Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 smartphone

Photo: Ilya Plekhanov via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Xiaomi

Xiaomi Redmi Note 2

August 2015 8/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 2, launched in August 2015, was a budget-friendly smartphone that offered impressive specifications for its price point. It featured a 5.5-inch Full HD display and was powered by the MediaTek Helio X10 octa-core processor, making it a strong contender in the affordable phablet market at the time.
Display5.5-inch Full HD IPS LCD
ChipsetMediaTek Helio X10
Main Camera13 MP with PDAF
Battery3060 mAh removable
Starting from $5,347

💰 Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 Price

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 lowest price is $5,347, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeIPS LCD
Size5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
ProtectionUndisclosed (no official screen protection quoted)

Platform

OSAndroid 5.0 (Lollipop), MIUI 7
ChipsetMediatek MT6795 Helio X10 (28 nm)
CPUOcta-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUPowerVR G6200

Memory

Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot), up to 32GB
Internal16GB 2GB RAM
TypeLPDDR3 RAM

Main Camera

Single13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panorama
Video1080p@30fps

Selfie Camera

Single5 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide)
Video720p@30fps

Battery

TypeRemovable Li-Po 3060 mAh
ChargingFast charging (advertised)

Body

Dimensions152 x 76 x 8.3 mm (5.98 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)
Weight160 g (5.64 oz)
SIMDual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by)
BuildPlastic body

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP, LE
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS
NFCNo
Infrared portYes
RadioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTG

Launch

Announced2015, August
StatusReleased 2015, August 14

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Strong performance for a budget device
  • Vibrant Full HD display
  • User-replaceable battery
  • Storage expandable via microSD card
  • Dual SIM functionality
  • Infrared blaster for remote control functionality

Cons

  • Plastic build quality, with some reports of a creaky backplate
  • No official screen protection (e.g., Gorilla Glass)
  • Lacks NFC connectivity
  • Ships with an older Android version (Lollipop)
★ Our Verdict

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 earned a high rating for its exceptional value, delivering powerful performance and a Full HD display at a remarkably affordable price point for its release era.

While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 was a groundbreaking budget smartphone in 2015, it is now an outdated model. It is not recommended for purchase as a primary device in the current market due to its old operating system (Android 5.0 Lollipop), lack of security updates, and significantly less powerful hardware compared to modern phones. If you are a collector or specifically looking for a vintage Android device for nostalgic reasons, ensure the unit is in good condition and understand its limitations. For daily use, consider newer budget smartphones that offer contemporary features, better cameras, and up-to-date software support. Look for devices with at least Android 12 or newer for better app compatibility and security.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 smartphone
  • 2A wall charger
  • Micro USB to USB cable
  • 3060mAh battery

Xiaomi typically offers a one-year warranty for the phone unit and six months for accessories like the charger and data cable, starting from the purchase date, subject to local regulations.

❓ Questions & Answers

When was the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 released?

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 was officially released in August 2015.

Does the Redmi Note 2 have expandable storage?

Yes, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 supports expandable storage via a dedicated microSDXC card slot, allowing for up to 32GB of additional storage.

Is the battery of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 removable?

Yes, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 features a removable Li-Po 3060 mAh battery.

What operating system did the Redmi Note 2 launch with?

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 launched with Android 5.0 (Lollipop) and featured Xiaomi's MIUI 7 interface.

Does the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 support dual SIM cards?

Yes, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 is equipped with dual Micro-SIM card slots, supporting dual stand-by functionality.

What was a key highlight of the Redmi Note 2 at its release?

A key highlight of the Redmi Note 2 at its release was its powerful MediaTek Helio X10 octa-core processor, which offered excellent performance for a smartphone in its price segment.