Xiaomi just launched the Redmi Note 8, offering 48 MP photography at ridiculous price points!
Here is EVERYTHING you need to know about the new Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, including its key features, price and availability!
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Revealed!
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (Lazada | Shopee) builds upon the Redmi Note 7 that was launched just 6.5 months ago, offering a faster and more efficient Snapdragon 665 mobile platform and expanded photographic capabilities.
Join Allen An, Xiaomi Country Manager of Malaysia and Singapore, for his presentation on what’s new!
Faster + More Efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 AIE
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (Lazada | Shopee) replaces the old 14 nm Snapdragon 660 AIE platform, with a new 11 nm Snapdragon 665 AIE platform.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 actually has a slightly slower CPU, but makes up for it with a much faster Adreno 610 GPU.
More importantly, it is built on the smaller 11 nm process technology, which reduces its power consumption and thermal output.
Expanded Photographic Capabilities
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 first introduced a 48 MP main camera built around the Samsung ISOCELL Bright GM1 sensor, paired with a 5 MP depth sensor.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (Lazada | Shopee) uses the same 48 MP Samsung GM1 camera, but pairs it with a 2 MP depth sensor instead while offering expanded photographic capabilities through two additional cameras :
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a new 8 MP wide-angle camera with f/2.2 aperture
a new 2 MP macro camera with f/2.4 lens
The Redmi Note 8 Has Faster Charging… Well, Not Quite
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (Lazada | Shopee) supports 18 watt fast charging. However, it only ships with a 10 watt fast charger.
If you wish to make full use of its faster charging capability, you will need to purchase a separate 18 watt fast charger.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 vs Redmi Note 7 Comparison
Specifications
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8
Xiaomi Redmi Note 7
Display
6.3-inch Dot Drop display – 1080 x 2340 pixels (409 ppi)
– 84% NTSC, 1500:1 contrast ratio
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (front + back)
IP Rating
NA
Operating System
Android 9 Pie
System Platform
Qualcomm Snapdragon 665
Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
CPU
4 x Qualcomm Kryo 260 Gold cores (2.0 GHz)
4 x Qualcomm Kryo 260 Silver cores (1.8 GHz)
4 x Qualcomm Kryo 260 Gold cores (2.2 GHz)
4 x Qualcomm Kryo 260 Silver cores (1.8 GHz)
48 MP Samsung GM1 camera with f/1.79 aperture 8 MP wide-angle camera with f/2.2 aperture 2 MP macro camera with f/2.4 lens 2 MP depth sensor with f/2.4 lens
48 MP Samsung GM1 camera with f/1.8 aperture 5 MP depth sensor with f/2.4 lens
Dual SIM Capability
Dual SIM, dual active capable
Connectivity
4G : LTE Cat 13 UL, Cat 13 DL
Wi-Fi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 2.0 Type C
Fingerprint Sensor
Yes, Rear-Mounted
Other Sensors
Proximity, Ambient Light, Acceleratometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
NFC
No
Battery
4,000 mAh lithium-ion battery
Charger
18 W fast charging (maximum)
10 W fast charger in box
10 W fast charging (maximum)
10 W fast charger in box
Dimensions
75.3 mm wide
158.3 mm tall
8.35 mm thick
75.21 mm wide
159.21 mm tall
8.1 mm thick
Weight
190 g
186 g
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Price + Availability
Like they did with the Redmi Note 7, Xiaomi will offer three Redmi Note 8 models :
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At first glance, they are both 48 MP image sensors with pretty much the same specifications. But there is one key difference. Find out what it is, and if it matters to you!
The Sony IMX586 Image Sensor
Sony makes many of the industry’s best image sensors, and their IMX585 is no exception.
First announced on 23 July 2018, the Sony IMX586 was the world’s first image sensor to feature an ultra-small 0.8 μm pixel size.
It is a stacked CMOS image sensor, that uses a Quad Bayer colour filter array – where adjacent 2×2 pixels are in the same colour.
In low-light conditions, signals from four adjacent pixels to be combined into a Super Pixel with the effective pixel size of 1.6 μm pixels. This allows for significantly brighter low-light photos, albeit at 12 MP.
At half an inch, or 8 mm, it is considered a relatively large sensor. Shipping in September 2018, it has so far been used in the Xiaomi Mi 9, the Redmi Note 7 Pro, ASUS 6Z, OnePlus 7 Pro and now, the Mi 9T Pro / K20 Pro.
The Sony IMX582 Image Sensor
The Sony IMX582, on the other hand, is a complete mystery.
Until its introduction in the Xiaomi Mi 9T / Redmi K20, no one has ever heard of it, much less seen it used in any smartphone.
At first glance, it is identical to the Sony IMX586 – a stacked CMOS image sensor with 48 million 0.8 μm pixels that can be combined into 12 million 1.6 μm pixels.
However, we can confirm that the Sony IMX582 is different from the IMX586 in at least one aspect – its 4K video recording capability.
Sony IMX586 vs Sony IMX582
The Sony IMX586 is capable of recording 4K videos at up to 90 fps, but the Sony IMX582 is limited to 4K videos at just 30 fps.
For your convenience, we summarise their specifications in this table :
Specifications
Sony IMX586
Sony IMX582
Sensor Size
1/2-inch (8 mm)
1/2-inch (8 mm)
Resolution (Native)
48 MP : 8000 x 6000 pixels
48 MP : 8000 x 6000 pixels
Resolution (Super Pixel Mode)
12 MP : 4000 x 3000 pixels
12 MP : 4000 x 3000 pixels
Pixel Size (Native)
0.8 μm
0.8 μm
Pixel Size (Super Pixel Mode)
1.6 μm
1.6 μm
Video Recording
4K @ 90 fps
1080p @ 240 fps
720p @ 480 fps
4K @ 30 fps
1080p @ 240 fps
720p @ 480 fps
Now, many other websites are saying that the IMX586 can record 4K videos only up to 60 fps, but they are wrong.
They most likely got confused by Xiaomi’s statement that the IMX586 was limited to 4K @ 60 fps in Mi 9 and Mi 9T Pro / K20 Pro smartphones.
The fact is Sony rated the IMX586 for 4K @ 90 fps, but Xiaomi limits 4K video recording to 60 fps in their smartphones.
So Which Is Better – IMX586 or IMX582?
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The Sony IMX586 is the superior sensor, by virtue of being able to record 4K video at higher frame rates.
But that feature is moot for many users, because most users do not record 4K videos at 60 fps, never mind 90 fps…
Unless you want to record high speed 4K video, both sensors are practically the same.
In fact, we believe that the IMX582 is really nothing more than the IMX586 with a throttled 4K recording capability.
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Xiaomi launched the Mi 9T (Redmi K20) in June, and now they finally launched the Mi 9T Pro, also known as the Redmi K20 Pro!
Here is our hands-on preview of the new Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro, as well as our comparison of all three colour options!
Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro (Redmi K20 Pro) Preview
We had the opportunity to get some hands-on time with the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro (Redmi K20 Pro) before its launch. Here is our preview of all three colour options!
The Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro is, in many respects, very similar to the Mi 9T (Redmi K20). In fact, there are only three key aspects in which they differ…
Flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Platform
The Xiaomi Mi 9T (Redmi K20) is powered by the mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 platform, while the Mi 9T Pro (Redmi K20 Pro) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 flagship platform.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 has a triple-cluster CPU architecture, that consists of :
a prime Qualcomm Kryo 485 Gold core (2.84 GHz)
three performance Qualcomm Kryo 485 Gold cores (2.42 GHz)
four low-power Qualcomm Kryo 485 Silver cores (1.8 GHz)
It also has an Qualcomm Adreno 640 GPU, with a clock speed of 585 MHz.
Xiaomi took great pains to point out to us that it has great gaming performance, even though it is not the Snapdragon 855 Plus that will power some “gaming smartphones” like the ROG Phone 2, and the upcoming Black Shark 2 Pro.
To ensure sustained performance, the Snapdragon 855 is kept cool by an 8-layer graphite stack, and a bi-directional cooling system.
Xiaomi only let us test the Mi 9T Pro for two rounds of PUBG Mobile. It had no problem (of course) running PUBG Mobile with all the graphics features turned on, but it will get pretty toasty.
Both models have a 20 MP front camera. But they differ in two aspects :
the Mi 9T Pro has a larger sensor, with much larger 1.6 μm pixels (versus 0.9 μm pixels)
the Mi 9T‘s front camera has a slightly larger f/2.0 aperture (versus f/2.2)
What this means is the Mi 9T Pro’s front camera will give you better picture quality with less noise. And even though it has a slightly smaller aperture, it will still deliver better low-light performance because it has 78% larger pixels.
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Better Video Recording Capability
The Mi 9T (Redmi K20) uses the Sony IMX582 sensor, while the Mi 9T Pro (Redmi K20 Pro) uses the Sony IMX586 sensor.
However, they are both virtually the same – with the same sensor size, pixel size and 48 MP resolution.
The only difference – the IMX582 can only record 4K videos at up to 30 fps, while the IMX586 can record 4K videos at up to 60 fps.
1 x Kryo 485 Gold core (2.84 GHz)
3 x Kryo 485 Gold cores (2.42 GHz)
4 x Kryo 485 Silver cores (1.8 GHz)
2 x Kryo 470 Gold (2.2 GHz)
6 x Kryo 470 Silver (1.8 GHz)
Graphics Processor
Qualcomm Adreno 640 (585 MHz)
Qualcomm Adreno 618 (610 MHz)
Memory
6 GB LPDDR4x-3733 memory
6 GB LPDDR4x-3733 memory
Storage
64 GB / 128 GB (UFS 2.1)
No microSD card slot
64 GB / 128 GB (UFS 2.1)
No microSD card slot
Front Camera
20 MP sensor with 1.6 μm pixels, and f/2.2 aperture
20 MP sensor with 0.9 μm pixels, and f/2.0 aperture
Rear Cameras
Triple Camera System
- 48 MP Sony IMX586 camera with f/1.75 aperture
- 8 MP telephoto camera with f/2.4 aperture
- 13 MP ultra-wide angle camera with f/2.4 aperture
Triple Camera System
- 48 MP Sony IMX582 camera with f/1.75 aperture
- 8 MP telephoto camera with f/2.4 aperture
- 13 MP ultra-wide angle camera with f/2.4 aperture
Connectivity
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 2.0 Type C
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 2.0 Type C
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Xiaomi just launched the Mi Smart Band 4 – their latest smart band / smart watch! Here is everything you need to know about this new wearable device!
Mi Smart Band 4
Let’s start with the official product briefing by Allen An, Xiaomi Country Manager for Malaysia and Singapore.
Full Colour AMOLED Display!
It now features a full-colour AMOLED display, so you can now view your fitness stats, messages and notifications in 24-bit colour!
Long Battery Life!
You need not worry about how much power the full-colour AMOLED display consumes. It comes with a 135 mAh LiPo battery that is rated to last up to 20 days on a single charge!
More Tracking Features
In addition to tracking features from the previous generations, it now features a new swim tracking mode that monitors :
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Xiaomi just launched the Mi A3 – their new best-in-class Android One smartphone. It promises to offer a big upgrade over last year’s Mi A2 smartphone.
Let’s take a look at what Xiaomi upgraded in the new Mi A3, and see how much has changed from the Mi A2!
The Xiaomi Mi A3 Smartphone
Let’s start with the official Xiaomi Mi A3 tech briefing by Allen An, Xiaomi Country Manager for Malaysia and Singapore.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 AIE Platform
The Xiaomi Mi A3 (MY | US | UK | AU) uses a newer, upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 mobile platform. Despite its name, it actually has slightly slower CPU performance than the Mi A2‘s Snapdragon 660.
However, it boasts a faster Adreno 610 GPU, and is fabricated on the 11 nm process, which means it is smaller, runs cooler and is more power-efficient.
The Mi A3 also comes with UFS 2.1 flash storage, which is much faster than the eMMC 5.1 flash storage used in the Mi A2.
HD+ AMOLED Display
Xiaomi swapped out the Mi A2‘s Full HD+ IPS display, for a HD+ AMOLED display in the Mi A3.
It has a lower resolution, but offers a much better colour gamut of 102.7% NTSC, with a higher contrast ratio of 60,000:1.
Front Camera : 32 MP With Super Pixel
Xiaomi swapped out the Mi A2‘s 20 MP front camera with f/1.75 aperture and LED flash for a 32 MP front camera with f/2.0 aperture.
To ensure great low-light performance, this 32 MP front camera supports Super Pixel technology, which combines four pixels, creating a large 1.6 μm pseudo-pixel.
Triple Rear Cameras : Dual Cameras + Depth Sensor
The Mi A2 paired a 12 MP Sony IMX486 camera with a 20 MP Sony IMX376 low-light camera. Xiaomi took a different direction with the Mi A3.
The Xiaomi Mi A3 (MY | US | UK | AU) boasts a 48 MP main camera with a large ½” sensor size and bright f/1.79 aperture. It supports Super Pixel technology, so that takes care of low-light performance.
The main camera is paired with a 2 MP depth sensor, which does not take any photos. Its sole function is to obtain depth data so the Mi A3 can create accurate software bokeh effects.
The second camera is now an 8 MP ultra-wide angle camera, with f/2.2 aperture. This offers more creative photography options than the Mi A2.
The Audio Port + microSD Slot Returns!
Xiaomi also listen to pleas from their fans and reintroduced the 3.5 mm audio port, and the microSD slot. So you can now use your wired earphones, and add more storage!
34% More Battery Capacity!
The Mi A2 was criticised for its relatively small 3,000 mAh battery, which did not last long with the power-hungry Snapdragon 660 processor.
Xiaomi fixed that with a much larger 4,030 mAh battery in the Mi A3 (MY | US | UK | AU). Coupled with the more power-efficient Snapdragon 665 processor, it should deliver a much longer battery life.
Xiaomi Mi A3 vs. Xiaomi Mi A2
Here are the specifications of both smartphones compared!
Specifications
Xiaomi Mi A3
Xiaomi Mi A2
Display
6.088-inch IPS display
- 720 x 1560 pixels
5.99-inch IPS display
- 1080 x 2160 pixels (403 ppi)
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Operating System
Android 9.0 Pie
Android 8.1 Oreo
System Platform
Qualcomm Snapdragon 665
Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
Processor
4 x Kryo 260 Gold (2.0 GHz)
4 x Kryo 260 Silver (1.8 GHz)
4 x Kryo 260 Gold (2.2 GHz)
4 x Kryo 260 Silver (1.84 GHz)
Graphics Processor
Qualcomm Adreno 610
Qualcomm Adreno 512
Memory
4 GB LPDDR4x SDRAM
4 GB LPDDR4X SDRAM
Storage
64 / 128 GB internal storage microSD card slot
64 GB internal storage No microSD card slot
Front Camera
32 MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture
- 1080p @ 30 fps video
20 MP IMX376 sensor with f/1.75 aperture
- single LED flash
- 1080p @ 30 fps video
Rear Camera
Triple Lens Camera
- 48 MP Sony camera (f/1.79)
- 8 MP ultra-wide angle camera (f/2.2)
- 2 MP depth sensor (f/2.4)
- Dual-tone LED flash
- 2160p @ 30 fps video
Dual Lens Camera
- 12 MP Sony IMX486 camera (f/1.75)
- 20 MP Sony IMX376 low-light camera (f/1.75)
- PDAF capability
- Dual-tone LED flash
- 2160p @ 30 fps video
Connectivity
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB-C
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 2.0 Type C
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Xiaomi just launched the highly-affordable Redmi 7A smartphone! Here are its official price list, specifications and availability!
The Xiaomi Redmi 7A Smartphone
The Xiaomi Redmi 7A is their new entry-level smartphone, offering a major upgrade over the Redmi 6A.
It has a better design built around a more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 platform, a larger 4,000 mAh battery, and splash resistance.
The Redmi 7A has a 5 MP front camera, with a 12 MP rear camera. It also has a 5.45-inch HD+ display, with low blue light eye protection certified by TÜV Rheinland.
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Xiaomi just launched the Mi 9T smartphone. Also known as the Redmi K20, it boasts a pop-up front camera and a 48 MP triple camera system at the back!
Here is everything you need to know about the new Xiaomi Mi 9T / Redmi K20 smartphone – its key features, specifications, price and offer!
Xiaomi Mi 9T (Redmi K20) Key Features
At the launch, Allen An, Country Manager of Xiaomi Malaysia and Singapore, briefed us on the key features of the new Mi 9T / Redmi K20 smartphone.
Xiaomi Mi 9T / Redmi K20 Performance
Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 platform is built on the 8nm process, with two high-speed Kryo 470 Gold cores, six high-efficiency Kryo 470 Silver cores, and an Adreno 618 GPU.
The Mi 9T (MY) comes with 6 GB of LPDDR4x memory, and either 64 GB or 128 GB of internal flash storage. It is powered by a 4,000 mAh battery that supports 18 W fast charging.
It boasts the same 6.39-inch AMOLED display as the Mi 9, with one big difference though – it has no notch!
This is an excellent display which offers a Full HD+ resolution with 60,000:1 contrast ratio and 103.8% NTSC colour gamut!
Front + Rear Cameras
In the front, the Xiaomi Mi 9T (MY) has a 20 MP selfie camera that pops-up when you need it. This allows Xiaomi to remove the notch from the display!
In the back, it boasts a triple camera system, which consists of a 48 MP main camera with f/1.75 lens, an 8 MP telephoto camera with f/2.4 lens, and a 13 MP ultra-wide angle camera with f/2.4 lens.
1 x Kryo 485 Gold core (2.84 GHz)
3 x Kryo 485 Gold cores (2.42 GHz)
4 x Kryo 485 Silver cores (1.8 GHz)
2 x Kryo 470 Gold (2.2 GHz)
6 x Kryo 470 Silver (1.8 GHz)
Graphics Processor
Qualcomm Adreno 640 (585 MHz)
Qualcomm Adreno 618 (610 MHz)
Memory
6 GB LPDDR4x-3733 memory
6 GB LPDDR4x-3733 memory
Storage
64 GB / 128 GB (UFS 2.1)
No microSD card slot
64 GB / 128 GB (UFS 2.1)
No microSD card slot
Front Camera
20 MP sensor with 1.6 μm pixels, and f/2.2 aperture
20 MP sensor with 0.9 μm pixels, and f/2.0 aperture
Rear Cameras
Triple Camera System
- 48 MP Sony IMX586 camera with f/1.75 aperture
- 8 MP telephoto camera with f/2.4 aperture
- 13 MP ultra-wide angle camera with f/2.4 aperture
Triple Camera System
- 48 MP Sony IMX582 camera with f/1.75 aperture
- 8 MP telephoto camera with f/2.4 aperture
- 13 MP ultra-wide angle camera with f/2.4 aperture
Connectivity
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 2.0 Type C
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 2.0 Type C
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20 MP sensor with 0.9 μm pixels, and f/2.0 aperture
13 MP sensor
Rear Cameras
Triple Camera System
- 48 MP Sony IMX586 camera with f/1.75 aperture
- 12 MP telephoto camera with f/2.2 aperture
- 16 MP ultra-wide angle camera with f/2.2 aperture
Dual Lens Camera
- 48 MP camera with f/1.8 aperture
- 5 MP depth sensor
- single LED flash
Connectivity
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 2.0 Type C
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 2.0 Type C
3,300 mAh lithium-ion battery
- supports 27 W fast charging / 20 W wireless fast charging
4,000 mAh lithium-ion battery
- supports 10 W fast charging
Dimensions
74.67 mm wide
157.5 mm tall
7.61 mm thick
75.21 mm wide
159.21 mm tall
8.1 mm thick
Weight
173 grams
186 grams
Colour Options
Piano Black / Ocean Blue / Lavender Violet
Space Black / Neptune Blue / Nebula Red
As you can see, they are really quite different smartphones, even though they both have a 48 MP main camera.
Unboxing The Xiaomi Mi 9
The Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) comes in a premium pearl white box. Let’s unbox it, and see what we find inside!
When you fully unbox it, you will find the following items :
One Xiaomi Mi 9 smartphone
One Xiaomi Mi 9 clear TPU bumper case
One set of Xiaomi Mi 9 documents
One Xiaomi MDY-08-E1 USB charger (18 watt)
One USB Type C data and power cable
One USB Type C to 3.5 mm audio adaptor
One SIM tray extractor pin
While we always like it when brands include a bumper case, this bumper case falls short of our expectations. We will explain it in our close-up look at the Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) and its bumper case.
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The Xiaomi Mi 9 Up Close!
The Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) is built around a large 6.39-inch Dot Drop display.
Like the Redmi Note 7, the Mi 9 display has a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, but it has a superior Samsung AMOLED panel that delivers a 60,000:1 contrast ratio and 103.8% of the NTSC colour gamut!
The Mi 9 is protected in the front and back by Corning Gorilla Glass 6, which offers 2X the damage resistance than Gorilla Glass 5 used to protect Redmi Note 7.
Disappointingly, the bundled TPU bumper case was not well-designed. It does not protect the display or the camera bump at all. It can only protect against falls on the sides of the phone…
Fortunately, the camera bump is protected by sapphire glass, which is tougher and less likely to scratch than Gorilla Glass.
On the left side, you will find the SIM tray and a Google Assistant button (like the Bixby button on Samsung smartphones).
The Power and Volume control buttons are both located on the right side.
Even though the Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) is thick enough to support a 3.5 mm audio port, Xiaomi removed it.
So you will only find a second microphone at the top, together with an IR emitter (which lets you use the Mi 9 as a remote control).
At the bottom, you will only find a bi-directional USB Type C port flanked by the speaker and microphone ports.
The Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) comes with a USB-C to 3.5 mm adaptor cable. It allows you to hook up your earphone or an external microphone to the USB-C port.
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Dot Drop Display
At the top of the 6.39-inch AMOLED display is what Xiaomi calls a “dot drop” notch.
This dot drop notch allows for a larger display area, specifically space for more notifications. Barring the complete removal of the notch, this is about as good as it gets!
Thanks to this small notch and thin bezels, the Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) has a 90.7% screen-to-body ratio.
In-Display Fingerprint Sensor
The Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) boasts an in-display fingerprint sensor.
This is an improved optical fingerprint sensor made by Goodix, that promises to detect your fingerprints about 25% faster.
While this is not as accurate or reliable as the ultrasonic sensor on the Samsung Galaxy S10 smartphones, it works quite well as long as your finger isn’t wet.
Double SIM Tray
The Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) has Dual SIM, Dual Standby capability. Its SIM tray supports two nano SIM cards for this very purpose.
However, Xiaomi chose to eliminate the option for expandable memory using a microSD card. You must rely solely on the internal flash storage.
Therefore, we highly recommend you opt for the most amount of storage possible, which is usually 128 GB.
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
Launched in February 2019, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 is a very powerful mobile SoC for flagship smartphones.
It combines eight Qualcomm Kryo 485 processor cores, with an Adreno 640 GPU, a Snapdragon X24 and X50 modems, a Spectra 380 camera ISP and a Hexagon 690 DSP.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 uses a 1+3+4 cluster architecture :
one turbo-speed Kryo 485 Gold core running at 2.84 GHz,
three high-speed Kryo 485 Gold cores running at 2.42 GHz, and
four Kryo 485 Silver cores running at 1.8 GHz
In addition to an X24 LTE mode, the Snapdragon 855 also features the X50 modem, which allows it to deliver 5G mmWave connectivity.
Memory + Storage
The Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) generally comes with 6 GB of LPDDR4x memory, with an 8 GB model in China.
Xiaomi does not allow anyone to check the amount of free memory, not even in Developer mode. But we used AIDA64 to confirm that with a clean system, it has 2.5 GB (42%) of free memory.
The Mi 9 comes with either 64 GB or 128 GB of internal flash storage. Our review sample came with 128 GB of storage, of which just over 115 GB (90%) is available for use.
This is enough space to store about 31,000 photos, or 16.5 hours of 1080p videos, or 6 hours of 4K videos.
We highly recommend you get the 128 GB model, because the Mi 9 does not offer expandable storage using a microSD card.
Setting Up The Xiaomi Mi 9
The Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) runs on Android 9.0 Pie, so it is really easy to setup. It should take you no more than 7 minutes to set it up as a new device.
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Battery Life
We tested the Xiaomi Mi 9’s battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.
IMPRESSIVE! Even with a relatively small 3,300 mAh battery, the Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) lasted almost as long as the Redmi Note 7, which has a much larger 4,000 mAh battery.
This is not just screen-on time. It’s running the Work 2.0 benchmark over, and over again, for almost 12.25 hours!
Battery Recharging Performance
The Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 4, and up to 27 watts fast charging.
However, it only comes bundled with an 18-watt MDY-08-E1 fast charger. Well, let’s see how fast it recharges the 3,300 mAh battery!
The Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) took just over 1 hour 24 minutes (84.5 minutes) to recharge its battery from 20% to 100%.
This is good performance for its 18 watt charger, but falls short of the Samsung’s 15 watt charger that delivers 15% more juice with 16.7% less power consumption.
Thanks to its long battery life, it has a phenomenal battery life : recharging ratio of 8.7 : 1. A rule of thumb – for one hour of battery life, you only need to charge it for 7 minutes.
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Xiaomi Mi 9 Cameras
The Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) has a high-resolution 20 MP front camera hidden in its dot drop notch.
The image sensor has relatively large 0.9 μm pixels. Coupled with a wide, bright f/2.0 aperture, it should allow for pretty good low-light performance.
Despite its high resolution, this front camera only supports 720p or 1080p video recording at 30 fps.
However, selfie lovers will enjoy its many beautification features – AI Beautify, AI Feature Adjustment, AI Makeup, AI Portrait Mode, AI Scene Detection, AI Studio Lighting, and AI Lens Flare.
Its killer photography feature though is at the back – a triple camera system that is made up of :
Main Camera : 48 MP Sony IMX586 sensor (0.8 μm pixels) with f/1.75 aperture
Telephoto Camera : 12 MP sensor (1.0 μm pixels) with 2X zoom and f/2.2 aperture
Ultra-Wide Angle Camera : 16 MP sensor (1.0 μm pixels) with 117° angle, and f/2.2 aperture
This triple camera system supports electronic image stabilisation for jerk-free videos at up to 4K resolution. It can also record ultra-slow motion videos at up to 960 fps (720p or 1080p only).
The Sony IMX586 sensor supports the Super Pixel technology, allowing it to merge four pixels into one large 1.6 μm pixel. This greatly increases its light sensitivity in low-light conditions, delivering 12 MP pictures that are much brighter and clearer.
By default, the main camera uses the Super Pixel mode, both to increase light sensitivity, as well as to keep the picture sizes small.
Triple Camera Comparison
You may be wondering just how useful is it to have three cameras, instead of just two, or even one. Let us show you using these two comparisons :
While the telephoto camera is useful in bringing distant objects closer, there can be no doubt that the ultra-wide angle is really useful.
We are also glad to see Xiaomi give the ultra-wide angle camera a high-resolution 16 MP sensor, instead of 8 MP or even 5 MP in other smartphones.
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Xiaomi Mi 9 Camera Performance – Photo Samples
The Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) pairs the 48 MP Sony IMX586 image sensor with a very wide and bright f/1.75 aperture.
The ultra-high resolution sensor has pretty small pixels – just 0.8 µm in size, so by default, Xiaomi combines them to form a very large 1.6 µm pixel for a reduced 12 MP photo resolution.
At the default 12 MP resolution, the photos are 4000 x 3000 pixels in size, with file sizes between 5 MB and 7.5 MB.
Here are 10 high-resolution unedited photo samples for you to check out. Click on them to load the full-sized photos. You can also download them to examine up close.
The image quality was superb – the details captured were crisp and clean. However, note again that they were taken at the default 12 MP resolution.
There are some caveats though. The wide f/1.75 aperture naturally creates a very narrow depth of field, with a nice bokeh effect. But in many cases, you will end up with an out-of-focus subject because of two issues :
trouble autofocusing on the subject in some cases, and
the inability to focus at short distances
Look at the last two pictures in particular – mushrooms and star anise. You can clearly see how narrow the depth of field is, with the main camera.
In other words, it will be quite a challenge to take macro or close-up shots. You need to put some distance between the camera and your subject.
Alternatively, switch to the telephoto camera which supports macro photography.
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Xiaomi Mi 9 Camera Performance – Video Samples
Unlike the Redmi Note 7 which also has a 48 MP camera, the Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) can record 4K videos. Here are four video samples :
Video Sample #1 : Piano Performance (1080p)
The video is a little under-exposed, and has a yellowish tinge. However, it demonstrated excellent control of the highlights – you can see right to the back of the shop in the background!
The image stabilisation was also very good, and our hand shake was smoothened out very nicely.
The audio recording was a little too bright for our tastes, and we would expected a wider audio range. But it had pretty decent noise cancellation capability.
Video Sample #2 : Piano Performance (4K)
The resolution at 4K is amazing, and what’s really impressive is that the Mi 9 maintained its excellent image stabilisation at this resolution.
It also delivered good control of the highlights and exposure control was actually better at this resolution.
Video Sample #3 : Auto Show (1080p)
In this walk-through of a small auto show, you can see just how effective its image stabilisation is.
Generally, the Mi 9 has excellent image stabilisation performance. It is noticeably better at correcting vertical jerks, than horizontal movement – it jerks a little when you pan.
Video Sample #4 : Auto Show (4K)
Increasing the resolution to 4K appears to slightly impact its image stabilisation. The video is slightly more jerky. But overall, good image stabilisation performance.
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Xiaomi Mi 9 Work + Gaming Performance
In this section, we tested the Mi 9’s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browsing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
We then tested the Mi 9’s gaming performance using 3DMark, using the Ice Storm Unlimited test.
There is no doubt that when it comes to work performance, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 is superior to the Samsung Exynos 9820 used in the Samsung Galaxy S10+.
It is also incumbent upon us to point out that the Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) is offering a top-of-the-line flagship-class processor at a fraction of the cost of the OPPO R17 Pro which uses a mid-range processor.
The Mi 9’s Snapdragon 855 proved to be 15% faster than the Samsung Galaxy S10+‘s Exynos 9820 in games.
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Our Verdict + Award
Xiaomi has always had the reputation for creating smartphones with exceptional value, and excellent design. While they stumbled with the Redmi Note 7, they hit jackpot with the Mi 9.
The Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) exudes class, with a premium look and feel. It definitely looks like it costs a ton more than you paid!
But more importantly – this is a flagship-class smartphone with a ton of class-leading features.
We cannot emphasise enough that this is literally the cheapest smartphone in the world to feature the class-leading Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 platform, and a triple camera system with a 48 MP main camera!
Its large 6.39-inch display may not have the super-high resolution of the Samsung Galaxy S10+, but it boasts the similar AMOLED panel, with a very high contrast ratio of 60,000:1 and 103.8% of the NTSC colour gamut!
Impressively, the Xiaomi Mi 9 manages its power consumption so well, it is able to deliver battery life in excess of 12 hours with a small 3,300 mAh battery!
Now, the 48 MP main camera works as advertised, but in 99.9% of the time, you will end up using it in the 12 MP Super Pixel mode. In fact, Xiaomi recognises this fact, and set the camera to default to 12 MP.
What we found far more useful is the addition of the ultra-wide angle camera. It is extremely useful for taking photos, especially while you are travelling. And we love the fact that Xiaomi gave it a 16 MP sensor, instead of an 8 MP or 5 MP sensor.
Now, the Xiaomi Mi 9 (64GB : US / UK / MY | 128GB : US / UK / MY) is not perfect. Its bundle bumper case, in particular, was poorly designed and should only be used if you cannot find something better.
We are also disappointed that Xiaomi removed the 3.5 mm audio port, and even worse – removed the microSD card expansion option.
While the Mi 9 comes with a lot of internal storage, we always recommend storing your photos and videos in a microSD card, as a form of insurance. Doing so allows you to recover your media files in the event your Mi 9 is physically damaged.
Xiaomi Mi 9 Price + Availability
Here are the common Mi 9 models, and their prices (and direct purchase links) :
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Hang onto your Pocophone! You may have a piece of history! Xiaomi is said to be in the midst of killing off the POCO brand, in favour of Redmi in their new brand strategy.
Goodbye, POCO…
Xiaomi introduced the POCO brand last year, with the launch of the Pocophone F1. However, less than a year later, they are in the midst of killing off the POCO brand with a new brand strategy.
POCO was meant to be a Xiaomi sub-brand that will offer flagship-class smartphones at ridiculous low prices.
When it was revealed, the Pocophone F1 rocked the smartphone market by offering a 6.18-inch Full HD+ display with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor and up to 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage at unheard-of prices.
No POCO, No Pocophone F1
The runaway success of the Pocophone F1 led everyone to await, eagerly, for the Pocophone F2. However, it looks like the rumoured Pocophone F2 will never exist…
Instead, the Pocophone F2 will now be introduced as the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro, which is also known as the Mi 9T Pro in some markets.
Redmi Gets Upgraded!
In Xiaomi’s new brand strategy, Redmi will replace POCO and become a sub-brand.
That means Redmi will effectively become a separate company, with its own management team and resources.
This was first announced in January 2019 when they launched the Redmi Note 7, but at that time, it was not known that Redmi would replace POCO.
From what we understand, the process has already been going on for some time in China, and will soon be reflected globally.
Xiaomi’s premium flagship smartphones will be marketed under the Mi brand.
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Sales kicked off on 27 March 2019, with three colour options – Space Black, Neptune Blue and Nebula Red.
For the first time ever, Xiaomi will cover the Note 7 with an exclusive 18-month warranty!
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Unboxing The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) comes in a simple white cardboard box. Let’s unbox it, and see what we find inside!
When you fully unbox it, you will find the following items :
One Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 smartphone
One Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 clear TPU bumper case
One set of Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 documents
One Xiaomi MDY-09-EW USB charger (10 watt)
One USB Type C data and power cable
One SIM tray extractor pin
While we always like it when brands include a bumper case, this bumper case falls short of our expectations. We will explain it in our close-up look at the Redmi Note 7 and the bumper case.
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The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Up Close!
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) has a new design build around a large 6.3-inch Dot Drop display.
This display has a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2380 pixels, and covers 84% of the NTSC colour gamut!
The Redmi Note 7 is protected in the front and back by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which allows it to survive a 1.6 meter drop up 80% of the time!
Disappointingly, the bundled TPU bumper case was neither well-designed. It lacks an oleophobic coating and so is easily-smudged by fingerprints.
Critically, it does not protect the display or the camera bump at all, as the final part of this video will show. It can only protect against falls on the sides of the phone…
On the left side, you will only find the SIM tray.
The Power and Volume control buttons are both located on the right side.
The 3.5 mm audio port is located at the top – the most ideal location. Xiaomi also retained the IR emitter, so you can use it as a remote control!
We are very glad that Xiaomi chose to use the newer, bidirectional Type C USB port, instead of the old micro-USB port.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) is not water-resistant, but has watertight seals for its buttons and ports to reduce the impact of accidental water splashes.
Dot Drop Display
Covering most of the front is a large 6.3-inch IPS display with what Xiaomi calls a “dot drop” notch.
The display has a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, with a pixel density of 409 ppi.
It boasts a high contrast ratio of 1500:1, with a wide colour gamut of 84% of NTSC.
The dot drop notch allows for a larger display area, specifically space for more notifications. Barring the complete removal of the notch, this is about as good as it gets!
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
Launched in May 2017, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 is a powerful mid-range mobile SoC. It combines eight Qualcomm Kryo 260 processor cores, with an Adreno 512 GPU, a Snapdragon X12 modem, a Spectra 160 camera ISP and a Hexagon 680 DSP.
There are two processor clusters – a high-performance cluster of four Kryo 260 Gold cores running at 2.2 GHz, and a low-power cluster of four Kryo 260 Silver cores running at 1.84 GHz. The Kryo 260 Gold is a semi-custom version of the Cortex-A73, while the Kryo 260 Silver is a semi-custom version of the Cortex A53.
Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 660 is up to 20% faster in processor performance than the previous year’s Snapdragon 653, and up to 30% faster in graphics performance.
13 MP + 48 MP Cameras
Hidden in the dot drop notch is a 13 MP front camera. It can capture high-resolution photos but is limited to 720p videos.
At the back, it boasts a new 48 MP main camera built around the Samsung ISOCELL Bright GM1 BSI (backside illuminated) CMOS sensor. It has a bright and wide f/1.8 aperture, and is supported by a 5 MP depth sensor and a single LED flash.
The ISOCELL GM1 sensor supports the Samsung Tetracell technology, allowing it to merge four pixels into one large 1.6 μm pixel. This allows it to greatly increase light sensitivity in low-light conditions, delivering 12 MP pictures that are much brighter and clearer.
The depth sensor does not actually take any pictures. Instead, it lets the camera to more accurately differentiate the subject from its background, allowing for more realistic software bokeh effects.
There is no optical image stabilisation, but the camera supports electronic image stabilisation (EIS).
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Fast Fingerprint Sensor
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) has a fast fingerprint sensor located at the back, just adjacent to the rear camera bump.
In our tests, it was very fast and accurate, taking only 10 finger presses to record a fingerprint. It also supports 360-degree recognition, which makes it easy to activate.
The Redmi Note 7 does not support facial recognition, so the only alternatives to using the fingerprint sensor is to draw a pattern, or key in a PIN or password.
Hybrid SIM Tray
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) supports Dual SIM, Dual Standby capability. However, it only comes with a hybrid SIM tray.
The hybrid SIM tray allows the second nano SIM slot to double as a microSD slot. You can either use two nano SIM cards, or one nano SIM card with a microSD card.
Ergonomics
Thanks to its Dot Drop notch, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) is not a large device. In fact, it is about the same size as the Realme 3, and approximately the size of a traditional 5.7-inch device. This is why it fits even smaller hands and pockets.
The Redmi Note 7 has a nice 6.3-inch IPS display with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. That gives it an ultra-wide / ultra-tall 19:9 aspect ratio, which will result in some pillarboxing – a black bar will be present on the left and right sides of the video clip.
Setting Up The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) runs on Android 9.0 Pie, so it is really easy to setup. It should take you no more than 7 minutes to set it up as a new device.
Available Memory & Storage
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) comes with memory options of 3 GB and 4 GB of LPDDR4x memory. Our review sample came with the full 4 GB. MIUI 10.2 does not allow us to check the amount of free memory, but we used AIDA64 to confirm that it has 2.23 GB (55%) of free memory.
This is eerily similar to the Realme 3. If you opt for the 3 GB model, you will probably have 1.23 GB of available memory to use. That’s still more RAM than entry-level smartphones come with!
Xiaomi offers three storage options globally – 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB. Our review sample came with 64 GB, of which just under 52 GB (81%) is available for use.
This is enough space to store about 14,000 photos or 6.5 hours of 1080p videos. If that’s not enough, you can top it up with a microSD card (up to 256 GB).
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Battery Life
We tested the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7’s battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.
Thanks to its large 4,000 mAh battery, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) has a battery that exceeds 12 hours! This is not just screen-on time. It’s running the Work 2.0 benchmark over, and over again, for over 12.25 hours!
This is really surprising, because the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 is 2 years old, and is known for its higher power consumption. The same processor was used in the Realme 2 Pro, which lasted only 7 hours with a 3,500 mAh battery!
Battery Recharging Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 4, which allows for faster charging.
It comes with the MDY-09-EW fast charger with a 10 watt power output. Let’s see how fast it recharges the 4,000 mAh battery!
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) took 2 hours and 13 minutes (133 minutes) to recharge its battery from 20% to 100%.
This is good performance for its 10 watt charger, recharging its battery 35% faster than the Realme 3‘s 10 watt charger.
Its battery life : recharging ratio of 5.6 : 1 is pretty good. A rule of thumb – for one hour of battery life, you will need to charge it for 11 minutes.
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Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Camera Performance – Photo Samples
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) has a 48 MP main camera with a bright f/1.8 aperture, and a 5 MP depth sensor.
The ultra-high resolution sensor has pretty small pixels – just 0.4 µm in size, so by default, Xiaomi combines them to form a very large 1.6 µm pixel for a reduced 12 MP photo resolution.
At the default 12 MP resolution, the photos are 4000 x 3000 pixels in size, with file sizes between 3.5 MB and 6 MB.
Here are 10 high-resolution unedited photo samples for you to check out. Click on them to load the full-sized photos. You can also download them to examine up close.
The image quality was excellent, and it was more so at night – the details captured were crisp and clean of noise. However, note again that they were taken at the default 12 MP resolution.
There are some caveats though. The wide f/1.8 aperture naturally creates a narrow depth of field, with a nice bokeh effect. But in many cases, you will end up with an out-of-focus subject because of two issues :
trouble autofocusing on the subject in some cases, and
the inability to focus at short distances
In other words, it cannot take macro or close-up shots. You need to put some distance between the camera and your subject.
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Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Camera Performance – Video Samples
Despite its ultra-high resolution 48 MP sensor, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) only supports 1080p video recording. Here are two video samples.
Video Sample #1 : Piano Performance
Despite being limited to 1080p, we liked how it is at least electronically-stabilised, which makes for a shake-free video.
The Redmi Note 7 keeps a good focus on the pianist, Mr. Yang I-Deun, who is well-exposed. However, you can see that bright background is over-exposed and washed-out.
Its audio recording was pretty good. It was a little bright, but had a much wider range than we would expect from a smartphone at this price range. It also had pretty decent noise cancellation capability.
Video Sample #2 : Street Market
Thanks to its electronic image stabilisation (EIS) capability, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 delivers a pretty smooth, jerk-free video as we walked through the street market.
Although noise cancellation was pretty good, we noted some wind noise. Still, it was better than what we would expect at this price point.
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Work Performance – PCMark
We tested the Redmi Note 7’s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browsing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7’s Snapdragon 660 held up pretty well, considering it is a two-year old platform. In fact, it was just a little slower than the newer Snapdragon 710 that powers the OPPO R17 Pro.
Gaming Performance – 3DMark
We then tested the Redmi Note 7’s gaming performance using 3DMark, using the Ice Storm Unlimited test.
Despite its age, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 is still good for gaming. It actually beat the MediaTek Helio P60 that powers the Realme 3 by 32%, and was just 15% slower than the Honor Play‘s Kirin 970.
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Our Verdict
Xiaomi has always had the reputation for creating smartphones with exceptional value, and excellent design. Yet they seemed to have stumbled with the design of the Redmi Note 7, and its bumper case.
The large camera bump is so 2015, and the subdued colour gradient looks flat. The cheaper Realme 3 actually looked more premium! Even worse, the bundled bumper case fails to protect the camera bump or even the display.
But Xiaomi did not disappoint when it came to delivering value, and the Redmi Note 7 delivers it aplenty!
Not only does it come with a large 6.3-inch IPS display with Full HD+ resolution, both the front and back are protected by Gorilla Glass 5.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) also boasts an ultra-high resolution 48 MP main camera, paired with a 5 MP depth sensor. Can you name another smartphone in the same price range with such a high-resolution camera?
Sure, it does not support 4K video recording, but at least it supports electronic image stabilisation which allows you to record smooth, jerk-free videos.
It also comes with a large 4,000 mAh battery that lasts over 12 hours in our tests. This is despite using a 14 nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 mobile SoC, which is known to be a little power-hungry.
If you are looking for a mid-range smartphone with a 48 MP main camera at less than RM 1,000 / $240 / £190 / €215, there is really only one choice – the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7!
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Xiaomi Malaysia just shared with us details of their 2019 Mi Smart Home deals! There are, not one, but TWO great deals to help you upgrade your home!
The Mi Smart Home Devices by Xiaomi
Xiaomi does not just make great smartphones like the Redmi Note 7 or the Mi A2. They also make really good smart home devices.
In fact, they are steadily expanding their range of smart home devices, covering everything from kitchen appliances to personal health devices!
Amongst their more famous smart home devices are their Mi Box, Mi Air Purifier, Mi Router and Mi Scale.
But did you know that they have many more smart home devices like the Mi LED Smart Bulb, the Mi Home Security Camera, Mi Smart Kettle, Mi Robot Vacuum, and so on?
The 2019 Mi Smart Home Deals by Xiaomi Malaysia
To spur the development of smart homes, Xiaomi Malaysia is now offering two 2019 Mi Smart Home deals :
The 2019 Mi Smart Home Standard Package
The 2019 Mi Smart Home Standard Package consists of :
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Xiaomi just announced the Redmi Go, a highly-affordable smartphone running on Android Go! Here are the full details!
The Xiaomi Redmi Go Smartphone
The Xiaomi Redmi Go comes with many new features such as:
5.0 inch HD display
Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 SoC
3000 mAh battery
8 MP main camera on the back
5 MP camera on the front
2 SIM card slots
MicroSD slot that supports up to 128 GB microSD cards
Android Go
The Redmi Go runs on the Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition) operating system (OS). It features Google apps that have been optimized to reduce storage and data use.
The Android Go program was launched by Google in 2017 to offer affordable smartphones. It runs on a highly efficient version of Android.
The Xiaomi Redmi Go Price + Availability
The Xiaomi Redmi Go will come in a single configuration of 1 GB RAM + 8 GB storage in black colour only.
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Sales will start from 13 April 2019 onwards at Mi Stores, Lazada and Shopee at these prices :
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Xiaomi just unveiled the Redmi Note 7, which continues the Redmi tradition of offering a large display with excellent battery life! Here are the full details!
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Revealed!
Unveiling the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 smartphone’s key features was the affable Allen An, Country Manager of Xiaomi Malaysia and Singapore!
All-New Design!
The new Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 has a large 6.3-inch Dot Drop display that supports 84% NTSC colour gamut! It has a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2380 pixels with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio.
The Note 7 will come in three beautiful colours – Space Black, Neptune Blue and Nebula Red. And yes, it retains the 3.5 mm audio port, as well as the IR emitter so you can use it as a remote control!
New 48 MP Camera
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 boasts a new 48 MP camera built around the Samsung ISOCELL Bright GM1 BSI (backside illuminated) CMOS sensor.
The ISOCELL GM1 sensor supports the Samsung Tetracell technology, allowing it to merge four pixels into one large 1.6 μm pixel. This allows it to greatly increase light sensitivity in low-light conditions, delivering 12 MP pictures that are much brighter and clearer.
Reliable Performance
The Redmi Note 7 runs on the old but dependable Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 AIE mobile SoC, and is powered by a large 4,000 mAh battery.
It supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 4 through its USB Type C port, allowing for much faster battery recharging speeds.
Protection
The Note 7 is protected in the front and back by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. It is not water-resistant, but has watertight seals for its buttons and ports to reduce the impact of accidental water splashes.
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Xiaomi and IKEA will bring smart homes to consumers in China. Find out what this means for the future of smart homes!
Xiaomi And IKEA Bring Smart Homes To Users!
Xiaomi and Ikea In Connectivity
IKEA’s full range of smart lighting products will be connected to Xiaomi IoT platform and be controlled via Xiaomi products. This includes Xiao Ai voice assistant and the Mi Home app.
The lights can also be paired to other Xiaomi IoT smart devices such as sensors and electrical appliances for smart scene management. The smart lighting products will be connected to Mi Control Hub through the ZigBee protocol.
Xiaomi And IKEA In Smart Homes
This is the first time that Ikea has partnered with a Chinese technology company. Xiaomi IoT platform has connected more than 132 million smart devices (excluding mobile phones and laptops), and has more than 20 million daily active devices in more than 200 countries and regions around the world.
Anna Pawlak-Kuliga, CEO and president of IKEA Retail China believes the partnership will enable both companies to serve customers worldwide with smarter solutions at home.
“IKEA and Xiaomi share very similar values and I believe our cooperation will accelerate the development of the smart home industry across the world.”said Fan Dian, General Manager of the IoT platform department of Xiaomi.
Xiaomi + Third Party Developers
Since the inaugural MIDC conference in 2017, Xiaomi has been developing initiatives for developers to take advantage of the opportunities in AI and IoT. The Xiaomi IoT Developer Program was first launched last year to third-party developers access to the Mi Home platform for controlling smart home scenarios with cloud + AI + big data capabilities.
Xiaomi continues to open up AIoT possibilities by announcing that it will invest RMB 100 million to build the “Xiaomi AIoT Developer Fund”, which will be used to support AI developers, hardware equipment manufacturers and AI technology companies.
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A year after Xiaomi released their first Android One smartphone – the Mi A1, they released the Xiaomi Mi A2 together with a lower-end Mi A2 Lite model How does it fare, in light of new rivals like the Realme 2 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy A7 2018? Let’s find out in our Xiaomi Mi A2 in-depth review!
The Xiaomi Mi A2 Tech Briefing
The new Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) is an Android One device with a traditional rectangular 18:9 display. Powered by the more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, it comes with at least 4 GB of memory but lacks a microSD card slot. Here is an early Xiaomi Mi A2 tech briefing by Allen An.
The lower-end Mi A2 Lite, on the other hand, has a wider 19:9 display with a notch, and is powered by the rather dated Qualcomm Snapdragon 625. It comes with at least 3 GB of memory, and a microSD card slot.
Xiaomi Mi A2 Colour Options
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) will come in three colours, at least initially – Blue, Black and Gold. Here is a look at all three colours!
Xiaomi Mi A2 Price + Availability
Here is the Xiaomi Mi A2 launch price comparison for a few countries. Please note that the Indian pricing is not yet confirmed, because they have not yet been launched in India.
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The Xiaomi Mi A2 Up Close!
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) has a 5.99-inch IPS display, with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels and a 18:9 aspect ratio. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, while the metal body has a matte finish that is resistant to fingerprint smears.
It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 – a mid-range SoC with four Qualcomm Kryo 260 Gold high-speed cores running at 2.2 GHz, and four Qualcomm Kryo 260 Silver low-power cores running at 1.8 GHz. It also comes with the fast Qualcomm Adreno 512 GPU.
The Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) comes with either 4 GB or 6 GB of memory and 32 GB, 64 GB or 128 GB of internal storage. Our review sample is the mid-range model with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. It has a longish model name of M180402SG.
All that is powered by a 3,000 mAh lithium-ion battery, in a thin metal chassis that is only 7.3 mm thick, and weighs just 166 grams. We are glad to report that it has the new USB Type C port, and comes with a 10 watt USB charger.
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Xiaomi Mi A2 Specifications
Here are the specifications of the Xiaomi Mi A2 and the Mi A2 Lite compared!
Specifications
Xiaomi Mi A2
Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite
Display
5.99-inch IPS display
- 1080 x 2160 pixels (403 ppi)
5.84-inch IPS display
- 1080 x 2280 pixels (432 ppi)
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Unknown
Operating System
Android 8.1 Oreo
Android 8.1 Oreo
System Platform
Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
Qualcomm Snapdragon 625
Processor
4 x Kryo 260 Gold (2.2 GHz)
4 x Kryo 260 Silver (1.8 GHz)
8 x ARM Cortex-A53 (up to 2.0 GHz)
Graphics Processor
Qualcomm Adreno 512
Qualcomm Adreno 506
Memory
4 GB LPDDR4X SDRAM
3 GB LPDDR3 SDRAM
Storage
64 GB internal storage No microSD card slot
32 GB internal storage microSD card slot
Front Camera
20 MP IMX376 sensor with f/1.75 lens
- single LED flash
- 1080p @ 30 fps video
5 MP sensor with f/2.2 lens
- 1080p @ 30 fps video
Rear Camera
Dual Lens Camera
Main Camera : 12 MP Sony IMX486 sensor with f/1.75 lens
Low-Light Camera : 20 MP IMX376 sensor with f/1.75 lens
- PDAF capability
- Dual-tone LED flash
- 2160p @ 30 fps video
12 MP Sony IMX486 sensor with f/1.8 lens and PDAF capability
5 MP depth sensor with f/2.2 lens
- Dual-tone LED flash
- 2160p @ 30 fps video
Connectivity
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 2.0 Type C
WiFi : 802.11/b/g/n (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 4.2
USB : microUSB 2.0
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
Launched in May 2017, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 is a powerful mid-range mobile SoC. It combines eight Qualcomm Kryo 260 processor cores, with an Adreno 512 GPU, a Snapdragon X12 modem, a Spectra 160 camera ISP and a Hexagon 680 DSP.
There are two processor clusters – a high-performance cluster of four Kryo 260 Gold cores running at 2.2 GHz, and a low-power cluster of four Kryo 260 Silver cores running at 1.84 GHz. The Kryo 260 Gold is a semi-custom version of the Cortex-A73, while the Kryo 260 Silver is a semi-custom version of the Cortex A53.
Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 660 is up to 20% faster in processor performance than the previous year’s Snapdragon 653, and up to 30% faster in graphics performance.
The Xiaomi Mi A2 Cameras
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) boasts a very high-resolution front camera, with a 20 MP Sony IMX376 image sensor. Its very bright f/1.75 lens lets you take great selfies even in less-than-ideal conditions. And when it gets very dark, it even has a dedicated LED flash to make sure you can capture a selfie!
At the back, the Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) has a dual camera system. Its main camera has a 12 MP Sony IMX486 PDAF sensor, with a f/1.75 lens. It also has a low-light camera that pairs a 20 MP Sony IMX376 sensor with f/1.75 lens. They are supported by a dual-tone LED flash.
The pairing of a high-resolution 12 MP main camera, with a higher-resolution 20 MP low light camera, is a curious choice. Let’s take a look at this comparison of three figurines in very low-light conditions :
Despite having the same f/1.75 apertures, and smaller pixels, the 20 MP low light camera does indeed have superior low light performance./
Unfortunately, the low-light camera must be activated manually using the Manual option. It doesn’t automatically get selected when you use the other camera options. And there does not seem to be an option to use it to record low-light videos.
Fingerprint Sensor
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) uses the FPC 102x fingerprint sensor located at the back. In our tests, it is very fast and accurate, supporting 360-degree recognition.
Surprisingly, the Mi A2 does not support face recognition login, only Swipe, Pattern, PIN code and password. So the fingerprint sensor is going to be really handy for fast logins.
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No 3.5 mm Audio Port
Although it is physically possible to squeeze in a 3.5 mm audio port into the Mi A2’s thin 7.3 mm chassis, Xiaomi chose to limited the 3.5 mm port.
Instead, they included a USB-C to 3.5 mm audio port adaptor. This allows you to continue plugging in your earphones and hands-free kit. You just cannot use them while charging your Mi A2 at the same time.
No MicroSD Card Slot
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) has Dual SIM, Dual Standby support, with a SIM tray that accepts two nano SIM cards. However, they chose to eliminate the microSD card slot. They did not even make SIM2 a hybrid SIM slot, that could double as a microSD card slot.
That means you must rely solely on the internal flash storage – there is no way to expand storage in the Mi A2. This is something iPhone users will be familiar with, but not Android users.
So unless you don’t intend to take many photos or videos, or install many apps or games, you should opt for the higher storage capacities of 64 GB or 128 GB.
Setting Up The Xiaomi Mi A2
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) comes with Android 8.1 Oreo installed. The setup process is pretty easy, as we demonstrate in this video. You can also see how easy it is to train the fingerprint sensor.
Available Memory & Storage
Xiaomi offers the Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) with either 4 GB or 6 GB of RAM. Our review sample came with 4 GB of RAM. MIUI does not allow us to check the amount of free memory, except through the hidden Developer Options.
From what we can see, about half of the memory is used at all times by MIUI and background apps, leaving you about 2 GB of free memory to use. That is good enough for a few memory guzzling apps to use.
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) has storage options of 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB. We highly recommend you opt for 64 GB or 128 GB, because it does not come with a microSD card slot, so you can’t add more storage. Our review sample came with 64 GB of storage, of which just over 48 GB is available to use.
This is enough space to store about 12,000 photos, or 5 hours of 1080p videos, or 2.5 hours of 4K videos. If that’s not enough, then you should opt for the 128 GB storage option. Remember – there is no microSD card expansion option.
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Xiaomi Mi A2 Camera Performance – Photo Samples
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) has a very capable 12 MP main camera, with the new Sony IMX486 PDAF image sensor and a very bright f/1.75 lens.
The maximum 12 MP resolution is attained with the 4:3 aspect ratio, with 4000 x 3000 pixels, and a file size of between 4 MB and 7 MB.
Here are six high-resolution unedited samples for you to check out. Click on them to load the full-sized photos, which you can also download to examine.
The resolution of the Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) is really amazing. It managed to capture the intricate details of the broccoli florets, the grape stems, and even the texture of the tiny white pepper seeds. The colours are also very nice – vivid but not excessive to the point they become unrealistic.
The wide f/1.75 aperture naturally creates a very narrow depth of field, with a nicer bokeh effect. But you have to be more careful in framing the shot, because the subject may end up out-of-focus.
Here are additional Mi A2 photo samples taken by Xiaomi’s Allen An using its 12 MP main camera.
And here are two more Mi A2 photo samples taken using its 20 MP low-light camera with Super Pixel capability.
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Xiaomi Mi A2 Camera Performance – Video Samples
We are glad to report that Xiaomi did not cripple the Mi A2’s awesome main camera in any way, allowing it to record up to 4K videos at 30 fps. However, they do not allow you to use the low-light camera in the back to record any video, and they limit the high-resolution 20 MP front camera to recording only 1080p videos.
Video Recording Test #1 : Piano Performance (1080p)
Look at the detail captured by the Sony IMX486 sensor in this video. Even at 1080p, it’s amazing how much detail you can see in the video. The camera does not support optical image stabilisation (OIS), but its electronic image stabilisation (EIS) capability works great.
We, however, want to point out some focus and exposure issues which detracts from an excellent camera performance. In addition, Xiaomi went overboard with their noise cancellation – the audio range is unnaturally thin and overly bright.
Video Recording Test #2 : Piano Performance (4K)
The resolution is really incredible at 4K, but notice how theXiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) loses its electronic image stabilisation capability. This is a shame, because the Snapdragon 660 should be fast enough to handle electronic image stabilisation…
Video Recording Test #3 : Street Market (1080p)
As this video shows, the Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) has very good electronic image stabilisation, when you are recording 1080p videos. Noise cancellation is very good, although the resulting audio range is too bright and lacks bass.
Video Recording Test #4 : Street Market (4K)
Once you switch to 4K video recording, the Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) loses its electronic image stabilisation capabilities. The video is noticeably jerkier…
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Work Performance – PCMark
We tested the Xiaomi Mi A2’s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browsing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
Despite using the same SoC as the Realme 2 Pro, the Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) is 5% faster in the Work 2.0 benchmark. It is also 12% faster than the flagship-class Kirin 970 used in the Honor Play, and a whopping 53% faster than the Samsung Exynos 7885 used in the Samsung Galaxy A7 2018.
Gaming Performance – 3DMark
We tested the Xiaomi Mi A2’s gaming performance using 3DMark, using the Ice Storm Unlimited test.
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) has 8% faster gaming performance than the Realme 2 Pro, despite being powered by the same SoC. This makes it just 15.5% slower than the flagship-class Kirin 970 used in the Honor Play, and 74% faster than the Exynos 7885 used in the Samsung Galaxy A7 2018.
Battery Life – PCMark
We then tested the Xiaomi Mi A2’s battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.
Battery life is a sore point for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660. It is powerful, but it is a 14 nm chip that guzzles power compared to newer chips built on the 10 nm or 12 nm process technology.
Hence, we are not surprised to see the Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) last just over 5.5 hours in our stress test. Let’s remember that it only has a 3,000 mAh battery, while the Realme 2 Pro, which uses the same Snapdragon 660 SoC, comes with a larger 3,500 mAh battery.
Battery Recharging Performance
The Xiaomi Mi A2 comes with a 10 watt fast charger. Let’s take a look at how fast it recharges the 3,000 mAh battery.
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) took just under 108.5 minutes (1 hour 48.5 minutes) to recharge its battery from 20% to 100%. That’s an average performance, considering it’s using a 10 watt charger.
That is a battery life : recharging ratio of 3:1. A rule of thumb – for one hour of battery life, charge it for 20 minutes.
The fastest recharging happened up to the 90% level. This took just 71 minutes. Then the recharging speed slowed down, and it took a further 37.5 minutes to top up the remaining 10%.
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Our Verdict
The Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) continues the Xiaomi DNA of delivering an excellent set of features at a very compelling price point. It combines a powerful Snapdragon 660 platform, with a large Full HD+ display, and three high-resolution cameras. All for less than RM 1,200 / US$ 420.
Their cameras bear special mention, because Xiaomi seemed to pay special attention to them. The main 12 MP camera uses the latest Sony IMX486 PDAF image sensor, while the secondary rear camera and the front camera both use the higher-resolution 20 MP Sony IMX376 image sensor!
Believe it or not, all three cameras are paired with very bright f/1.75 lens. This means they will work very well in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. This puts these cameras on par with those used in many flagship-class smartphones.
And if that’s not enough, the secondary 20 MP rear camera is actually a special low-light camera which actually delivers on its promise of capturing better low-light photos with less noise than is possible with the main 12 MP camera (even though it has larger pixels).
However, we have to wonder if users will really find the low-light camera all that useful. Particularly when it can only be activated in the Manual mode, and cannot be used to record low-light videos. Unless you are into night photography, it is likely that most users will find a telephoto or wide-angle camera far more useful.
We also have to question Xiaomi’s decision to do away with a microSD card slot. Having the option to add a microSD card is more than just saving some money, or the flexibility of adding more storage. It allows users to record their photos and videos directly into a microSD card, preventing them from being lost should they drop the phone into water or physically damage it.
The lack of the 3.5 mm audio port is not really that big a deal, especially when they threw in a free USB-C adaptor. What concerns us most is the relatively small battery. Yes, it allows the Mi A2 to be thinner and lighter, you will have to live with a relatively short battery life.
Still, the Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) offers a great package for its price point. There are very, VERY few smartphones that offer such high performance, with flagship-class front and rear cameras, at such price points.
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POCOPHONE, a new sub-brand from Xiaomi, made its debut today with the launch of the POCOPHONE F1 smartphone! Here are the full details!
Xiaomi Unveils The POCOPHONE F1 Smartphone!
Created by a highly-experienced team within Xiaomi, POCOPHONE seeks to redefine the smartphone experience by offering the ultimate performance with no frills.
Its very first smartphone unveiled today is the POCOPHONE F1, which features the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 platform, a LiquidCool Technology cooling system, up to 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of UFS 2.1 storage and a long-lasting 4000 mAh battery.
The new powerhouse will be available at an irresistible price tag of just RM 1,237 (~US$ 309) here in Malaysia on 30th August.
The POCOPHONE F1
POCOPHONE F1 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC paired with a highly-efficient LiquidCool Technology cooling system, which is 300% more effective than conventional, non-liquid cooling solutions.
The POCOPHONE F1 also features a 4000 mAh battery that can sustain 8 hours of non-stop gaming. Coupled with 6 GB of LPDDR4x memory and up to 128 GB of UFS 2.1 storage, the POCOPHONE F1 easily achieves an AnTuTu score that exceeds 290,000.
AI Dual Camera + 20 MP Front Camera
POCOPHONE F1 boasts an AI Dual Camera built around the 12 MP Sony IMX363 primary sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus. On the front, it deploys a 20 MP sensor featuring Super Pixel technology that combines the information of four pixels into one large 1.8 μm pixel for clearer images with less noise.
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Both the rear and front cameras are supported by AI features for photos, such as AI Portrait, AI Beautify, and AI Scene Detection.
It also comes with an infra-red illuminator and infra-red camera on the front, allowing the AI face unlock feature to securely unlock the device both in pitch-dark conditions as well as in bright daylight.
MIUI for POCOPHONE
MIUI has been deeply customized on POCOPHONE F1 for a lighter, faster, and smoother experience. it also introduces a system optimization feature called “turbocharged engine”, This allows the POCOPHONE F1 to deliver faster app startups, faster gaming performance, as well as a faster swiping experience due to enhancements in the screen response and animation frame rate.
It also features a new POCOPHONE Launcher, with an app drawer that can automatically categorize apps. Based on Android 8.1 Oreo, MIUI for POCOPHONE also prioritizes security with regular patches and updates from Google. It will receive the Android P update in the near future.
POCOPHONE F1 Price + Availability + Offers
Starting from 30 August 2018, POCOPHONE F1 will be available in two versions at the following pricing :
6 GB RAM + 64 GB storage : RM 1,237 / ~US$ 309, available on Lazada
6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage : RM 1,428 / ~US$ 357, available at Authorised Mi Stores and Lazada.
Effective 10 September when the SST kicks in though, they will be repriced at :
6 GB RAM + 64 GB storage : RM 1,299 / ~US$ 325, available on Lazada
6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage : RM 1,499 / ~US$ 375, available at Authorised Mi Stores and Lazada.
Both versions will come in two colours, Graphite Black and Steel Blue.
To celebrate the release of POCOPHONE F1 in Malaysia, Xiaomi Malaysia will hold a special promotion at the new Mid Valley Authorised Mi Store on 30 August 2018. The first 200 customers to purchase POCOPHONE F1 will receive a free Mi Sports Bluetooth Earphones (RRP: RM 93) and a game holder.
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A year after Xiaomi released their first Android One smartphone – the Mi A1, they are now releasing TWO Android One devices – the Xiaomi Mi A2, and the Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite. Here are the Mi A2 Lite price comparison, availability and specifications!
What’s The Difference?
The two devices run on Android One, but are quite different in many ways.
The Mi A2 has a traditional rectangular 18:9 display, and is powered by the more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 660. It comes with at least 4 GB of memory but lacks a microSD card slot. It is thinner and lighter, but only comes with a 3,000 mAh battery.
The Mi A2 Lite, on the other hand, has a wider 19:9 display with a notch, and is powered by the rather dated Qualcomm Snapdragon 625. It comes with at least 3 GB of memory, and a microSD card slot. It is thicker and slightly heavier, but has a much larger 4,000 mAh battery.
In addition to those display and performance differences, the two devices also differ in their photographic capabilities. The more expensive Mi A2 model comes with dual high-resolution cameras at the back, and a high resolution selfie camera in the front. The more affordable Mi A2 Lite has a 5 MP selfie camera and a dual-lens depth-sensing camera at the back.
Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite Specifications
Here are the specifications of the two new Xiaomi smartphones compared!
Specifications
Xiaomi Mi A2
Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite
Display
5.99-inch IPS display
- 1080 x 2160 pixels (403 ppi)
5.84-inch IPS display
- 1080 x 2280 pixels (432 ppi)
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Unknown
Operating System
Android 8.1 Oreo
Android 8.1 Oreo
System Platform
Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
Qualcomm Snapdragon 625
Processor
4 x Kryo 260 Gold (2.2 GHz)
4 x Kryo 260 Silver (1.8 GHz)
8 x ARM Cortex-A53 (up to 2.0 GHz)
Graphics Processor
Qualcomm Adreno 512
Qualcomm Adreno 506
Memory
4 GB LPDDR4X SDRAM
3 GB LPDDR3 SDRAM
Storage
64 GB internal storage No microSD card slot
32 GB internal storage microSD card slot
Front Camera
20 MP IMX376 sensor with f/1.75 lens
- single LED flash
- 1080p @ 30 fps video
5 MP sensor with f/2.2 lens
- 1080p @ 30 fps video
Rear Camera
Dual Lens Camera
Main Camera : 12 MP Sony IMX486 sensor with f/1.75 lens
Low-Light Camera : 20 MP IMX376 sensor with f/1.75 lens
- PDAF capability
- Dual-tone LED flash
- 2160p @ 30 fps video
12 MP Sony IMX486 sensor with f/1.8 lens and PDAF capability
5 MP depth sensor with f/2.2 lens
- Dual-tone LED flash
- 2160p @ 30 fps video
Connectivity
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 2.0 Type C
WiFi : 802.11/b/g/n (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 4.2
USB : microUSB 2.0
Radio
No
No
GPS
With A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou
With A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou
Infra-red Emitter
Yes
Yes
Fingerprint Sensor
Yes, Rear Mounted
Yes, Rear Mounted
Other Sensors
Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Compass
Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Compass
Battery
3,000 mAh lithium-ion
4,000 mAh lithium-ion
Dimensions
75.4 mm wide
158.7 mm tall
7.3 mm thick
71.6 mm wide
149.3 mm tall
8.7 mm thick
Weight
166 g
178 g
Available Colours
Black, Gold, Blue, Red, Rose Gold
Black, Gold, Lake Blue
Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite Price + Availability
Here is the Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite price comparison for a few countries. Please note that the Indian pricing is not yet confirmed, because they have not yet been launched in India. In fact, it is said that Xiaomi will bring in the Mi A2 but not the Mi A2 Lite.
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Right after Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note 5, we had the opportunity to try it out for ourselves. Take a close look at what Xiaomi calls the Camera Beast!
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 “Camera Beast”
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (Price Check) is powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 platform, which boasts eight Kyro 260 processor cores, and an Adreno 509 GPU. Xiaomi calls it the Camera Beast because of its flagship-level photography capabilities.
Dual-Lens Camera
The Redmi Note 5 (Price Check) employs a dual camera setup, for better bokeh effects. The main 12 MP sensor features large 1.4 μm pixels, which can capture more light and deliver better results under low-light conditions. The sensor also supports Dual Pixel technology, delivering very fast autofocus speeds.
The front camera has a 13 MP sensor, complemented by an LED Selfie light. When Portrait Mode is engaged, both the front and rear cameras can add different Beautify 4.0 effects. Even without a second sensor, Xiaomi claims that the front camera will deliver a great bokeh effect in Portrait Mode, thanks to AI technology that helps to isolate the subject from the background.
Powerful and efficient processor
The Redmi Note 5 (Price Check) uses Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 636 platform based on the 14 nm process. Users will experience faster performance, whether they are editing a large spreadsheet or playing demanding games. Compared to Qualcomm Snapdragon 630, Snapdragon 636 has a 40% better performance while maintaining power efficiency.
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The Redmi Note 5 (Price Check) is the first device in the Redmi family to use LPDDR4X SDRAM, which is usually only available on flagship smartphones. With up to 4GB of fast RAM, it can run more apps simultaneously and switch between programs even more smoothly.
So much packed in a small form factor
The Redmi Note 5 (Price Check) sports a 5.99 inch FHD+ 18:9 display, a large 4000 mAh battery and support for fast charging. Equipped with the latest MIUI 9 operating system based on Android Oreo, it also supports full screen display gestures, which allows users to completely hide the navigation bar, for a maximized display area.
Redmi Note 5 vs. ZenFone Max Pro M1
ASUS just revealed two ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB601KL) models to directly take on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, so here is a table comparing their specifications.
Specifications
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB602KL)
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB601KL)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
Display
6" Full HD+ display
- 1080 x 2160 pixels
- 18:9 aspect ratio, 85% NTSC
- 450 nits, 1500:1 contrast ratio
6" Full HD+ display
- 1080 x 2160 pixels
- 18:9 aspect ratio, 85% NTSC
- 450 nits, 1500:1 contrast ratio
5.99" Full HD+ display
- 1080 x 2160 pixels
- 18:9 aspect ratio, 83% NTSC
- 450 nits, 1500:1 contrast ratio
There will be two models with different memory and storage capacities :
3GB + 32GB : RM 799 / ~US$ 205
4GB + 64GB : RM 999 / ~US$ 256
Both versions will be available in three colors – Lake Blue, Gold, and Black. A simple and elegant TPU case will be shipped in the box with every Redmi Note 5.
You can purchase them from Lazada and 11street, or offline from our Authorised Mi Stores starting 5 May 2018. Here are some offers :
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Redmi Note 5 Photo Samples
If you don’t believe how good the Redmi Note 5 camera is, take a look at these samples taken on that day by Allen An!
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Here are the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 price, availability and specifications! Find out why Xiaomi calls it the Camera Beast, and what other killer features this new smartphone offers!
Updated @ 2018-05-28 : Updated the specification comparison against the two ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 models, and shifted the photo samples to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Preview.
Updated @ 2018-05-07 :Added more details, and updated the specifications.
Updated @ 2018-04-26 :Added eight Redmi Note 5 sample photos taken by Allen An!
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 platform, which boasts eight Kyro 260 processor cores, and an Adreno 509 GPU. Xiaomi calls it the Camera Beast because of its flagship-level photography capabilities.
Clearer images and faster focusing even in low light
The Redmi Note 5 employs a dual camera setup, for better bokeh effects. The main 12 MP sensor features large 1.4 μm pixels, which can capture more light and deliver better results under low-light conditions. The sensor also supports Dual Pixel technology, delivering very fast autofocus speeds.
The front camera of Redmi Note 5 has a 13 MP sensor, complemented by an LED Selfie light. When Portrait Mode is engaged, both the front and rear cameras can add different Beautify 4.0 effects. Even without a second sensor, Xiaomi claims that the front camera will deliver a great bokeh effect in Portrait Mode, thanks to AI technology that helps to isolate the subject from the background.
Powerful and efficient performance
Redmi Note 5 uses Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 636 platform based on the 14 nm process. Users will experience faster performance, whether they are editing a large spreadsheet or playing demanding games. Compared to Qualcomm Snapdragon 630, Snapdragon 636 has a 40% better performance while maintaining power efficiency.
The Redmi Note 5 is the first device in the Redmi family to use LPDDR4X SDRAM, which is usually only available on flagship smartphones. With up to 4GB of fast RAM, it can run more apps simultaneously and switch between programs even more smoothly.
So much packed in a small form factor
The Redmi Note 5 sports a 5.99 inch FHD+ 18:9 display, a large 4000 mAh battery and support for fast charging. Equipped with the latest MIUI 9 operating system based on Android Oreo, it also supports full screen display gestures, which allows users to completely hide the navigation bar, for a maximized display area.
ASUS just revealed two ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB601KL) models to directly take on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, so here is a table comparing their specifications.
Specifications
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB602KL)
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (ZB601KL)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
Display
6" Full HD+ display
- 1080 x 2160 pixels
- 18:9 aspect ratio, 85% NTSC
- 450 nits, 1500:1 contrast ratio
6" Full HD+ display
- 1080 x 2160 pixels
- 18:9 aspect ratio, 85% NTSC
- 450 nits, 1500:1 contrast ratio
5.99" Full HD+ display
- 1080 x 2160 pixels
- 18:9 aspect ratio, 83% NTSC
- 450 nits, 1500:1 contrast ratio
Here is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 price list at launch. There will be two models with different memory and storage capacities :
3GB + 32GB : RM 799 / ~US$ 205
4GB + 64GB : RM 999 / ~US$ 256
Both versions will be available in three colors – Lake Blue, Gold, and Black. A simple and elegant TPU case will be shipped in the box with every Redmi Note 5.
You can purchase them from Lazada and 11street, or offline from our Authorised Mi Stores starting 5 May 2018. Here are some offers :
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Xiaomi broke ground when they launched their first smartphone. They were hardly the first to come up with an Android smartphone, and they won’t be the last company to try and break into that competitive market. But in just 4 years, they became the 4th largest smartphone manufacturer in the world.
How did they achieve this? By making high-end Mi smartphones that are highly affordable. Their mid-range Redmi series are even more affordable. Today, we are going to take a close look at their latest phablet – the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada). To be specific – this is the helio X20 version of the Redmi Note 4.
Originally posted @ 2017-02-14
Updated @ 2017-03-26 : Updated various parts of the review, including the specifications of the helio X20 and Snapdragon 625 models.
The helio X20 Model
This is the Chinese model, powered by the 10-core helio X20, instead of the 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 625. It also comes with the unique combination of 3 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage.
The Qualcomm models come with 2 GB or 3 GB models with 32 GB of storage, and a rare, high-end 4 GB model with 64 GB of storage. Here is a comparison of both models for your perusal :
Specifications
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (10-Core Version)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (8-Core Version)
Display
5.5" IPS display (1080 x 1920)
- ~401 ppi pixel density, ~72.7% screen-to-body ratio
- 72% NTSC colour gamut
5.5" IPS display (1080 x 1920)
- ~401 ppi pixel density, ~72.7% screen-to-body ratio
- 72% NTSC colour gamut
Operating System
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
System Platform
MediaTek helio X20 (MT6797M)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (MSM8953)
Processor
2 x ARM Cortex-A72 cores (2.1 GHz)
4 x ARM Cortex-A53 cores (1.85 GHz)
4 x ARM Cortex-A53 cores (1.4 GHz)
8 x ARM Cortex-A53 cores (2.0 GHz)
Graphics Processor
ARM Mali-T880 MP4
Qualcomm Adreno 506
Memory
3 GB LPDDR3 SDRAM
2 GB / 3 GB / 4 GB LPDDR3 SDRAM
Storage
64 GB eMMC 5.1 internal flash storage
microSD card slot (up to 128 GB), shared with SIM2
32 GB / 64 GB eMMC 5.0 internal flash storage
microSD card slot (up to 128 GB), shared with SIM2
Front Camera
5 MP sensor, f/2.0 lens
- supports 1080p video recording
5 MP sensor, f/2.0 lens
- supports 1080p video recording
4,100 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery (non-removable)
4,100 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery (non-removable)
Dimensions
76 mm wide x 151 mm tall x 8.45 mm thick
76 mm wide x 151 mm tall x 8.45 mm thick
Weight
165 g
165 g
Unboxing The Redmi Note 4
Now that you know the difference between this Redmi Note 4 model, and the “regular” Redmi Note 4 models out there, let’s unbox it and see what we find inside!
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Inside the box, you will find the following items :
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The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (helio X20 Model)
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) is a small 5.5″ phablet with an IPS display that has a full HD resolution of 1080 x 1920. That gives it a high pixel density of 401 ppi, the same as that of the ASUS ZenFone 3 (ZE552KL). It also boasts a 72% NTSC colour gamut.
The Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) has a sleek aluminium chassis with two antenna bands running across the back at the top and bottom. The matte anodised finish is not only hard-wearing but virtually impervious to fingerprint smears. The aluminium chassis also gives the Redmi Note 4 a nice heft. At 165 g, it has a premium feel to it.
The Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) has a SIM tray on its left side, with the Power and Volume buttons on the right. It maintains the 3.5 mm earphone port at the top, next to an infra-red emitter. Yes, you can use the Redmi Note 4 as a remote control!
Sadly, Xiaomi stuck to the old micro USB 2.0 port, instead of the new bi-directional USB-C port. It’s a minor point though.
Hybrid SIM & Fingerprint Sensor
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) has Dual SIM, Dual Standby capability. However, only the SIM1 supports 4G calls and data, while SIM2 can only support 3G calls. The SIM card tray is located along the left edge, and supports two nano SIM cards.
The second SIM card tray is a hybrid SIM tray, which allows you to install a microSD card instead. In other words, it supports either a second nano SIM card, or a microSD card, but not both at the same time.
The Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) uses a fingerprint sensor that is located at the back, just under the main camera. This is an all-aspect fingerprint sensor that unlocks the smartphone with just a touch.
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The Redmi Note 4 Cameras
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) has a 5 MP front camera with f/2.0 lens. The lens is fast, but the sensor is a little inadequate in this day and age.
However, the main camera has a 13 MP BSI sensor that supports phase detection auto-focus (PDAF), and is supported by f/2.0 lens and a dual-tone LED flash. It supports 1080p video recording with electronic image stabilisation (EIS). Later in the review, we will show you samples of the photos and videos we took.
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Setting Up The Redmi Note 4
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which should be familiar to many Android users. It is very easy to setup. If you are setting it up as a new device, it should take you only 5 minutes to finish the setup process.
The Ergonomics
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) isn’t a big phablet, so it fits well in our hands. That said, it is still a two-handed device – you need both hands to fully make use of it. The display is nice and sharp – no complaints there.
The anodised aluminium back is smooth to the touch, but watch out because it has less grip than other smartphones. You don’t want it falling because there is no Gorilla Glass protection! But the good news is – the surface is totally impervious to fingerprint smears.
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Available Memory & Storage
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) comes memory options of 2 GB, 3 GB and 4 GB. This model came with 3 GB of memory, of which half is available for use. That’s a decent amount of free memory to run several apps at the same time. 4 GB of RAM is nice to have, but not necessary is most cases.
What is really awesome to have in this Redmi Note 4 model is the 64 GB of internal flash storage. Of that, 55.6 GB is available to use, which is just awesome. If that’s not enough, you can top it up with a microSD card (up to 128 GB).
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Camera Performance – Photos
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) has a very respectable 13 MP main camera. Resolution aside, it has a bright and fast f/2.0 lens, which should help in low-light conditions. The full 13 MP resolution is attained with the 16:9 aspect ratio. Each picture has a resolution of 4208 x 2368 and a file size of between 1.6 to 2.8 MB.
Here are 12 high-resolution samples for you to check out. Click on them to load the full-sized photos, which you can also download to examine.
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Camera Performance – Video Recording
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) is capable of recording 1080p videos, with electronic image stabilisation enabled. It does not have any optical image stabilisation built-in. To test its video recording capabilities, we recorded a public piano performance, and a street market. Check them out!
In the piano scene, the image quality is very good. There is also very good control of the highlights, with minimal blowouts. You can see that in the Padini store, and the bright entrance in the background. However, the audio recording is clear but sadly rendered horribly useless by a complete lack of noise reduction.
The street market shows how Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) suffers from a lack of image stabilisation. You can get pretty nauseous after a while! So if you are recording videos, try not to do it while you are walking. There is only so much electronic image stabilisation can do.
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Work Performance – PCMark
We tested the Redmi Note 4’s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4
ASUS ZenFone 3
honor 5C
OPPO F1s
Work Performance Score
(Average)
5311
6405
5357
3884
Web Browsing
6038
8045
5643
3688
Video Playback
3873
3469
4487
3789
Writing
5862
7316
5944
4141
Photo Editing
5803
8246
5469
3933
It is important that the key advantage of the deca-core MediaTek helio X20 is not performance, but power efficiency. As the results show, it is about 17% slower than the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 that powers the ASUS ZenFone 3, and roughly equivalent to the octa-core Kirin 650 in the honor 5C.
Battery Life – PCMark
We then tested the Redmi Note 4’s battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.
The Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) has a large 4,100 mAh battery, but surprisingly, it only lasted just over 9 hours in this test. This is 2.5 hours less than the ASUS ZenFone 3, which only has a 3,000 mAh battery!
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Battery Recharging Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 comes with a 10 W fast charger. Take a look at how fast it recharges the large 4,100 mAh battery.
It took the Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) 133.5 minutes (2 hours 13.5 minutes) to recharge its battery from 8% to 100%. This is a battery life : recharging ratio of about 4.5 : 1 – a decidedly lacklustre performance.
The recharging profile shows that the fastest charging up to the 85% charge level, before it tapered off to a slower recharging speed.
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Overall Performance
AnTuTu is a nice benchmark for testing various performance aspects of Android devices.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4
ASUS ZenFone 3
honor 5C
OPPO F1s
TOTAL SCORE
85504
62761
53417
41486
3D SCORE
15453
18816
9842
4868
– 3D (Marooned)
9003
10861
5795
3188
– 3D (Garden)
6450
7952
4047
1679
UX SCORE
37378
26794
19297
17640
– UX Data Secure
6761
5077
5577
4885
– UX Data Process
4601
4198
2706
2542
– UX Strategy Games
8668
7503
4109
2829
– UX Image Process
13199
6879
3144
3885
– UX I/O Performance
4149
3137
3761
3499
CPU SCORE
25988
23689
19254
14336
– CPU Mathematics
8896
6950
4198
3142
– CPU Common Use
6835
6311
5947
4805
– CPU Multi-Core
10257
10428
9109
6389
RAM
6685
6797
5024
4643
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) is very fast in 2D graphics, but has rather average performance in the 3D tests. In this benchmark, its CPU performance actually beat that of the ASUS ZenFone 3, which is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 used in the “regular” Redmi Note 4 models.
Gaming Performance – 3DMark
We tested the Redmi Note 4’s gaming performance using 3DMark, using the Ice Storm Unlimited test.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4
ASUS ZenFone 3
honor 5C
OPPO F1s
Gaming Score
14608
13956
11560
7666
Graphics
16285
13484
11067
7511
Physics
10737
15903
13698
8265
Graphics Test 1
94.5 fps
80.5 fps
63.4 fps
49.4 fps
Graphics Test 2
56.6 fps
46.1 fps
38.8 fps
24.4 fps
Physics Test
34.1 fps
50.5 fps
43.5 fps
26.2 fps
The ARM Mali-T880 MP4 GPU powering the Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) was just a tad faster than the average-performing Qualcomm Adreno 506 GPU in the ASUS ZenFone 3. It will handle most 3D games quite well, but don’t expect it to handle the more strenuous 3D game titles.
Our Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) was everything we expected of it. It offers a ton of remarkable features in a well-built package at a very affordable price point. That has always been Xiaomi’s core strength, and they did not stray far with the Redmi Note 4.
The Redmi Note 4 boasts a 10-core processor with a decent GPU, a large amount of RAM and a very generous amount of internal flash storage. All packed in a sleek anodised aluminium chassis. Even its 13 MP main camera performed better than expected for its price point.
Sure, it is not the best device for 3D gaming, but it was never meant to be one. The Redmi Note series was designed to be a range of affordable phablets, not 3D gaming devices. And Xiaomi sure delivered on their promise with the Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada).
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If there is something we feel we must point out, it is its rather lacklustre battery life. Xiaomi may boast about the large 4,100 mAh battery, but it lasted far less than smartphones with smaller batteries. It also takes longer than expected to recharge the battery.
Again, please note that this is the 10-core helio X20 model, not the 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 model.
Due to its tremendous value for money, we think the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (GearBest | Amazon | Lazada) deserves no less than our Reviewer’s Choice Award. Congratulations, Xiaomi!
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2 June 2016 – Microsoft Corp. and Xiaomi Inc. have expanded their global partnership to provide innovative user experiences on mobile devices. As part of the agreement, Xiaomi will ship Microsoft Office and Skype on Xiaomi Android smartphones and tablets. As a result, tens of millions of consumers and business customers in China, India and around the world will have new ways to work, collaborate and communicate. The companies’ new collaboration also includes a cross-license and patent transfer agreement.
“We are excited to be working closely with Microsoft on a broad technology collaboration partnership,” said Xiang Wang, senior vice president at Xiaomi. “As demonstrated by this agreement with Microsoft, Xiaomi is looking to build sustainable, long-term partnerships with global technology leaders, with the ultimate goal of bringing the best user experience to our Mi fans.”
“People want their favorite apps and experiences to work seamlessly on the device of their choice, and that’s exactly what this partnership offers” said Peggy Johnson, Executive Vice President of Microsoft Corp. “Together with Xiaomi, we’re bringing the very best in mobile productivity to millions more customers in China and around the world.”
Beginning in September 2016, Xiaomi Android devices, including Mi 5, Mi Max, Mi 4s, Redmi Note 3 and Redmi 3, will come pre-installed with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Skype applications. Specific offerings may vary by device, market and mobile operator.
This agreement builds on the companies’ partnership with Windows 10 on Mi Pad and Microsoft Azure powering the Mi Cloud service. Partnerships with companies such as Xiaomi are central to Microsoft’s strategy to work with industry leaders around the world to meet the needs of joint customers.
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