TECH SPECS
Price: $169
Processor: 1.2Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon 64-bit Snapdragon 410 quad-core
Camera: (Rear) 8MP BSI f/2.2, (Front) 2MP BSI
Screen: 4.7-inch 1,280 x 720 HD screen (312 PPI)
Memory: 8GB Flash (expandable to 32GB), 1GB RAM
Battery: 2,200mAh
RATING
Features 4/5
Design 3/5
Performance 3/5
Value for money 5/5
Battery life 3/5
Overall 4/5
When it is a question of launching a successor to a popular instrument of technology, a common practice is to knock old Spéc. and not to increase the price.
With Redmi 2, Chinese handset maker Xiaomi has followed that blueprint - and then some.
The new handset is an improvement over last year's Redmi 1S and
2013's original model. It has a faster processor, better camera and
more intuitive user interface. The phone has slimmed down, too.
It is also one of the first few Android phones to run on 64-bit
architecture, used by the latest Android operating system, which is
included here.
All this for the same price of $169.
There's more - the Redmi 2 is still a dual-SIM model and is now one
of the first few that supports dual 4G networks, so users can make full
use of the mobile networks they sign up for while travelling.
You can rename each of the SIM card slots to something more personal, instead of the typical "SIM 1" and "SIM 2".
You can choose which SIM card to use at the point of making a call,
or when sending an SMS message. You can also assign default call and
data options to a SIM card.
Camera performance has improved with a new lens, although images had a slightly soft quality to them.
The phone runs faster than its predecessor, but do not expect to
make use of the 64-bit platform just yet. App makers still have to
build apps for it and its true performance can only be measured in the
coming months, when 64-bit apps are made available.
It would seem churlish to wish for better specs given all the
upgrades, but there are a couple of areas that should be better, given
Xiaomi's reputation for offering good quality at a low price.
For one, 1GB of RAM might have been acceptable on the original Redmi
two years ago, but this no longer cuts it now. Apps are now more
resource hungry and there have been instances when the phone's
performance is not as smooth as it could be.
Having 8GB for internal memory is also a disappointment. As half of
that is used up out of the box, users are left with very little storage
space. So the cost of a microSD card must be factored in if you are
thinking of getting this device.
The Redmi 2 wins on pricing and features, although a couple of areas can be beefed up.
