Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 2 Prime With MIUI 7 Launched

Xiaomi on Thursday unveiled the new Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 2 Prime smartphones alongside showcasing its new MIUI 7 custom ROM based on Android 5.0 Lollipop at an event in Beijing, China.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 has been priced at CNY 899 (approximately Rs. 9,000) while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 Prime will come at CNY 999 (approximately Rs. 10,000). The Redmi Note 2 will be also available in a 3G-only variant which will be available at CNY 799 (approximately Rs. 8,000). Unfortunately, the company hasn't revealed availability plans for other markets yet - though India details should be revealed on Monday at the company's New Delhi event.

(Also see: Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note)

The only difference between the Redmi Note 2 3G and 4G variants is the LTE connectivity support, and the rest of the specifications are the same. The Redmi Note 2 Prime, on the other hand, features a higher clocked processor and comes in only 32GB inbuilt storage variant, but is otherwise identical in terms of specifications to the Redmi Note 2. All the three new handsets run MIUI 7 and feature 5.5-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) display.

Under the hood, the Redmi Note 2 packs an octa-core MediaTek Helio X10 processor (2GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 + 2GHz quad-core Cortex-A53) coupled with 2GB of RAM. The Redmi Note 2 Prime on the other hand sports a slightly higher-clocked Helio X10 SoC (2.2GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 + 2.2GHz quad-core Cortex-A53). The handset will be available in two storage variants - 16GB and 32GB; with storage expandability via microSD card (up to 32GB). It packs a 3060mAh battery along with quick charge support. The company at the launch teased that the Redmi Note 2 can hit an AnTuTu score of 54024, which is more than some of the competitors from Meizu and Huawei.

The Redmi Note 2 sports a 13-megapixel Samsung rear camera sensor with phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and is claimed to feature a shutter speed of 0.1 second. The rear camera features aperture of f/2.2 and a 5-element lens. The handset also houses a 5-megapixel front camera with OmniVision. 

(Also see: Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 Prime vs. Xiaomi Redmi 2 Prime)

Apart from 4G LTE, connectivity options on the Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 2 Prime include Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Micro-USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS/ A-GPS, and infrared, meant for universal remote control of compatible appliances. The 4G variants unveiled in China notably support both TDD-LTE Band 40 2300MHz and FDD-LTE Band 3 1800MHz used in India. Onboard sensors include an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, and a digital compass (magnetometer).

The Redmi Note 2 measures 152x76x8.25mm which is definitely slimmer than the Redmi Note that measures 154x78.7x9.5mm. The Redmi Note 2 is also lighter at 160 grams than its predecessor which weighed hefty 199 grams. The Redmi Note 2 4G and Redmi Note 2 Prime supports dual 4G Micros-SIM cards.

Xiaomi at the event also showcased its new MIUI 7 ROM for the Chinese market, based on Android 5.0 Lollipop. The company claimed that the new ROM was designed by a 750-strong R&D team and primarily includes colourful themes, including specific themes for men and women. One of the highlight feature of the MIUI 7 is it supports facial recognition in Gallery that groups photos by people. It also allows users to edit names and create profiles on the phone.