News & Reviews:   Xiaomi Redmi Note 2

Mi Malaysia officially announced the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 smartphone today for RM649, available on 11 November 2015. Stand-out features apart from the value beating price include an infra red universal remote control, MIUI 7 out of the box with a 13MP rear camera using phase detection autofocus but the full tech specs and features list is as follows:

• 64-bit 2.0Ghz octa-core MediaTek Helio X10 processor
• 2GB RAM
• 13MP rear camera (phase detection autofocus, f2.2 aperture, 5 element lens, LED flash) + 5MP front camera
• 16GB storage + up to 32GB microSD
• 5.5-inch display (FHD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution)
• Features infrared blaster, 802.11ac WiFi
• 152 x 76 x 8.25mm | 160g
• 3060 mAh battery
• MIUI 7

Next week on 3 November 2015, Xiaomi will be having a launch event in KL announcing their latest product for Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Hugo Barra, the Vice President of Xiaomi Global will make an appearance and be a spokesperson revealing the new Xiaomi producct. The latest product is most likely to be the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2, the tech specs are:-

• MediaTek Octa-Core Helio X10 processor
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB storage with expandable storage
• 5.5-inch display with full HD
• 13MP main camera and a front facing 5MP camera
• Dual-SIM slot
• 4G LTE
• Android 5.0
• 3060 mAh battery (removable)

Xiaomi made several announcements recently which included the release of their latest update to their MIUI Android interface, MIUI 7. New features include face recognition in Gallery and much more with the official launching happening in India on 19 August 2015. The company also announced the official release of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 2 Prime from 799 CNY (RM503) and 999 CNY (RM628) respectively. Notable tech specs and features include the latest MediaTek Helio X10 processor, a 13MP rear camera with phase detection autofocus and an IR blaster remote control function. In related news, Xiaomi also announced their Mi Wi-Fi Nano PCB smart router for 79 CNY (RM49). No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet but we expect the Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 2 Prime to arrive in Malaysia soon. Check out the full tech specs and pics below:

• 64-bit octa-core MediaTek Helio X10 processor
• 2GB LPDDR3 RAM
• 16GB / 32GB (Redmi Note 2 Prime) storage + microSD card slot
• 5.5-inch display (1920 x 1080 pixel resolution)
• 13MP rear camera (phase detection autofocus) + 5MP front camera (beautify mode)
• features IR blaster, 4G Dual SIM
• 152mm x 76mm x 8.25mm | 160g
• 3060 mAh battery
• Android 5.0

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 has apparently appeared on China's TENAA looking much like the Redmi Note. Apparently there may be two versions, one with an octa-core MediaTek MT6795 processor and one with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615. Other tech specs are the same with 2GB RAM, 16/32GB storage, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera and 3020 mAh battery. The rumoured fingerprint scanner is not on this Redmi Note 2 but it could appear on another upcoming Xiaomi device soon. As it is, there are no Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet.

Pictures of what appear to be two new smartphones from Xiaomi have surfaced. This includes what appears to be the metallic backside of the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 complete with dual tone LED flash and a fingerprint scanner. The other leaked picture shows a smartphone with dual rear cameras somewhat like the Huawei Honor 6 Plus. This still unnamed dual camera smartphone has dual LED flash and a rather glossy backplate with what appears to be a metal frame. As always with such leaks and rumours do take these pics with a good pinch of salt as Xiaomi have not hinted at any dual camera setup at all. In any case, there are no Malaysia release dates or pricing details but we could see these two new Xiaomi smartphone in the next few months. Stay tuned for more developments.

While the Xiaomi Redmi Note already offers fairly impressive tech specs, it seems that it may be getting a new phablet sibling soon, with tech specs and features that could eclipse the original Redmi Note completely. These tech specs include a 2.2GHZ octa-core MediaTek MT6595 processor, 3GB RAM, 16GB/32GB/64GB/128GB storage, 5.5-inch display, 20.7MP rear camera, 8MP front camera and 3500 mAh battery. Other notable features include rapid charging and an AnTuTu benchmark score of 47233 which is quite high indeed. No news yet on Malaysia release dates or pricing or even if it will be called the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2. However, it is estimated that the pricing will begin from $165 (RM536) for the 16GB version.