Budget tech: Xiaomi Redmi Note 7

Flagship phones are expensive. That’s because they are equipped with the latest and greatest hardware currently on the market. But Xiaomi has built a reputation around producing flagship killers at affordable prices. One such example is the Redmi Note 7, which was launched in January.

It features a teardrop shaped 6.3-inch display (1080p), 4000mAh battery and 48MP + 5MP AI dual rear camera. Flagship specs on the surface, but internally, things are a lot more mediocre. The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 AIE octa-core chip, 3GB/4GB RAM. And depending on configuration, storage options range from 32GB to 128GB. Performance is decent.

If you want the best experience possible, 3GB RAM and 32GB of storage isn’t going to cut it. Opt for higher ram and storage, then you will be rewarded with almost flawless performance. The same thinking applies to the camera. The 48MP rear shooter is what you want, anything less than that, will ruin the experience.

Appearances can be deceiving, and the lesser Redmi Note 7, the one with 3GB RAM, will seem fast at first. But trust us, because in time, intermittent stuttering and app crashes will become more frequent. The same can be said about the 13MP rear camera, which produces shots that are less detailed and vibrant.

If you would like to know more about the specifications, click here. But as a whole, the Redmi Note 7 is incredible value for money. Xiaomi may have cut some corners to to keep the price down, but it did enough to make the device an actual contender.