News & Reviews:   Xiaomi Redmi 2

While it hasn't been released officially here in Malaysia yet, the Xiaomi Redmi 2 is available for purchase from third-party sellers. As such, we were able to get our hands on a new set, so do check out our unboxing video for the Xiaomi Redmi 2. The Redmi 2 brings new features to the table over the earlier Redmi 1S which include a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor, 1GB RAM and 4G LTE connectivity. Check out the video for yourself in this article.

After numerous leaks and speculations, the Meizu M1 from the company’s Blue Charm range is finally official. At an official event yesterday, the company unveiled this ultra-affordable device which competes directly with the recently announced Xiaomi Redmi 2 budget smartphone. Like its larger brother, theMeizu M1 Note, this particular device takes its design inspiration from the Apple iPhone 5C. It also brings a lot of new color options like white, green, yellow, pink and two different shades of blue. Tech specs wise, the device comes with a 64-bit 1.5GHz quad-core Mediatek MT6732 processor with 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage expandable up to 128GB. The front features a beautiful 5-inch display with 1280 x 768 pixel resolution with Gorilla Glass 3 protection. At the back, there is a 13MP camera with single LED flash and at the front, there is a 5MP shooter. This is much better than the Redmi 2's 8MP + 2MP cameras. The battery is also bigger on the new Meizu phone. It comes with a 2600 mAh battery as compared to the 2200 mAh found on Xiaomi model. Finally, Meizu has priced the new Meizu M1 at just 699 Yuan (RM406) which is the exact same price as the Xiaomi Redmi 2 but there are still no Malaysia release dates or pricing details just yet. Hopefully, Meizu Malaysia brings this one in soon.

While Xiaomi Malaysia have yet to officially announce the Xiaomi Redmi 2 for Malaysia just yet, the Redmi 2 and Redmi Note 4G smartphones are already available via Malaysian third-party sellers. A quick search on Lelong.com.my reveals that the Redmi Note 4G is going for RM519 while the Redmi 2 is going for RM459 from third-party sellers like SatuGadgetDotCom and DirectD. Both smartphones support 4G LTE tech specs but the Redmi 2 packs in a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor. The Redmi 2 price may be a bit higher than the expected Malaysia pricing but the Redmi Note 4G is actually priced lower than the RM589 it is being offered for on the official Mi Malaysia site (but it may have not-original warranty). In related news, Xiaomi Mi Power Bank prices have gone up with the 10400 mAh Mi Power bank costing RM49 from RM36, while the 5200 mAh Mi Power Bank now costing RM34 from RM25 due to a rise in value for the Chinese Yuan.

In line with the change to 64-bit Android Lollipop, Xiaomi have officially announced the Xiaomi Redmi 2 smartphone with a 64-bit processor. While the overall design remains the same as the Redmi 1s with a 4.7-inch display at 720p HD resolution, the Redmi 2 comes in a few newer pastel colours. Other notable tech specs and features include a 64-bit 1.2GHZ quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB of storage, a 4.7-inch IPS display with 720p HD resolution and support for dual-SIM 4G LTE. Unfortunately, apart from these, other tech specs remain the same with an 8MP rear camera and 2MP front camera. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details just yet but it is expected to go on sale in China on 9 January 2015 for 700CNY (RM398).

A possible successor to the Xiaomi Redmi 1S was spotted at China's TENAA certification agency this Wednesday. TheXiaomi Redmi 2 may feature a 4.7-inch screen as well as a similar design profile like the existing Redmi 1S. The pictures listed on the website reveals three red-colored capacitive buttons below the display. On the right side lies the power and volume buttons while the left side is totally clean. The back features a camera sensor, LED flash, speaker grill as well as the Mi branding. Inside, there is a 64-bit quad-core processor (most likely the Snapdragon 410) with 1GB RAM and 8GB of expandable storage. Other tech specs include a 4.7-inch 1280 x 720 pixel resolution display, 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera and 2220 mAh battery. The phone runs on Android 4.4.4 Kitkat OS and weighs just 134 grams. According to TENAA, it also supports 4G LTE networks such as TD LTE and FD LTE along with WCDMA. The Xiaomi Redmi 2 will reportedly be available in 8 colors – white, black, yellow, orange, red, blue, green and purple at around $100 (RM350). No Malaysia release or pricing just yet, but the existing Xiaomi Redmi 1S smartphone retails for RM419 in the country.