Xiaomi Redmi Note review: Warning note

2 October 2014
The Redmi Note is Xiaomi's first phablet based on the solid Redmi 1S, which learnt from the Moto X and tried to repeat its success. We cannot think of a better example to follow in terms of sales potential and, with the right touches, the phablet can hope of a similarly warm reception...

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  • s
  • shahrul
  • KZ8
  • 06 Oct 2014

its good phone on a cheap price

    • D
    • AnonD-315724
    • 3rR
    • 06 Oct 2014

    Recommended add ons:
    What I added:
    - Quality tempered glass screen protector (9H).
    - Cheap silicon slip-on case.
    - Alternatively, an anodized aluminum band case (even though the back of the RedMi Note is glossy plastic you won't see fingerprints on it because it's white).
    - Spare 3200mAh battery + charger (external).
    - 32GB SD card for the MTK versions; 64GB SD card for the LTE version.

      • D
      • AnonD-315724
      • 3rR
      • 06 Oct 2014

      Here's what I feel Xaiomi could have done better with the RedMi Note:
      - It would have been nice if the power button was placed on top. It's too near the volume UP/DOWN rocker switch causing the user to accidentally shut off the device.
      - Default sound levels are low. Easily fixed with Mobileuncle Tools.
      - GPS doesn't lock as fast as Snapdragon based phones.
      - Tethering/WiFi Hotspot is buggy. I'm using Bluetooth tethering instead which works just fine.
      - MIUI and Google don't always work well together. No way to set Google Now Voice commands from any screen.
      - I can't find the ability to use voice commands like I had a my Galaxy S2 device. The new Moto X (2014) got this so right - wish the RedMi Note had the same capabilities.
      - Nitpick: The USB connector is upside down (wide part facing up). This can be quite annoying at first since I've never owned an Android device that didn't have the micro-USB jack with the wide part facing down.
      - Camera is so-so. My three year old Galaxy S2 (8MP) takes better photos.

        • D
        • AnonD-315724
        • 3rR
        • 06 Oct 2014

        I own two of these with a 3rd one (LTE) on it's way from China.
        Here's what I love about the phone:]- 5.5 Inch HD display. A FHD display would have been nicer but there are no free lunches. I would much prefer the extended battery life than a FHD display.
        - Great value for money.
        - 3200mAh battery.
        - MIUI. Best UI I've used to date. Snappy, versatile and completely customizable.
        - Almost no bloatware.
        - Ability to record incoming and outgoing phone calls.
        - Superuser (Root Access) built in.
        - Great security, anti-virirus features built in.
        - MI Cloud offers 5GB of storage for free.
        - 32GB storage on the removable SD card. The LTE version allows up to 64GB.
        - The LTE version will also allow 802.11ac connectivity and has a version of KitKat
        built in as well as a later version of MIUI than the MTK based version
        - Solid feel - not another cheap Chinese knockoff.

          • D
          • AnonD-315724
          • 3rR
          • 06 Oct 2014

          I wish GSMarena would have done separate reviews for the MTK based version and the Snapdragon 400 version. Externally they look exactly alike however they're really two very different phones with quite different benchmarks.

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • PSv
            • 06 Oct 2014

            i'll never buy a show me even they put a 64gb of ram in it or a V6 processor, lets support a true innovator, not a copy paste company

              • G
              • Greek Analyst
              • KSF
              • 06 Oct 2014

              AnonD-315435, 05 Oct 2014Very shame I will never by device which runs Android. Shame... moreAnd shame on OEMs like Samsung for selling devices like this but more expensive. Please note that Xiaomi is working on Android KitKat for the Redmi Note.

                • D
                • AnonD-315435
                • uuY
                • 05 Oct 2014

                Very shame I will never by device which runs Android. Shame on xiaomi it came with 4.2 when there is kitkat available in market.

                  • j
                  • joe
                  • NEq
                  • 05 Oct 2014

                  it wont even cost 100 euro

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • ibp
                    • 05 Oct 2014

                    very interesting, especially the audio test results.
                    too bad, cutting corners on one of the most common, basic use cases nowadays there is for smartphones: listening to music via headphones.
                    cant glean that from reading spec sheets.
                    wont be getting this then.
                    thanks for saving me some money and hassle gsmarena!

                      • D
                      • AnonD-315490
                      • fuZ
                      • 04 Oct 2014

                      Good

                        • S
                        • SuperUser
                        • KZ8
                        • 04 Oct 2014

                        Anonymous, 03 Oct 2014What a crap chinese garbage phone, how can u get only aroun... moreJust buy another battery pack from the website.It just cost rm12.5 in malaysia or around 3-4dollars

                          • S
                          • SuperUser
                          • KZ8
                          • 04 Oct 2014

                          DaXiong, 03 Oct 2014It is actually Xiaomis fault that you can't move apps to SD... moreTheres already new update which allows u to save pic in microSD card(i already update and it work).If u still having this prob then u have to download others camera app which allows to save pic in microSD card(like Lenovo camera which is available in Play store)

                            • S
                            • SuperUser
                            • KZ8
                            • 04 Oct 2014

                            I own this phone and after read about battery test for video playback and web browsing....Im gonna buy 1 more battery pack from their website.
                            Pros:
                            -Fst octa core(play game without much lag)
                            -Large screen
                            -Good price
                            -Good battery life for normal using
                            -Dual sim
                            -MIUI v5 is very great.Not like Samsung touchwix which has many bloatware n that make their phone lag.MIUI very smooth even my brother use their custom rom for his SGS3.

                            Cons
                            -13mp camera weak in low light(I use VISCO CAM to deal with this)
                            -Heavy(198g)
                            -Larger screen may not suitable for women
                            -Back is glossy(Bring a handkerchief or use case)
                            -Speaker are average(Still ok coz i usually use headphone to listen music or watch video-NO PORN)
                            -that all.i got no bugs when use this phone

                              It is actually Xiaomis fault that you can't move apps to SD. It works one phones from Huawei and Lenovo with the same 4.2 OS...

                                • h
                                • hyena
                                • B{6
                                • 03 Oct 2014

                                I own one and it's nothing but pleasure. For the little money you can really fast phablet with no lag whatsoever. You must try it , no base your opinions on specs only. Compare it to wife's note 3 xiaomi note is half seconds slower in everything,screen less colourful but still looks great. But again it's no fair to compare £500 device to £140 one. Best buy for the money

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-257034
                                  • pdX
                                  • 03 Oct 2014

                                  yyyzb, 02 Oct 2014Battery?Terrible

                                    • n
                                    • new one
                                    • rK6
                                    • 03 Oct 2014

                                    dev, 02 Oct 2014I would like to add some actual user experience: - the c... moreThis phone is heating on playing game as iron every time

                                      • d
                                      • dev
                                      • ajS
                                      • 03 Oct 2014

                                      Nokialicious, 03 Oct 2014I have a Redmi Note, there is few thing i don't like about ... moreThe camera is fine and certainly one of the best in this price range.

                                      Being unable to move apps to card is not Xiaomi's fault but it can be done.

                                      To the guy commenting about battery life, I'm pretty sure your S3 didn't have a 5.5" LCD screen.

                                      Stop complaining about obvious compromises considering this is a sub 200$ phone.

                                        • C
                                        • Carlan
                                        • wra
                                        • 03 Oct 2014

                                        Mediatek processor? sorry I'll pass, no hate just avoiding any compatibility issue.

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