Xiaomi are one of the most talked about Chinese smartphone makers of the day, and they have some of the most wanted phones on the planet. Here we take a look at 3 of the most recent Xioami phones, the Redmi 2, Mi4i and Xiaomi Mi Note.
The current Xiaomi line up consists of the Xiaomi Mi Note, Mi4, Mi4i, Redmi Note, Redmi 2 and Mi Pad. For this side by side look, we are going to be focussing on just the latest 3 Xiaomi phones, the Redmi 2, Mi4i and Mi Note. I would have like to have included the Mi4 too just for comparisons sake, but we don’t have one to hand at the moment.
These 3 Xiaomi phones are designed to specifically fit in different ends of the market. For those wanting an entry-level phone there is the Xiaomi Redmi 2, the Mi4i is the mid range device (and newest Xiaomi at the time of writing) while those with a bit of cash in their pockets can go for the Xiaomi Mi note flagship phone (or the Pro version).
Despite being aimed at different customers and different prices each phone has similarities. They all run MIUI version 6 (although there are different features available in the ROM depending on the phone you have), they all come with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors and they all boast 4G LTE.
Xiaomi Redmi 2
The Xiaomi Redmi 2 is a budget phone and of the three new Xiaomi phones this one has been on sale the longest. The version we have here is the original model with just 1GB RAM, but now a 2GB version is on sale and we fully suggest you go for that one if you are planning on buying a budget Xiaomi.
A 4.7-inch display is a full 1-inch smaller in screen size to the Mi Note, and has a resolution of just 1280 x 720, but that’s fine on a phone of this size.
Specs of the Xiaomi Redmi 2 include an 8 mega-pixel F2.2 main camera, 2 mega-pixel front camera, laminated Sharp display, SD card memory expansion, dual LTE SIM card slots and a removable 2200mAh battery.
In fact of the 3 phones on the list the bargain basement Redmi 2 is the phone Xiaomi phone with dual SIM, removable battery and space for an SD card. The SD card being especially useful.
A Snapdragon 410 running at 1.2Ghz with Adreno 306 GPU handles processing, plus this SoC offers FDD-LTE, WCDMA and GSM network support.
Xiaomi Redmi 2 – who is is for?
The Redmi 2 no longer commands the low-cost market like the original Redmi once did but it is a solid and well made device with good features.
The Redmi 2 is for customers who want good bang for their buck. If dual SIM, SD card, frequent updates are what you want then the Redmi 2 covers those basis.
Xiaomi Redmi 2 availability and price
The Xiaomi Redmi 2 if officially available through Xiaomi’s own online store in China, HongKong, India, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Philipines and Indonesia. Those of you wanting to get your hands on the Xiaomi Redmi 2 in other countries will need to use a reliable reseller where prices start from around $139.99.
Xiaomi Redmi 2 Gallery
Xiaomi Mi4i
The Xiaomi Mi4i is a mid range, plastic bodied phone and the first Xiaomi phone to ever launch outside of China! The Xiaomi Mi4i first launched in India and has since been available in a number of territories outside of Chinese mainland including Hong Kong.
Xiaomi wanted to create a good looking, comfortable and lightweight phone with the Xiaomi Mi4i and after using the larger Mi Note for a few weeks ago I can confirm that the Xiaomi team have done a great job. Although I have come use to using a large screen phone, it is nice to go back to a well designed 5-incher from time to time. If feels great in your hand, easy to use and much more comfortable in your pocket.
Like the Redmi 2 the white Mi4i has a smooth finish, but unlike the more affordable Redmi phone the rear is not removable. Instead a small tray for dual SIM cards is located in the left and the built-in battery size has been generously increased to 3120mAh.
Our Mi4i only arrived on Friday so we haven’t had long with it but so far can comment that it is a very well made phone and is pretty fast thanks to the 2nd generation Snapdragon 615 octacore with 2GB RAM on tap. As some other users have commented I have noted some heat up of the Mi4i, however there is an update on the way which should fix that.
Gizchina News of the week
I can also comment that although many reviewers are stating the 13 mega-pixel rear camera is the same as the Mi Note, this is not entirely true. The Mi Note seems to have much better optics, and perhaps more optimised camera application as there are certain situations where the Mi Note rear camera excels over the mid-range phone. On a whole though the camera performance is pretty terrific and about on par with the Vivo Xshot from last year!
Xiaomi Mi4i – Who is it for?
The Xiaomi Mi4i is the first Xiaomi designed for customers outside of China and Xiaomi have included features that will make is especially appealing for those customers in sunnier climates. A Sunshine display, for example helps viewing in direct sunlight.
The Mi4i is the first international Xiaomi phone to be sent to us too, and its nice to see Google service already pre-installed and ready to go. The Mi4i is also the only of the 3 phones to ship with Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box!
If you are after great power, a wonderful camera and slim comfortable phone then the Mi4i is a great choice.
Xiaomi Mi4i – availability and pricing
Xiaomi are rolling out the Mi4i in India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore etc, and this time it is China that is left waiting for the phone. Again, if you are not in a Xiaomi Global launch area you will need to head over to resellers where the Mi4i is around $289.99. Interestingly this is only slightly less than the Mi4 with metal body and Snapdragon 801, but I feel the camera on the Mi4i is much better and performance is similar.
Mi4i next to Redmi 2
Xiaomi Mi4i Gallery
Xiaomi Mi Note
There are two versions of the Xioami Mi Note, I have the standard model with 5.7-inch 1920 x 1080 display, 3GB RAM and Snapdragon 801 processor, and it is more than enough phone for all current applications.
I never wish for more power, or more RAM or more resolution, but I do wish for more memory as 16GB internal memory and not option for an SD card is a really pain now and then. Still the Mi Note is a killer phone and really in a league of its own.
Of the current Chinese Android phones on the market, there is really nothing that comes close to the Xiaomi Mi Note in design and build, and if it is those aspects of a phone that you focus on then the higher than average price of the phone is well worth paying.
Holding the Mi Note for the first time and you will be blown away by how thin if feels and how wonderful that display is. The speed of the phone is as fast as you could hope and the camera is by far one of the best on a Chinese phone so far. In fact I prefer the Mi Note camera to the Vivo Xshot and the Oppo N3 (two of the creme dela creme Chinese camera centric phones).
There are a few downsides to the phone though. As mentioned above there isn’t room for an SD card, but dual SIM is supported. At 5.7-inch with narrow belles the Mi Note is only 77.6mm, but this can still be a little too much to use one-handed.
The all glass and alloy body is stunning, but it also worries me that it could just smash to a million tiny pieces if I drop it, but what scares me the most is just how smooth the rear of the phone is! I have often left the Mi Note on a table only to find it slowly slide along by itself, an accident just waiting to happen!
Xiaomi Mi Note – Who is it for?
The Mi Note is for people who want the best of the best. The phone boasts HIFI audio, a beautiful screen, class leading build quality, design and materials, killer performance and an incredible camera.
Xiaomi Mi Note – Availability and pricing
The Xiaomi Mi Note is currently only officially on sale in China, but will likely launch in other Xiaomi global launch areas in the coming months. If you cannot wait or you are not located in a launch area then resellers are the way to go again. The standard Xiaomi Mi Note (like ours) costs from $419.99, where as the 64GB model can be had for $459.99. The 2K Mi Note Pro costs an whopping $639.99!
Mi Note next to Mi4i
Xiaomi Mi Note Gallery
Specifications
[table id=209 /]Watch our for our Mi4i review, and are Mi4i vs Mi Note camera shootout.
Look at the bezels, bigger phones have smaller bezels. I would like to find 4,7″-5″ chinese phone with small bezels.
Probably harder to fit all the components inside a smaller body. Smaller body doesn’t mean smaller components 🙂 Bezel size must be sacrified 🙂
Hi Andi,
I own a Mi Note and I agree with you completely: it’s a very well designed and built phone, with good screen and great camera(s). Also I agree with the slippery issue: you can easily check if a surface is flat, using only your Mi Note! Just place it on the surface, and if it’s not perfectly flat it will begin to slide :))) I bought a silicon transparent case in the end, and I’m very happy with it.
Yep, I will have to do the same 🙂 really awesome phone though so glad I have it 😀
If you decide to buy a transparent cover, I recommend you to search for the brand Rock. I tried other types, and this is the best. It’s very well built, and has caps for usb and audio jack.
Thanks I certainly will 😀
@Andi Sykes I think a mi note vs a oppo r7 plus comparison would be a good one.
From what I can tell, they are about the same size, but the oppo r7 plus has a 6″ screen. Hopefully one finds its ways into your lucky hands soon.
@Andi Sykes I think a mi note vs a oppo r7 plus comparison would be a good one.
From what I can tell, they are about the same size, but the oppo r7 plus has a 6″ screen. Hopefully one finds its ways into your lucky hands soon.
Did you review the Mi Note yet? Is it a worthy upgrade for someone who already has the Mi4?
32GB should be the standard nowadays, at least for flagship versions
And most yet if they no provide MicroSD expansion.
It seems like every spec has been on the rise over the past year except storage, we have been stuck on 16GB for too long. Storage is no longer as expensive as it once was. Today you can get 128GB SSD’s for the price that 32 used to cost. And this is a problem that extends far beyond Xiaomi it has become industry wide.
I think i’ll be getting the Mi3.
And this is why their sales are stalling.
Redmi 2 in utterly uncompetitive when it has to compete with the likes of TCL Ono (and even meme da 3S) or the new 399 CNY (64$) Small Pepper http://www.xiaolajiao.com/goods-258.html
The Mi 4i is well designed but priced way high with a pseudo octa core that overheats and lacking microSD.They don’t even have the guts to launch it in China, it would need a 30% price cut.
The Note is an outdated high device and that relegates it to higher mid range , priced higher than the Xiaomi high end devices used to be. The Pro is targeting morons, literally.
Xiaolojiao pepper? Lol
Should we even consider it a smartphone? It doesn’t even come with sensors.
I would pick this one over the xuaolojiao:
Well Mr Troll, the Redmi 2 costs 71% more ,has a lesser SoC, so you go ahead and pick w/e you desire.
And do stop letting me know about it.
Just ignore my comments.
I’m simply showing people how retarded your comments are.
Samsung Note4 is not a 64bit phone and costs 3000% more than this xiaolojiao which according to your criteria should be a better phone.
It doesn’t matter that you can’t even switch to landscape mode because it misses the sensors to do that.
Nice try dude 🙂
I won’t be surprised if you start mocking people that buys the whole phone instead of buying just the SoC for few bucks.
SoCkers!!!! lol
Does Aliexpress make a case for that? Maybe something in wood like bamboo?
Really, these people are trying so hard to justify their hate towards Xiaomi bringing the most ridiculous example to endorse their theory.
According to him Xiaomi is supposed to lower its prices because “Xiaolojiao” came with a lower price.
Xiaolo… Who?
Yea his hatred for Xiaomi has resulted in him just making some of the most moronic comments ever. It’s getting sad how he tries to justify it now.
The TCL Ono isn’t available outside of China (and when it is will be a good option). If you stopped there I would have given you a thumbs up and agreed with you. But you had to mention the Pepper? A phone so cheaply made you can’t even use it like most smartphones.
We all get it by now you hate Xiaomi, they are the worst company in the world and everything they sell is overpriced according to you. But now your comments are bordering on ridiculous lol.
is Mi4i available in china and where to find??
nope not in China, only India, HK and a few other Asian markets at the moment
To expand on what Andi said it is currently available in India, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia officially. For China or any other country you have to buy it from a reseller which the cost is absurd.
Look at the bezels, bigger phones have smaller bezels. I would like to find 4,7″-5″ chinese phone with small bezels.
Probably harder to fit all the components inside a smaller body. Smaller body doesn’t mean smaller components 🙂 Bezel size must be sacrified 🙂
Hi Andi,
I own a Mi Note and I agree with you completely: it’s a very well designed and built phone, with good screen and great camera(s). Also I agree with the slippery issue: you can easily check if a surface is flat, using only your Mi Note! Just place it on the surface, and if it’s not perfectly flat it will begin to slide :))) I bought a silicon transparent case in the end, and I’m very happy with it.
Yep, I will have to do the same 🙂 really awesome phone though so glad I have it 😀
If you decide to buy a transparent cover, I recommend you to search for the brand Rock. I tried other types, and this is the best. It’s very well built, and has caps for usb and audio jack.
Thanks I certainly will 😀
Did you review the Mi Note yet? Is it a worthy upgrade for someone who already has the Mi4?
@Andi Sykes I think a mi note vs a oppo r7 plus comparison would be a good one.
From what I can tell, they are about the same size, but the oppo r7 plus has a 6″ screen. Hopefully one finds its ways into your lucky hands soon.
32GB should be the standard nowadays, at least for flagship versions
And most yet if they no provide MicroSD expansion.
It seems like every spec has been on the rise over the past year except storage, we have been stuck on 16GB for too long. Storage is no longer as expensive as it once was. Today you can get 128GB SSD’s for the price that 32 used to cost. And this is a problem that extends far beyond Xiaomi it has become industry wide.
I think i’ll be getting the Mi3.
And this is why their sales are stalling.
Redmi 2 in utterly uncompetitive when it has to compete with the likes of TCL Ono (and even meme da 3S) or the new 399 CNY (64$) Small Pepper http://www.xiaolajiao.com/goods-258.html
The Mi 4i is well designed but priced way high with a pseudo octa core that overheats and lacking microSD.They don’t even have the guts to launch it in China, it would need a 30% price cut.
The Note is an outdated high device and that relegates it to higher mid range , priced higher than the Xiaomi high end devices used to be. The Pro is targeting morons, literally.
Xiaolojiao pepper? Lol
Should we even consider it a smartphone? It doesn’t even come with sensors.
I would pick this one over the xuaolojiao:
Well Mr Troll, the Redmi 2 costs 71% more ,has a lesser SoC, so you go ahead and pick w/e you desire.
And do stop letting me know about it.
Just ignore my comments.
I’m simply showing people how retarded your comments are.
Samsung Note4 is not a 64bit phone and costs 3000% more than this xiaolojiao which according to your criteria should be a better phone.
It doesn’t matter that you can’t even switch to landscape mode because it misses the sensors to do that.
Nice try dude 🙂
I won’t be surprised if you start mocking people that buys the whole phone instead of buying just the SoC for few bucks.
SoCkers!!!! lol
The TCL Ono isn’t available outside of China (and when it is will be a good option). If you stopped there I would have given you a thumbs up and agreed with you. But you had to mention the Pepper? A phone so cheaply made you can’t even use it like most smartphones.
We all get it by now you hate Xiaomi, they are the worst company in the world and everything they sell is overpriced according to you. But now your comments are bordering on ridiculous lol.
Does Aliexpress make a case for that? Maybe something in wood like bamboo?
Really, these people are trying so hard to justify their hate towards Xiaomi bringing the most ridiculous example to endorse their theory.
According to him Xiaomi is supposed to lower its prices because “Xiaolojiao” came with a lower price.
Xiaolo… Who?
Yea his hatred for Xiaomi has resulted in him just making some of the most moronic comments ever. It’s getting sad how he tries to justify it now.
is Mi4i available in china and where to find??
nope not in China, only India, HK and a few other Asian markets at the moment
To expand on what Andi said it is currently available in India, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia officially. For China or any other country you have to buy it from a reseller which the cost is absurd.
It’s a shame that they do not realize that one simple SDcard holder would have rised considerably the value of the Mi4i and placed it in the same ballpark as the Mi4 and Mi note. The customers would have a far better palette to chose from : better choice between top placed phones with different screen sizes and good prices too!!!
Incredible how in 2015 one big company like Xiaomi does still silly marketing decision …
This decision will leave to other companies very big competing opportunities, the mi4i with only 16GB is really a crippled phone in 2015!!! Amazing stupid!!!
It’s a shame that they do not realize that one simple SDcard holder would have rised considerably the value of the Mi4i and placed it in the same ballpark as the Mi4 and Mi note. The customers would have a far better palette to chose from : better choice between top placed phones with different screen sizes and good prices too!!!
Incredible how in 2015 one big company like Xiaomi does still silly marketing decision …
This decision will leave to other companies very big competing opportunities, the mi4i with only 16GB is really a crippled phone in 2015!!! Amazing stupid!!!
Any updates on the Chinese release date of the Mi4i? I was waiting for the Redmi 2 GB version availability (Mi4 is out of budget) but they launched the Mi4i with more appealing specs. Should I wait for the China launch? What will be the price approx?
It is indeed a really amazing phone, I got it to replace my OnePlus One but I’m so undecided. But I have a few queries if anyone can help.
Pros
– Great battery
– Great screen and camera
– Easy sleek software
Cons:
– I’m just trying to add the “Double tap to wake” function as after having it on my OnePlus One I can’t do without. Do you know how to add it?
– Also all the Chinese apps & additional softwares that confuse me, I might as well remove them as I did with my (glorious) Mi2s…
– No Lollipop?
– Themes are so silly?
Double tap to wake is kernel related. You will need a custom kernel for that
Oh great. Any suggestion would be very welcome.
Oh great. Any suggestion would be very welcome.
Double tap to wake is kernel related. You will need a custom kernel for that
Any updates on the Chinese release date of the Mi4i? I was waiting for the Redmi 2 GB version availability (Mi4 is out of budget) but they launched the Mi4i with more appealing specs. Should I wait for the China launch? What will be the price approx?
It is indeed a really amazing phone, I got it to replace my OnePlus One but I’m so undecided. But I have a few queries if anyone can help.
Pros
– Great battery
– Great screen and camera
– Easy sleek software
Cons:
– I’m just trying to add the “Double tap to wake” function as after having it on my OnePlus One I can’t do without. Do you know how to add it?
– Also all the Chinese apps & additional softwares that confuse me, I might as well remove them as I did with my (glorious) Mi2s…
– No Lollipop?
– Themes are so silly?
Double tap to wake is kernel related. You will need a custom kernel for that
Oh great. Any suggestion would be very welcome.
Hi, thanks for the overview.
I managed to crack a corner of my beloved beautiful note, In its defense, it had survived multiple midnight drops from various bedside tables (I travel a lot), and abusive cohabitation in the depths of handbags with loose keys and other metal objects. But what had it in was a 2m drop on a hard floor sliding out a stack of documents that I was carrying. Mind you, it still worked, just a small crack on the edge. But the new pro had come out… I splurged on a note pro.
Is it worth the upgrade? Not sure. Frankly, I need to have them side-by side to appreciate the upgraded specs. I will “downgrade” to the note now that I’ve used the pro and let you know if the experience is different.
BTW I was concerned reading about rumored overheating issues. The only observation I can make is that in normal conditions, there is no overheating. However, if you let some apps running in the background (like 9gag), all xiaomis get very warm. No particular difference with the note pro.
this is made with the note
this is made with the note pro
both files compressed by adding to an email, file sizes were slightly >2MB
note (not compressed)
notepro (not compressed)
Hi, thanks for the overview.
I managed to crack a corner of my beloved beautiful note, In its defense, it had survived multiple midnight drops from various bedside tables (I travel a lot), and abusive cohabitation in the depths of handbags with loose keys and other metal objects. But what had it in was a 2m drop on a hard floor sliding out a stack of documents that I was carrying. Mind you, it still worked, just a small crack on the edge. But the new pro had come out… I splurged on a note pro.
Is it worth the upgrade? Not sure. Frankly, I need to have them side-by side to appreciate the upgraded specs. I will “downgrade” to the note now that I’ve used the pro and let you know if the experience is different.
BTW I was concerned reading about rumored overheating issues. The only observation I can make is that in normal conditions, there is no overheating. However, if you let some apps running in the background (like 9gag), all xiaomis get very warm. No particular difference with the note pro.
this is made with the note
this is made with the note pro
both files compressed by adding to an email, file sizes were slightly >2MB
note (not compressed)
notepro (not compressed)