specs & Software
According to the specs and the benchmarks, Redmi Note 8 Pro has the highest performance thanks to its stunning MediaTek Helio G90T chipset which was specifically made for gamers and demanding users. But it has a higher energy consumption due to the 12 nm production process. However, there is no much to worry about as the Redmi Note 8 Pro comes with a bigger battery. Redmi Note 8 Pro has the best chipset, but Redmi K20 comes in a better memory configuration with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage, while Redmi Note 8 Pro stops at 8/128 GB. However, that is not a so big deal given that Redmi Note 8 Pro has expandable storage while Redmi K20 does not. Note that Xiaomi Mi A3 runs Android One, while Redmi K20 and Note 8 Pro run MIUI.
Camera
Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the most interesting mid-range camera phones out there. It is the first phone to be equipped with a 64 MP camera, the highest resolution ever seen on a mobile phone until now. And it even has a quad camera on its rear side, including an ultrawide sensor, a dedicated macro camera, and a depth sensor. Redmi K20 is an amazing camera phone as well, thanks to its high-end 48 MP sensor and its telephoto lens. Xiaomi Mi A3 is inferior when it comes to rear cameras, but it has a better 32 MP selfie camera.
Battery
Redmi Note 8 Pro has the biggest battery, but we believe Xiaomi Mi A3 will last longer on a single charge because it has a more efficient chipset as well as a more efficient display, thanks to its smaller size and its lower resolution.
Price
Xiaomi Mi A3 is priced €220/$245 globally, Redmi K20 costs about €260/$290 and Redmi Note 8 Pro starts from just €180/$200. Overall, if I do not consider the price, despite the Redmi Note 8 Pro has a better chipset, I prefer the Redmi K20 due to its better display and design. But this does not mean it is a better phone than Redmi Note 8 Pro as the Note boasts a bigger battery, more versatile cameras, and even higher performance. With its compact HD display and inferior cameras, Xiaomi Mi A3 represents a valid alternative just for a smaller niche, but it offers Android One and an amazing selfie camera, so it is not a device to discard. Which features do you prefer and which phone would you choose according to them?
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro vs Xiaomi Mi A3 vs Xiaomi Redmi K20: PROs and CONS
Xiaomi Redmi K20
PROs
- Amazing design
- Great cameras
- Big battery
- HDR and wide display
- UD fingerprint scanner
CONS
- No micro SD
Xiaomi Mi A3
PROs
- Compact
- Android One
- Long battery life
- UD fingerprint reader
CONS
- HD display
Redmi Note 8 Pro
PROs
- Best performance
- Big battery
- Great cameras
- Wide display
CONS
- Less suitable for modding
