The latest Xiaomi Redmi 2 is perfect for those on a budget, keep reading for the full Xiaomi Redmi 2 review.
We all groaned a little when Xiaomi unveiled the Xiaomi Redmi 2. Overall it was pretty much everything we had seen from the Redmi 1S, and at the time of launch only came with a 1GB RAM option.
Now that I have had some time with the affordable little Xiaomi though I have come to really enjoy it. Itβs an amazing little phone for anyone wanting high-quality and stable performance on a budget.
Xiaomi Redmi 2 review – Hands on
Xiaomi Redmi 2 review – Design
The major update for the Xiaomi Redmi 2 over the previous version is the design of the phone. The new Xiaomi Redmi 2 is lighter and smaller than the older phone and looks much more modern to boot.
The Redmi 2 measures in at 134 x 67.2 x 9.4mm with a weight of 133g, those are not terribly impressive dimensions when compared to some of the designs we are seeing from Chinese companies, but for this price range (699 Yuan in China for the 1GB RAM model) itβs on par with other phones. Itβs also a great improvement over the Redmi 1S which measured 137 x 69 x 9.9mm at 158g.
A narrow body aids comfort as some the very smooth to the touch rear shell. The white removable plastic rear has s very soft texture to it, even my son commented on comfortable the Redmi 2 is to hold.
Knocking a couple of mm of the width and height hasnβt affected the screen size nor resolution as the Redmi 2 retains the same 4.7-inch 720p HD panel as the original Redmi phone.
Beneath the screen are the familiar red navigation keys which still donβt offer a back light below the keys is the notification light. The LED is an RGB model which means you can set up different notifications to shine a different colour. Above the display is a 2 mega-pixel front facing camera.
The soft to the touch rear shell has the famous Mi logo in silver, and we se a slightly protruding 8 mega-pixel Samsung camera, single LED flash and small grill for the external speaker. Speaker placement is good and rarely getβs covered even when holding the phone in landscape for gaming or video.
Smooth, rounded edges and corners really aid the comfort of the Xiaomi Redmi 2. That white panel extends right to the bezel of the screen and holds the power and volume rocker on the right side. A 3.5mm headphone jack is in the top while USB is in the base.
Getting at the SIM trays for the Xiaomi Redmi 2 means roving the rear panel. There are two spaces for LTE SIMs and an additional slot for up to a 32GB SD card.
A bight orange battery can be removed and replaced, but we hoped for something a little larger than 2200mAh (although it did perform well).
Overall build quality is good. The phone feels really solid and well put together with no odd rattle or creaks.
Xiaomi Redmi 2, Redmi 1s Comparison
Xiaomi Redmi 2 Review – Display
At $100 the Xiaomi Redmi 2 doesβt have the budget for a FHD display, but at only 4.7-inch the 720p panel is more than good enough. The lower resolution display also means that the small battery is under less stress and the Adreno 306 GPU isnβt being pushed to itβs limits.
In China the TD-SCDMA version of the Redmi 2 has a Sharp display, phones with WCDMA/FDD that will work outside of China come with a AUO screen. These AUO screens have been known to flicker from time to time, and there are a few comments on MIUI forums of the issue. I donβt know if this has been solved with updates or if I have been lucky as the screen on our test phone has been flicker free.
Iβve used the Redmi 2 without a screen protector for the past few weeks and it hasnβt scratched yet, other users have said the same but it is unsure if the phone uses either AGC or Gorilla Glass 2. Whatever it is it seems to be hard-wearing, and if you are worried there is also the choice of running a tempered glass screen protector.
Gizchina News of the week
Touch response, colours and viewing angles are all very good, although the screen isnβt as bright as say the Meizu MX4. Also, bear in mind that MIUI V6 offers you the option of changing the βtemperatureβ of the colours system wide (settings > additional settings > display > colours and saturation).
Xiaomi Redmi 2 Review – Hardware and performance
Unfortunately at the time of writing only the 1GB RAM version of the Xiaomi Redmi 2 was available for review, although the 2GB RAM model should start shipping through resellers in the next 10-14 days.
Other than lacking a little in the RAM department the rest of the hardware is the same. There is a quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor running at 1.2Ghz and an Adreno 306 GPU. You might already be aware now that this set up isnβt quite as powerful as the Mediatek MT6732 chipset, but at least the SoC is known for reliable GPS and Qualcomm are more likely to open sources for future Android versions (where as Mediatek most certainly will not).
The Redmi 2 is an entry-level phone and in reality we cannot expect blazing performance, and in fact we donβt get it either. With only 1GB RAM on board MIUI V6 leaves just 417mb left over and that quickly getβs eaten up with social media apps open in the background, gaming and general daily usage.
If you have the 1GB RAM version already you should get in to the habit of cleaning your apps (default is a single tap on the menu button), if you havenβt purchased yet go for the 2GB RAM model early next month (March).
Xiaomi Redmi 2 Review – Benchmarks
Call quality is good as is reception, 3G and 4G data. The sound quality through the receiver was launch, but there are plenty of phones out there which have clearer sound, but they are also more expensive too.
Audio through headphones really depends on which headphones you use, but audio through the external speaker is really poor. The volume can be cranked up well, but the resulting sound is tinny and lacks any bass.
With the Snapdragon 410 chip on board I wasnβt worried about GPS performance and found lock on speeds to be fast and accuracy good even when driving.
Battery performance of the Xiaomi Redmi 2 was a concern. With just a 2200mAh battery on board I was really worried how well it would last, even though the phone does have a low power processor and screen. Like any phone the battery life will depend on how you use the device. Generally it is possible to get 2 days of use from the phone if you donβt call very often and you only use an hour or so of video a day. If you tend to call a lot then your battery life will be lower, and we found that the Redmi 2 lacks a little in the battery department if you make a lot of calls.
Xiaomi Redmi 2 Review – Camera
Cameraβs on the Xiaomi Redmi 2 are a basic 2 mega-pixel up front and Samsung 8 mega-pixel on the rear.
The front facing camera is only really worth using for video calls, and when there is plenty of light. Although MIUI does have camera options (such as beauty mode) for the front camera, the sensor really isnβt capable of much.
The 8 mega-pixel F2.2 rear camera is better, and it is possible to take some good-looking photos in nice bright conditions. Image quality remains pretty good even when the sun goes down too, and I would say that low light performance of the Redmi 2 is above average at this price.
MIUI V6 offers some nice camera features in the application. You donβt get the same number of options as you do in MIUI V6 on the Mi Note, but itβs still a functional camera app with Panorama, HDR, HHT (night mode) and manual mode, plus live filters too.
Xiaomi Redmi 2 Review – MIUI V6
One of the biggest features the Redmi 2 offers over phones of a similar price is the MIUI ROM. It might not be everyone’s favourite ROM in the world, but it is a feature packed system with tons of options to customise the phone to run as you like.
MIUI V6 offers so many features that we could spend a whole feature on the ROM alone.
Overall the ROM is stable and offers a lot of options to play around with. Xiaomi also update MIUI frequently to add features and fix bugs, and Lollipop should also be making itβs way to the affordable Xiaomi very soon too.
Xiaomi Redmi 2 Review – Specifications
[table id=187 /]Xiaomi Redmi 2 Review – Conclusion
This version of the Xiaomi Redmi 2 costs 699 Yuan in China with 1GB RAM, and 799 Yuan with 2GB RAM, thatβs between $110 – $130 for a phone that is well made, comfy to hold and boast a powerful and features packed custom ROM.
International reseller HonorBuy.com, who we purchased this review phone from is selling the 1GB RAM Redmi 2 for $149.99, a fair price for a phone which ultimately does everything you expect from it.
Knowing that the 2GB RAM version of the Redmi is going to be on sale soon I would say that you should avoid the current 1GB RAM version as you will enjoy the additional RAM when running multiple apps plus it also gets 16GB of internal memory too.
The Redmi 2 is a phone that I would recommend you to choose if you wanted a good reliable smartphone for your kids, or non techie friend or family member to use. For these users the performance, battery life and the size of the little Xiaomi make it a perfect device, the fact that I will give this Redmi 2 to my daughter to use is proof enough that I feel itβs a reliable device.
If you are on a budget and want more performance, and are a more hands on person then one of the more powerful MT6752 phones could be had for a similar price to the 2GB RAM Redmi 2 and might be worth a look instead.
Thanks again to HonorBuy.com for the Redmi 2 and also the Mi Note which we will review soon.
IMHO, Meizu got this entry level battle this year
m1 is only available with support for China networks at the moment though π
andi it says the M1 note has WCDMA 900/1900/2100MHz, FDD-LTE 1800/2100MHz, TDD-LTE 2600MHz so that will work in Europe?
m1 note is the mid range phone, m1 is the 5-inch Redmi rival.
Redmi 2- 1 GB, is just the same as Redmi 1S – which has i GB, and i think Xiaomi must have realized the mistake. Corrected with 2 GB RAM, but is it going to be enough ? Tougher competition lies ahead for Xiaomi at entry level.
Hi Andi, thank you for the review. I am hesitating between the Redmi 2 enhanced version and the new ZTE Blade S6, which device do you suggest me?
Good news, I actually just received a S6, not sure which model it is but I can do a comparison π
Thank you Andi, well the ZTE Blade S6 has very interesting specs for the price (less than 200β¬ with shipping) even if Its design is inspired by Apple’s phone.
I really expected the Redmi 2 to get a Snapdragon 615 CPU but instead XIAOMI have preferred the Snapdragon 410 which is less powerful. That being said, it is very challenging to find a 5 inch decent phone with overall good specs. I honestly don’t have 350β¬ or 400β¬ to spend in a flagship, I was interested to buy the Xiaomi MI4 16GB Black Version but I changed my mind because of its price.
Hi Andi, which MT6752 phones would you suggest me? I am looking for a device with a screen size from 4.7 to 5 Inch max. My budget is around 220β¬. Thanks.
MT6752 with sub 5.5-inch display? I can’t think of any sorry.
Andi maybe you can review the Landvo L600 pro(MTK6752 5 inch) once you get your hands on it.
I’d LOVE that too Andi !
Landvo phones have intrigued me for awhile now! They’re super cheap and look really promising!
PLEASE review them @Gizchina:disqus !
especially this one : http://www.landvo.com/products/landvo-l600-plus.html
I wanna know about the camera , screen quality ESPECIALLY!
Thank you for the reference, I didn’t know about this phone. Any release date?
your welcome π
March maybe … im not too sure tho.
Will see if I can get one thanks
thanks!
Yup, I’ll ask
Why are the Redmi put up against the M1 Note in the spec sheet, not against the M1?
M1 isn’t available with network support for carriers outside of China.
I know, but the Note is a 5.5″ phablet. How does that even compare against a 4.7″ smartphone?! The Note and the Redmi2 are not competitors, that’s what I was getting at.
Meizu’s competing device is the M1. If you can’t pick that due to lack of network support, than you should pick another brand with a competing device. This is almost “apples and oranges”, the comparison has absolutely no value
IMHO, Meizu got this entry level battle this year
m1 is only available with support for China networks at the moment though π
andi it says the M1 note has WCDMA 900/1900/2100MHz, FDD-LTE 1800/2100MHz, TDD-LTE 2600MHz so that will work in Europe?
m1 note is the mid range phone, m1 is the 5-inch Redmi rival.
Redmi 2- 1 GB, is just the same as Redmi 1S – which has i GB, and i think Xiaomi must have realized the mistake. Corrected with 2 GB RAM, but is it going to be enough ? Tougher competition lies ahead for Xiaomi at entry level.
Hi Andi, thank you for the review. I am hesitating between the Redmi 2 enhanced version and the new ZTE Blade S6, which device do you suggest me?
Good news, I actually just received a S6, not sure which model it is but I can do a comparison π
Thank you Andi, well the ZTE Blade S6 has very interesting specs for the price (less than 200β¬ with shipping) even if Its design is inspired by Apple’s phone.
I really expected the Redmi 2 to get a Snapdragon 615 CPU but instead XIAOMI have preferred the Snapdragon 410 which is less powerful. That being said, it is very challenging to find a 5 inch decent phone with overall good specs. I honestly don’t have 350β¬ or 400β¬ to spend in a flagship, I was interested to buy the Xiaomi MI4 16GB Black Version but I changed my mind because of its price.
Hi Andi, which MT6752 phones would you suggest me? I am looking for a device with a screen size from 4.7 to 5 Inch max. My budget is around 220β¬. Thanks.
MT6752 with sub 5.5-inch display? I can’t think of any sorry.
Andi maybe you can review the Landvo L600 pro(MTK6752 5 inch) once you get your hands on it.
I’d LOVE that too Andi !
Landvo phones have intrigued me for awhile now! They’re super cheap and look really promising!
PLEASE review them @Gizchina:disqus !
especially this one : http://www.landvo.com/products/landvo-l600-plus.html
I wanna know about the camera , screen quality ESPECIALLY!
Thank you for the reference, I didn’t know about this phone. Any release date?
your welcome π
March maybe … im not too sure tho.
Yup, I’ll ask
Will see if I can get one thanks
thanks!
Why are the Redmi put up against the M1 Note in the spec sheet, not against the M1?
M1 isn’t available with network support for carriers outside of China.
I know, but the Note is a 5.5″ phablet. How does that even compare against a 4.7″ smartphone?! The Note and the Redmi2 are not competitors, that’s what I was getting at.
Meizu’s competing device is the M1. If you can’t pick that due to lack of network support, than you should pick another brand with a competing device. This is almost “apples and oranges”, the comparison has absolutely no value
No backlight bleeding like on the Mi3?
No backlight bleeding like on the Mi3?
Has anyone seen the 2GB variant for sale anywhere?
Has anyone seen the 2GB variant for sale anywhere?
JobSheet No. 915071100440
Hi,
I Just purchased a Redmi 2 From Snapdeal.com in Apr, 2015
I Faced problem of heating in just the stand by mode after installing Whats App, MXPlayer etc., Phone generates heat at the back and auto swich off
Due to the above problem i submits the mobile at the Janak Puri Dist,:
HCL Touch (West)
Address: G-5 (II), Shop No.5/126 & 5/127, Janak Place, Distt. Centre, Janakpuri, New Delhi
Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday, 10:00-18:00
Service Center Phone Number: 011- 25615338
on 11/07/2015 and they return it on 24/07/2015 after replacing the bettery
But it still have the same problem, due to that i visit the service center again on 25/07/2015 and explained the problem, They ask to re-submits the phone for 2 weeks.
I am unable to re-submits it for 2 weeks again
Please do the needfull
JobSheet No. 915071100440
Hi,
I Just purchased a Redmi 2 From Snapdeal.com in Apr, 2015
I Faced problem of heating in just the stand by mode after installing Whats App, MXPlayer etc., Phone generates heat at the back and auto swich off
Due to the above problem i submits the mobile at the Janak Puri Dist,:
HCL Touch (West)
Address: G-5 (II), Shop No.5/126 & 5/127, Janak Place, Distt. Centre, Janakpuri, New Delhi
Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday, 10:00-18:00
Service Center Phone Number: 011- 25615338
on 11/07/2015 and they return it on 24/07/2015 after replacing the bettery
But it still have the same problem, due to that i visit the service center again on 25/07/2015 and explained the problem, They ask to re-submits the phone for 2 weeks.
I am unable to re-submits it for 2 weeks again
Please do the needfull