I go hands on with the latest rendition of the Xiaomi Redmi 2 and compare the new phone to the original Xiaomi Redmi.
Anyone who has bought the Xiaomi Redmi 2 already must be pretty disappointed, in fact Xiaomishop.com, the company we bought the Redmi 2 from are a little upset this week. Why? Well after releasing the 1GB RAM 8GB ROM version of the Redmi 2 and getting a lot of negative feedback from fans, Xioami have officially announced a 2GB RAM 16GB ROM version will be released! So on the one hand it’s great to see Xiaomi listening to fans, but on the other hand it is quite irritating to those who already settled on the 1GB model.
Still the 1GB RAM Xiaomi Redmi 2 is undoubtedly going to be much cheaper than the updated version, plus you can buy it now without having to wait.
Xiaomi Redmi 2 First Impressions
First impressions when you receive your Xiaomi Redmi 2 are “wow, the box is small”. I don’t normally comment on the package of a phone as all I care about is what is inside, but the small size of this box did surprise me. Two thoughts come to mind 1) Xiaomi are trying to give you a sense of how small the new Redmi 2 is or 2) Xiaomi’s bean counters are clamping down and trying to cut costs.
Inside the box is the Xiaomi Redmi 2, USB data cable, and charger. Xiaomishop.com were also kind enough to throw in a free screen protector, case, and touch screen pen. They also place a note in the packaging warning that users should not use SIM adapters in the Redmi 2 as it can damage the pins! Nice tip!
The Xiaomi Redmi 2 itself is only slightly shorter, narrower and thinner than the original Redmi design. Dimensions of the new phone are 134 x 67.2 x 9.4 mm, compared to the Redmi 1S’ 137 x 69 x 9.9 mm.
Gizchina News of the week
Making it smaller but maintaining the same 4.7-inch screen makes the Xiaomi Redmi 2 more comfortable to hold, and the more rounded and curved design make it far more fashionable than the bulky older model.
Other than the overall shape and size a few other changes have been made to the Redmi 2 design. The USB is now on the right side of the phone rather than the center, the microphone in the base is in basically the same position.
Xiaomi have retained the same locations for the headphone jack, power button and volume controls.
The rear sees a new dual gill speaker which is set slightly more inboard than before, and the single LED flash remains but now on the left hand side of the 8 mega-pixel camera rather than below.
The rear cover also has a new textured feel to it. Rather than going for the glossy finish of the Xioami Mipad, or even the Meizu m1 note, the Redmi 2 has a slightly rubberized matt finish. It almost feels the same as the ‘baby skin’ finish on the OnePlus One, only not quite as soft.
Video: Xiaomi Redmi 2 hands on and first impressions
Xiaomi Redmi 2 vs Redmi 1S vs Meizu M1 Note specifications
[table id=187 /]Xiaomi Redmi 2 Gallery
That’s all for now, I will post benchmarks from the Xiaomi Redmi 2 in a separate post later today, also watch out for the Ulefone Be Pro hands on which I will post today too.
The full Xiaomi Redmi 2 review will be published in the coming weeks! Stay tuned.
“The Xiaomi Redmi 2 itself is only slightly shorter, narrower and thinner than the original Redmi design. Dimensions of the new phone are 154 x 78.7 x 9.5 mm, compared to the Redmi 1S’ 137 x 69 x 9.9 mm.”
I think you pasted the wrong dimensions here. According to the table the Redmi 2 is 134 x 67.2 x 9.4mm
double checking 😉
Fixed 😀
Andi, can I take this review and translate it to my native language for my project http://xiaomi.report/ ? Putting active backlink of course to GizChina)
Yup, as long as you link back 😀
no backlit buttons again? seriously Xiaomi?
I bought a Redmi2 for the missus. The next day the 2GB was announced. Thank you, Xiaomi… #not
Same here, If I knew I would not buy the 1GB. I don’t care if a device is 0.5GB or 100GB as long as it works smoothly, but I guess they know that miui 6 it’s an hungry RAM eating UI and I saw some reviews with a very slow and lagging operation of the Redmi2.
“The Xiaomi Redmi 2 itself is only slightly shorter, narrower and thinner than the original Redmi design. Dimensions of the new phone are 154 x 78.7 x 9.5 mm, compared to the Redmi 1S’ 137 x 69 x 9.9 mm.”
I think you pasted the wrong dimensions here. According to the table the Redmi 2 is 134 x 67.2 x 9.4mm
double checking 😉
Fixed 😀
Andi, can I take this review and translate it to my native language for my project http://xiaomi.report/ ? Putting active backlink of course to GizChina)
Yup, as long as you link back 😀
no backlit buttons again? seriously Xiaomi?
I bought a Redmi2 for the missus. The next day the 2GB was announced. Thank you, Xiaomi… #not
Same here, If I knew I would not buy the 1GB. I don’t care if a device is 0.5GB or 100GB as long as it works smoothly, but I guess they know that miui 6 it’s an hungry RAM eating UI and I saw some reviews with a very slow and lagging operation of the Redmi2.
Hey andi. Do you know when the new xiaomi with 2gb ram is going to be available for sale? thanks!
Hey andi. Do you know when the new xiaomi with 2gb ram is going to be available for sale? thanks!
Is the battery replacable with redmi 1s.
Is the battery replacable with redmi 1s.