The smartphone market is flooded with options, particularly in the budget and mid-range segments. We pit the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, a popular choice known for its gaming capabilities, against the Cubot X19, a more affordable contender. This comparison dives deep into the hardware differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the vast majority of users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G90T chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Cubot X19’s Helio P23, translating to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a significantly better gaming experience. While both phones offer similar battery endurance, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s superior processing power and brighter display justify its higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020. Released 2020 | 2019, August 29. Released 2019, September 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 155 x 74.7 x 9.6 mm (6.10 x 2.94 x 0.38 in) | 161.4 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.35 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~407 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.93 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~78.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763T Helio P23 (16 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CC Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
2 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gradient, Black | Black, Red, Blue, White, Deep Sea Blue, Midnight Blue, Electric Blue, Twilight Orange |
| Models | - | 2015105, M1906G7I, M1906G7G |
| Price | - | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 114h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1326:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 64dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 82dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 224759 (v7), 279355 (v8)
GeekBench: 6999 (v4.4), 1622 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Cubot X19
- Lower Price Point
- Acceptable for Basic Tasks
- Similar Battery Endurance
- Significantly Weaker Performance
- Less Bright Display
- Likely Inferior Camera
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
- Superior Performance (Helio G90T)
- Brighter Display (640 nits)
- Faster Charging (18W)
- Higher Price
- Potentially Larger Size
- May not be significantly better battery life in real-world use
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 640 nits compared to the Cubot X19’s unspecified brightness. Both displays share a 1326:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color depth and black levels. However, the higher peak brightness of the Redmi Note 8 Pro ensures better visibility outdoors and a more vibrant viewing experience. The lack of detailed display specifications for the Cubot X19 makes a precise comparison difficult, but the Redmi Note 8 Pro clearly holds an advantage in usability.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s positioning as a mid-range contender, it likely features a more sophisticated camera system with larger sensors and better image processing. The Cubot X19, being a budget device, likely utilizes simpler camera modules. Without specific sensor sizes, apertures, or image processing details, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison, but the Redmi Note 8 Pro is expected to deliver superior image quality.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm) features a combination of two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz and six efficiency-focused Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Cubot X19’s Helio P23 (16nm), which relies solely on eight Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.5 GHz. While the P23 has more cores, the G90T’s newer architecture and more efficient 12nm process deliver significantly better single-core and multi-core performance. The G90T’s Mali-G76 MC4 GPU also provides a considerable boost in graphics performance, making the Redmi Note 8 Pro far more capable for gaming.
Battery Life
Both the Cubot X19 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro includes 18W wired charging, allowing for faster replenishment of the battery. The Cubot X19’s charging speed is unknown, but is likely slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s more efficient chipset and faster charging provide a practical advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot X19 if you prioritize absolute affordability and only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use. Its Helio P23 chipset is sufficient for these workloads. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro if you enjoy mobile gaming, frequently multitask, or value a brighter, more vibrant display. The G90T chipset and 640 nits of brightness provide a much more enjoyable user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Helio G90T in the Redmi Note 8 Pro capable of handling demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G90T is specifically designed for gaming. It provides sufficient processing power and graphics performance to run PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. While it won't match flagship-level performance, it offers a very enjoyable gaming experience for a mid-range device.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 8 Pro suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T is known to generate some heat under sustained load. However, Xiaomi implemented thermal management solutions in the Redmi Note 8 Pro to mitigate throttling. While some performance reduction may occur during very long gaming sessions, it's generally well-controlled and doesn't render the phone unusable.
❓ Is the Cubot X19 a suitable option for someone who primarily uses their phone for basic communication and social media?
Yes, the Cubot X19 is perfectly adequate for basic tasks like calls, texts, and social media browsing. Its Helio P23 chipset is sufficient for these workloads, and its lower price point makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious users who don't require high performance.
