Redmi Y1 Review: The Best Budget Smartphone for Selfies?

Xiaomi is the king of price range smartphones in India, interval. Each new telephone they launch is being wolfed up by the general public as if they’re providing it without cost. Right here’s a quantity for you, Xiaomi offered 9.2 million handsets in India within the final monetary quarter. To place it into perspective, that’s 100,000 smartphones being offered day by day. Nicely, it appears Xiaomi needs to extend that quantity exponentially this quarter, as they’ve simply launched a brand-new price range smartphone known as the Redmi Y1, which is being marketed because the selfie smartphone. The selfie smartphone moniker is a primary for a Xiaomi system, and therefore, on this article, we’re going to put Redmi Y1 by means of its paces to see if it deserves your consideration and cash. So, in case you had been planning to purchase this smartphone, learn our overview to search out out if the Xiaomi Y1 is the perfect price range selfie smartphone or not:

Redmi Y1 Specs

Earlier than we get into the precise overview itself, let’s get the onerous truths, that’s, the specs out of the way in which. You may try all of the {hardware} and software program particulars within the desk under.

Dimensions 153 x 76.2 x 7.7 mm (6.02 x 3.00 x 0.30 in)
Weight 153 g
Show 5.5 inches IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen (720 x 1280 pixels)
Processor Qualcomm MSM8940 Snapdragon 435 (Octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53)
RAM 3 GB / 4GB
Storage 32 GB / 64GB
Main
Digicam
13 MP ( f/2.2 aperture) with part detection autofocus, LED flash
Secondary
Digicam
16 MP with f/2.0 aperture
Battery Non-removable Li-Ion 3080 mAh battery
Working
System
MIUI 9.0 working on high of Android 7.0 (Nougat)
Sensors Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass
Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot / GSM / HSPA / LTE
Worth INR 8,999 / INR 10,999

What’s In The Field

Xiaomi is thought to incorporate minimal equipment with its smartphones, and unboxing the Redmi Y1 was the identical. The field is fairly good from exterior. The crimson and white color scheme is very nice to have a look at, nonetheless, the within of the field is an enormous mess. There are compartments with nothing inside them. I significantly thought that one thing was lacking in my field, however because it turned out, the case was the identical with different individuals. Right here’s an inventory of what you get contained in the field:

  • Redmi Y1
  • Energy Adapter
  • Micro-USB to USB A charging cable
  • SIM ejector instrument
  • Paperwork

what's in the box

Design and Construct High quality

One have a look at the system and you will notice that the Redmi Y1 follows the design language of its predecessors. Though the Y-series is a brand new lineup from Xiaomi, the design language stays the identical. However that’s not essentially a foul factor. The smartphone is sweet to have a look at and feels very nice in hand. The entrance of the smartphone homes a 5.5-inch IPS panel flanked by the selfie digital camera and capitative buttons on the highest and backside respectively. Nevertheless, the buttons should not backlit which is a disgrace.

y3

The again of the telephone homes a quick fingerprint sensor together with the first digital camera. The suitable aspect of the telephone has each the quantity rockers and the ability button whereas the SIM tray goes to the left. The underside has single firing speaker and micro-USB port for charging, whereas the highest homes the headphone jack and the IR blaster. For a telephone of its measurement, Redmi Y1 is fairly gentle and weighs solely a 153 grams. The burden distribution can also be excellent and therefore the telephone actually feels good within the fingers.

design andbild quality 3

Nevertheless, not the whole lot is correct right here. Though the telephone feels good in fingers, you can not escape the plastic construct of this telephone. Each the again plate and sides are product of plastic which tarnishes its in any other case good construct high quality. I don’t see this telephone holding properly over time. One main gripe I’ve with Redmi Y1 is the SIM card tray. For the reason that telephone helps dual-nano SIMs together with a microSD card slot (which is an effective factor), the SIM tray could be very lengthy. Nevertheless, the tray is product of plastic and it actually feels fragile. I actually felt that I used to be going to interrupt it after I was inserting my SIM into the telephone, so contemplate {that a} honest warning.

side buttons

To sum it up, the telephone feels good within the hand and likewise seems to be good from a distance, however relating to the fabric used and the long-term sturdiness of the telephone, I don’t assume Xiaomi is profitable any awards right here. In case you are like me, you’ll be irked by the fabric used on this telephone particularly understanding that Xiaomi makes use of steel by itself Redmi 4 which prices manner lesser than the Y1.

design and build quality 1

Show

Redmi Y1 sports activities a 5.5 inch IPS LCD capacitative contact display with a show decision of 720*1280 giving it a PPI of 236. Though on paper the show may not look good, and I need to say that I additionally had my very own reservations, in individual, the show seems to be very nice. The colors are punchy and its clear that Xiaomi has gone for a vibrant and saturated show right here. The show additionally will get actually shiny and I had no drawback in utilizing this one in shiny daylight.

display 2

I do have one tiny drawback with the show. It has a black border going throughout it, which by the way in which is regular for any smartphone with white entrance, nonetheless, on this case, it looks like as if the show is sitting just a little behind the entrance glass panel, which is basically distracting to me. Don’t get me incorrect, the contact sensitivity is on level and you’ll not encounter any drawback in day-to-day utilization, nonetheless, it’s one thing which is able to annoy you, as when you see it, you’ll all the time discover it.

black bar around the display

Aside from that, I don’t have any qualms concerning the show. Sure, the decision may have been higher, however for its worth level, I’m prepared to offer Xiaomi a cross right here, particularly contemplating the truth that the show seems to be good from a standard viewing distance and a mean person received’t discover any pixel issues with this one.

Display 1

Consumer Interface

There’s not a lot to speak about right here because the telephone ships with the acquainted MIUI. Individuals both hate it or like it, and doesn’t matter which class you fall in, Xiaomi Y1 shouldn’t be going to alter your opinion. One good factor for MIUI lovers right here is that the system ships with the most recent MIUI 9 which brings an enormous efficiency enchancment with quicker app launches, higher notification administration, and extra. Click on right here, if you wish to find out about all of the issues which might be new within the MIUI 9.

display

For many who should not acquainted with MIUI interface, it’s principally and iOS-like person interface the place all of the icons are positioned on the house display with no app drawer. Xiaomi additionally features a complete suite of its personal apps which provides a ton of functionalities to the telephones. New with MIUI 9 is the MI drop app which is rather like Airdrop on iPhones and lets you share recordsdata between the units simply. There are additionally some India particular options together with unique themes, stickers, and extra.

USER INTERFACE

On the entire, I consider that MIUI is among the higher designs Android ROMs because it provides a ton of functionalities whereas conserving the person interface actually snappy. Some individuals may not just like the elimination of App drawer, however I don’t discover that to be a an excessive amount of of an issue. In any case, you’ll be able to all the time use a launcher in case you can’t dwell with MIUI as a result of that’s the fantastic thing about proudly owning an Android system. For me, MIUI 9 with Android 7.1.2 Nougat has been wonderful and I like it. Part of me do want that they launched it with Android Oreo although.

Efficiency

The Redmi Y1 is being powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 435 with 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. On paper, the processor doesn’t appear to be that highly effective, nonetheless, in my testing, the processor was simply in a position to maintain up by itself. Regular day-to-day utilization resulted in a quick and speedy efficiency with nearly no lag. The telephone was in a position to sustain with all my instructions and it by no means felt that I needed to anticipate it after I was doing one thing. Nevertheless, since it is a price range smartphone, some limitations are to be anticipated. Heavy titles comparable to Asphalt Excessive are inclined to take extra time to load on this system.

That being mentioned, as soon as the loading half is finished, I used to be truly stunned by the smoothness of the gameplay. Sure, there are drops frames right here and there however nothing which is able to are available the way in which of you having fun with the sport. Additionally, whether or not you purchase the three GB or 4 GB RAM model, the telephone retains sufficient apps within the reminiscence that you just received’t have any drawback. Lastly, I personally don’t consider in benchmarks as they by no means inform you the entire story, however I do know a few of you do, so I’ve hooked up an image under which exhibits each the Geekbench and the AnTuTu scores.

performance

Digicam

Ultimately, we’re on the holy grail of the overview, the cameras. As I discussed earlier, Xiaomi is touting this smartphone because the selfie telephone so we took it upon ourselves to check that declare. Let’s get the specs out of our manner first. Redmi Y1 sports activities a 13-megapixel main digital camera with a f/2.2 aperture and an LED flash. Nevertheless, that’s not the spotlight right here, the principle USP of this system is the front-facing digital camera which homes a 16-megapixel sensor with f/2.0 aperture and  has its personal flash. Sure, there’s a selfie flash for all you selfie lovers on the market. That is a type of uncommon telephones the place the front-camera is healthier than the first digital camera.

Redmi Y1 Review: The Best Budget Smartphone for Selfies? Redmi Y1 Review: The Best Budget Smartphone for Selfies? Redmi Y1 Review: The Best Budget Smartphone for Selfies? back camera smaple 6

Nevertheless, megapixels should not the whole lot so let’s check this out, lets? We took plenty of pictures utilizing each the entrance and the again cameras and we are able to report that certainly the entrance digital camera performs higher than the again one. Nevertheless, it’s not due to these megapixels. The bigger f/2.0 aperture has extra to do with this than something. The bigger aperture helps in bringing extra gentle therefore the selfie digital camera produced pictures with higher dynamic vary and carried out higher in low-light circumstances.

front camera sample 4 front camera sample 6 front camera sample 2 front camera sample 1

I like to offer credit score the place its due and Xiaomi deserves a point out for its post-processing prowess. Many a time after I was clicking a photograph, the digital camera viewfinder confirmed plenty of noise, nonetheless, the pictures got here out to be fairly first rate. I additionally favored the truth that the shutter pace was quick and I by no means missed an opportunity to take a photograph with this one. For what Xiaomi is providing at its worth level, the cameras particularly the entrance one are getting good marks from me.

back camera smaple 1

back camera smaple 3 front camera sample 5

Battery Life

Irrespective of how highly effective a smartphone is, it received’t be helpful to you if its battery dies down in the midst of the day. I’m glad to report that it’s not the case with Redmi Y1. Redmi Y1 packs measurement non-removable Lithium-ion 3080 mAh battery which is sweet sufficient to final you the entire day. In my medium to heavy use-case day, the battery comfortably lasted the entire time, ending the day at round 15-20% cost. The 720p show is an enormous motive for such a robust battery life because the telephone does have lesser pixels to energy. Should you do end up wanting for the charger earlier than the top of the day, Xiaomi consists of the perfect battery administration app there may be. Nevertheless, I don’t assume the battery life must be a priority for customers of this system.

battery life

Connectivity

The Redmi Y1 comes with all the same old options so far as connectivity is worried. It helps each 3G and 4G know-how guaranteeing that you could benefit from the quickest web pace that your smartphone is offering. It has two nano-SIM card slots together with a microSD which implies that you don’t have to decide on between the microSD and the second SIM. It is a function which isn’t current on a lot of the smartphones available in the market therefore Xiaomi will get an enormous benefit right here. In the case of WiFi it helps the most recent 802.11 (b/g/n) WiFi.

y1

The telephone additionally has a headphone jack, one thing which is turning into an increasing number of of a uncommon commodity within the flagship units lately. I additionally love the truth that Xiaomi has included an IR blaster within the system which lets you use it as a common distant. I do want that the telephone got here with USB-C as a substitute of the USB-A port, nonetheless, no price range smartphone aside from the Flipkart’s Billion+ has adopted the brand new customary.

Audio and Telephony

The Redmi Y1 is a superb telephone for receiving and making telephone calls because the telephone all the time exhibits reception. The calls sounded good on each side, nonetheless, the noise cancellation may have been higher. Like most different telephones in its worth vary, the telephone comes with a single speaker which surprisingly will get loud but in addition distorts at larger sound stage. I’d suggest that you just use a headphone with this one if you wish to get pleasure from your media or sport.

audio and telephoney

Redmi Y1 vs Competitors

As I mentioned earlier, Xiaomi is the king of price range smartphone, and therefore, the Redmi Y1 is going through little to no competitors right here. In actual fact, the one smartphones you might select over this one are made by Xiaomi itself. For instance, Redmi 4 is a superb system with a bigger 4100 mAh battery which is healthier for anybody who wants longer run time. However, I by no means had a battery disaster with the Redmi Y1 too. Additionally, though Redmi Y1 is produced from plastic and may not be as sturdy because the metal-body telephones, each its in-hand really feel and appears are higher than all the opposite plastic-body smartphone in its worth vary.

Featured Picture

That being mentioned, you aren’t shopping for this telephone for terribly good battery life or a steel physique, you’re shopping for this telephone for the selfie digital camera and there’s no different telephone in its worth vary (even in case you go just a little larger), that may produce higher selfies than this may. Its 16 MP front-facing digital camera with f/2.0 aperture and flash produces higher selfies than all of its competitors. So, in case you are into selfies, that is the perfect telephone you should buy proper now.

Redmi Y1: The Greatest Funds Selfie Smartphone

That brings us to the conclusion of our overview. Redmi Y1 is one more good price range smartphone from Xiaomi and other people shopping for it won’t be disenchanted in the event that they know what they’re stepping into. It may not have a steel physique or the perfect show, nevertheless it does produce other issues going for it. You will want to know that with a price range smartphone, you can not get the whole lot. There’s all the time one distinctive promoting level of each price range smartphone, and for Y1 it’s the front-facing digital camera. The selfie digital camera is the perfect in its worth vary and you should purchase this telephone in case you are into selfies.

Execs:

  • Entrance Dealing with Digicam
  • Surprisingly Good Efficiency
  • Helps dual-SIM and microSD
  • Comes With MIUI 9

Cons:

  • Plastic Physique
  • Flimsy SIM tray
  • Show May Be Higher

Redmi Y1 Assessment: Get It For The Selfie Digicam

Redmi Y1 does what Xiaomi guarantees in its promotion, that’s, it takes the perfect selfies in it its worth vary. It has its personal shortcomings however on the similar time, it additionally has its strengths. To sum it up in a single line, Redmi Y1 is a price range smartphone with a not so price range digital camera. If you’ll purchase this one, know that you’re shopping for it primarily for the entrance digital camera.

Purchase From Amazon: Redmi Y1 (Rs. 8,999 for  3GB/32GB and Rs. 10,999 for 4GB/64GB)

Design and Construct High quality

8