Category: Xiaomi

News about Xiaomi Smartphones

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Cons-Reasons not to buy

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is one of the best selling smartphone in India. As per data shared by Xiaomi, in the first flash sale 250k units got sold out in just 10 minutes. It offers very good specification for the price. However, no phone is perfect. So in this post, let’s have a quick look into Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Cons according to us.

Image source: Flipkart

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Cons-Reasons not to buy

No fast charging

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 comes with 4100 mAh Li-polymer battery. But fast charging is limited to 5V/2A. Hence for charging the device from 0 to 100% it takes around 3 hours. It would have been better if it had faster charging option.

No Android 7.0 Nougat and lot of bloatware

Redmi Note 4 runs on MIUI 8 on top of Android 6.0. It is been more than 4 months since Android 7.0 is released. It is sad to see a new smartphone which is not running on latest version of Android out of the box.

Also, the device comes with lot of preinstalled apps which is very difficult or not possible to remove. In the 4GB variant, almost 1.5GB of RAM is always used by the system due to heavily customised MIUI.

Difficult to buy due to flash sales

Ever since Xiaomi launched its first smartphone Mi3 in India in 2014, it opted for flash sale model. The units will be sold out in a minute or two. Customers have to wait for a specified day and time in week and should be quick enough to buy the device. Many times due to sudden spike in traffic, ecommerce sites goes down which makes buying a device more cumbersome.

Average camera performance

Compared to Redmi Note 3, camera performance on Redmi Note 4 is much better. However, comparing with other smartphone in the price segment, camera performance is not great especially in low light and artificial lighting condition. The front facing camera performance also average.

Hybrid sim card slot

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 comes with hybrid sim card slot which means that user can use two sim cards or one sim card with microSD card. There is no dedicated microSD card slot. Though the base variant of the device has 32GB internal storage, it would have been great if it had microSD card slot.

This is not a complete review. These Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Cons are may not be a deal breaker for most of us. But, knowing the demerits of the device helps to set the expectation from the device. In Spite of all these Redmi Note 4 Cons, we still believe it is one of the best value for money smartphone in the sub 15k price segment.

February 9, 2017
Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime Vs Lenovo K6 Power Which one is better
When it comes to less than 10k Android smartphones, Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime was one of the best option. But with the launch of Lenovo K6 Power, there is a tough competitor to it. Both share lot of similarities and few differences. So which one to choose between the two. Here is our thought on Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime Vs Lenovo K6 Power comparison based on the specification.

Recommended Reading:

Redmi 3s Prime Review

Lenovo Vibe K5 Note vs Redmi Note 3

Comparison between Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime Vs Lenovo K6 Power

Design and Build Quality
- Redmi 3s Prime: It measures 139.3 x 69.6 x 8.5 mm and weighs 144 grams.
- Lenovo K6 Power: It measures 141.9 x 70.3 x 9.3 mm and weighs 145 grams.
Both devices comes with all metal unibody design with good build quality. However, Lenovo K6 power is slightly bigger and thicker. But this difference is negligible and not noticeable unless kept side by side.

Display
- Redmi 3s Prime: 5 inch IPS 720p HD display screen with 294 ppi pixel density.
- Lenovo K6 Power: 5 inch IPS 1080p full HD display screen with 441 ppi pixel density.
Lenovo K6 power display looks sharper and offers slightly better viewing angles. Redmi 3s prime display panel is good but when compared side by side, K6 Power has the edge. Unfortunately both the devices, does not feature Corning Gorilla glass protection.

SoC, RAM and OS
- Redmi 3s Prime: 1.4GHz Octa Core Snapdragon 430 Soc with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage.
- Lenovo K6 Power: 1.4GHz Octa Core Snapdragon 430 Soc with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage.
Going by the specification, both devices has the same SoC and internal storage. Both runs on custom UI based on Android 6.0.1 which offers lot of customisation which are almost identical. However, we observed Lenovo K6 Power Android security patch update date is 1-June-2016 and Redmi 3s Prime security patch update date is 1-Sep-2016.

Camera
- Redmi 3s Prime: 13MP primary camera with f/2.0 and 5MP secondary camera with f/2.2.
- Lenovo K6 Power:13MP primary camera with f/2.0 and 8MP secondary camera.
Once again, going by the specifications, Lenovo K6 Power has the edge when it comes to front facing camera.

Battery
- Redmi 3s Prime: 4100 mAh battery.
- Lenovo K6 Power: 4000 mAh battery.
Redmi 3s prime looks superior in this segment. Slightly larger capacity and 720p screen should be able to provide longer battery life than the Lenovo K6 Note.

Price and Availability
- Redmi 3s Prime: Rs.8,999 available through flash sale.
- Lenovo K6 Power: Rs. 9,999 available through open sale.
Redmi 3s Prime is more affordable smartphone. Though Lenovo claims K6 Power sells through open sale, purchasing the device is similar to flash sale except no need of pre registration. We felt it is easier to purchase Redmi 3s Prime rather than Lenovo K6 prime at least after trying to buy one in first sale.

Advantages of Redmi 3s Prime over Lenovo K6 Power
- Availability of IR blaster which is useful in using the device as universal remote.
- Larger battery capacity.
- Comparatively faster Android security patch updates.
- Price.
Advantages of Lenovo K6 Power over Redmi 3s prime
- Full HD display screen.
- Better front facing camera.
- Reverse charging.
This Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime Vs Lenovo K6 Power comparison is based more on the specification and initial impression. We will update real life performance comparison between Lenovo K6 power and Redmi 3s Prime in the coming days.
December 6, 2016
Xiaomi Redmi 3s Plus Offline Exclusive Smartphone in India
Xiaomi has unveiled Redmi 3s Plus in India. It will be available exclusively at offline stores and it will not available through usual online channels. Here are few quick Xiaomi Redmi 3s Plus FAQ.

Recommended Reading:

Redmi 3s Prime Review

Xiaomi Redmi 3s Plus FAQ

In which stores Redmi 3s Plus will be available?

As said before, this device will be available exclusively on offline stores. Xiaomi has tied up with retail stores like Sangeetha, BIG C, LOT mobiles, Poorvika and distributors like Redington, Innocomm and Just Buy Live. You can buy from any one of these stores.

What is the Xiaomi Redmi 3s Plus price in India? From when the device will be available?

Redmi 3s Plus price in India MRP is Rs.9,499 and best buy tag is Rs.8,799. It will be available from 1st October.

What are the differences between Redmi 3s Plus and Redmi 3s Prime?

The key differences between Redmi 3s Plus and Redmi 3s Prime as follows. This is based on the press release data.

Price:
- Redmi 3s Prime: Rs.8,999.
- Redmi 3s Plus: Rs. 9,499(Best buy price of Rs.8,799).
Availability:
- Redmi 3s Prime: Available through flash sales in Flipkart.com & Mi.com.
- Redmi 3s Plus: Available through offline stores like Sangeetha, BIG C, LOT mobiles, Poorvika and distributors like Redington, Innocomm and Just Buy Live.
RAM:
- Redmi 3s Prime: 3GB of RAM.
- Redmi 3s Plus: 2GB of RAM.
Rest of the specifications like SoC, internal storage, camera , design and build quality looks identical.

What are the specifications of Xiaomi Redmi 3s Plus?

Xiaomi Redmi 3s Plus Specification summary
- 1.4GHz 64 bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor with Adreno 505 GPU.
- 2GB of RAM and 32GB internal storage.
- 5 inch 720p HD display screen.
- 4100 mAh battery.
- 13MP primary camera and 5MP front facing camera.
- LTE and VoLTE support.
October 1, 2016
Xiaomi Redmi 3s Vs Redmi Note 3 – Which One to Choose?
Redmi 3s Prime and Redmi Note 3 are very similar looking Android smartphones from Xiaomi with capable internals. The price difference between the variants of these two are around 3000 rupees. So which is the better buy out of these two? Let’s try to find out in this Xiaomi Redmi 3s Vs Redmi Note 3 comparison.

Recommended Reading:

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Vs Lenovo Vibe k5 Note.

Redmi Note 3 vs LeEco Le 2

Redmi Note 3 vs Moto G4 Plus

Xiaomi Redmi 3s Vs Redmi Note 3 Comparison and Differences

Design and Build quality
- Redmi Note 3: Dimensions: 150 x 76 x 8.7 mm and weighs 164 grams.
- Redmi 3s: Dimensions: 139.30 x 69.60 x 8.50 and weighs 144 grams.
In Terms of design and build quality both of the device are almost identical. Only the placement of sensors and camera are different. As Redmi 3s Prime has 5 inch screen, it is more compact and slightly light weight.

Display
- Redmi Note 3: 5.5 inch IPS display screen with 1080p HD resolution.
- Redmi 3s: 5 inch IPS display screen with 720p HD resolution.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 sports 5.5 inch full HD display screen which provides an approximate pixel density of 403 ppi. Whereas Redmi 3s prime comes with 5 inch 720p HD resolution screen which translates to approximately 294 ppi. Both display panels are good on their terms. However, when compared between the two, undoubtedly Redmi Note 3 has better display.

Processor and GPU
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: Snapdragon 650 SoC with Adreno 510 GPU.
- Redmi 3s : Snapdragon 430 Soc with Adreno 505 GPU.
Redmi Note 3 is powered by Snapdragon 650 SoC which has 2 Cortex A72 high performance cores clocked at 1.8GHz and 4 Cortex A53 cores clocked at 1.4GHz.

Whereas Redmi 3s comes with Snapdragon 430 Soc with 4 Cortex A53 cores clocked at 1.4 GHz and another 4 Cortex A53 cores clocked at 1.1GHz.

Specification Wise Mi Note 3 has more powerful processor. However, in day to day usage, the difference is hardly noticeable.

Camera
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: 16MP rear camera and 5MP camera.
- Redmi 3s: 13MP rear camera and 5MP camera.
Redmi Note 3 sports a 16MP primary camera and 5MP front facing with f/2.0. Whereas Redmi 3s houses a 13MP rear camera with f/2.0 and 5MP front facing camera with f/2.2. Once again the difference is not huge.

Battery
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: 4050mAh battery.
- Redmi 3s: 4100 mAh battery.
Both phones provides excellent battery life. However, Redmi 3s due to its small screen with low resolution and higher capacity battery provides slightly longer battery life.

Price
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: Rs.9,999 for 2GB RAM with 16GB internal storage variant and Rs.11,999 for the 3GB RAM with 32GB internal storage variant.
- Redmi 3s: Rs.6,999 for 2GB RAM with 16GB internal storage variant and Rs.8,999 for the 3GB RAM with 32GB internal storage variant.
Verdict on Xiaomi Redmi 3s Vs Redmi Note 3 comparison

Specification wise Redmi Note 3 is better in most of the segments. Having said that, Redmi 3s has its own set of advantages such as compact form factor, better battery life and more economical. In short, we can conclude this comparison as, if you want 5.5 inch screen, then you can go for Redmi note 3. If you want 5 inch screen you can opt for Redmi 3s.
September 10, 2016
Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime Review- Pros and Cons
Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime is a budget Android smartphone which offers great specification at affordable price. Within two years of launching its first smartphone in India, the kind of success it achieved is remarkable. So with all these expectations, let’s begin our Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime Review to know whether it really able to fulfil the expectations.

Recommended Reading:

Xiaomi Redmi 3s FAQ with Tips and Tricks

Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime Vs Lenovo K6 Power

There are two variants of Redmi 3s are available. One is Redmi 3s and another one is Redmi 3s Prime. Redmi 3s prime has the advantage of Fingerprint scanner, more RAM and more storage space.

Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime looks a lot like smaller Redmi Note 3 except the placement of the sensors. With all metal body, it is one of the best smartphones in terms of design and build quality in the price segment.

Redmi 3s prime sports 5 inch IPS display with 720p HD resolution. The screen is vibrant and offers good viewing angles and sunlight legibility. The brightness level also decent on this device.

Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime is powered by all new Snapdragon 430 Soc with 3GB of RAM and Adreno 505 GPU. It has 32GB of internal storage and support for microSD card(It has hybrid sim slot and there is no dedicated microSD card slot). Out of the box, it runs on MIUI 7.5 which is based on the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.

Coming to performance, we have not faced any lagging in the general usage. Multi tasking and gaming experience also very good considering the price. The call quality and signal reception was decent. This variant comes with fingerprint scanner which is fast and accurate. The connectivity features of the device includes 4G with VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, GPS/A-GPS, Glonass, and Micro-USB. It is compatible with all LTE bands in India including the FDD LTE Band 3 and Band 5, as well as TDD LTE Band 40.

Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime sports 13MP primary camera with PDAF (phase detection autofocus), f/2.0 aperture, HDR mode, 1080p video recording, and an LED flash. There is also a 5MP front facing camera. In good lighting and in indoor lighting conditions, the camera was able to take sharp images with good amount of details. The low light performance also decent.

One of the biggest USP of Redmi 3s prime is its battery. It comes with non-removable 4100mAh battery which managed to cover entire day with even heavy usage. The bundled 5V/2A charger managed to charge the battery full in around 2 hours.

Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime Review Summary: It is one of the best sub Rs.10,000 smartphone we have tested till date. Performance, battery life, display quality, availability of all basic sensors and decent camera performance are the key advantage of the device. Coming to disadvantages of Redmi 3s prime, it lacks a dedicated microSD card slot and sound amplification is bit low.

Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime Review-Advantages and Disadvantages

Pros of Redmi 3s Prime
- Great battery life
- Compact to use in single hand.
- Decent performance.
- Fast and accurate fingerprint scanner.
- Good build quality.
Cons of Redmi 3s Prime
- No dedicated microSD card slot.
- Non user removable battery.
- Sound output via headphone and speaker is bit low.
- Available through only flash sales.
August 31, 2016