The Redmi Note 8 is another successful entry-level smartphone from Xiaomi that offers plenty of power for those who are operating on a budget. The hardware that Xiaomi has included for around 150 Euros (~US$165) is remarkable, although please keep in mind that this pricing only applies to the imported version. The same applies to its high-quality workmanship and build quality, while we are fans of its large IPS panel too. Although the latter does not offer the contrast ratio of an OLED panel, it does use PWM to regulate luminosity, which is a bonus for those who are sensitive to that type of oscillation.

Xiaomi has hardly compromised in any areas either, but the 128 GB of storage and 6 GB of RAM top model costs almost the same as the Mi 9T or Mi 9 SE. While the Redmi Note 8 matches its Mi siblings in many areas, it cannot compete with them on camera performance.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is a triumphant entry-level smartphone. Make sure you buy the right version, though.

A word on buying an imported Chinese variant. Firstly, you may incur costly warranty exchanges or returns, which one would not experience with a handset bought in their local region. Secondly, the Chinese version of the Redmi Note 8 can only stream DRM-protected content in standard definition, a drawback that does not affect the European model. Finally, the Chinese model does not come with Google Play Services preinstalled, although these can be sideloaded. However, few smartphones at 200 Euros (~$220) offer as much as the Redmi Note 8, so we would wholeheartedly recommend checking out the European version if the issues that affect the Chinese model have put you off.