Xiaomi's Redmi is about to throw another pair of cheap earbuds into the ring. The Redmi Buds 8 Active just leaked, and if the rumored price is right, they're aiming straight for the throat of India's most crowded market: the sub-₹2,000 true wireless segment.
Deal Highlights
- Expected Launch Price: Approximately ₹1,799 (based on €19.99 European leak).
- Key Features: Open-fit design, 14.2mm drivers, AAC support, and up to 37 hours of total battery life with the charging case.
- Launch Platform: Expected to be available on Flipkart and Amazon.in upon Indian release.
Leaked Specs and the Open-Fit Gamble
Leaked renders show the Buds 8 Active with an open-fit design. That means no silicone tips. They'll just sit in your ear. It's a choice that trades noise isolation for comfort and lets you hear the world around you, for better or worse. Inside, there are 14.2mm drivers, which is a decently large size for this price. Support for the AAC codec is included, which is a must-have for decent sound on iPhones and a nice bonus on many Android phones.
Battery Life and the Price That Matters
The big number here is 37 hours of total playback with the case. That's a lot of juice for a budget pair. But the real story is the price. The leak points to €19.99 in Europe. Xiaomi has a habit of converting that directly to ₹1,799 in India. At that price, these buds aren't just entering a market, they're diving into a warzone against realme, boAt, and Noise.
Why Launch Timing Is Everything
Selling a ₹1,799 TWS in India isn't hard. Standing out in the crowd is. The specs look fine on paper, but that's not enough. Success here lives or dies on launch-day bank offers and discounts.
An Onslaught of Competition
And the competition isn't sleeping. Another brand, Ai+, is about to flood the zone. They've got five new NovaPods models—Go, Air, Pro, Beats, and Buds—launching on February 24, 2026. Flipkart already has microsites live for them. That's five new options hitting the market at the same time, which could force everyone to get aggressive with their pricing from day one.
Don't Confuse Them With the Pros
Keep these separate from the Redmi Buds 8 Pro, which already launched in China. The Pro model is a different beast with two drivers, active noise cancellation, and Hi-Res Audio support. The Buds 8 Active is the stripped-down, cheaper cousin. It's for people who just want sound and battery life, not extra features.
How to Actually Buy Them (And Save Money)
Wait for the official Indian announcement. When it drops, check Flipkart, Amazon.in, and Mi.com simultaneously. The first sale is where you'll find the best deals. Based on past Redmi launches, here's what to expect.
| Expected Offer Type | Potential Benefit | Platform/Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Instant Bank Discount | ₹100 - ₹200 off | HDFC, ICICI, SBI Cards |
| Exchange Offer | Additional discount on old TWS/earphones | Flipkart, Amazon.in |
| No-Cost EMI | 3-month EMI options | Major bank cards |
| Bundle Offer | With Redmi smartphones | Mi.com, Flipkart |
Do the math. If the base price is ₹1,799, a ₹150 bank discount and a ₹200 exchange offer on some old earphones could bring your final cost down to around ₹1,449. That's a meaningful drop for a product this cheap.
So, Should You Buy These?
Here's a simple way to think about it.
Grab them at launch if... your main needs are comfort and battery life, and you don't want to spend more than two thousand rupees. The open-fit design is great for all-day wear when you need to hear your surroundings. With the right discount, the price is low enough that you can't really go wrong.
Skip them and look elsewhere if... you need noise cancellation or a tighter, more secure fit. The lack of silicone tips means these will let in all the ambient noise. For that, you'll need to spend more, maybe on the Buds 8 Pro whenever it lands here.
Or, just wait a week. Seriously. The Ai+ NovaPods launch on February 24th. With five models coming, one of them might undercut Redmi on price or offer a sealed fit at the same cost. It's worth holding off for a direct comparison. In this market, a week of patience can save you a few hundred rupees or get you a better product.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the expected price of Redmi Buds 8 Active in India?
The leak suggests ₹1,799, based on a European price of €19.99.
Will there be launch day discounts on the Redmi Buds 8 Active?
Almost certainly. Look for instant discounts from banks like HDFC or ICICI during the first sale.
Where will the Redmi Buds 8 Active be sold in India?
You'll find them on Flipkart and Amazon.in. They might also show up on the official Mi Store.
What is the difference between Redmi Buds 8 Active and Buds 8 Pro?
The Pro model has noise cancellation and a dual-driver system. The Active model is simpler, with an open design and a focus on long battery life.
Should I wait for the Ai+ NovaPods instead?
If you can wait until after February 24th, yes. See what Ai+ offers with its five new models before you decide.
Bottom Line
The Redmi Buds 8 Active look like a competent, aggressively priced option in a sea of sameness. But their launch is perfectly timed to collide with another brand's product dump. This isn't just a new product launch, it's a stress test for the entire budget TWS market. The real deal won't be which earbuds you buy, but how low the prices go when these companies start fighting over your ₹1,799.
Sources
- gizmochina.com
- gadgets360.com
- gadgets.beebom.com
- notebookcheck.net