Xiaomi Redmi Note - A Phablet for the Masses

Overview, Design & Features

Overview

Xiaomi added a new member to the Redmi family on March 20 with its first phablet, the 5.5-inch Redmi Note. Like its other smartphone models, the Redmi Note was an instant hit with over 15 million pre-orders received a few days after its launch. Considering that Apple took three days to sell more than 9 million new iPhones last September, this is very impressive for a four-year-old company.

Three months after its official launch, Xiaomi finally brought the Redmi Note to Singapore and Malaysia. With a retail price of S$199 (without line contract and inclusive of GST), there is without a doubt that the Redmi Note will sell like hotcakes just because it's priced to please the mass market consumers. Even so, is it worth to shell out nearly S$200 for the Redmi Note? We will explore that in today's review, but first here's a quick overview of the Xiaomi phones sold in Singapore: 

Xiaomi's Family of Smartphones in Singapore

	Xiaomi Redmi Note	Xiaomi Mi 3	Xiaomi Redmi
Launch SRP	From S$199	From S$419	From S$169
Network:	Cellular: Supports 3G(WCDMA) and 2G(GSM) networks 3G: WCDMA (900/2100MHz) 2G: GSM (900/1800/1900MHz)	—	—
Operating system	MIUI V5 (based on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean)	MIUI V5 (based on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean)	MIUI V5 (based on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean)
Processor	MediaTek MT6592 octa-core 1.7GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core 2.3GHz	MediaTek MT6589T quad-core 1.5GHz
Built-in Memory	2GB RAM	2GB RAM	1GB RAM
Display	5.5-inch / 1,280 x 720 pixels / IPS	5-inch / 1,920 x 1,080 pixels / IPS LCD	4.7-inch / 1,280 x 720 pixels / IPS
Camera	Rear: 13-megapixel with aperture of F2.2, 28mm wide angle lens and LED flash Front: 5-megapixel	Rear: 13-megapixel / autofocus / dual-LED flash / F2.2 aperture / 28mm wide angle Front: 2-megapixel	Rear: 8-megapixel with dual-LED flash, aperture of f/2.2 and 28mm wide angle lens Front: 1.3-megapixel
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 LE + Bluetooth 3.0 HS, GPS + GLONASS, A-GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, NFC, A-GPS and GLONASS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 HS, GPS + AGPS
Storage Type	8GB internal storage MicroSD expansion up to 32GB	16GB internal storage	4GB internal storage microSD support up to 32GB
Battery	3,100mAh	3,050mAh	2,000mAh
Dimensions	154 x 78.7 x 9.45mm	144 x 73.6 x 8.1 mm	137 x 69 x 9.9mm
Weight	199g	145g	158g

Design & Handling

Imagine the 4.7-inch Redmi smartphone in a 5.5-inch form factor and you get the Redmi Note.

No, we are not kidding; the Redmi Note is just a bigger version of the Redmi.

5.5-Inch Phones Compared

Phablets Compared

Having used the G3 for a week before this review, we got accustomed to its svelte form factor that the heft of the Redmi Note came off as glaring. But as compared above, the phone is indeed heavy and there's no two ways about that. That said, we have to cut Xiaomi some slack as the Redmi Note isn't meant to be a flagship or premium model that is thin and sleek.

Button placement is similar as the Redmi where the volume rocker and power button are all located on the upper right side of the device. The standard three capacitive buttons are also located just below the display. Unlike the Redmi, Xiaomi has included backlights for the buttons on the Redmi Note. If you prefer the backlight to be off, you can disable it in Settings > Buttons > Button Light. In the same menu, you also can set the duration (1, 2, 5, 10, 20 seconds or Always) at which the backlight remains on. Left-handed users also should take note that the back button is located on the right, hence some form of finger gymnastics is required to reach for the button unless you have large hands or a long thumb.

On its rear, you will see the 13-megapixel camera module and the accompanying LED flash below it. Like the Redmi, you can remove the rear cover although there is no dedicated slit for your finger to pry the back cover open. You have to remove the cover via the micro-USB port cut out at the bottom which is easy and requires little effort. Once the cover is off, you are greeted by a huge removable battery and three card slots above it. 

Two of the three slots are reserved for SIM cards, which only means that the Redmi Note is a dual-SIM phone. Both SIM card slots support data connectivity, but only the left slot supports 3G mobile data while the right slot is rated for 2G data connectivity. That said, the Redmi Note does not support 4G LTE connectivity. 

It also supports dual-standby where both SIM cards can receive calls and text messages simultaneously. Unlike more modern devices that use micro and nano-sized SIM cards, that Redmi Note only accepts the traditional sized SIM cards for maximum compatibility no matter the market and geography. It's much easier to use an adapter to size-up the SIM card rather than having access to a cutting tool should you get a standard sized SIM card from emerging markets.

The microSD memory card slot, which can support memory cards up to 32GB in capacity, will come in handy as the Redmi Note has about 5.05GB of available storage space out of the box since it's only equipped with 8GB of internal storage. The MIUI V5 OS occupies about 1.7GB of storage space while apps and misc. take up the remaining 1GB of storage space.

5.5-Inch 720p Display

The Redmi Note sports a 5.5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1,280 x 720 pixels. At this screen size, the Redmi Note has an unflattering pixel density of 267ppi. However, it is important to point out that other phones of its class - the Desire 816 and Honor 3X - sport similar screen resolutions. 

With Full-HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) smartphones becoming the norm and Quad HD (QHD) displays making their way into the market, a 720p display may seem underwhelming or even unacceptable. If you recall Xiaomi's proposition for the Redmi brand, it represents "a line of high-performance products which are also extremely affordable". With that in mind, one should not nitpick with the display quality.

Moreover, Xiaomi has to cut corners to price the Redmi Note at S$199. Since the display is the more expensive component of a mobile device, it is only logical that you cannot expect the Redmi Note to be outfitted with a better display. Having said that, a higher resolution (e.g. Full-HD or QHD) display will have a negative impact on the battery mileage as seen in our review of the LG G3. Between a slightly better viewing experience and a longer battery life, we think most consumers would gravitate towards the latter.

The 720p display may be a deal breaker for specs junkies or eagle-eyed consumers, but we feel it should suffice for most consumers. Colors, text and images still look good on the Redmi Note, which is what matters the most.

Software Features 

Similar to the 4.7-inch Redmi, the Redmi Note runs on MIUI V5 which is based on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. We've done a comprehensive guide to using MIUI, hence we will not be discussing it in this review. Hit the links below to find out more about the interface, its features and hidden tricks:

• Understanding MIUI
• Top Five Features of MIUI
• The Complete Guide to Xiaomi's MIUI V5 OS
• Seven Hidden Tricks You Didn't Know About Xiaomi's MIUI V5 OS