Xiaomi has continued the tradition of releasing value for money devices by unveiling the Redmi S2. The company seems to have perfectly understood that camera phones are usually very expensive and it has decided to release a device which can offer a strong camera experience in a price range in which it is very hard to find one.
In terms of price, at the moment, Xiaomi Redmi S2 is positioned exactly in the middle, between Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus and Redmi Note 5 (China), even though the launch price of the base variant is the same as Redmi 5 Plus. In this comparison, we will highlight the differences between these three Xiaomi Redmi S2 vs Redmi 5 Plus vs Redmi Note 5 sub-$200 handsets.
Xiaomi Redmi S2 vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
| Xiaomi Redmi S2 | Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus | Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 160.7 x 77.3 x 8.1 mm, 170 grams | 158.5 x 75.5 x 8.1 mm, 180 grams | 158.6 x 75.4 x 8.1 mm, 181 grams |
| DISPLAY | 5.99 inches, 720 x 1440p (HD+), 269 ppi, 18:9 ratio, IPS LCD | 5.99 inches, 1080 x 2160p (Full HD+), 403 ppi, 18:9 ratio, IPS LCD | 5.99 inches, 1080 x 2160 pixels, 403 ppi, 18:9 ratio, IPS LCD |
| PROCESSOR | Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, octa-core 2.0 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, octa-core 2 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 636, octa-core 1.8 GHz |
| MEMORY | 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – 4 GB RAM, 64 GB, micro SD slot | 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD slot | 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 6 GB RAM, 64 GB, micro SD slot |
| SOFTWARE | Android 8.1 Oreo, MIUI 9.5 | Android 7.1.2 Nougat, MIUI 9.5 | Android 7.1.2 Nougat, MIUI 9 |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS |
| CAMERA | Dual 12 + 5 MP f/2.2 16 MP front camera |
12 MP f/2.2 5 MP front camera |
12 MP f/2.2 5 MP f/2.0 front camera |
| BATTERY | 3080 mAh Charging 5V / 2A |
4000 mAh Fast Charging 5V / 2A |
4000 mAh, Fast Charging (Quick Charge 2.0) |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | Dual SIM slot | Hybrid Dual SIM slot | Hybrid Dual SIM slot |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (also known as Redmi 5 Pro in the global market) is a step above Xiaomi Redmi S2 and Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus. It has a better chipset, so it is a faster and smoother device in every scenario. Further, it comes in a variant with 6 GB of RAM, unlike its opponents. It also has a camera department which is more interesting than both Redmi S2 and 5 Plus, as well as a very long battery life. But it also costs more. If you can not afford the Redmi Note 5 or you want to save some money, then you end up having to choose between the Redmi S2 vs Redmi 5 Plus in China.
It is essentially a battle between camera and battery. While Redmi S2 offers a way better photo quality (both for the main setup and selfies with AI), Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus has a way longer battery life due to its 4000 mAh lithium unit. Two other elements which may let you go for the former are its dedicated micro SD slot, a slightly more attractive design and Android Oreo installed out of the box. On the other hand, Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus has a more detailed display thanks to its Full HD+ resolution.
Here are the Chinese listing prices for the base variants:
- Xiaomi Redmi S2: $155/€130
- Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: $155/€130
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: $172/€144
Obviously, you can find Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus and Redmi Note 5 at lower prices thanks to online street prices (via aliexpress).
Xiaomi Redmi S2 vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: PROs and CONS
Xiaomi Redmi S2
PRO
- Incredible camera
- Affordable price
- Dedicated micro SD slot
- Oreo out of the box
CONS
- HD display
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus
PRO
- Great battery life
- Wide and detailed display
- Very affordable price
CONS
- Average camera
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
PRO
- High performance
- Good camera department
- Long battery life
CONS
- Higher price
Which one would you pick under $200?
