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The Redmi Note 8T remains usable for calls, messaging, navigation, streaming and light apps, but it is no longer a sensible “current” budget phone. Its useful combination of NFC, microSD expansion, dual-SIM support and a headphone jack can make a carefully inspected used example worthwhile at a deep discount. However, official Xiaomi software support ends at the Android 11/MIUI 12.5 generation, batteries are now aging, and payment or banking compatibility cannot be guaranteed. Existing owners can keep using it for ordinary tasks; most new buyers should choose a newer supported phone unless price or a specific feature is decisive.
What the Redmi Note 8T is
Introduced in 2019, the Redmi Note 8T is a European and UK-oriented sibling of the original Redmi Note 8. The “T” is not a performance upgrade; NFC is its defining regional addition. The phone is commonly identified by model number M1908C3XG and by the community codename ginkgo. It is a 4G handset, not the Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi Note 8 (2021), or Redmi Note 8 5G. RAM, storage, LTE bands, firmware and bundled chargers vary by market.
Xiaomi’s original product information is available on the Redmi Note 8T product page and its specifications page.
Redmi Note 8T specifications
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Release period | 2019 |
| Display | 6.3-inch Dot Drop IPS LCD, 2340 × 1080, 19.5:9, 60Hz |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 front and rear |
| Processor/GPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (up to 2.0GHz), Adreno 610 |
| RAM and storage | 3GB/32GB, 4GB/64GB or 4GB/128GB, depending on market |
| Rear cameras | 48MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro and 2MP depth |
| Front camera | 13MP |
| Video | Up to 4K recording; electronic stabilisation is limited to 1080p/30fps in Xiaomi’s notes |
| Battery and charging | 4,000mAh typical (3,900mAh minimum), 18W USB-C charging |
| Connectivity | 2G/3G/4G LTE, dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC |
| SIM and expansion | Two nano-SIMs plus microSD in a 2+1 tray |
| Biometrics and audio | Rear fingerprint reader, 3.5mm headphone jack and loudspeaker |
| Size and weight | 161.15 × 75.4 × 8.6mm; approximately 199.8g |
Design and display
The 6.3-inch 1080p LCD remains sharp enough for reading, video and maps. Its waterdrop notch is dated, and the 60Hz refresh rate feels less fluid than the 90Hz and 120Hz panels common on inexpensive phones today. Because it is LCD rather than OLED, blacks are less deep and contrast is weaker, although there is no OLED burn-in concern.
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Glass panels and Gorilla Glass 5 give the phone a more premium feel but increase breakage risk. Xiaomi describes a splash-resistant nano-coating, not an IP water-resistance rating; do not treat the handset as waterproof.
Performance and gaming
The Snapdragon 665 was a competent mid-range chip in 2019 and is now entry-level. Android navigation, messaging, email, video playback, maps and casual games remain practical. The 4GB versions handle multitasking better than the 3GB/32GB model, but app launches and switching are slower than on newer phones, especially when storage is nearly full or the battery is worn.
Demanding 3D games require reduced settings and can still stutter. There is no 5G modem, so this is not a performance or network-longevity purchase.
Cameras
The 48MP main sensor normally combines pixels for 12MP photographs; Xiaomi also lists an 8,000 × 6,000 full-resolution mode. In good light, the main camera is the most convincing part of the system. The 8MP ultrawide is useful for groups and landscapes but resolves less detail. The 2MP macro camera has limited practical value, while the 2MP depth sensor mainly assists portrait separation.
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Night shots are acceptable for casual sharing but far behind modern phones with better sensors and processing. Xiaomi advertises 4K video, yet electronic stabilisation is limited to 1080p/30fps. Launch-era reviews from TechRadar and Android Authority praised the main camera and battery in the original sub-£200 context; those price conclusions should not be applied to 2026 used pricing.
Battery life and charging
The 4,000mAh cell and 18W charging were launch strengths. TechRadar reported a full day and sometimes a second day with its review unit under its own test use. That is historical testing, not a promise for a handset that has spent six or seven years in service.
Battery condition now matters more than the original capacity. Rapid percentage drops, unexpected shutdowns, unusual heat or a swollen rear panel mean the phone should be switched off and professionally inspected. A battery replacement can make sense only when the rest of the device is sound and the repair cost is well below replacing the phone.
NFC, Google Pay, SIMs, microSD and the headphone jack
NFC is the Note 8T’s clearest distinction from many budget rivals of its era. Xiaomi explicitly lists NFC and Google Pay support. The 2+1 tray allows two nano-SIMs and a microSD card at the same time, and the 3.5mm jack avoids adapters.
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NFC hardware does not guarantee that Google Wallet or a bank will work in 2026. Availability depends on country, bank, Google Play certification, device-integrity checks, software and each service’s policy. A custom ROM can make payment compatibility less predictable. Test NFC in Settings or with a tag before buying used. Marketplace data is not authoritative: a Back Market US listing has conflicted with Xiaomi by describing the model as lacking NFC.
Official software support in 2026
The phone shipped with MIUI based on Android 9. The documented global firmware history reaches MIUI 12.5.6.0.RCXMIXM on Android 11, with a May 2022 security patch in the cited record. See the global stable firmware history and the global firmware record. Regional builds can have different version numbers and patch dates, but the device should not be advertised as having an active Xiaomi security-support runway.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you install Android 16?
Yes, through community software rather than an official Xiaomi update. The official LineageOS device page identifies the Redmi Note 8T as ginkgo and lists LineageOS 23.2, based on Android 16, on the page generated July 27, 2026.
LineageOS can provide a newer Android base, newer community security work and a less customised interface. It is an enthusiast project: unlocking the bootloader normally wipes data, incorrect firmware can soft-brick the phone, proprietary camera features may change, and banking, DRM, Google Wallet or other integrity checks may fail. Confirm the exact variant, required firmware and current installation instructions before proceeding. Recovery mode uses Volume Up + Power after shutdown; fastboot mode uses Volume Down + Power until “FASTBOOT” appears.
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Buying a used Redmi Note 8T
Choose the 4GB/64GB version as the practical minimum. The 4GB/128GB model is preferable when the price difference is small. The 3GB/32GB version is suitable only when extremely cheap for basic calls or emergency backup; microSD storage cannot replace internal space required by many apps.
Checks before paying
- Confirm the model number, RAM/storage, region and IMEI; ensure the IMEI is not blocked.
- Verify that the Google account is removed, factory-reset protection is disabled and bootloader status is disclosed.
- Test NFC, both SIM slots, microSD, LTE reception, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and the headphone jack.
- Check USB-C fit, fingerprint reader, cameras, autofocus, touchscreen, speaker, earpiece and microphone.
- Look for screen damage, touch dead zones, swelling, abnormal heat and rapid battery drain.
- Match the phone’s LTE bands to the intended carrier. Xiaomi lists FDD B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/20/28 and TDD B38/40, but an imported European model is not guaranteed to work fully on every US network.
- Buy only with a meaningful return period and a seller who states condition, unlocked status and battery policy.
Do not pay near the cost of a newer entry-level phone. Availability is seller- and region-dependent; the cited Back Market US listing was unavailable when checked, so there is no reliable universal 2026 price.
Who should buy it—and who should not
It can make sense for
- A very cheap secondary, travel or emergency phone.
- Someone who specifically needs NFC, microSD, dual-SIM and a headphone jack.
- An owner whose battery and apps remain reliable.
- An experienced user planning a community-ROM installation.
Choose another phone if you need
- 5G, long official security support or predictable banking and payment compatibility.
- Modern gaming performance, OLED/high-refresh display or consistently strong night photography.
- A fresh battery and dependable primary-phone longevity.
- A device for sensitive financial, business or security-critical work without a credible update plan.
Verdict
For an existing owner, the Redmi Note 8T is still serviceable for basic use if its battery and applications behave normally, but it should not be treated as a secure long-term primary phone. For a used buyer, purchase only at a substantial discount after checking the exact variant, network compatibility, NFC and battery. For a custom-ROM enthusiast, its maintained LineageOS listing makes it unusually interesting. For most people, a newer supported phone is the safer value whenever the price gap is modest.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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