Buying a budget smartphone under 12 to 15K has never been so easy and yet so difficult. That's because there are a plethora of options available in the market. So, choosing the best smartphone under Rs 15, 000 can become a daunting task if we get lost.
Xiaomi truly started the budget smartphone revolution in India and has carried that torch since it debuted in India. In just a few years Xiaomi has outshined most of its competition in the budget segment and has carved out a comfortable space for itself in the crowded affordable smartphone market in India.
Around two years back, I purchased Redme Note 5 Pro because Xiaomi built its entire business model on offering great value for money and as the sales numbers indicate, the strategy has paid off handsomely for the brand. After using the smartphone from past two years I am sharing my views.
Display & Design:
One of the highlights of the Redmi Note 5 Pro is its display. Redmi Note 5 Pro features a metal chassis and a 5.99-inch, full-HD+ display with Gorilla Glass scratch protection. It’s easier to hold and the fingerprint sensor is easy to reach. The design is a bit plain but the build and finish is very good. The display is bright, and the colors are quite vivid with deep contrasts. The text and images are sharp and the color accuracy is first-rate. The display is a tad reflective, and sunlight visibility is still pretty good. There’s also Gorilla Glass scratch protection. Overall, it’s an excellent display for a smartphone at this price range of 12 to 14k and one of the best out there.
Performance:
One can choose between either 4GB or 6GB of RAM but the storage is the same, at 64GB. I preferred 4GB RAM. The Smartphone hardly gets warm after using for several hours. Xiaomi says that the phone has a single pyrolytic graphite sheet which decreases the temperature by 1-degree celsius. The audio quality with the equalizer enabled is as good and no issues with the quality and reception of calls.
This is the first phone to feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon 636 SoC, which offers plenty of power for gaming and heavy apps. Using multiple apps, switching between apps, extensive games, no matter what, the phone handles everything like a champ. Despite the positive points, the lack of Android Oreo or a Type-C port are disappointing.
Camera:
The best feature of Note 5 Pro is its 12 MP camera. One can capture some brilliant photos with the right depth effect. The front camera is impressive and can knock out most higher-priced smartphones when it comes to selfies. In ample lighting conditions, the camera captures a good amount of details and has a punchy colour reproduction. Low light image capabilities are equally good and the camera has good dynamic range.
Battery:
The 4, 000mAh non-removable battery is very good and easily lasts for an entire day on a single charge. Usage may vary depending on how many photos and videos you take, how much you game and stream, and how often you’re connected to cellular data instead of Wi-Fi. Fast charging is also supported but it comes seperately.
The Redmi Note 5 Pro is Xiaomi's strongest showing in the budget segment in the last two years, Overall Note 5 Pro offer the best possible value in terms of specs, features and build quality. It has a better design, better performance and more features