Tag: comparison

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Vs Xiaomi Redmi Y1

Xiaomi Launched the Redmi 5 in India in on the 14th of March. The price starts at Rs 7,999 for the base variant and goes up to Rs 10,999 for the 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. This is the cheapest smartphone from the company with an 18:9 display. In late 2017, Xiaomi also launched the selfie-centric Redmi Y1 at a similar pricing.

In late 2017, Xiaomi also launched the selfie-centric Redmi Y1 at a similar pricing. Interestingly, the Redmi Y1 also retails for Rs. 8999 for the 32GB storage variant. So, does the Redmi 5 essentially makes the Redmi Y1 redundant?

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To begin with the display, the 18:9 aspect ratio display on the Redmi 5 is generations apart from the one found on the Redmi Y1 with 16:9 aspect ratio. The Redmi 5 has narrower bezels with a higher resolution display. The Redmi 5 takes the lead even with the build-quality. The Xioami Redmi Y1’s plastic unibody design is no match for the Xiaomi Redmi 5’s metal unibody design. The metal design not only looks premium, but it also helps to dissipate the heat in a faster way.

The Xiaomi Redmi Y1 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 435. However, the 5 has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 chipset. Both the smartphones have an Octa-core processor. However, the Snapdragon 450, which is based on the 14nm FinFET technology is superior to the Snapdragon 435. The chipset on the Redmi 5 is a much more efficient and a faster chipset.

The camera is the one department, where the Redmi Y1 excels. The Redmi Y1 has a 16MP front-facing camera, which puts the 5MP front-facing camera on the Redmi 5 to shame. The primary 12MP camera on the Redmi 5 offers a much better 1.25 micron pixels and the Redmi Y1 packs in a 13MP primary camera with unknown pixel size. The 12 MP camera used on the Redmi 5 is an identical sensor, which has been used on other Xiaomi devices as well. In fact, the Redmi Note 5 Pro has an exact sensor.

Specifications comparision

Specifications	Xiaomi Redmi 5	Xiaomi Redmi Y1
Price	2GB RAM: Rs 7,999 3GB RAM: Rs 8,999 4GB RAM: Rs 10,999	3GB RAM: Rs 8,999 4GB RAM: Rs 10,999
Display	5.7 inch IPS LCD HD+ 1440 x 720px	5.5 inch IPS LCD HD 1280 x 720px
Design	Metal unibody design	polycarbonate shell
RAM	2/3/4GB	3/4GB
Storage	16/32/64GB	32/64GB
Primary camera	12MP with f/2.2	13MP with f/2.0
Front-facing camera	5MP	13 MP
Battery	3300 mAh	3080 mAh
Additonal features	Fingerprint sensor	Fingerprint sensor

March 17, 2018

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Vs Samsung J7 Nxt Vs Moto G5s

Xiaomi has officially launched the Redmi 5 in India for a starting price of Rs 7,999. The device comes with a metal unibody design with an 18:9 aspect ratio display. In fact, this is the cheapest Redmi smartphone to feature 18:9 aspect ratio display. And can be deemed as a downscaled version of the recently launched Xiaomi Redmi Note 5.

At the time of launch, the device was compared to smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy J7 Nxt and Moto G5s. The Samsung Galaxy J7 Nxt is one of the most affordable smartphones from the South Korean smartphone maker. The smartphone has a 5.5 inch HD 1280 x 720 px Super AMOLED display with 16:9 aspect ratio. Though the device has prominent bezels compared to the Redmi 5, the OLED panel offers impressive black levels and high contrast ratio.

The Galaxy J7 NXt is powered by Exynos Octa-core chipset with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage. However, unlike the Moto G5s and the Redmi 5, the device does not have a fingerprint scanner. Similarly, the Samsung Galaxy J7 Nxt also misses out on the full metal unibody design.

The Moto G5S is the close contender for the Redmi 5. The smartphone has a full metal unibody design and a fingerprint sensor. Stock Android OS is also an added advantage for the Device. However, unlike other two devices, the smartphone has a full HD 5.2 IPS LCD display with Corning Gorilla Glass protection.

Specifications Comparision

Features	Xiaomi Redmi 5	Samsung Galaxy J7 Nxt	Moto G5S
Price	Rs 7,999	Rs 9,900	Rs 10,999
Display	5.7 inch HD+ IPS LCD 1440 x 720 18:9 aspect ratio	5.5 inch HD Super AMOLED 1280 x 720 16:9 aspect ratio	5.2 inch FHD IPS LCD 1920 x 1080 16:9 aspect ratio
Processor	Snapdragon 450 Octa-core	Exynos Octa-core	Snapdragon 430 Octa-core
RAM	2GB	2GB	4GB
Storage	16GB	16GB	32GB
OS	Android 7 Nougat MiUi 9	Android 7 Nougat Samsung Experience UI	Android 7 Nougat Stock Android
Primary camera	12MP	13MP	16MP
Front-facing camera	5MP	5MP	5MP
Battery	3300 mAh	3000 mAh	3000 mAh

March 14, 2018

Xiaomi Mi TV 4 55″ Vs Vu 43″ Android TV: Specs Comparison

Just like smartphones, televisions have evolved from CRT to Plasma to LED to Quantum DOT. Presently, televisions with Quantum DOT display are on an expensive side and most of the consumers are looking for an LED TV, which offers a great value for money.

Xiaomi recently launched the Xiaomi Mi TV 4 in India for Rs 39,999. The television comes with a 55 inch UHD 4K LED display with 4K resolution and HDR 10 capability. Similarly, Vu has also launched a new Vu Android TV for Rs 36,999. The television comes with a 43 inch UHD 4K LED display.

Features

The Xiaomi Mi TV 4 has a 55 inch backlit LED display with UHD 4K resolution. Similarly, the Vu TV comes with 43 inch display with the same 4K UHD display. The Mi TV 4 is HDR 10 compatible, which is an advantage over the Vu’s offering. However, if you are looking for a high-resolution display with a smaller screen size, then you would like the Vu TV 43 inch.

The Vu TV 43 inch runs on Android TV OS based on Android 7 Nougat. However, the Xiaomi Mi TV 4 runs on PatchWall UI, based on Android 6 Marshmallow. Choosing between these OS should be as simple as choosing between custom and stock Android smartphones. The Vu TV comes with Google play store and natively supports YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. However, though the Mi TV 4 has an option for sideloading APK’s none of them actually worked on our review unit. The Vu TV also comes with ActivVoice Line, which is the Vu’s term for voice control, which is missing on the Xiaomi’s counterpart. However, unlike Xiaomi Mi TV 4, there is no smart analogue and digital TV integration.

Feature	Xiaomi Mi TV 4 55 inch	Vu Android TV 43 inch
Price	Rs. 39,999	Rs. 36,999
OS	PatchWall UI	Stock Android Nougat TV OS
RAM	2GB	2.5GB
Storage	8GB	16GB
Sound	16 Watt	20 Watt
Additional features	HDR 10	ActivVoice Line voice control

March 13, 2018

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Vs Redmi Note 5: A Real Upgrade?

Xiaomi India claimed that the Redmi Note 4 was the number one budget-centric smartphone in 2017. The device had almost everything that a user can ask for in a smartphone in that budget. However, by the end of 2017 things changed. Users were looking for a smartphone with features like bezel-less display and dual cameras, and the Redmi Note 4 had none of those.

Xiaomi recently launched the Redmi Note 5, the successor to the Redmi Note 4. Is this the smartphone that users were anticipating from the brand? Is a rebranded Redmi 5 Plus a worthy upgrade over the Redmi Note 4?

Display

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 has a 5.5 inch 1920 x 108px IPS LCD display with prominent bezels. The display is vivid and has great viewing angles. However, it has big bezels and looks dated for today’s standards. However, the Redmi Note 5 has a 5.99 inch FHD+ 2160 x 1080px IPS LCD display. Colours and contrast have been improved over the Redmi Note 4. Finally, the Redmi Note 5 opts for “Full Display” design with a taller 18:9 aspect ratio.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4

Under The Hood

The Redmi Note 4 and Note 5 are powered by the Snapdragon 625 Octa-core chipset. The chipset is based on the 14 nm FinFET architecture with great thermal efficiency and battery life. So, both the devices will offer similar user experience as they use an identical chipset. So, you will not feel a difference in terms of performance.

Design

Except for the display, the smartphones have an identical metal unibody design. However, the design feels old-fashioned in front other smartphones like the Honor 9 Lite.

Left: Redmi Note 4 Right: Redmi Note 5

Camera

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 has a 13MP primary camera and the Note 5 has a 12MP primary camera. Though the number of pixels has been decreased, the 1.25-micron pixel size on the Note 5 helps the device to take better photos. Similarly, the Redmi Note 5 also excels in video department with 4K @30fps video recording capability, as the Note 4 maxes out at 1080 @30fps. For the front-facing camera, these phones use an identical 5MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture.

Battery

The Redmi Note 5 has a 4000 mAh battery and the Redmi Note 4 has a slightly bigger 4100 mAh battery. However, the Note 5 does support Quick Charge 2.0 and the Note 4 doesn’t.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5

Conclusion:

If you have a Redmi Note 4 and happy with the performance but not happy with the display and the camera, then go with the Redmi Note 5. However, if you are not happy with the performance and camera, then better skip the Redmi Note 5, as there are no differences. Similarly, consider the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro, which offers better performance with a much better dual camera setup and a front-facing camera with face unlock. It is also powered by the Snapdragon 636 chipset.

March 10, 2018
Top Five Budget Dual Camera Smartphones In India
Dual cameras are one of the features, that the majority of consumers will consider when buying a smartphone. The trend of two cameras started with the Apple iPhone 7 Plus in 2016. Similarly, flagship Android smartphones adopted the feature, which later started trickling down to budget smartphones as well. In fact, a dual-camera setup has become staple for most budget smartphones today.

So, if you have a budget of around Rs. 15000 and need a smartphone with a dual-camera setup, what do you pick? Let’s have a read!

Xiaomi Mi A1
- 5.5 inch IPS LCD 1920 x 1080 px display
- Snapdragon 625
- 4GB/64GB
- 12MP wide-angle + 12MP telephoto
- 4K video recording
Xiaomi Mi A1 is an allrounder smartphone, which retails for Rs 13,999. The smartphone has a premium metal unibody design with a USB type C port. The device has a dual camera setup, which is similar to the iPhone X with a 12 MP wide angle lens and a 12 MP telephoto lens with lossless zoom. However, the camera misses out on any kind of image stabilisation. The smartphone also has an added advantage of the Android One programme, which guarantees regular software updates.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro
- 5.99 inch 2160 x 1080 px IPS LCD display
- Snapdragon 636
- 4GB/6GB RAM, 64GB storage
- 12MP+5MP depth sensor
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is the latest smartphone to join the dual camera clan. The smartphone has an 18:9 aspect ratio with a 5.99 inch FHD+ display. This is also the first smartphone to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset. The dual camera setup on the device consists of a 12 MP primary sensor and a 5 MP depth sensor, which helps take the depth of field/bokeh effect. The smartphone is priced at Rs 13,999 for the 4GB RAM variant and the 6GB variant will cost Rs 16,999. However, the only caveat this great device has is its Flash Sales.

Moto G5s Plus
- 5.5 inch 1920 x 1080 px display
- Snapdragon 625
- 4GB/64GB
- 13MP RGB + 13MP Monochrome
The Moto G5s Plus is one more smartphone, that offers a great value for money. The device runs on stock Android OS and retails for Rs 14,750 on Amazon. The device has a full metal unibody design with a matte finish. The smartphone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 Octa-core chipset, that also powers the Mi A1. The smartphone has a 13MP RGB and a 13MP monochrome sensor, which helps to produce selective black and white photos.

Honor 7x
- 5.99 inch 2160 x 1080 px IPS LCD
- Kirin 659
- 4GB, 32GB/64GB
- 16MP +2MP depth sensor
The Honor 7x is available on Amazon for Rs 12,999 for the 4GB RAM and 32GB storage variant. The device has a 6 inch 18:9 display, powered by the Kirin 659 Octa-core chipset. The dual cameras on the smartphone consist of a 16MP RGB sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. The device has an 8MP front-facing camera and expected to support Face Unlock via future software updates.

Honor 9 Lite
- 5.65 inch 2160 x 1080 px IPS LCD
- Kirin 659
- 3GB/32GB, 4GB/64GB
- 13MP + 2MP depth sensor
The last but definitely not the least is the Honor 9 Lite. In fact, this is the only smartphone that has a premium glass design with a quad camera setup. The pricing starts at Rs 10,999 for the 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. The device has a 5.65 inch FHD+ 18:9 display, powered by Kirin 659 chipset. The phone has a 13MP primary shooter and a 2MP depth shooter both on the front as well as on the back.
March 9, 2018

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Vs Honor 9 Lite: Specifications Comparison

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is expected to launch in India on the 14th of March. Considering the price of the Redmi Note 5, the Redmi 5 is expected to be cheaper in India. In fact, the 2GB RAM version is expected to retail for Rs 6,999 and the 3GB RAM version for Rs 8,999. For this price tag, the smartphone offers some of the best-in-class design and specifications. The Redmi 5 has a 5.7 inch 1440 x 720 px IPS LCD display with 18:9 aspect ratio, powered by Snapdragon 450 chipset. Even the 12 MP primary camera is exactly similar to the one used on the Note 5 and the Note 5 Pro.

The Honor 9 Lite takes a different route. In fact, this is the only smartphone to feature premium glass design with a quad-camera setup under Rs 15,000. The device has a 5.7 inch FHD+ 2160 x 1080 px display, which has more pixels than the Redmi 5. In fact, the smartphone does support face unlock using the front-facing camera, which is like the cherry on the cake. However, do note that the entry-level model of the Honor 9 Lite retails for Rs 10,999, which could be at least Rs 4000 more than the price of the Redmi 5.

Specifications	Honor 9 Lite	Xiaomi Redmi 5
Price	Starts at Rs 10,999	Expected to start at Rs 6,999
Display	5.65 inch IPS LCD 18:9 Aspect Ratio	5.7 inch IPS LCD 18:9 Aspect Ratio
Resolution	2160 x 1080 px 428ppi	1440 x 720 px 282ppi
Chipset	HiSilicon Kirin 659	Snapdragon 450
RAM	3GB 4GB	3GB 4GB
Storage	32GB 64GB Expandable up to 256GB	16GB 32GB Expandable up to 256GB
Battery	3000 mAh	3300 mAh
Primary Camera	13MP 2MP (depth sensor)	12MP
Primary Camera Video	1920 x 1080px @ 30fps	1920 x 1080px @30fps
Secondary Camera	13MP 2MP (depth sensor)	5MP
Add-ons	Fingerprint Sensor Face Unlock	Fingerprint Sensor

March 7, 2018

Nokia 7 Plus Vs Moto X4

HMD Global launched the Nokia 7 Plus at MWC 2018. Leaked way ahead of its official launch, the Nokia 7 Plus garnered a lot of interest. It was touted to be the first-ever Nokia smartphone with an 18:9 aspect ratio. However, the Nokia 89 Sirocco, launched along with the 7 Plus, has the same aspect ratio. The price of the Nokia 7 Plus EUR 399 (Rs 31000).

However, if the company decides to launch the Nokia 7 Plus in India, it will have to be priced below the estimated price. The Nokia 7 Plus at a price of Rs. 25000 would really be one of the best options on the market. At Rs. 28000 or thereabouts, the Honor View10 has a better chipset and features like AI integration. However, at Rs. 25000 price bracket, the Nokia 7 Plus has competition from the Moto X4 and Honor 8 Pro at best.

The Moto X4 has a glass back while the Nokia 7 Plus has an aluminium unibody design. However, the Nokia 7 Plus has subtle accents around the camera and fingerprint sensor, similar to the Nokia 6 (2018). So, if the Nokia 7 Plus is launched at around Rs. 25000, which smartphone comes out on top? Let’s find out!

Specifications

Specifications	Nokia 7 Plus	Moto X4
Price	EUR 399 (Rs. 31000)	Starting at Rs. 20999
Display	6 inch IPS LCD	5.2 inch LTPS IPS LCD
Resolution	2160 x 1080 px 18:9 Aspect Ratio 403 ppi	1920 x 1080 px 16:9 Aspect Ratio 424 ppi
Chipset	Snapdragon 660	Snapdragon 630
RAM	4GB	3GB 4GB 6GB
Storage	64GB Expandable Up to 256GB	64GB Expandable Up to 256GB
Battery	3800 mAh	3000 mAh
Primary Camera	Carl Zeiss Optics 12MP f/1.8 Wide-Angle 13MP f/2.6 Telephoto	12MP f/2.0 aperture 8MP f/2.2 aperture
Primary Camera Video	3840 x 2160 @ 30fps	3840 x 2160 @ 30fps
Secondary Camera	16MP f/2.0	16MP f/2.0
Add-Ons	Fingerprint Sensor Android One	Fingerprint Sensor

March 3, 2018

OnePlus 5T Vs Asus Zenfone 5Z Vs Xiaomi Mi Mix 2

Asus has launched its new flagship smartphone, the Asus Zenfone 5Z at MWC 2018. While at first glance it might look like an iPhone X knockoff, it has a lot more going on for it. In fact, the smartphone was launched along with three other Zenfone devices. The most interesting aspect of the Asus Zenfone 5Z is that it runs on the Snapdragon 845 and is priced at EUR 479 (Rs. 38,000 approx.).

Before MWC 2018 began, many expected Samsung to rule the Snapdragon 845 roost with its Galaxy S9 and S9+. However, smartphone makers like Sony and now Asus, have launched devices powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset as well. The Asus Zenfone 5Z is the latest one before Xiaomi launches the Mi Mix 2S in late-March.

At this price point, the Zenfoone 5Z is much more affordable than the likes of the Galaxy S9 and Xperia XZ2. However, it will be interesting to see if and when Asus decides to launch the device in India, what the pricing will be like. If the company manages to keep the pricing under Rs. 40,000 the Zenfone 5Z will directly compete with the OnePlus 5T and Xiaomi Mi Mix 2. However, both of these smartphones run on the now older Snapdragon 835 chipset.

While the design of the Asus Zenfone 5Z and its UI might not be everyone’s cup of tea, there is no denying the potential of its chipset. The Galaxy S9, however, will be powered by the Exynos 9810 in India, will launch at a price of Rs. 62500. So, how does the Asus Zenfone 5Z hold up against the likes of the OnePlus 5T and Mi Mix 2? Let’s find out.

Comparison

Specifications	Asus Zenfone 5Z	OnePlus 5T	Xiaomi Mi Mix 2
Price	Starting at EUR 479 (Rs. 38,000 approx.)	Starting at Rs. 32999	Rs. 32999
Display	6.2 inch IPS LCD	6 inch Optic AMOLED	5.99 inch IPS LCD
Resolution	2246 x 1080 px 18.5:9 402 ppi	2160 x 1080 px 18:9 401 ppi	2160 x 1080 px 18:9 403 ppi
Chipset	Snapdragon 845	Snapdragon 835	Snapdragon 835
RAM	4GB 6GB 8GB	6GB 8GB	6GB
Storage	64GB 128GB Expandable up to 400GB	64GB 128GB Non-Expandable	128GB Non-Expandable
Battery	3300 mAh QuickCharge 4.0	3300 mAh DashCharge	3400 mAh QuickCharge
Primary Camera	12MP Sony IMX363 sensorf/1.8 aperture Unspecified MP 120° wide-angle camera with 6p lens	16MP f/1.7 20MP f/1.7	12MP f/2.0
Primary Camera Video	4K @ 60fps	4K @ 30fps	4K @ 30fps
Secondary Camera	8MP f/2.0	16MP f/2.0	5MP f/2.0
Add-Ons	Fingerprint Sensor Face Unlock	Fingerprint Sensor Face Unlock	Fingerprint Sensor

February 28, 2018

Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+ Vs The Competition

Samsung has launched its new flagship devices, the Galaxy S9 and S9+. Both the smartphones are available for pre-order in India and will go on sale from the 16th of March. However, the price of the smartphones has not been revealed yet. That is expected to happen on the 4th of March. Samsung won’t be selling the 128GB storage variant in India, only the 64GB and 256GB variant will be available.

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ will carry a premium price tag for sure, and go up against the likes of the iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus and even Galaxy Note8. However, flagship specifications no longer come at a premium price tag. Android smartphones like the OnePlus 5T and Mi Mix 2 offer top of the line specifications at a much lower cost. So, how does the Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+ stack up against the competition? Let’s find out!

Comparison

Samsung Galaxy S9	Samsung Galaxy S9+	Apple iPhone X	Samsung Galaxy Note8	OnePlus 5T
TBA	TBA	Starting at Rs. 89000	Rs. 67900	Starting at Rs. 32999
5.8 inch Super AMOLED	6.2 inch Super AMOLED	5.8 inch Super Retina OLED	6.3 inch Super AMOLED	6 inch Optic AMOLED
2960 x 1440 px 570 ppi	2960 x 1440 px 529 ppi	2436 x 1125 px 458 ppi	2960 x 1440 px 521 ppi	2160 x 1080 px 401 ppi
3000 mAh Wireless Charging, QuickCharge 4.0	3500 mAh Wireless Charging, QuickCharge 4.0	2716 mAh Wireless Charging, Fast Charging	3300 mAh Wireless Charging, QuickCharge 4.0	3300 mAh DashCharge
Exynos 9810	Exynos 9810	A11 Bionic Chipset	Exynos 8895	Snapdragon 835
4GB	6GB	3GB	6GB	6GB 8GB
64GB, 256GB Expandable up to 400GB	64GB, 256GBGB Expandable up to 400GB	64GB, 256GB Non-Expandable	64GB Expandable up to 256GB	64GB, 128GB Non-Expandable
12MP Dual Pixel f/1.5 to f/2.4	12MP Wide-Angle f/1.5 12MP Telephoto f/2.4	12MP Wide-Angle f/1.8 aperture 12MP Telephoto f/2.4 aperture	12MP Wide-Angle f/1.7 aperture 12MP Telephoto f/2.4 aperture	16MP f/1.7 20MP f/1.7
Super Slo-mo videos HDR Panorama OIS Variable Aperture 4K videos @ 60fps	Super Slo-mo videos HDR Panorama OIS Variable Aperture Bokeh Shots 2X lossless zoom 4K videos @ 60fps	HDR Panorama Portrait mode Portrait Lighting (beta) Dual optical image stabilization Six-element lens Quad-LED True Tone flash with Slow Sync 4K videos @ 60fps	HDR Panorama PDAF 2X lossless optical zoom Bokeh Shots OIS	HDR Panorama PDAF Portrait Mode
8MP f/1.7 Auto HDR	8MP f/1.7 Auto HDR	7MP camera f/2.2 Portrait Lighting (beta)	8MP f/1.7 aperture	16MP f/2.0
Fingerprint sensor IP68 certification Iris Scanner	Fingerprint sensor IP68 certification Iris Scanner	FaceID IP67 certification	Iris Scanner Fingerprint Sensor IP68 certification	Fingerprint sensor Face Unlock

February 27, 2018

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro Vs Honor 7X Vs Xiaomi Mi A1: Camera Shootout!

Xiaomi recently launched the Redmi Note 5 Pro in India at a starting price of Rs. 13999. Keeping up with the industry trends, the Redmi Note 5 Pro has an 18:9 aspect ratio and a dual-camera on the back. Unlike a lot of other smartphones with a dual camera setup, the Redmi Note 5 Pro has two RGB sensors.

At this price tag, the Note 5 Pro directly competes with the likes of the Honor 7X and Xiaomi’s own Mi A1. The Honor 7X and Mi A1 also have the best cameras in this price segment. Despite the 18:9 aspect ratio, the Redmi Note 5 Pro has thicker bezels than the Honor 7X which are even more prominent in the Gold colour variant. The Mi A1 has a 16:9 aspect ratio and definitely looks archaic when put next to the Note 5 Pro and Honor 7X.

Where the Mi A1 one-ups the other two devices is the software. It runs stock Android OS and is part of the Android One program. Hence, it will get the latest software update for the next two years at least. However, the same cannot be said about the Honor 7X and Redmi Note 5 Pro since they run custom UI on top of Android. In fact, the Honor 7X and Note 5 Pro still run Android 7 Nougat, while the Mi A1 has been updated to Android 8 Oreo.

With the three devices priced similarly, we decided to put them through their paces. Let’s see which one came out on top:

Camera Samples

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro

Honor 7X

Xiaomi Mi A1

Specifications	Redmi Note 5 Pro	Honor 7X	Xiaomi Mi A1
Price	Starting Rs. 13999	Starting Rs. 12999	Rs. 13999
Display	5.99 inch 18:9 Aspect Ratio IPS LCD	5.93-inch 18:9 Aspect Ratio LTPS IPS LCD	5.5 inch 16:9 Aspect Ratio LTPS IPS LCD
Resolution	2160 x 1080 px 403ppi	2160 x 1080 px 407 ppi	1920 x 1080 px 403 ppi
Battery	4000 mAh	3340 mAh	3080 mAh
Chipset	Snapdragon 636	HiSilicon Kirin 659	Snapdragon 625
RAM	4GB 6GB	3GB 4GB	4GB
Storage	64GB Expandable Up to 256GB	32GB 64GB Expandable up to 256GB	64GB Expandable up to 128GB
Primary Camera	12MP f/2.2 5MP f/2.0 1.25-micron	16MP 2MP depth sensor	12MP f/2.2 Wide-Angle 12MP f/2.6 Telephoto 1.25-micron
Primary Camera Video	1920 x 1080 px @ 30fps	1920 x 1080 px @ 30fps	4K @ 30fps
Secondary Camera	20MP Sony IMX376 Beautify 4.0 LED flash	8MP	5MP f/2.0
Add-Ons	Fingerprint Sensor	Fingerprint Sensor	Fingerprint Sensor

Photos are extremely subjective, hence, we will let you choose your winner. Let us know your choice in the comments below!

February 19, 2018

From Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 To Redmi Note 5 : What Has Changed?

Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Note 5 in India at a starting price of Rs. 9,999. The device will finally go on sale on the 22nd of February in India. The Redmi Note 5 has huge shoes to fill in, considering the Redmi Note 4 is the bestselling smartphone by Xiaomi.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4

A few weeks ago, a news from China claimed that Xiaomi won’t launch a Redmi Note 5 in China and instead rename the Redmi 5 Plus as Redmi Note 5 for the Indian market. While many were sceptical about this move, it felt more plausible at that time. Now, it is official that the Redmi 5 Plus is indeed the Redmi Note 5. So, what has changed between the two generations?

The first thing you notice when you hold the new Note 5 is the display and its 18:9 aspect ratio. The smartphone industry has moved on from the 16:9 aspect ratio and it made sense for Xiaomi to launch a modern looking device in 2018. The Redmi Note 5 provides that with its relatively thinner bezels. The Redmi Note 5 is not a bezel-less device by any means and the Gold colour makes the presence of the bezels more prominent, thanks to the white colour.

Redmi Note 5

Having said that, the Redmi Note 5, in terms of design, is a definite upgrade over the Redmi Note 4. It is still built very sturdily with an aluminium unibody design.

Under the hood, the Redmi Note 5 has the same the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset as the Redmi Note 4. The company claims that the Snapdragon 625 is one of the best budget chipsets and that is one of the reasons the Note 5 has maintained the chipset. When you look at flagship devices, a 2018 flagship phone launching with the Snapdragon 835 would not make sense because the Snapdragon 845 exists. Similarly, the Note 5 should have had a better chipset, like the Redmi Note 5 Pro has the Snapdragon 636 chipset.

This move might stop a lot of Redmi Note 4 owners from upgrading in 2018. Since, the Redmi Note 4 continues to perform great and its succesor won’t really provide anything better. A lot of customers usually look for hardware upgrade rather than design changes, especially in the budget category. Probably, Redmi Note 4 users could get tempted to update to the Note 5 Pro considering it has a newer and better chipset under the hood.

Redmi Note 4

The Redmi Note 4’s biggest issue was its camera performance. Xiaomi claims that the Redmi Note 5 has much better camera performance than the Redmi Note 4. It has a 12MP primary camera with an f/2.2 aperture. On paper, these aren’t the most flattering numbers but, it performs better than the Redmi Note 4. But again, is that worthy enough for a generational upgrade?

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 had a great battery performance thanks to the Snapdragon 625 chipset and the 4000 mAh battery. In a world where companies are making smartphones slimmer by reducing battery sizes, Xiaomi has done something else. The Redmi Note 5 has the same combination of the Snapdragon 625 chipset and a 4000 mAh battery. But, it also has a bigger display which means that the battery performance might be affected slightly.

At a price of Rs. 9999, this smartphone is a great prospect for some with a Redmi Note 3 or older phone. However, people who own a Redmi Note 4 would be hard pressed not to take out their wallets for the Redmi Note 5. What are your thoughts? let us know in the comments.

Buy The Redmi Note 5 here

February 14, 2018

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Vs Honor 9 Lite

Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Note 5 in India at a starting price of Rs. 9,999 with a new design but, the same chipset. At this price, the Redmi Note 5 competes directly with the recently launched Honor 9 Lite. Both the smartphones have an 18:9 aspect ratio and very capable respective chipsets.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is basically the Redmi 5 Plus which was launched in December in China. The design is much more modern than the previous generation and it comes in four different colour variants. The Honor 9 Lite has much thinner bezels but, also a smaller screen size. The Honor 9 Lite has an all-glass build which gives it a much more premium look when compared to the aluminium unibody design of the Redmi Note 5.

With a very similar pricing and more or less similar design language, which device comes out on top? Let’s find out!

Specifications	Xiaomi Redmi Note 5	Honor 9 Lite
Price	Rs. 9999 Rs. 10999	Rs. 10999 Rs. 14999
Display	5.99 inch IPS LCD 18:9 Aspect Ratio	5.65 inch IPS LCD 18:9 Aspect Ratio
Resolution	2160 x 1080 px 403ppi	2160 x 1080 px 428ppi
Battery	4000 mAh	3000 mAh
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 625	HiSilicon Kirin 659
RAM	3GB 4GB	3GB 4GB
Storage	32GB 64GB Expandable up to 256GB	32GB 64GB Expandable up to 256GB
Primary Camera	12MP f/2.2	13MP 2MP (depth sensor)
Primary Camera Video	1920 x 1080 px @ 30fps	1920 x 1080 px @ 30fps
Secondary Camera	5MP LED	13MP 2MP (depth sensor)
Add-ons	Fingerprint Sensor	Fingerprint Sensor Face Unlock (update scheduled)

February 14, 2018

Moto X4 Vs Honor 8 Pro Vs OnePlus 3T

The budget segment of smartphones in India saw a plethora of releases in 2017. Even the flagship segment and affordable flagship segment saw the release of some great devices by Samsung, Apple, OnePlus and Honor. However, the Rs. 20,000-25,000 price category is right now full of old devices that were great at one point. In November 2017, Lenovo-owned Motorola launched the Moto X4 that entered this price segment.

Recently, Motorola launched the 6GB RAM variant of the Moto X4 in India at a price of Rs. 24999. At this price, the Moto X4 has competition from the bygone flagship devices OnePlus 3T and Honor 8 Pro. It is worth noting that only a certified refurbished OnePlus 3T is available on Amazon anymore.

While how people perceive a phone is subjective, the Moto X4 does exude a premium feel. The OnePlus 3T and Honor 8 Pro offer great build quality as well but, the contoured glass back of the Moto X4 feels more premium. The Sterling Blue colour of the Moto X4, thanks to a different hue of blue stands out between the three phones.

Both the Moto X4 and OnePlus 3T run Android 8 Oreo out of the box. The Honor 8 Pro, launched after the OnePlus 3T runs Android 7 Nougat right now with no confirmation from the company regarding an Android 8 Oreo update. OnePlus has confirmed that Android 8 Oreo will be the last major software upgrade for the OnePlus 3T. Since the new Moto X4 runs Android 8 Oreo out of the box, there is a high possibility that it will receive an update to Android P as well.

Under the hood, the OnePlus 3T has the 2016 flagship chipset, Snapdragon 821. The Honor 8 Pro has the Kirin 960 while the Moto X4 has the Snapdragon 630 under the hood. OnePlus 3T has a very capable chipset under the hood which is almost two years old now. Add no software support to that, and the OnePlus 3T doesn’t look like a future-proof phone.

The Honor 8 Pro is already lagging in the software department but, it does offer a customisable skin which a lot of people prefer over stock OS.

One of the USPs of the Moto X4 is its ruggedness. While 2017 flagship phones like the Pixel 2 and OnePlus 5T skipped an IP rating, the Moto X4 has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The Moto X4 is the only device in this price range that has a dual-camera setup and provides an IP68 rating.

Let’s compare the specifications and see which smartphone provides the most in this price range.

Spec Comparison:

Specifications	Moto X4	Honor 8 Pro	OnePlus 3T
Price	Rs. 24999 (6GB RAM)	Rs. 25,980	Rs. 24999 (Refurbished)
Display	5.2 inch LTPS IPS LCD	5.7 inch LTPS IPS LCD	5.5 inch Optic AMOLED
Resolution	1920 x 1080 px 424 ppi	2560 x 1440 515 ppi	1920 x 1080 px 401 ppi
Battery	3000 mAh	4000 mAh	3400 mAh
Chipset	Snapdragon 630	HiSilicon Kirin 960	Snapdragon 821
RAM	6GB	6GB	6GB
Storage	64GB, Expandable up to 2TB	128GB, Expandable up to 256GB	128GB, Non-Expandable
Primary Camera	12MP f/2.0 8MP f/2.2	12MP f/2.2 12MP f/2.2	16MP f/2.0 OIS
Primary Camera Video	4K at 30 FPS 1080p at 60fps	4K at 30 FPS 1080p at 60fps	4K at 30 FPS 1080p at 60fps
Secondary Camera	16MP f/2.0 LED flash	8MP f/2.0	16MP f/2.0
Add-Ons	Fingerprint Sensor IP68 Rating	Fingerprint Sensor	Fingerprint Sensor

January 30, 2018

Honor 9 Lite Vs Honor 7X Vs Xiaomi Mi A1 Vs Moto G5s Plus

2017 saw the launch of a lot of great mid-range smartphones. Right from the Moto G5 Plus in early 2017 to the Honor 7X, the mid-range segment had some excellent additions. It is fair to rate the Honor 7X, Xiaomi Mi A1 and the Moto G5s Plus as the three top phones in their price segment. And in January 2018, Honor launched the Honor 9 Lite with four cameras and a price of Rs. 10999.

At a price of Rs. 10999, the Honor 9 Lite is a great prospect with its bezel-less design and a very capable Kirin 659 chipset. The Xiaomi Mi A1, Honor 7X and the Moto G5s Plus possess good cameras and have been great performers over the past few months of testing.

In terms of design, the Honor 9 Lite is the clear winner. At such a price, to offer a glass build is commendable. The other three phones have a great aluminium unibody design as well but, the Honor 9 Lite wins by a mile here.

In our recent comparison of the Xiaomi Mi A1 and Honor 7X, both the smartphones were at par when it came to day-to-day performance. The Honor 9 Lite has the same chipset and RAM configuration as the Honor 7X while the Mi A1 shares the specifications with the Mi A1. Software on all the phones is extremely smooth. At the end of the day, it will boil down to personal preference, whether you like stock Android OS or the customisable EMUI.

Specifications

Specifications	Honor 9 Lite	Honor 7X	Xiaomi Mi A1	Moto G5s Plus
Price	Starting Rs. 10999	Starting Rs. 12999	Rs. 13999	Rs. 14999
Display	5.65 inch IPS LCD	5.93-inch LTPS IPS LCD	5.5 inch LTPS IPS LCD	5.5-inch IPS LCD
Resolution	2160 X 1080 px	2160 X 1080 px	1920 x 1080 px	1920 x 1080 px
Battery	3000 mAh	3340 mAh	3080 mAh	3000 mAh
OS	Android 7.1 Nougat EMUI	Android 7.1 Nougat EMUI	Android 8 Oreo	Android 7.1 Nougat
Chipset	HiSilicon Kirin 659	HiSilicon Kirin 659	Snapdragon 625	Snapdragon 625
RAM	3GB/4GB	3GB/4GB	4GB	4GB
Storage	32GB/64GB (Expandable up to 256GB)	32GB/64GB (Expandable up to 256GB)	64GB (Expandable up to 128GB)	64GB (Expandable up to 128GB)
Primary Camera	13MP + 2MP (depth sensor)	16MP + 2MP depth sensor	12MP wide-angle f/2.2 + 12MP telephoto lens f/2.6	13MP + 13MP with f/2.0
Primary Camera Video	1080P @ 30fps	1080P @ 30fps	4K @ 30fps	4K @ 30fps
Secondary Camera	13MP + 2MP (depth sensor)	8MP	5MP	8MP f/2.0
Add-ons	Fingerprint sensor	Fingerprint sensor	Fingerprint sensor	Fingerprint sensor

January 27, 2018

Samsung Galaxy A8+ Vs The Competition

Samsung has launched its new iteration of the Galaxy ‘A’ series, the Samsung Galaxy A8+ in India. The smartphone, priced at Rs. 32990 will go on sale from the 20th of January in India via Amazon. Compared to other Asin markets, the price of the Galaxy A8+ comes as a surprise but, still remains pricier than the Honor View10 and on par with the OnePlus 5T (6GB RAM variant).

While the OnePlus 5T and Honor View10 are powered by flagship chipsets and feature a dual-camera setup on the back, the Galaxy A8+ is powered by the Exynos 7885 but, has a front-facing dual-camera setup. The Galaxy A8+ has the advantage of an IP67 rating which is missing from other other two devices. The Galaxy A8+ is also slightly taller than the other phones with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio.

So, what do the specifications tell us about the Galaxy A8+ when compared to its closest competitors? Let’s find out:

Specifications	Samsung Galaxy A8+	OnePlus 5T	Honor View10
Price	Rs. 32,990	Starting at Rs. 32,999	Rs. 29,999
Display	6-inch Super AMOLED	6-inch AMOLED	5.99 inch IPS LCD
Resolution	2220 x 1080 px 411ppi	2160 x 1080 px 401ppi	2160 x 1080 px 403ppi
Weight	191 grams	162 grams	172 grams
Dimensions	159.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm	156.1 x 75 x 7.5 mm	157 x 75 x 7 mm
OS	Android 7.1 Nougat Samsung UX	Android 7.1 Nougat	Android 8.0 Oreo EMUI 8
Battery	3500 mAh	3300 mAh	3750 mAh
Chipset	Exynos 7885	Qualcomm Snapdragon 835	HiSilicon Kirin 970
RAM	6GB	6GB/8GB	6GB
Storage	64GB (Expandable up to 256GB)	64GB/128GB (Non-expandable)	128GB (Expandable up to 256GB)
Primary camera	16MP f/1.7 aperture	16MP f/1.7 20MP f/1.7	16 MP (RGB) 20 MP (Monochrome) f/1.8 aperture
Primary video	1080P	4K @ 30fps	4K @ 30fps
Secondary camera	16MP f/1.9 8MP f/1.9	16MP f/2.2	13MP f/2.0
Add-ons	Fingerprint sensor IP67 Rating	Fingerprint sensor Face Unlock	Fingerprint sensor Facial Recognition AI

With a similar price tag and very little advantages, a lot will depend on the Samsung Galaxy A8+’s camera performance. A solid front-facing camera and snappy user experience can sometimes be enough to sway buyers and the Galaxy A8+ will have to do just that. Stay tuned for more updates.

January 10, 2018

Tag: comparison

Specifications comparision

Specifications Comparision

Features

Display

Under The Hood

Design

Camera

Battery

Conclusion:

Xiaomi Mi A1

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro

Moto G5s Plus

Honor 7x

Honor 9 Lite

Specifications

Honor 9 Lite

Xiaomi Redmi 5

Specifications

Comparison

Comparison

Camera Samples

Spec Comparison:

Specifications