So should you be going for the pro-less but latest version of the Redmi Note or the Pro-ful one of its best-selling predecessor? Well, let’s try to sort things out for you:
Appearance: not much to tell apart
We had mentioned in our first cut of the Redmi 8 that it looked more like the Redmi Note 7 Pro than the Note 8 Pro, and well, that means that in terms of looks, both phones are rather difficult to tell apart. They both come with curved edges and rather flatbacks with Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back. The backs feature a gradient finish, which seems a bit more subtle in the case of the 7 Pro. They are of broadly similar dimensions, and if we really had to push for one, we would perhaps vote for the red Note 7 Pro, but take it from us, there is not much separating these two when it comes to the looks. Both even have P2i splash resistance!
The Pro has the processor
But if the outards of the two phones are broadly alike, the insides are very different. Perhaps the most significant difference comes in terms of the processor – the Note 7 Pro runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 chip while the Redmi Note 8 runs on a Snapdragon 665. This is pretty much a no-brainer – the 665 is not a bad processor by any means, but the 675 is superior.
Memory: the 8 shows the 7 Pro a card!
When it comes to storage and RAM both devices seem equally matched, coming in 4 GB / 64 GB. 6 GB/ 64 GB, and 6 GB / 128 GB variants. Both phones also come with expandable storage. However, a notable difference is that while the Note 7 Pro has a hybrid SIM card slot that alternates as a microSD card slot, the Note 8 has a dedicated microSD card slot in the SIM tray!
Cameras: Four against two…
Perhaps the most notable difference between the two devices is the cameras on them. The Redmi Note 7 Pro came with a dual camera set up, one of which was a 48-megapixel main sensor, while the Redmi Note 8 comes with twice that number of cameras and also a 48-megapixel main sensor. While the Redmi Note 7 Pro only had a depth-sensing secondary camera, the Note 8 has an ultra-wide camera, a depth sensor, and a macro. All of which should make this a cakewalk for the Note 8, right? Well, actually it is a lot closer than those stats suggest.
…and the numbers lie!
For, while the Redmi Note 7 Pro comes with the highly-rated Sony IMX586 as the main sensor (similar to the one seen on the OnePlus 7 and 7T series), the Note 8 has the very good (but not as acclaimed) Samsung GM1 sensor. Yes, the Note 8’s extra ultra-wide and macro lenses do offer more variety, but if you are looking at just simple point and shoot photography, I really think that the Redmi Note 7 Pro has the edge, as it delivers better color and detail. There is not much to choose between the two when it comes to the selfie cameras – both have 13-megapixel selfie snappers, and do a reasonable job on the selfie front without being exceptional. But yes, if you are not really after the ultra-wide and macro options, we would say that the Note 7 Pro on the average takes better shots than the Note 8. There!
The Pro has a slight performance edge
The better processor of the Note 7 Pro becomes pretty much evident when you are in the high-end gaming zone. The Note 7 Pro just seems to handle the likes of Asphalt and PUBG slightly more smoothly than the Note 8, which tends to stutter just a little more. But yes, if you are mainly using your phone for mainstream and general tasks like messaging and social networking and playing the odd casual title, the difference will not seem too great.
Similar batteries, but hey, the 8 has fast charge…and a fast charger too!
Both phones with 4000 mAh batteries. Good enough to easily get you through a day or more of normal to heavy usage. Both come with USB Type-C ports. Both also come with support for fast charging. But there is one massive difference – the Note 8 actually comes with an 18W charger in the box, while the Note 7 Pro has a 10W one. Considering how big the battery in both devices, that is a significant difference.
Wallet watch – whose price pinches more?
This one is pretty much for the Note 8 – it starts at Rs 9,999 for the 4 GB/ 64 GB variant and has a 6 GB/ 128 GB variant for Rs 12,999. The Note 7 Pro, on the other hand starts at Rs 11,999 for the 4 GB/ 64 GB variant, and its 6 GB/ 64 GB variant comes for Rs 13,999 and the 6 GB/ 128 GB variant comes for Rs 14,999. The money math is out there – you can get the high-end Note 8 for Rs 1,000 more than the base model Note 7 Pro!
Wait, what about software?
Pretty much the same, folks. MIUI 10 on top of Android Pie. Both hopefully will get MIUI 11 and Android 10. And with that update will perhaps come greater control over them ads. But software is not a differentiator.
So which one is Note-able for me?
Which brings to the million-dollar – or rather ten thousand Rupee question: which of the two is the Note for you? And the answer as always is – all together now – it really depends on what you need. Now, the Note 7 Pro does seem to have a slight edge, especially in point and shoot photography and high-end gaming. However, if you are looking for slightly more options in photography, the Note 8 picks up points for its macro and ultra-wide cameras. The Note 8 also significantly comes with a fast charger in the box and has a dedicated microSD card slot. We think the Note 7 Pro is the better choice for those who love benchmarks and are looking to push their devices a little. The Note 8, however, is just super for a person with more general needs and a tighter budget. Buy Redmi Note 8 Buy Redmi Note 7 Pro
