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| Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S Review |
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Xiaomi recently announced a milestone by selling 10 million Redmi Note 7-series smartphones globally. In India, the Rs 13,999 Redmi Note 7 Pro has been quite popular, thanks to the 48-megapixel camera at the back.
The Redmi Note 7 which starts at Rs 9,999, has also been, but a lot of users have expressed that a 48-megapixel camera would have made it a perfect affordable phone. Xiaomi has listened to its users’ feedback and launched an upgraded model, the Redmi Note 7S.
The smartphone runs on the same internal as the Redmi Note 7, but there is a big change in this - the 12-megapixel primary camera has been replaced by 48-megapixel Samsung GM1 sensor.
The smartphone runs on the same internal as the Redmi Note 7, but there is a big change in this - the 12-megapixel primary camera has been replaced by 48-megapixel Samsung GM1 sensor.
The rest of the features are the same And compared to Redmi Note 7, the price of Redmi Note 7S is just Rs 1,000.
Xiaomi has also mentioned that it will shut down the Redmi Note 7, will only sell Notes 7S and Note 7 Pro Models. But is it worth promoting?
On top of the display is a dot notch (water drop style notch) with the selfie camera module and other sensors. There are thin bezels around the display, but overall, you get a good screen-to-body ratio. The frame is made of plastic, but it has a glossy metal finish, and it is comfortable to hold round corners.
One thing that separates Radmi note 7S from its competitors is the Corning Gorilla Glass 5 Protection on Glass. Competitors like Samsung Galaxy M20, Galaxy A20, and Realm3 Pro come with laminated plastics to look for something that looks and feels like glass. This makes Redmi Note 7S Premium feel.
Connectivity wise, you get a 3.5mm headphone jack on top and a USB Type-C port at the bottom. The hybrid dual-SIM card slot is on the left side which is a little disappointing because competitors are offering dual-sim trays and a dedicated MicroSD card slot.
Familiar design
The Redmi Note 7 family shares the same design language, and there are changes in the context of internal hardware. Note 7 S's front has a 6.3-inch Full HD + display, which is a resolution of 1080 × 2340 pixels and 19.5: 9 aspect ratios.
On top of the display is a dot notch (water drop style notch) with the selfie camera module and other sensors. There are thin bezels around the display, but overall, you get a good screen-to-body ratio. The frame is made of plastic, but it has a glossy metal finish, and it is comfortable to hold round corners.
One thing that separates Radmi note 7S from its competitors is the Corning Gorilla Glass 5 Protection on Glass. Competitors like Samsung Galaxy M20, Galaxy A20, and Realm3 Pro come with laminated plastics to look for something that looks and feels like glass. This makes Redmi Note 7S Premium feel.
Connectivity wise, you get a 3.5mm headphone jack on top and a USB Type-C port at the bottom. The hybrid dual-SIM card slot is on the left side which is a little disappointing because competitors are offering dual-sim trays and a dedicated MicroSD card slot.
Xiaomi has also made a splash resistant P2i coating, but keeping it in mind, it is not water resistant, so do not immerse it in water. Otherwise, there is not enough to complain about the Note 7S on the design front.
The Redmi Note 7 family shares the same design language, and there are changes in the context of internal hardware. Note 7 S's front has a 6.3-inch Full HD + display, which is a resolution of 1080 × 2340 pixels and 19.5: 9 aspect ratios.
On top of the display is a dot notch (waterdrop style notch) with the selfie camera module and other sensors. There are thin bezels around the display, but overall, you get a good screen-to-body ratio. The frame is made of plastic, but it has a glossy metal finish, and it is comfortable to hold round corners.
One thing that separates Radmi note 7S from its competitors is the Corning Gorilla Glass 5 Protection on Glass. Competitors like Samsung Galaxy M20, Galaxy A20, and Realm3 Pro come with laminated plastics to look for something that looks and feels like glass. This makes Redmi Note 7S Premium feel.
Connectivity wise, you get a 3.5mm headphone jack on top and a USB Type-C port at the bottom. The hybrid dual-SIM card slot is on the left side which is a little disappointing because competitors are offering dual-sim trays and a dedicated MicroSD card slot.
On top of the display is a dot notch (waterdrop style notch) with the selfie camera module and other sensors. There are thin bezels around the display, but overall, you get a good screen-to-body ratio. The frame is made of plastic, but it has a glossy metal finish, and it is comfortable to hold round corners.
One thing that separates Radmi note 7S from its competitors is the Corning Gorilla Glass 5 Protection on Glass. Competitors like Samsung Galaxy M20, Galaxy A20, and Realm3 Pro come with laminated plastics to look for something that looks and feels like glass. This makes Redmi Note 7S Premium feel.
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| Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S Review |
Connectivity wise, you get a 3.5mm headphone jack on top and a USB Type-C port at the bottom. The hybrid dual-SIM card slot is on the left side which is a little disappointing because competitors are offering dual-sim trays and a dedicated MicroSD card slot.
Xiaomi has also made a splash resistant P2i coating, but keeping it in mind, it is not water resistant, so do not immerse it in water. Otherwise, there is not enough to complain about the Note 7S on the design front.
48-megapixel camera hype or real?
Let me get straight to the point. I know you are interested to know more about the 48-megapixel camera performance, so, I’ll start with that first. |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S Review |
Firstly, while the Note 7 Pro uses a 48-megapixel Sony IMX586 sensor, the Note 7S relies on Samsung’s GM1 sensor.
The sensor has a wide aperture of f/1.8, and the sensor size is 1/2-inch (0.8um). and it supports PDAF instead of dual pixel auto-focus.
The primary camera is accompanied by a 5-megapixel secondary depth sensor for portrait mode effects. Now, with the specs out of the way, let’s talk performance.
I know a lot of people get excited thinking of the higher megapixel count, but I would like to reiterate the fact that it’s just a number. Higher megapixel doesn’t necessarily mean better.
I know a lot of people get excited thinking of the higher megapixel count, but I would like to reiterate the fact that it’s just a number. Higher megapixel doesn’t necessarily mean better.
By default, the Redmi Note 7S clicks photos in 12-megapixel resolution, and it uses 4-in-1 pixel binning technique. The outcome? Day-light photos look good with enough sharpness and details being preserved.
Colors look good too. However, I’m not impressed with the low-light photos, where the details are missing.
There is an AI mode with scene detection too, which after activating offers a little boost to the colors. If you want to take advantage of the 48-megapixel sensor and click full 8000×6000 resolution pictures, you’ll need to manually activate the mode from the top bar.
There is an AI mode with scene detection too, which after activating offers a little boost to the colors. If you want to take advantage of the 48-megapixel sensor and click full 8000×6000 resolution pictures, you’ll need to manually activate the mode from the top bar.
You’ll need to tap on the hamburger menu on the top right, and then tap on 48-megapixel. While default photos are about 4MB to 6MB in size, the 48-megapixel resolution eats up more space, varying 12MB to 16MB per photo.
But then, despite being the USP, the 48-megapixel photos don’t look that great as you would expect. You would expect that extra level of sharpness and details, but that isn’t really the case here.
But then, despite being the USP, the 48-megapixel photos don’t look that great as you would expect. You would expect that extra level of sharpness and details, but that isn’t really the case here.
I’d say the photos look marginally better compared to the 12-megapixel ones. Up front, there is a 13-megapixel selfie snapper with f/2.0 aperture lens.
It is capable of capturing good selfies. There is an AI portrait mode, which works well in keeping the subject in focus and background blurred.
Capable hardware, optimized software
Redmi Note 7S draws its power in the form of Radmi Note 7 from the same power Snapdragon 660 SoC. Added with 3GB / 4GB RAM options, the hardware is capable of delivering good performance in its price segment. |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S Review |
In my one-week use, I did not face issues dealing with basic tasks like internet surfing, using social media apps and even playing games.
Switching between apps or Chrome tabs was seamless, and some credits could also be given for OS optimization. I was able to play PUBG without any problem in the middle settings, after playing continuously for 25 minutes, I saw that the back is getting warmer.
In terms of software, Redmi Note 7S runs Android 9.1 pi with MIUI 10.3.5 skin on top, and this is a much better custom UI than previous iterations.
Problems with spamming ads are still there, and Xiaomi has said that they will work towards improving on that front.
There are some preloaded apps like ShareChat, Opera Mini, DailyHunt, Opera News, Amazon Shopping, Facebook and Netflix, but the good part is that you can uninstall them.
There are some preloaded apps like ShareChat, Opera Mini, DailyHunt, Opera News, Amazon Shopping, Facebook and Netflix, but the good part is that you can uninstall them.
The phone runs on the latest May 2019 Android security patches, which is impressive, and you also get the Widewine L1 support, which means that you can see Netflix and Amazon Prime content in HD resolution.
Finally, talking about battery life, the underlying 4,000mAh battery is enough to offer a day and half use of the medium. Even with heavy use, you can still get easily through the working day.
Finally, talking about battery life, the underlying 4,000mAh battery is enough to offer a day and half use of the medium. Even with heavy use, you can still get easily through the working day.
USB Type-C port and support for Quick Charge 4. But Xiaomi bundles the 10W standard fast charger, and if you want 18W speed, you have to spend a bit to get a charger.
Should you buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S?
The base model with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage is priced at Rs 10,999, whereas the 4GB RAM with 64GB storage model is priced at Rs 12,999. |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S Review |
And unlike the Redmi Note 7 and Note 7 Pro, the Note 7S is available to buy in open sale from Flipkart. The fact that you don’t have to wait for the flash sale is something that could really work in its favor.
The 48-megapixel photos are a little disappointing, but otherwise, the phone offers a good value for money proposition.
There are alternatives that you can choose too. For instance, the Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 with 5,000mAh battery, near stock Android is a good option.
There are alternatives that you can choose too. For instance, the Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 with 5,000mAh battery, near stock Android is a good option.
There is also Realme 3 and Realme 3 Pro in the price range, but you’ll have to wait for the sale date to buy one. Samsung’s M20 is also a good option and its easily available to buy from Amazon India.
And, in case you are looking to try the product and buy offline, the Galaxy A20 could be a good alternative too.
Buy Redmi Note 7s (Rs 10,999) from Flipkart
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