The Redmi 2 is 4G dual SIM and is powered by a quad-core 64-bit Snapdragon 410 processor, Adreno 306 GPU, 1GB RAM and 8GB Flash (expandable to 32GB).
Xiaomi’s Redmi 2 has got to be the most affordable LTE-enabled dual SIM phone that’s powered by a quad core processor.
On the outside, the Redmi 2 looks sleek and has rounded edges. It has a 4.7” 1280 x 720 HD screen (312 PPI) that is protected by AGC Dragontrail glass display. The screen delivers vibrant colors and crisp text. It is 9.4mm thin and weighs just 133g.
The review unit I got had a white back cover that has a soft-touch matte finish that is fingerprint and grease-resistant, but can be a little slippery to hold sometimes.
The Redmi 2’s back cover has a soft-touch matte finish that is fingerprint and grease-resistant.
On the software side, the handset uses MIUI, a customized version of Android that enables new functions, shortcuts, customizations and animations. The MIUI is pretty straightforward and simple which makes the Redmi 2 easy to use. For example, you can access notification panel from any screen if you swipe down and if you do the opposite and swipe up, a search panel will pop up.
As for its performance and communication capabilities, the phone is 4G dual SIM and is powered by a quad-core 64-bit Snapdragon 410 processor, Adreno 306 GPU, 1GB RAM and 8GB Flash (expandable to 32GB).
What I really like about the Redmi 2, apart from the LTE and dual SIM capability, is its support for OTG, a feature I wish iPhone had (I’m a diehard iOS fan but looks like the Redmi 2 will change that). With OTG, I have been able to transfer files quickly and connect peripherals.
OTG support allows you to transfer files quickly and connect peripherals.
The Redmi 2 has a 2200mAh battery that took me 2.5 hours to fully charge and lasted a full working day on my regular usage, that inludes a couple of calls, video streaming, always-on Wi-Fi and a couple of short data connections. I used a power bank to charge the phone since the review unit did not come with a power adapter. The units that will be on sale though will come with a power adapter.
For imaging, the Redmi 2 has a 8MP BSI f/2.2 rear camera and a 2MP BSI front camera with 720p video recording.
I took the phone to Tagaytay over the weekend and took videos and pictures (including the inevitable selfies) that turned out clear with vibrant colors.
Some of the features of the Redmi 2 which I found useful include the built-in call recorder and wireless display. I can use the built-in call recorder for phone-based interviews and the wireless display to connect to a display using Wi-Fi. I used an EZCast dongle to mirror the phone’s display on our Samsung television. The setup was quick and easy.
Other notable features include tethering and LED flash.
I highly recommend this phone for people who want a feature-rich phone but are on a tight budget. The phone only costs Php5,999 and is only available from Lazada.com.ph starting today.
