Xiaomi Released The Redmi Note 2: A Galaxy Note 5 Alternative That Won't Kill Your Budget

Xiaomi always positioned its products at affordable prices, with good to cutting-edge specs. Its first-ever release, the Xiaomi Mi1, was a dual-core device released at an era when only the top-tier phones had dual-core processors. In the age of the octa-core, Xiaomi finally released octa-core models, starting with the Mi Note Pro, the Mi4i, and now, the Redmi Note 2.

Xiaomi’s flagship brand is the Mi, while Redmi is more mid-range to entry-level. For the company to release an octa-core model for its midrange line is not just awesome, it’s also understandably exciting for the smartphone-crazy public.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 was announced hours before Samsung’s Unpacked event on August 13th. It seemed like the company wanted to remind the tech-crazy public of how it is still a more affordable option to the also just-announced Samsung Galaxy Note 5. The RedMi Note 2 should have been released on August 16th, and Xiaomi’s Mainland China online store already carries the product. Their online stores in other countries are expected to follow suit thereafter.

The Redmi Note 2 may not be as large as the Note 5, but it certainly has a more powerful processor, compared to the Note 5. It just doesn’t pack the same large RAM as the Note 5, but the processing speed may make up for its lack in RAM.

Here are the specs for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2:

Entry-Level Model:

Processor: 2.0 GHz Octa-core, A53 Cortex

Internal Storage: 16GB

High-End Model:

Processor: 2.2 GHz Octa-core, A53 Cortex

Internal Storage: 32GB

Same specs for both models:

Chipset: MediaTek 64-bit Helio X10

RAM: 2 GB RAM

GPU: PowerVR G6200

Display: 5.5 inches, with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and a ~401 ppi pixel density

Connectivity: HSPA, LTE, as well as TD-SCDMA, and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Cameras: 13 MP, with a max output of 4128 x 3096 pixels, autofocus, LED flash and face detection for the primary camera; 5 MP secondary camera

Battery: 3060 mAh Li-Po battery, with QuickCharge 2.0 (60% in 30 min)

The Redmi Note 2 has an edge over the Note 5, with the TD-SCDMA connectivity, dual SIM card slots, as well as a slightly higher-capacity battery. However, the Note 5 has a “dual shot” function, a 16MP camera, a 5.7in display protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 4, and a 4GB RAM.

However, the Note 5 will be priced at $699.99, while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 will be priced at $125 for the 16GB model, and around $156 for the 32GB model. The $125 model has 4G on one SIM, with 3G on the other. There is also a $ 140.49 model that has 16GB for its internal storage, but will support 4G on both SIM cards.

The Redmi Note 2’s chipset is reportedly the same one used in the HTC One M9+ phablet.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 certainly isn’t the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, but if you could live without the Gorilla Glass protection, 3MP more in main camera resolution, or NFC, $125, even $156 is certainly a far cry from $699.99.