Xiaomi Phone Reviews

[jnvdh06]

Im considering a Xiaomi phone as my next phone. I would like everyone who owns a Xiaomi device to share their experiences, pros and cons etc. Please comment with the phone you have, and then also a quick review. Would be appreciated.

 

[backstreetboy]

I'm sure you've looked at the appropriate threads?

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...ing-to-enter-the-Africa-market-this-September
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/843424-Xiaomi-Note-3-now-R1899

With that said I've got the Redmi Note 2 and Mi band pulse.

I prefer the note 2 to the note 3 because the note 3 we get here is a SE (special edition) and it's a PITA to get covers that fit etc. Also the Note 2 has removable battery and can take a sdcard with 2 sims unlike the Note 3 that can only take 2 sims or 1 sim 1 sdcard combo. Also even though the Mediatek chipsets are weaker then the midrange Snapdragons I still prefer them because their version of fast charging works without Xiaomi having to pay Mediatek. Redmi is their midrange devices so one understands why they don't pay Qualcomm.

Only negative is the battery life. I can go through a day with heavier or two days with light usage. Luckely I have the MI power bank aswell (works great).

Then I also got the Mi band pulse. I prefer it to the mi band 2 because you can save up to 3 alarms on it's memory. So it can wake you up even if your phone isn't paired. I miss the time but now just check the phone from time to time. Maybe Xiaomi will stop removing features in the future lol.

All in all I love Xiaomi. Great quality at great prices and most bang for your buck. I'm looking at importing a Mi Box Android tv from usa in the near future.

 

[jnvdh06]

I'm sure you've looked at the appropriate threads?

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...ing-to-enter-the-Africa-market-this-September
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/843424-Xiaomi-Note-3-now-R1899

With that said I've got the Redmi Note 2 and Mi band pulse.

I prefer the note 2 to the note 3 because the note 3 we get here is a SE (special edition) and it's a PITA to get covers that fit etc. Also the Note 2 has removable battery and can take a sdcard with 2 sims unlike the Note 3 that can only take 2 sims or 1 sim 1 sdcard combo. Also even though the Mediatek chipsets are weaker then the midrange Snapdragons I still prefer them because their version of fast charging works without Xiaomi having to pay Mediatek. Redmi their midrange devices so one understands why they don't pay Qualcomm.

Only negative is the battery life. I can go through a day with heavier or two days with light usage. Luckely I have the MI power bank aswell (works great).

Then I also got the Mi band pulse. I prefer it to the mi band 2 because you can save up to 3 alarms on it's memory. So it can wake you up even if your phone isn't paired. I miss the time but now just check the phone from time to time. Maybe Xiaomi will stop removing features in the future lol.

All in all I love Xiaomi. Great quality at great prices and most bang for your buck. I'm looking at importing a Mi Box Android tv from usa in the near future.

Yes I have visited those threads, but they are not reviews per se.

But thanks for your review. It is appreciated

 

[Pakka]

Review

After two weeks of using this phone as my primary device, I’m can give a short review in terms of things I like and things I dislike. Before this phone, I used a Samsung Galaxy S5 for 2.5 years.
Pro’s:
1. Cheap! This phone costs a third of the price of the current flagships. I could buy this cash instead of having to be locked into another 24-month contract just to afford it.

2. MIUI: Xiaomi’s flavour of Android, called MIUI, is very fun to use. It offers quite a lot of customization. The Theme app lets you browse and install hundreds of themes. In the phone’s settings you can customize a whole bunch of different things which aren’t standard in Android. There is also a Security app to help keep your phone clean and performing well. MIUI also has some of its own tricks to manage the battery, RAM and data usage. I don’t like the MIUI stock launcher because of the absence of an app drawer. Nova Launcher, free from the Play Store, works much better for me. MIUI has certainly borrowed some styling from iOS – but it looks good and I won’t change ROMs for now.

3. The 4050 mAh battery – with moderate use you can get 2+ days of battery usage.

4. The Updater app keeps your software up to date with the latest versions via Over the Air updates.

5. MIUI Forum: The MIUI forum is very active and acts as a massive support base connecting users of similar devices with the developers. There is an app you can install too.

6. Fingerprint scanner: It’s insanely quick and works really well! I’m not using it, though. I don’t use any screen lock protection. But if I did, the fingerprint scanner would definitely be efficient enough.

7. Expandable storage: Can you believe that some mainstream devices don’t offer expandable storage anymore?

8. Dual sim: Choose between expandable storage or dual sim.

9. Speaker: The speaker is quite loud. It might not be the best quality, but it certainly is loud enough.

Cons:
1. The camera: Yes, it really is as bad as the reviews say. Sure, photos with lots of natural light look good, but in darker conditions the camera really is dreadful. As a side note, I’ve found the app Camera MX is easier to use than the stock camera and it also allows you to take 4k video – something the camera and chipset supports but not the stock software.

2. The screen: It’s not that great at all. When you view pictures with a gradient, it can look a bit choppy. What’s more, is that the screen doesn’t work like AMOLED screens where the pixels are turned off when it needs to display black, instead it tries to display black with some back lighting. That means that your blacks come out grey.

3. No Fast Charge: the big battery can take quite some time to charge, like up to two hours. But because I charge less often, I’m able to live with it. But they could’ve include Fast Charge.

4. Versions – The version I have is codenamed Kate, it’s the Redmi Note 3 Special Edition elsewhere, although it’s not marketed that way here. The dimensions are slightly different from the normal version - just enough to make finding a cover that sits properly quite difficult. Also, ROMs etc. are more popular for the standard version, codenamed Kenzo.

5. It’s a sealed unit – you can’t replace the battery should it ever be necessary.

6. No earphones included – the box literally has the phone, chargers + USB cable, the little pin to remove the SIM card frame, and manuals in it.

Keep in mind that I paid R1, 900 for my device and I'm not familiar with what other devices are available at the normal retail price range.

 

[Lupus]

I have a Redmi Note 2 as my media player, mainly as my wife dropped it and cracked the camera, so she's got the replacement device.
From my usage as a spare phone, the speaker is decent, I often will use it in a Tape Library room while busy in there doing maintenance and I can hear it most places. The screen isn't on par with my LG G4 but it's pretty close, the actual UI is decent, often find myself going back to my LG going hmmm I wonder.
It's a bit thicker than other devices in this size, but not by much.

 

[jnvdh06]

I have a Redmi Note 2 as my media player, mainly as my wife dropped it and cracked the camera, so she's got the replacement device.
From my usage as a spare phone, the speaker is decent, I often will use it in a Tape Library room while busy in there doing maintenance and I can hear it most places. The screen isn't on par with my LG G4 but it's pretty close, the actual UI is decent, often find myself going back to my LG going hmmm I wonder.
It's a bit thicker than other devices in this size, but not by much.

Sounds like a decent device

 

[WaxLyrical]

The cool thing about these devices is that you can keep buying them as they come out, and still experience the utility of a top end name brand.

I've got a Note 2 and so far it's only the flimsy back cover which grates me.

Battery life a bit on the short side but it's not a deal breaker.

The Android based Miui Software is is probably the best feature.

 

[FlashSA]

OP: buy one. Love my Redmi Note 3 coming from a Samsung S5

 

[jnvdh06]

OP: buy one. Love my Redmi Note 3 coming from a Samsung S5

I am considering selling my iPhone 6s, buying the Redmi Note 2, and saving the rest. I am considering the Note 2 due to its price and due to the fact it has 2 sim slots plus sd card.

I'm only slightly hesitant due to no fingerprint scanner but don't think its such a major issue.
And I am a bit afraid the size is too big. I have been accustomed to 5" phones, and never really had bigger phones. I checked one out at Makro and like it a lot though

 

[backstreetboy]

I am considering selling my iPhone 6s, buying the Redmi Note 2, and saving the rest. I am considering the Note 2 due to its price and due to the fact it has 2 sim slots plus sd card.

I'm only slightly hesitant due to no fingerprint scanner but don't think its such a major issue.
And I am a bit afraid the size is too big. I have been accustomed to 5" phones, and never really had bigger phones. I checked one out at Makro and like it a lot though

Just get a Mi band Pulse aswell for R400. Unlocks the phone quick enough.

 

[jnvdh06]

Just get a Mi band Pulse aswell for R400. Unlocks the phone quick enough.

I think Im just spoilt with it though. The iPhone is the first phone I used it on, and I like it, but its more a luxury than a necesity

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

anybody used this Xiaomi Redmi 2 Pro or the 2,

seem like almost the same phones really,

thinking to go this as my innjoo gave up the ghost with its battery inflation issues,
and innjoo pulling out of SA,

either one of those phones, or a hisense phone as its android is newer,

 

[jnvdh06]

anybody used this Xiaomi Redmi 2 Pro or the 2,

seem like almost the same phones really,

thinking to go this as my innjoo gave up the ghost with its battery inflation issues,
and innjoo pulling out of SA,

either one of those phones, or a hisense phone as its android is newer,

The Redmi 2 Pro has 16gb internal storage, and 2gb ram, and is R2000
The Redmi 2 has 8gb internal storage, and 1gb ram, and is R1500
The rest is all the same.

I would go for the Xiaomi. The Hisense phones usually use low end Mediatek processors, so you will really be furstrated with performance and lags.

The Xiaomi Redmi 2/Pro has a Snapdragon 410 which is a good processor and very energy efficient.

 

[crack2483]

I'm considering the 2 for 1 deals at mtn. Between the Mi4 and the redmi pro 2. On paper the mi4 has better specs but no sd card slot. Does anyone know which model they stock? GSM arena indicates more than one model. 16/64 on their site.

 

[Dion Disco]

Just bought the Redmi Note 2

As pointed out, the removeable battery and dedicated dual Sim and SD slots also sold it for me

Not much in it when compared to the Note 3 -apart from fingerprint scanner.

There are side by side performance testing vids on Youtube between Note 2 and Note 3 - the Note 2 beats the Note 3 in Antutu scores

I am very happy with this R2,700 purchase

 

[jnvdh06]

Cant decide between the Redmi 3s, Note 2 and Note 3.

The 3s has more ram and more storage but has a weaker screen and weaker processor.

The Note 2 has 2 sim slots plus sd card bit doesnt have a fingerprint sensor. It also has a bonus of all the accessories

The Note 3 has a big battery and fingerprint scanner but has less internal storage and the hybrid sim slot.

Im torn.

 

[jnvdh06]

I have a Redmi Note 2 as my media player, mainly as my wife dropped it and cracked the camera, so she's got the replacement device.
From my usage as a spare phone, the speaker is decent, I often will use it in a Tape Library room while busy in there doing maintenance and I can hear it most places. The screen isn't on par with my LG G4 but it's pretty close, the actual UI is decent, often find myself going back to my LG going hmmm I wonder.
It's a bit thicker than other devices in this size, but not by much.

Hows the battery life?

 

[Lupus]

Hows the battery life?

After the last update not good, just using it as a Hotspot requires charging after a few hours.