Poco F1 review: Xiaomi redefines flagship with this hard-to-beat smartphone

The Poco F1 shows a flagship smartphone need not be costly; this one cuts corners on design, camera and some other features but still manages to pack enough to be a flagship with a price hard to beat

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi recently took the plunge in India’s premium mid-range segment, the second-fastest-growing segment in the country, with the debut of a flagship smartphone under the Poco sub-brand.

Xiaomi’s compatriot OnePlus, the only other strong player in the segment with triple-digit year-on-year growth rates in recent times, has been the fastest-growing flagship smartphone brand in India, ahead of the biggies Samsung and Apple.

Priced at Rs 20,999 for the base model, the Poco F1 is the most economical offering in the mid-range flagship segment, much cheaper than the even the Asus Zenfone 5z and OnePlus 6. However, is Poco F1 a complete package with an all-round performance? Let’s find out:

Design and display

Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 5 Pro, launched earlier this year, had an iPhone X-inspired design – a metallic back, vertically aligned rear camera module and a circular fingerprint sensor in the back’s mid-centre. Most of its smartphones since have followed the same design template. Thankfully, the Poco F1 has a fresh new design. It is not chic, given its plastic build, and does not look as premium as glass and metallic designs of current-generation mid-range flagships. The company, though, is also offering a Kevlar back edition in the premium 256GB variant.

The front is covered with a 6.18-inch fullHD+ (2246 x 1080) screen stretched in the 18.7:9 aspect ratio. The screen has a notch on top, accommodating the earpiece, front camera and sensors. While other smartphone makers are working on ways to minimise the notch area, the Poco F1 takes a detour and offers an even bigger one. The bigger notch is justified by the addition of an infrared illuminator for a better face-unlock mechanism. This works well in both bright and lowlight conditions. The notch, enabled by default, can be disabled from settings.

As for display quality, it is a bright unit with ample contrast and good saturation levels. The screen looks vivid and stays legible even in bright sunny conditions. The screen supports both physical and gesture-based navigations, removing home, back and recent keys from the bottom area and providing more space for content. Currently, there is a support for three gestures – swipe up from bottom for home, swipe up from bottom and hold for recent apps, and swipe from left to right and right to left from edges for back and next. These gestures make the phone a lot easier to operate with one hand. (more)

Xiaomi Poco F1 launched in India at Rs 20,999, to go on sale on August 29

Poco -- a sub-brand Xiaomi will use the manufacturing and supply chain as well as the after-sales network of the Chinese parent in order to bring Poco F1 to the customers

Xiaomi, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer, launched the Xiaomi Poco F1 in India today, under their new sub-brand Poco which stands for 'a little'. The Flipkart-exclusive smartphone is the most affordable smartphone to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC and is a premium addition to the portfolio of parent Xiaomi, known mostly for its budget and mid-range smartphones.

In a recent media interaction, Xiaomi India Managing Director Manu Kumar Jain had said that the company was working on a premium smartphone, which would not be from the company’s existing portfolio, but a new offering designed specifically for Indian consumers. The Poco F1 launched today, has premium looks, features and specifications while the price starts from Rs 20,999 and one can get a first sale offer of Rs 1000 instant cashback if bought through HDFC Bank credit or debit card.

"As a small outfit within Xiaomi, Poco has the freedom to start from scratch, zeroing in on the product choices and technologies that matter. The brand focusses on delivering performance and innovation, which we believe will resonate with tech enthusiasts," Jai Mani, Head of Product at Poco Global, said.

Apart from the flagship Snapdragon 845 chipset, the Poco F1 sports a 5.99-inch fullHD+ notch display with 19:9 aspect ratio. The notch houses an infrared face-unlock feature as well. The phone comes with a 20MP selfie camera and 12-megapixel and 5MP dual rear cameras, a 4000mAh battery, a fingerprint sensor on the back and LiquidCool Technology cooling system

The Poco F1 comes in three RAM and internal storage configurations - 6GB/64GB, 6GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB and is available in three colour options - Rosso Red, Steel Blue and Graphite Black and a kevlar-backed armoured 8GB/256GB edition.

The OS is based on Android 8.1 Oreo with a MIUI skin on it and is expected to receive the Android P update in near future.

"Poco brand is focussed on innovation and has a different positioning. Our first handset - F1 - is for the power users....We don't think Poco will impact Xiaomi sales, Poco will be complementary to Xiaomi," its Global Head Alvin Tse said. (more)

Waiting for Xiaomi flagship smartphone? Won't take long, says India MD Jain

The phone would not be the one currently available as part of the Xiaomi product portfolio in its home country, China. Instead, it will be a brand new product designed specifically for Indian users

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi has a healthy presence in the budget and midrange segment of India's smartphone market. However, the company’s flagship segment has not seen new products for a long time. In the company's early days in India, it brought its premium Mi-series, which it updates almost every year. However, the Mi 5, launched in 2016, was the last iteration. Similar is the story for the company’s bezel-less smartphones of the Mi Mix-series.

Many say the company’s focus is more on the sub-Rs 20,000 smartphone segment. But Xiaomi India Managing Director Manu Kumar Jain begs to differ. In an interview, Jain confirmed the company had plans to launch a flagship smartphone for India very soon. He also clarified that the phone would not be the one currently available as part of Xiaomi's product portfolio in its home country of China. Instead, it would be a brand new product specifically designed for the Indian consumer.

Though Jain did not share the specifics, he did make an interesting remark when asked if the upcoming flagship would be a competitor to the Samsung Galaxy S-series or the OnePlus. According to Jain, there are two aspects based on which consumers define a flagship device — a prestige symbol or a top-notch specification-heavy device. According to Jain, the company is working on a product that could have the best of both worlds and yet have a price point that could cater to the masses.

Apart from sharing his thoughts on the upcoming Xiaomi flagship smartphonefor India, Jain also spoke about the company’s current manufacturing capacity and how it plans to expand in future, the flash sale model and after-sales service.

According to Jain, the company was manufacturing close to 3.5 million units in early 2017. To address the demand-supply issue, it ramped up the production and now manufactures almost 10 million units. Stating the risks involved in maintaining a huge stock inventory, Jain said the company would definitely increase the manufacturing capacity further, but with a caution.

As for the flash-sale model, Jain said the company knew there were demand-supply issues and was working to plug the gaps. Citing the current range of Xiaomi smartphones, of which only the Redmi Note 5 Pro and Redmi Y2 are on flash sales, Jain said the idea was to push out all the devices through open sale and that meeting the aim was a work in progress.

Jain also spoke about after-sales service. The company’s focus is not just to draw sales but to provide its customers end-to-end service, he said. According to him, Xiaomi’s service centre services had improved significantly over the years, making the company a leader in customer satisfaction. According to Jain, over 80 per cent of the devices received at Xiaomi service centres got repaired within four hours, an incredible feat to achieve. Speaking of relatively high price of spare parts, Jain assured the company did not generate its revenues from service centres.

Article Source : BS

Here is how Samsung regained market leadership title from Xiaomi in Q2 2018

After falling short of Xiaomi's market share in last two quarters, Samsung regained the lead spot by capturing 29% market share, one per cent more than that of Xiaomi in the second quarter of 2018

South Korean electronics giant Samsung has toppled Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi as the leading smartphone brand in India, according to the Hong Kong-based Counterpoint report. After falling short of Xiaomi’s market share in last two quarters, Samsung regained the lead spot by capturing 29 per cent market share, one per cent more than Xiaomi’s 28 per cent market share in the second quarter of 2018.

“The success of Samsung during the quarter can be attributed to its refreshed J-series; it launched more models than any other brand across multiple price points during the quarter. These new launches have some of the most popular and sought-after features like dual cameras, 18.5:9 aspect ratio display and facial unlock. Additionally, the strong offline distribution and aggressive marketing campaign around its J-series helped Samsung to gain not only market share but also mindshare during the quarter,” said Karn Chauhan, a research analyst at Counterpoint.

ALSO READ: Apple's iPhones trail Samsung, Google devices in internet speeds

The report also highlights that Apple managed to capture only a mere one per cent market share during the quarter, its lowest in recent history. The OnePlus, on the other hand, became the fastest growing premium smartphone brand with the growth of a whopping 284 per cent in the quarter. It also became the top premium smartphone brand in more than Rs 30,000 segment.

Here are the key highlights of the report:

• In the smartphone segment, Samsung regained its lead in Q2 2018 with 29 per cent market share -- thanks to strong performance of models such as the Galaxy J6, Galaxy J2 2018 and Galaxy J4 focusing on the budget segment.
• Xiaomi recorded its highest ever shipments in India during the same quarter.
• Vivo shipments increased sequentially driven by new launches, celebrity endorsement and aggressive campaign around IPL 2018.Its V9 model became its most popular V-series smartphone ever.
• During the quarter, OPPO launched its sub-brand Realme in a bid to increase its online presence. Realme, which debuted in partnership with Amazon, quickly managed to grab 1 per cent market share of the total smartphone market due to strong-perceived value-for-money, unique industrial design and positive customer feedback for its initial model.
• OnePlus (284 per cent), Honor (188 per cent) and Xiaomi (112 per cent) were the fastest growing smartphone brands during the quarter. Honor continues to retain its share among top five brands while OnePlus led the premium (more than Rs 30,000) segment for the first time ever.

Article Source : BS

Vivo Nex S, Nex A with pop-up selfie camera to launch on July 19: Know more

Based on the APEX concept that the company showcased at the Mobile World Congress 2018, both Nex S and Nex A boast an all-screen front, dual rear cameras and a motorised pop-up selfie camera

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Vivo is gearing up to launch Vivo Nex S and Nex A in India on July 19. Based on the APEX concept that the company showcased at the Mobile World Congress 2018, both Nex S and Nex A boast an all-screen front, similar to the Xiaomi Mi Mix-series smartphones, dual rear cameras and a motorised pop-up selfie camera. The phones were recently launched in China at CNY 4,498 (around Rs 48,000) and CNY 3,898 (around Rs 40,000), respectively.

While both Vivo Nex S and Nex A are identical in terms of design, they are powered by a different breed of processors and have different RAM and storage configurations. The Vivo Nex S is a flagship phone powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 system-on-chip (SoC), paired with 8GB of RAM. It comes in two storage variants -- 128GB or 256GB. The Vivo Nex A, on the other hand, is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 SoC, paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

ALSO READ: Vivo X21 review: A worthy mid-range flagship to challenge OnePlus dominance

Fingerprint sensor is another feature that gets different treatment in Vivo Nex S and Nex A. While the premium flagship gets Vivo’s in-display fingerprint scanner technology, which put the sensor under the screen, Nex A gets a regular fingerprint sensor mounted on the rear side of the smartphone.

Other than this, both the phones are identical in all other aspects. These phones sport 6.59-inch super AMOLED fullHD+ screen in 19.3:9 aspect ratio. There is no notch on top, but there is a small chin at the bottom, which is the only area not covered by display. To achieve the all-screen feat, the company has used vibrating screen speaker, which is claimed to work on-par with traditional earpiece set-up. The 8-megapixel front camera in both the phones is moved from the front to the top, as a mechanical pop-up unit that comes out from the chassis. The back of both the phones sports dual camera set-up, featuring a 12MP primary sensor of f/1.8 aperture paired with 5MP sensor of f/2.4 aperture.

Powering both the phones is a 4,000 mAh battery, and Android Oreo-based Funtouch 4.0 operating system infused with artificial intelligence utilities. Both the phones also feature Vivo’s personal digital assistant Jovi, which is capable of image identification, apps launch and voice commands.

From Fifa 2018 live broadcast to Jio double data offer: Last week in tech

Here is everything you need to know about the news from technology space that made headlines in June 11-17 week

XIAOMI LAUNCHED SELFIE CAMERA-CENTRIC REDMI Y2

Xiaomi, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer, on June 7 announced the Redmi Y2 – a selfie camera-centric budget smartphone. Priced at Rs 9,999 and Rs 12,999 for the 3GB/32GB and 4GB/64GB RAM and storage configurations, respectively, the phone went on sale at Amazon India, Mi Home and Mi Store on June 12. ALSO READ: Xiaomi Redmi Y2 review: A budget smartphone with great camera, battery life

According to a report in The Verge on Tuesday, iPhone maker Apple has introduced a new section on cryptocurrency in its guidelines on App Store that applies to iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS app. Apps, including any third party advertisements displayed within them, may not run unrelated background processes such as cryptocurrency mining, said the guidelines.

ALSO READ: After Facebook, Apple bans cryptocurrency mining on iPhones, iPads

A phone directory cum search engine platform on June 14 announced a strategic investment into the payments space in India by acquiring Chillr, the country’s first multi-bank payments app. Truecaller co-founder and chief strategy officer Nami Zarringhalam said the founders of Chillr — Sony Joy, Anoop Sankar, Mohamed Galib and Lishoy Bhaskaran — will join Truecaller. Sony Joywill be the vice-president of Truecaller Pay. Zarringhalam said the company intended to leverage its reach of over 150 million users in India as well as its 300-plus existing partnerships in the country. ALSO READ: Truecaller set to make deals with Chillr to foray into digital payments

According to a report in Forbes, Apple would unveil at least two smartphones this year. Both would feature an iPhone X-inspired design with notch-based screens. However, one of them would be a premium device with three cameras on the back, and the other an affordable iteration with a single camera on the back. ALSO READ: Apple iPhone 2018 will have the iPhone X design: Know everything hereAccording to a report in Forbes, Apple would unveil at least two smartphones this year. Both would feature an iPhone X-inspired design with notch-based screens. However, one of them would be a premium device with three cameras on the back, and the other an affordable iteration with a single camera on the back. ALSO READ: Apple iPhone 2018 will have the iPhone X design: Know everything here

Reliance Jio and India’s leading telecom operator Bharti Airtel on June 15 announced free live broadcast of Fifa World Cup 2018 matches on JioTV and AirtelTV app, respectively. Bharti Airtel had rolled out an updated Airtel TV app, which would enable users to watch live broadcasts of the football tournament. The matches are broadcast in various regional languages in addition to Hindi and English. JioTV, on the other hand, live broadcast Fifa World Cup alongside the India-Afghanistan Test Match series. ALSO READ: Here's how to watch Fifa World Cup 2018 for free in mobile devices

Samsung takes on Xiaomi, launches Galaxy J6, J8, A6, A6+: Details here

The Galaxy J6, J8, A6 and A6+ sport super AMOLED 18.5:9 aspect ratio screen (Infinity screen) and features utility tools such as chat-over-video, especially designed for millennials

Samsung, a South Korean electronics manufacturer, on May 21 launched four smartphones – the Galaxy J6, Galaxy J8, Galaxy A6 and Galaxy A6+. The smartphones sport super AMOLED 18.5:9 aspect ratio screen, dubbed as Infinity screen by Samsung, and features utility tools such as chat-over-video, which enables quick reply mode within the video playback screen.

The Samsung Galaxy J6 sports a 5.6-inch HD+ 18.5:9 aspect ratio super AMOLED screen. Made of polycarbonate unibody, the Galaxy J6 is the most affordable J-series device in the newly launched smartphones. It is powered by Exynos 7-series octa-core processor, paired with either 3GB/32GB or 4GB/64GB RAM and storage configurations. In terms of imaging, the phone sports 13-megapixel primary camera and 8MP selfie camera, both assisted by LED flash. Powering the device is a 3,000 mAh battery. The phone is priced at Rs 13,990 and Rs 16,490 for 3GB/32GB and 4GB/64GB variants, respectively.

The Galaxy J8 sports a 6-inch HD+ 18.5:9 aspect ratio super AMOLED screen. Made of polycarbonate unibody, the Galaxy J8 is the most power-packed J-series device. It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 SoC, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. In terms of imaging, the phone sports a dual camera set-up on the back, featuring a bright f/1.7 aperture-based 16-megapixel sensor mated with a 5MP depth sensing camera. There is a 16MP selfie camera on the front and both the front camera and rear camera units are assisted with LED flash. Powering the device is a 3,500 mAh battery. The phone is priced at Rs 18,990.

The Galaxy A6 sports a 5.6-inch HD+ 18.5:9 aspect ratio super AMOLED screen. Made of metallic unibody, the Galaxy A6 is a midrange offering with premium build quality. It is powered by Exynos 7-series octa-core processor, paired with either 4GB/32GB or 4GB/64GB RAM and storage configurations. In terms of imaging, the phone sports 16MP camera sensors on both the front and back, featuring f/1.9 aperture lens and LED flash. Powering the device is a 3,000 mAh battery. The phone is priced at Rs 21,990 and Rs 22,990 for 4GB/32GB and 4GB/64GB variants, respectively.

The Galaxy A6 Plus sports a 6-inch fullHD+ 18.5:9 aspect ratio super AMOLED screen. Made of metallic unibody, the Galaxy A6 Plus is a premium midrange offering with flagship features. It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 SoC, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. In terms of imaging, the phone sports a dual camera set-up on the back, featuring a bright f/1.7 aperture-based 16-megapixel sensor mated with a 5MP depth sensing camera. There is a 24MP selfie camera on the front, and both the front camera and rear camera units are assisted with LED flash. Powering the device is a 3,500 mAh battery. The phone is priced at Rs 25,990.

Xiaomi Redmi S2 leak shows Redmi Note 5 Pro-inspired design: Details here

The India-bound budget-centric smartphone is reported to sport dual rear cameras and feature face-unlock mechanism. Here are all the details you need to have for the upcoming Xiaomi smartphone

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi is closely working on a new Redmi device that is also expected to make its way to India. Touted as the Xiaomi Redmi S2, the budget-centric smartphone is reported to sport dual rear cameras and feature the face-unlock mechanism, according to a report by online technology-based forum XDA-developers.

Now, the phone's purported image renders, shared by a Czech-based online publication SvetAndroida, show Redmi S2's front and back views. Based on renders, the phone would sport a tall 18:9 aspect ratio screen on the front and dual cameras on the back, along with a fingerprint scanner. The phone’s back seems identical to the Redmi Note 5 Pro, which was launched in India on February 14. However, the dual antenna lines on top and bottom have a different design and, therefore, the phone seems to bring some design element changes too.

terms of specifications and features, the report in XDA hinted that the Xiaomi Redmi S2 would sport an 18:9 aspect ratio screen of HD+ (1440×720) resolution. It would be powered by a Qualcomm MSM 8953 system-on-chip (SoC), which is a Snapdragon 625 processor. In terms of storage, the phone would have a 16GB variant, though other storage models are also likely, and there would be a microSD card slot for storage extension. As for memory, the phone would likely come in 2GB and 3GB RAM variants.

Talking of imaging, the phone would have a dual-camera set-up on the back, which will either have the 12-megapixel primary sensor of Sony IMX486 or OmniVision OV12A10, and the 5MP Samsung S5K5E8 as the secondary sensor. On the front, there would be a 5MP Samsung S5K5E8 sensor.

The Xiaomi Redmi S2 would have a 3,080mAh battery and boot Android Oreo 8.1 out-of-the-box.

Based on most of the specifications and features, the Xiaomi Redmi S2 seems like a mixture of the Redmi 5 and Redmi Note 5 (Redmi 5 Plus) with added dual cameras on the back. While most of the specifications, such as HD+ screen and storage and RAM variants put it in line with the Redmi 5, the Snapdragon 625 processor would give the Redmi S2 a huge boost in terms of processing power.

Comparison with Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro

The Redmi Note 5 Pro made a global debut with its India launch on February 14. The smartphone offers a modern design, powerful processor, iPhone X-inspired dual camera set-up, mammoth battery and price tags of Rs 13,999 and Rs 16,999 for the 64GB/4GB and 64G/6GB variants, respectively.

The Note 5 Pro does bring substantial upgrades to the predecessor, the Note 4.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, Note 5 Pro go on sale at 12 noon on Flipkart, Mi Store

At Rs 16,999 for the 6GB RAM and 64GB internal storage varia, the Redmi Note 5 Pro seems a little overpriced. On the other hand, the Redmi Note 5 is priced competitively at Rs 9,999 for the base model

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi seems in no mood to slow down. Its latest phones, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro, seem similar on the first look but are very different devices. While the Note 5 adds ultra-wide screen along with enhanced camera on the back when compared with the Note 4, the Note 5 Pro is a new package with substantial upgrades.

The Note 5 and Note 5 Pro, launched on February 14, would go on sale today, exclusively on home-grown e-commerce platform Flipkart and Xiaomi’s Mi Store. As for the price and variants, the Redmi Note 5 comes in two storage and RAM combinations – 32GB/3GB and 64GB/4GB – priced at Rs 9,999 and Rs 11,999, respectively. The Redmi Note 5 Pro comes with 64GB internal storage but in two RAM variants – 4GB and 6GB – priced at Rs 13,999 and Rs 16,999, respectively.

Here is a quick comparison review of Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro:

On the front, the Note 5 and the Pro look similar: Both feature 18:9 screens. On the back, the Note 5 looks similar to the Note 4, but better. The Pro, on the other hand, looks like an iPhone X clone, without the all-glass build. But the vertical dual-camera set-up is a dead ringer.

The phones feel heavy but their tall stance make them easy to hold; but because of the ultra-wide display, one-handed operation is difficult.

Both phones sport 5.99-inch fullHD+ screens with 18:9 aspect ratios, covered with reflective Gorilla Glass, which hampers sunlight visibility. The screen, though an IPS unit, lacks both the maximum brightness level and vividness. But, the rounded corners of the screen look better than pointed edges, and the curved sides of the glass are easy to operate. There is no shift in colours when looked from angles and the slim side bezels leave enough space to hold the device without accidentally touching the screen area – something common in next-generation bezel-less smartphones.

ALSO READ: Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro: A power performer let down by premium price tag

The Note 5 features a 12-megapixel (MP) primary camera and a 5MP selfie shooter; the Pro’s dual-camera set-up uses a 12MP sensor sourced from Sony in combination with a 5MP sensor sourced from Samsung.

The primary camera in the Note 5 is an improved unit over its predecessor. The 5MP front camera is on par with the predecessor in terms of performance.

But, the addition of LED flash on the front helps in low-light photography.

The dual cameras in the Pro take detailed shots. Unlike the Mi A1, another of Xiaomi’s budget dual-camera devices, the secondary camera in the Pro is not telephoto lens. Therefore, the 2x zooming capabilities are missing. On the positive side, the portrait mode is still there, powered by some sort of artificial intelligence.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 vs Micromax Bharat 5 Pro: Who wins value-for-money battle?

The Bharat 5 Pro is primarily a battery-centric smartphone, whereas the Redmi 5 shows some strength in every vertical

China-based smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi on March 14 announced the Redmi 5 in India. On the same day, home-grown electronics company Micromax announced a new budget offering, the Bharat 5 Pro. Both the smartphones compete in the same price segment of sub-Rs 10,000.

While the Redmi 5 offers a modern look because of its futuristic 18:9 aspect ratio screen, the Bharat 5 Pro centres around the battery. Business Standard compared the Micromax Bharat 5 Pro and the Xiaomi Redmi 5 on ke parameters, and here is what we found:

Where the Redmi 5 is ahead of Bharat 5 Pro

The Redmi 5 looks similar to the recently launched the Redmi Note 5. The smartphone looks modern with its 5.7-inch 18:9 aspect ratio HD screen. The metallic chassis looks plush and the form factor is better than most of the budget smartphones, except the Huawei Honor devices.

In terms of performance, the Redmi 5 uses better innards with three RAM and storage options to choose -- 2GB/16GB, 3GB/32GB and 4GB/64GB. The Redmi 5 features MIUI 9, which is an optimised Android Nougat-based operating system.

It runs smoother and offers a lot of features and customisations in comparison with the unknown Android Nougat-based skin that the Bharat 5 Pro boots.

ALSO READ: Xiaomi Redmi 5 with 18:9 display now in India

Where the Bharat 5 Pro beats Redmi 5

The Bharat 5A is primarily a battery-centric smartphone. It is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery, which is good 1,700 mAh more than what the Redmi 5 offers. Interestingly, the mammoth battery doubles up as a power bank to charge other devices using a USB OTG cable; that is a major add-on for a budget smartphone. In terms of features and specifications, the Bharat 5 Pro comes with just one RAM and storage variant i.e. 3GB/32GB. However, it is more than what the Xiaomi is offering in the Redmi 5 base model (2GB/16GB).

ALSO READ: Micromax launches 'Bharat 5 Pro' at Rs 7,999

Verdict

Though both are budget smartphones, the Bharat 5 Pro and the Redmi 5 come with their own distinct strengths. The Bharat 5 Pro is primarily a battery-centric smartphone, whereas the Redmi 5 shows some strength in every vertical.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, Note 5 Pro sale begins today on Flipkart, Mi Store

At Rs 16,999 for the 6GB RAM and 64GB internal storage varia, the Redmi Note 5 Pro seems a little overpriced. On the other hand, the Redmi Note 5 is priced competitively at Rs 9,999 for the base model

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi seems in no mood to slow down. Its latest phones, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 and Note 5 Pro, seem similar on the first look but are very different devices. While the Note 5 adds ultra-wide screen along with enhanced camera on the back when compared with the Note 4, the Note 5 Pro is a new package with substantial upgrades.

The Note 5 and Note 5 Pro, launched on February 14, would go on sale today, exclusively on home-grown e-commerce platform Flipkart and Xiaomi’s Mi Store. As for the price and variants, the Redmi Note 5 comes in two storage and RAM combinations – 32GB/3GB and 64GB/4GB – priced at Rs 9,999 and Rs 11,999, respectively. The Redmi Note 5 Pro comes with 64GB internal storage but in two RAM variants – 4GB and 6GB – priced at Rs 13,999 and Rs 16,999, respectively.

Here is a quick comparison review of Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro:

On the front, the Note 5 and the Pro look similar: Both feature 18:9 screens. On the back, the Note 5 looks similar to the Note 4, but better. The Pro, on the other hand, looks like an iPhone X clone, without the all-glass build. But the vertical dual-camera set-up is a dead ringer.

The phones feel heavy but their tall stance make them easy to hold; but because of the ultra-wide display, one-handed operation is difficult.

Both phones sport 5.99-inch fullHD+ screens with 18:9 aspect ratios, covered with reflective Gorilla Glass, which hampers sunlight visibility. The screen, though an IPS unit, lacks both the maximum brightness level and vividness. But, the rounded corners of the screen look better than pointed edges, and the curved sides of the glass are easy to operate. There is no shift in colours when looked from angles and the slim side bezels leave enough space to hold the device without accidentally touching the screen area – something common in next-generation bezel-less smartphones.

ALSO READ: Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro: A power performer let down by premium price tag

The Note 5 features a 12-megapixel (MP) primary camera and a 5MP selfie shooter; the Pro’s dual-camera set-up uses a 12MP sensor sourced from Sony in combination with a 5MP sensor sourced from Samsung.

The primary camera in the Note 5 is an improved unit over its predecessor. The 5MP front camera is on par with the predecessor in terms of performance.

But, the addition of LED flash on the front helps in low-light photography.

The dual cameras in the Pro take detailed shots. Unlike the Mi A1, another of Xiaomi’s budget dual-camera devices, the secondary camera in the Pro is not telephoto lens. Therefore, the 2x zooming capabilities are missing. On the positive side, the portrait mode is still there, powered by some sort of artificial intelligence.

The Note 5 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, similar to the predecessor, while the Pro features the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor. Both devices run Xiaomi’s Android Nougat-based MIUI 9 operating system, which offers a lot of scope for customisation.

The phones perform consistently with no signs of lag or stutter anywhere. The UI looks neat and the phones handle power-intensive apps without breaking sweat. They also keep the thermals in control while using power-intensive tasks for extended hours. Multitasking is enabled by default in MIUI 9 and it works well on the 5.99-inch screen. Call quality is satisfactory and network reception top-notch.

ALSO READ: Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 review: 18:9 screen, better camera than Redmi Note 4

Both phones sport 4,000 mAh batteries, which last almost a day on full charge but streaming apps could drain batteries faster.

At Rs 16,999 for the 6GB RAM and 64GB internal storage, the Redmi Note 5 Pro seems a little overpriced. On the other hand, the Redmi Note 5 is priced competitively at Rs 9,999 for the base model. Yet, the latter misses out on features that competitors are offering in this price segment.

The Redmi Note 5 Pro would have made more sense if it had been launched as the only successor to the Redmi Note 4 at the price of the Redmi Note 5. But, for Xiaomi enthusiasts, the phones have no downside and they are performers that tick almost all the right boxes.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, Redmi Note 5 Pro, Mi Smart TV 4 launched: Details here

The Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro are the first budget offerings from the stable of China-based smartphone maker to sport an 18:9 aspect ratio screen

Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Note 5 and Note 5 Pro smartphones, along with Mi Smart TV 4 in India. The price of Redmi Note 5 and Note 5 Pro starts at Rs 9,999 and Rs 13,999, respectively, while the 55-inch smart LED television is priced at Rs 39,999.

The Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro are the first budget offerings from the stable of China-based smartphone maker to sport an 18:9 aspect ratio screen. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 - going by its specifications and features - looks like a renamed version of the Redmi 5 Plus, which was launched in China last year.

However, the Redmi Note 5 Pro is more of an upgrade over the Redmi Note 5. It sports a dual-camera set-up on the rear and uses a faster processor inside -- Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor. Most of the other specifications of the Redmi Note 5 Pro remains the same as that of the Redmi Note 5.

In terms of specifications, the Redmi Note 5 sports a 6-inch fullHD+ screen in 18:9 aspect ratio. It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, coupled with Adreno 506 graphic processing unit (GPU). Imaging is taken care of by a 12-megapixel primary camera on the back and a 5 MP selfie camera. There is a LED flash on the back as well as on front for low-light photography. The dual-sim smartphone boots Android Nougat-based MIUI 9 operating system. Powering the device is a 4,000 mAh battery.

The phone would be available in four colour variants – Black, Gold, Rose Gold and Blue – and two storage and RAM variants – 32GB/3GB and 64GB/4GB. The base model with 32GB storage and 3GB RAM is priced at Rs 9,999 and the premium variant with 64GB internal storage and 4GB RAM is priced at Rs 11,999.

The Redmi Note 5 Pro, on the other hand, has the same screen size and almost similar design. It is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 636 processor, coupled with Adreno 506 graphic processing unit (GPU). Imaging is taken care of by a 12 MP + 5 MP dual camera sensors on the back and a 20 MP selfie camera, both assisted with LED flash for low-light photography. It boots Android Nougat-based MIUI 9 operating system and is powered by a 4,000 mAh battery. The phone would be available in two storage and RAM variants – 64GB/4GB and 6GB/64GB. The base model with 64GB storage and 4GB RAM is priced at Rs 13,999 and the premium variant with 64GB internal storage and 6GB RAM is priced at Rs 16,999.

As for the Mi Smart LED TV, the major attraction is its ultra slim build combined with almost bezel-less front. The Mi TV 4 sports 55-inch ultra-high-definition (UHD) screen panel sourced from Samsung, which support HDR10 format. Xiaomi has partnered with digital content creators in India such as Sony, Voot, Hotstar etc. to power content library on the tv. Interestingly, the TV supports digital set-top box as well as a content source and show it along with online content for ease of use. The Mi LED smart LED TV is priced at Rs 39,999 in India.

Xiaomi Redmi 5, Redmi 5 Plus to launch in China on December 7: Details here

The Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus are touted to sport 18:9 aspect ratio FHD+ screen and would boot Xiaomi's latest MIUI 9 operating system based on Android Nougat 7.1.2 out of the box

China-based smartphone maker Xiaomi is gearing up to launch the Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus in its home countryon December 7. The entry-level budget-smartphones are getting new colours -- the Redmi 5 would arrive in Black, Pink and Blue and the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus in Black and Gold.

The upcoming smartphones are touted to sport 18:9 aspect ratio screen and would boot Xiaomi’s latest MIUI 9 operating system based on Android Nougat 7.1.2 out of the box. The devices would be offered in three different storage and RAM variants – 16GB/2GB, 32GB/3GB and 64GB/4GB. Based on TENAA certification – necessary certification for China-bound devices – the phones would comes with a 12-megapixel camera on the back and a 5 MP selfie camera.

The two smartphones are reported to have Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoC or MediaTek Helio P20. The screen size is reported to be 5.7-inch for Redmi 5 and 6-inch for Redmi 5 Plus. The dual-SIM phones would offer a discreet memory card expansion slot and would be powered by 3,200 mAh battery.

The Xiaomi Redmi 5-series smartphones are advertised as ‘a phone for thousand’, suggesting that the phones would carry affordable price tags. However, going by the reports, the phones would see a starting price tag of CNY 999 in China, which hints at sub-Rs 10,000 price in India.

Xiaomi announces third Indian manufacturing facility in Noida

Xiaomi has become fastest growing smartphone brand in India with a growth rate of nearly 300 per cent year-on-year

Smartphone maker Xiaomi on Tuesday announced its third manufacturing plant in India and the first facility for power banks in partnership with Hipad Technology in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

Along with this, Xiaomi also announced the launch of two new power banks- 10000mAh Mi Power Bank 2i and 20000mAh Mi Power Bank 2i.

Extending its commitment to the Make in India initiative, Mi Power Bank 2i will be assembled at Hipad Technology's facility in Noida. Hipad Technology's manufacturing unit is a dedicated Power Bank facility for Xiaomi and is spread across 2.3 lakh square feet. The starting production capacity for the facility is nearly seven power banks per minute during its operational hours.

Xiaomi entered India in July 2014 and quickly announced plans to establish its first manufacturing plant for its smartphones. Today, the company has two smartphone manufacturing plants in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh and more than 95 per cent of its smartphones sold in India are assembled locally.

Earlier this year, Xiaomi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and spoke at length about delivering on Make in India initiative.

"Xiaomi India has seen exponential growth in India and today it enjoys market leadership in the smartphone segment. I believe a key reason for our success in the smartphone segment has been our commitment to India. We want our India Mi Fans to enjoy the best quality technology at an affordable rate, and manufacturing locally helps us achieve our vision. We are extending our commitment of building a truly localised company and hope to bring the ecosystem of world's best power banks to India with our partners Hipad Technology," said vice president Xiaomi and managing director Xiaomi India, Manu Jain.

10000mAh Mi Power Bank 2i features an elegant double anodised aluminium design that is lightweight and 14.2mm slim. Boasting up to 85 per cent conversion rate, it can charge a standard smartphone multiple times. For instance, 10000mAh Mi Power Bank 2i can charge Mi A1 up to 2.2 times or Redmi Note 4 up to 1.5 times. (more)