Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Introduction, Key Features and Design Review

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Introduction, Key Features and Design Review

If 2018 was the year of the notch, 2019 is that the year of the 48MP smartphone. From Honor to OnePlus - it seems that each manufacturer is seeking to take advantage on the trend.

Xiaomi has certainly opted to not be left behind, releasing multiple different devices sporting an inflated megapixel count. Of these, the Redmi Note 7, its budget champion, is that the cheapest.

But quite a camera, it also comes with an array of numbers and acronyms picked to win any specification war at the worth point. that's to mention , it arrives with a 4,000mAh battery, an octa-core Snapdragon 660 chipset, a glass rear, a bright 1080p screen with a stretched ratio and a classy teardrop notch.

For under £200 (roughly $260/AU$370), it certainly does seem to be a steal, but with a number of manufacturers competing during this hotly sought area, does the Redmi Note 7 do enough to cement its place at the top?

 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Introduction

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Price and Availability

• Out now within the UK
• Starts at £179 (around $230/AU$330)
• BD Price (Around 14,000 Taka)

Currently within the UK, the 3GB/32GB variant of the Redmi Note 7 is out there directly from Xiaomi for £179 (around $230/AU$330). No availability has been confirmed for the US, or for Australia.

Global versions of the device are available from variety of various vendors as an import, often for tons less, but carrying the apparent dangers of no warranty, and with the likelihood that customs charges could also be applied.

Key Features

• 48MP main camera mostly takes 12MP photos
• Decent Snapdragon 660 chipset
• No NFC

It must be said again, the Redmi Note 7 may be a collection of megapixels with a phone attached. Hidden within its rear camera housing these sit, in theory gathering buckets of knowledge . within the day to day, the camera does function a touch differently - instead gathering information from four pixels at a time and mixing them.

This means that despite the jaw-dropping megapixel count, image output is usually limited to 12MP, but benefits accordingly from improved dynamic range and low-light performance.

Powering all of this is often the Snapdragon 660, an equivalent octa-core chipset powering the likes of the Nokia 7 Plus.

Built on a 14nm fabrication process, this offers improved heat management, performance and power efficiency compared to older chips, and therefore the likes of the Snapdragon 636 within the Redmi Note 6 Pro. The processor is protected with either 3 or 4GB of RAM.

In addition a strong chipset and camera, the Redmi Note 7 also benefits from an most glass build. Though it sports plastic sides, it's a toughened glass rear to feature a premium feel to proceedings, though it isn’t quite as striking because the likes of the respect 10.

However, there's no NFC, which can be a deal-breaker for those that wish to make contactless payments with their phone.

Design

• Glass front and back with plastic sides
• Tends to slide off surfaces

From the front, the Redmi Note 7 is every inch a contemporary smartphone. Sporting an insignificant teardrop notch, the display covers almost everything, really giving that immersive experience. And at 6.3 inches, it's an outsized panel, though it doesn’t really feel it thanks to the slim body.

The sides of the device are made up of a glossy plastic which isn’t quite as premium because the likes of the chrome steel rails on the iPhone XS, but still maintains a comparatively durable feel. One small concern is that the incontrovertible fact that the plastic is glossy, meaning it'll devour scratches as if they’re going out of favor without the included TPU case.

Turning to the rear, things is once more a full sheet of glass. While it does feel nice within the hand, an equivalent concerns around durability once more apply.

That's very true as this is often a tool with a death instinct . regardless of the surface or the incline, the Redmi Note 7 will find how to slip off and plummet towards the ground .

At 186g, it certainly isn’t an insubstantial device, however thanks to the sunshine materials and therefore the slim nature of the handset, it isn’t heavy within the hand and still delivers a pleasant heft that cheaper devices can sometimes lack.

In all, this is often a well-built handset which follows current trends to a T, if not setting any new ones itself.

Screen

• 6.3-inch 1080 x 2340 screen
• Good but not great quality

At 6.3 inches, there's little else to note on the Redmi Note 7 initially glance aside from its massive screen.

With only alittle notch cutting in, this is often a panel made for watching videos and consuming content. At 1080 x 2340, it's also sharp enough to please about the foremost ardent of pixel peepers while also offering a resulting bump in battery life over QHD+ phones.

In general use, we found that while the screen has no major flaws, it also doesn't really stand out.

Although the brightness does go high enough for many situations, an immediate hit from the summer sun will see legibility vanish. And while it's possible to tune colors mostly to your liking using the screen calibration tool, out of the box a robust blue cast is clear within the whites.

Regardless, viewing angles are good - altogether this is often a screen which inserts the worth point exactly and is what one might expect. What meaning to the typical consumer will depend upon their expectations, except for most it's likely to be quite enough.

OUR VERDICT

With great battery life, an honest screen, an honest camera and a strong chipset, the Redmi Note 7 may be a great budget smartphone. The heavy MIUI software skin and lack of NFC prevent it from being a moment classic however.