Xiaomi Redmi Y2 Vs Redmi Note 5: which is the better budget phone?

Xiaomi recently launched its latest selfie-focused smartphone dubbed as the Redmi Y2 in India. The latest phone in the Redmi Y series comes with several new features such as an 18:9 display, 16MP AI-powered selfie camera, and dual rear cameras. The Redmi Y2 is available starting at Rs. 9,999 in India.

With this pricing, the latest phone from Xiaomi gives competition to its own siblings. Xiaomi launched its Redmi Note 5 back in February at the same starting price and with mostly similar features except the camera. The Redmi Y2 comes with improved cameras and latest Android, whereas Redmi Note 5 still runs on an older Android and has slightly inferior cameras.

Let’s find out which Xiaomi device is better in the budget segment by comparing both of them.

Xiaomi Redmi Y2 Vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Specifications

Key Specifications	Redmi Y2	Redmi Note 5
Display	5.99-inch IPS LCD 18:9 ratio	5.99-inch IPS LCD 18:9 ratio
Screen Resolution	HD+ 720×1440 pixels	FHD+ 2160×1080 pixels
Operating System	Android 8.1 Oreo with MIUI 9	Android 7.1 Nougat with MIUI 9
Processor	Octa-core	Octa-core
Chipset	Snapdragon 625	Snapdragon 625
GPU	Adreno 506	Adreno 506
RAM	3GB/4GB	3GB/4GB
Internal Storage	32GB/64GB	32GB/64GB
Expandable Storage	Yes, up to 256GB	Yes, up to 256GB
Primary Camera	Dual: 12 MP + 5 MP (f/2.2, 1.25µm), PDAF, LED flash	12MP, 1.25μm pixel, ƒ/2.2 aperture, Dual LED flash, PDAF
Secondary Camera	16 MP with f/2.0, Selfie-light, Super Pixel and AI Beautify 4.0	5MP, Beautify 4.0, Selfie-light
Video Recording	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps
Battery	3080mAh	4000 mAh
4G VoLTE	Yes	Yes
Dimensions	160.7 x 77.3 x 8.1 mm	158.5mm x 75.45 x 8.05 mm
Weight	180 g	180 g
Water Resistant	No	No
Sim Card Type	Dual Nano SIM with dedicated slot	Hybrid Dual SIM
Price	3GB/32GB- Rs. 9,999 4GB/64GB- Rs. 12,999	3GB/32GB- Rs. 9,999 4GB/64GB- Rs. 11,999

 

Design: Metal finish vs Metal unibody

The Xiaomi Redmi Y2 comes with plastic body brushed with a metallic finish and a rounded back with stylish separation lines which make it a unique design. The Redmi Note 5, on the other hand, comes with a new refreshed metal unibody design with metal back and front glass. The Redmi Note 5 feels premium because of its all unibody metal design, matte back, and solid build quality.

So, overall in terms of design, Redmi Note 5 is a winner here because of its metallic body which makes it sturdy as well as give it a premium look.

18:9 Display: HD+ Vs FHD+

Xiaomi Redmi Y2 sports a 5.99-inch LCD display with an HD+ screen resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels. Further, it comes with 18:9 aspect ratio which means it has a full-screen display with minimum bezels. While the Redmi Note 5 features a similar 5.99-inch 18:9 aspect ratio display with minimum bezels on each side. However, the Redmi Note 5 sports an FHD+ (2160 x 1080 pixels) screen resolution.

We found the display of Redmi Note 5 to be sharper, thanks to the FHD+ resolution.

16MP AI selfie camera vs 5MP selfie camera

Redmi Y2 is a selfie-centric smartphone and there is a 16MP front camera with f/2.0, LED flash and 2.0µm pixel size and AI beautify 4.0. Redmi Y2 also offers portrait mode in the front camera. The company has used ‘Super Pixel’ technology to combine four pixels into one large 2.0 µm pixel for better low light selfies. Another feature is the face unlock.

While there is a 5MP front camera with an LED Selfie-light and Beautify 3.0 on Redmi Note 5. The front camera can also record videos at 1080p@30fps. Overall, when we compare both the phones’ front camera, Redmi Y2 is definitely a winner with its 16MP front camera.

Front Camera Samples

Dual rear camera Vs Single rear camera

Coming to the rear camera, the Redmi Y2 sports a dual rear camera setup with a 12 MP primary sensor with f/2.2, 1.25µm pixel size and a 5 MP secondary sensor with LED flash.

While the Redmi Note 5 comes with a single rear camera of a 12MP sensor with f/2.2 aperture, PDAF, and dual LED flash for improved focusing and low-light photography. The rear camera also has features like HDR and panorama.

Here again, the dual camera setup on Redmi Y2 results in better pictures than Redmi Note 5.

Redmi Y2 has same dual rear camera setup as Redmi Note 5 Pro.

Rear camera Samples

Hardware: Same Snapdragon 625

The Redmi Y2 comes powered by Qualcomm’s octa-core Snapdragon 625 processor with Adreno 506 GPU. The smartphone comes with 3GB or 4GB RAM and 32GB or 64GB storage options. If we talk about the Snapdragon 625, it is the same octa-core processor that we have seen on Redmi Note 5. So, both the phones are similar in terms of hardware. Even their benchmark scores also match.

Software: Nougat Vs Oreo

Software-wise, the Xiaomi Redmi Y2 runs MIUI 9.5 skin on top of Android 8.1 Oreo. While the Redmi Note 5 still comes with Android 7.1 Nougat with MIUI 9 skin on top. It is not yet known when the company will release the Android 8.0 Oreo update for this phone. So, here again with the latest Android Oreo, Redmi Y2 wins.

Battery and Connectivity

The Redmi Y2 is powered by a 3,080mAh non-removable battery which is said to offer full-day juice. While the Redmi Note 5 is powered by a massive 4,000mAh battery which is enough to provide more than one day of usage. So, in terms of battery Redmi Note 5 wins.

When it comes to connectivity, both the phones have the usual Wi-Fi, 4G VoLTE, Bluetooth, micro USB port and 3.5mm audio jack options.

Redmi Y2 supports dual Nano-SIM cards and comes with a dedicated microSD slot. While Redmi Note 5 comes with a hybrid Dual SIM card slot.

Conclusion

Redmi Y2 and Redmi Note 5 both have been priced at Rs. 9,999 in India for the 3GB/32GB models. Xiaomi which has always been known for its aggressive pricing has once again offered the new phone with the affordable price tag. The all-new Redmi Y2 which is priced same as the Redmi Note 5 is definitely a good contender. Despite coming with the same processor as Redmi Note 5, Redmi Y2 seems to be a better option with its better cameras, latest software experience, and a refreshed design.