Event Coverage

First Looks: Xiaomi Redmi Note 2

By Liu Hongzuo - 3 Nov 2015

First Looks: Xiaomi Redmi Note 2

Xiaomi Redmi Note 2.

We've had the opportunity to get some first impressions of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2, at the Kuala Lumpur regional launch held today. Xiaomi claims that the smartphone is designed for a flagship-like experience with an affordable pricing of S$229, so we're seeing how the smartphone holds up on its own.

The phone still has their signature red soft-touch menu icons.

To recap, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 has kept its 5.5-inch display size, but now comes with Full HD 1,920 x 1,080 pixels resolution (401 ppi). The performance is handled by an octa-core Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10 chipset, with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage. The phone operates fluidly, and the apps fire up fast - mostly due to MIUI 7 with its optimized app start-up time.

Two Micro-SIM slots are tucked behind the removable rear cover, together with an independent slot for the MicroSD external storage (up to 32GB).

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 also features a removable 3,060mAh battery.

The smartphone's dual-SIM supports 4G networks on both SIM slots, and it has an independent MicroSD card slot. The 3,060mAh battery is removable.

Redmi Note 2 has a Samsung 13-megapixel rear camera module  - the previous Redmi has the same megapixel and pixel resolution count too.

Phase detection autofocus allows the Redmi Note 2 to quickly focus on new subjects in front of the camera lens.

The Redmi Note 2 is still using a 13-megapixel rear camera with 4128 x 3096 pixel resolution. The major change is the addition of phase detection autofocus, which grants the affordable smartphone an autofocus speed of 0.1 seconds or faster. Phase detection autofocus can be considered as an upgrade from conventional contrast autofocus technology.

Fits well in hand, and lightweight too.

The phone measures 152 x 76 x 8.3mm and weighs a mere 160g - it feels very light and compact in hand despite its relatively large and sufficiently bright screen.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 will retail at S$229, with pre-orders for White and Black colors beginning on 11 November 2015. Alternate colors will be sold as replaceable covers at an unconfirmed date.

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