Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Review: Not Cheap; Inexpensive

Introduction

Xiaomi took the Singapore market by storm in 2012 by introducing the original Xiaomi Redmi. At that point in point the price to performance ratio compared to the other devices was one of the best in the market. Fast forward to 2016, Xiaomi became one of the more prevalent brand in the Smartphone market for Singapore, as Xiaomi continues to delivers in terms of providing great smartphones at an affordable price.

In November 2015, Xiaomi announced and released the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3, and the product is radically different from its predecessors. With a metal construction and similar low price tag, it was sold out pretty much almost instantly the moment online orders are available. How is it like using a phone that has not come out of the China market? Read more to find out.

Availability

I would get this out of the way first. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is still not available for local purchase from Xiaomi Singapore. NUS Tech Friends contacted Xiaomi Singapore with regards to the availability of this model and unfortunately they do not have information on when the product will be available in Singapore.

Furthermore, there are also different variants of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3. There are 2 different processors, namely the MediaTeK Helios X10 (which is the same processor as the Redmi Note 2), and the Snapdragon 650. Each processor also have 2 different types; the standard version with 2GB RAM and 16GB of storage, and the enhanced version with 3GB RAM and 32GB of storage. The one we are reviewing is the 3GB RAM MediaTeK model.

Lastly, certain suppliers also added some software into the original ROM, so there are also some differences when purchasing from retailers. Our Redmi Note 3 comes from NEW STAR ELECTRONICS in Lazada, and ours came rooted and with Google Play Store (which is absent in the China ROM), so do take note when purchasing export sets.

Hardware

This is the area which Xiaomi amped up quite a bit for the Redmi Note line. Rather than sticking with plastic like the previous model, they went with the metal route by providing a metal construction, and it feels really nice. The phone felt really nicely built, the buttons have nice feedback when pressed, and the 164g weight gives the user assurance when held.

Doing the hardware roll call; right contains the buttons, left contains the dual-MicroSIM slot, top contains one microphone one IR blaster and 3.5mm headphone jack, below contains the MicroUSB 2.0 port and another microphone. The back has the 13MP Camera, LED flash, a speaker with very wide grills and a circular fingerprint sensor, and the front contains the proximity sensor, 5MP front camera, earpiece, 3 capacitive buttons, a notification LED and the 5.5inch 1080p screen. Note that a microSD slot and removable battery is not found, which is a prominent feature in its predecessor.

EDIT: The Snapdragon version of the device have a dual-purpose SIM slot, with either another SIM card or a microSD slot. However on our version it only accepts SIM cards.

Let us zoom in on one of the more advertised new features; the fingerprint sensor. I personally tried it and it is really fast and accurate. Although it is not as fast as the iPhone 6S (which is almost too fast in my opinion), it is definitely not slow at all. I could also just rest my index finger on top of the sensor instead of pressing the power button to unlock the device. However like other fingerprint sensors, it does not work when my finger is wet, other than that I would say 10 out of 10 for the fingerprint sensor. If you do not mind sharing your fingerprint to your phone, this is a very nice security feature indeed.

Overall, the hardware of this phone is stellar. For a low-price tag this phone pretty much nails it.

Specifications

Like I mentioned before, this model is the 32GB 3GB RAM MediaTeK Helio X10 version. Note that the processor is exactly the same as the one on Redmi Note 2, so the performance improvement from the Note 2 would be mainly from the upgrade in RAM if you opted for it.

Screen wise it is a 5.5 inch 1080p IPS LCD display, with some enhancements to help in sunlight readability. While the screen is definitely readable, the colours are pretty much gone under sunlight, so while reading maps and Facebook are still possible, watching videos will not be as good of an experience.

Colour accuracy is also good. Although the blacks could be darker and the colours could be a bit more vibrant, the brightness settings are surprisingly versatile, and could be very bright or dim depending on the usage scenario.

Performance

With the same processor as the Redmi Note 2, I definitely do not expect much from the performance stand-point. While I am indeed not blown away by the performance, it is definitely good enough for daily use.

On performance mode, AnTuTu returned a value of 49,000, which is on par with many other mid-rangers in the market. Epic Citadel, which is my go-to app for graphic testings, gives a satisfactory 53FPS for performance mode and an underwhelming 34.1FPS in Ultra High Quality mode.

At the end of the day though, the Redmi Note 3 zips through daily tasks like many other phones out there. It handled all the games I throw at it with relative ease if the game is compatible with the phone. Note that as this processor is not as well supported as the processors from Samsung and Qualcomm. Sometimes do expect some of the games to have some bugs.

Gaming is not too bad

Do note that there is also the Snapdragon 650 version of the Redmi Note 3, and current reports shows that performance on that device is very impressive, so what I say here might not apply depending on which version Xiaomi Singapore brings to us first.

Software

Uncanny Resemblance?

 

MIUI 7 is on top of Android 5.0.2 on our device. In the past when I used MIUI, I felt that the launcher looks remarkably similar to a particular fruit phone. That has not changed in the default theme. That does not mean you need to stick to it; more on that later.

Ignoring that aesthetics resemblance, there are some notable traits of the user interface. The first is the absence of an application drawer in the launcher which may disturb some people, which I personally do not mind. If you want an application drawer, there is always the option of downloading another launcher, because it is still fundamentally Android.

MIUI literally changed every single visual of Android, such as settings, launcher, and notification bar. This is because of the comprehensive theme engine. Unlike most manufacturers’ theming engine which only applies in the launcher, MIUI’s iteration has the theme changes all the UI elements. The eventual product is something that is aesthetically pleasing and cohesive.

Moving on, there is one feature I really like about this phone; the infrared sensor. The sensor is used by the Mi Remote app to control home electronics, and I am pleasantly surprise by its performance. The device pretty much handled all my home electronics that I throw at it, even the AKAI CRT TV which is still working in my house.

As this phone is rather large in size, the Redmi Note 3 has the nifty gesture activate one-handed mode. This is similar to other manufacturers’ implementation in the sense that it will make all the UI elements move to the left or right depending on how the phone is swiped. The screen size of this mode is also configurable, although it is confined to 3 settings (3.5, 4.0 and 4.5).

Other than this however, there are no productivity features that uses the 5.5 inch screen to its fullest potential, namely the lack of multi-screen support. Personally for phones, I would hope to at least have 2 apps running at the same time. Furthermore, with 3GB of RAM on my model, the lack of this feature makes me felt that this phone missed some opportunities here.

A side note is that the phone does not work terribly well with my LG G Watch, as when I linked my G Watch to the phone, it takes 5 seconds for the watch to listen to me, and another 5 seconds to read my statement. It is definitely not the watch’s problem as it was fine with my other devices, so perhaps it might be the MIUI that is hampering the performance. So for those 10 of you with an Android Wear Smartwatch, this is something to keep in mind as well.

I have some problems with notification updates as well, as sometimes the app refuses to push notifications at all. Once I have 100+ unread messages on my WhatsApp simply because the device did not notify me of the incoming message. This is not only true for WhatsApp, Facebook and Carousell also had the same problem. My guess is something to do with the RAM management being too aggressive. This is easily solvable by a software update, and with MIUI’s proactive stance in terms of updates, I would not be so worried about this problem.

App compatibility is also a hit-and-miss. Certain apps just simply do not work properly. Common titles such as Facebook and WhatsApp do work, Carousell crashes out every time I look at a particular item, and the Google Play Store which was pre-installed on my devices also crashes out sometimes.

Lastly, the phone has a lot of Chinese services available, such as Baidu for music, and Xunlei for app acceleration. This is a minor peeve for those waiting for the local version as these will probably get removed, however for those who want to import the phone in, this is another area to consider.

Suitable for elderly

Overall, I find the software experience to be very good if we ignore the fact that this phone is an import set. When the kinks of the devices are ironed out and a local version is available, I believe this will improve. In the current state though, it could be improved.

Camera

The Camera on this version of the Redmi Note 3 comes with a 13MP sensor, which is reportedly the same shooter as the Redmi Note 2. The Snapdragon Redmi Note 3 is shipped with a different 16MP sensor, so performance might also differ from my device.

Overall, this is a very average camera in my opinion. Outdoor shots can look really nice with nice sharpness and white balance. The colours do get overly saturated sometimes, although the result usually looks very pleasing. Where it shows its “middle-of-the-road” performance is the indoor shots, which is full of noise when lighting is not ideal. This is a common problem with Smartphone cameras and the Redmi Note 3 is no exception.

Front Camera is also average at 5MP, and the back camera is capable of 1080p video footage, so no 4K for people into those.

Battery

This is where the Redmi Note 3 spanks the competition. I was unable to kill the phone in 1 day even after heavy use.

The 4000mAh battery inside is considered monstrous for its size, and it shows in the battery life quite well. With at least 4.5 hours screen on time, it is pretty much guaranteed to last the whole day. In fact over the 7 days of usage, half of the time it has 5 hours, which is a very impressive figure. Although the battery is sealed in unlike its predecessor, I would take the better battery life for a removable battery any day.

Furthermore, there are some battery management tools as well, such as power scheduling, which automatically switches the phone on and off at different times of the day, and performance manager, which allow the performance to be limited in exchange for battery life. The figures I got above is in Performance mode, so expect longer battery life on Balanced mode.

What is a bummer is the charging time. Due to its ginormous battery, the phone takes excruciatingly long to charge. The absence of latest Quick Charge standards meant that the current going into the phone is very limited. Expect to wait at least 2.5 hours for the phone to be charged to the maximum.

At the end of the day, although the battery is really good, do not expect the phone to last the whole day with 30minutes of charge.

Conclusion

With the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3, it seems that the company had ushered in a new age, which is similar in the way as Samsung. They started to care more about aesthetics build quality, and that is good direction to be in.

However, for those who treasure their removable battery and microSD slot, it is perfectly fine to stick with the Note 2, as it is noted that they have the same processor package, and improvements will be marginal at best.

If you are an explorer and do not mind the kinks of the device, the Redmi Note 3 is perfectly fine to import from China. It is also possible to load a local ROM when the local version is released. Note that some tinkering is required to load in Google services, as some China sets do not have those.

For the remaining populace, I highly recommend to wait for Xiaomi Singapore to bring in the Redmi Note 3. It is noted that the Note 3 is slightly more expensive than the Note 2 in China, and the trend should be the same in Singapore. However even at a slightly higher price, I believe that this device sets the bar of an entry-level handset, and it will probably remain unrivaled when it comes to Singapore.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is not cheap, it is inexpensive; excellent build quality, fast fingerprint sensor, and decent performance for a justifiable price tag. Coupling with the excellent battery performance, there is not much to dislike about the Redmi Note 3. This phone might perhaps usher in a new age of entry level smartphones. 

Remarks

All photos of the device are taken by my LG G Flex 2 as usual, and any question feel free to email us at nustechfriends@gmail.com. Have a nice day people. 🙂

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Review: Before Samsung’s Revolution

Introduction

First thing’s first, this is not my own Galaxy Note 4. The reason why I got this is because my dad got himself a Galaxy Note 5, and he handed it over to me as he no longer has a use for it. For me, I am planning to sell it away to another person, but for now might as well write a review for isn’t it?

The Galaxy Note 4 is particularly interesting. In 2015, most phones from Samsung do not come with a removable battery and storage expansion. This includes the S6, Note 5 and the A series. In a sense, Note 4 is the very last phone before the transition to this new era from Samsung. So join me as I take a look as what is possibly the best in 2014, and see how it fares in 2016.

Hardware

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 does lose out in aesthetics compared to other devices such as the Note 5; however I would say that this device’s designs are extremely practical.

First thing is the removable back cover which reveals the battery and microSD card slot when removed.  The back-cover is made of plastic which have a leather-like texture which I actually dig quite a bit. Compared to glossy finishes from glass or plastics, this is less susceptible to fingerprints, and that is a good thing for those who do not like to wipe their phone a lot.

Other than the back cover, the sides are made of metal. The good news is that it feels very sturdy and nicely built. The bad news is that when dropped, the phone is prone to dinks and dents. The chamfered edges also are prone to scratching, and the micro-USB port is extremely prone to scratching after about a few months of use. This is especially so for my dad’s usage, so that is something to keep in mind.

Other than that, the phone’s set-up is nothing out of the ordinary; power button on the right, volume button on the left, earphone jack on the top and micro-USB port at the bottom. Bottom of the device also contains a thing exclusive to the Galaxy Note line, which is the S pen. I will come back to that later.

At the front is the screen, the front facing camera, a multi-colour LED notification light and the 3 buttons. 2 of them are capacitive and 1 home button which also house the fingerprint sensor. Overall I find the fingerprint sensor mostly accurate, although it is rather cumbersome to use with the slightly older “slide-to-scan” of the yesteryear.

Specifications

The front contains something which I believe still could kick some butt. 5.7 inch with a resolution of 2560 by 1440 pixels meant that sharpness wise it is still keeping up easily with the market. Not that a 2K display is an absolute necessity, however for watching videos and media consumption this is something that could be very nice.

To round off the hardware package, the phone comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The RAM meant that multi-tasking is not much of an issue, and the internal storage is aplenty even without the SD card for me. The main choking point would be the last-generation processor, however that is proven to be only an issue for the most hard-core users; more on that in the performance section.

Software (Phone)

Let us say hello to Samsung’s skin, which many people call it TouchWiz although Samsung had probably ditched that name a long time ago.

First thing is the launcher itself. To be honest I do not like the look of the Samsung Launcher, however that is just personal preference so do not judge me for this. Unlike the newer Samsung S6/Note 5 the Note 4 does not come with a theme engine. It is a shame as I already updated to the latest Galaxy Note 4 firmware, and the improvements from the S6/Note 5 did not come to the Note 4.

Second thing is the multi-tasking capabilities. Samsung is the pioneer in terms of multi-tasking on a phone, and Samsung’s Note 4 is literally that on steroid. Other than the now-famous dual screen mode, there are also small windows for the other apps alongside the dual-screen. To be honest, although I could see the potential if someone learn how to do this, I believe most people would not use this feature much at all. This is even truer for those who are not really into technology, as my dad rarely uses all these functions.

Not-so useful features everywhere

There are many other things too, such as using the Heart-Rate Monitor at the back, the left-most side of the launcher configurable with Flipboard, sliding palm to capture a screenshot and many more.  Not that these functions are bad, it is just that an average user do not really use these functions a lot. So most people would only use this phone like many other phones anyway, except the fact that it have a very nice and large screen.

Software (S-Pen)

We come to another power-user feature, namely the S-Pen. I asked my dad whether he had used the S-Pen at all. He totally did not. So during my times of selling the device, I decided to go for a test run with the S-Pen.

For the S-Pen testing, I decided to work on some textbook exercises for my upcoming Mathematical Analysis module regarding set-notations. I did some questions and used the digitiser and S-Pen for about an hour, so although this is not exactly a real-world test, it at least can tell me about the good and bad of the S-Pen itself.

My not very good penmanship.

 

First thing’s first, I really liked that I can write very comfortably with the device. As the size is about the size of a pocket notebook (which is why the note name existed), I could write it the way I use a small notebook. Putting it on the table is also very nice. Larger screens tend to have the problem of dealing with palm rejections; however on the Note I can simply rest my palm on the table-top and write rather naturally. I could see myself using this device to do some quick scribbles of my exercises, and that says something about how useful a Note device could be for me.

However, like many other styluses, writing still felt like a stylus on a glass rather than a pen on a paper. Furthermore, I find myself holding the button to enable eraser mode, only to bring up additional menus instead. For me this is rather counter-intuitive. These are only minor gripes though, and I could see myself owning one of these Note devices and use these for my school-work.

I guess this portion could also apply to the Note 5 as well, and as Note 5 contains other enhancements, the experience will be further improved. For pure-writing though, the Note 4 is a joy to use.

Note that I say “for pure writing” only (this pun is TOTALLY not intentional). I felt that the other features are similar to other functions of the Note 4; too complicated for the average users. Many power-users will be able to do very nice things with the device as the potential is really off-the-charts. However for the non-tech heads, the stylus is just either a writing tool, or the stylus will be tugged away at the corner and pretty much forgotten after the first few months of novelty.

Performance

To test whether the phone is outdated, I mainly used 2 benchmarks. Firstly is AnTuTu, which judge the overall capabilities of the device, I would say that although it fell short of the latest and greatest, it is not slow at all. At about 60,000, it is about 25% slower than the Galaxy Note 5, and about 15% slower than other devices running Snapdragon 810 (such as my LG G-Flex 2 which got 73,000). However it is still way ahead compared to many other devices in the market.

The graphics capabilities are tested using the Epic Citadel benchmark test. I would be using this test for all my reviews from now on to test gaming capabilities, and this is where the bottleneck happened. It ran on a perfect FPS of close to 60 on both Speed and High-Quality mode; however switching up to Ultra-High Quality the frame-rates distinctly dropped to 28frames per second. Compared to the G Flex 2’s 53 and my dad’s Galaxy Note 5 43, it really fell short. The above could be possibly explained by having to push more pixels, however it is clear that the performance is no longer a top-dog status.

That does not mean that the performance is bad. Daily use I rarely had any stutters and lag (and that is a given for most devices anyway), launch times are beyond acceptable, and gaming performance is also good enough for me. However as games becomes more and more demanding, it is unclear when the signs of age could be seen on the Note 4. However again for the average joes, the phone’s performance have nothing much to complaint about. The above benchmarking tools are just for the sake of comparisons with the current top dogs.

Camera

I am not into photography, so my reviews of these tend to be very layman. Personally, I would say this though, the camera of this is brilliant. Low-light wise it could struggle a bit, however the results are still pretty pleasing.

Battery

I would say that my battery experiences are quite inaccurate for a new device. As I mentioned before, this phone is about a year old, so the battery is no longer as long lasting as before, so take these results with a pinch of salt.

Screen on time is about 3 to 3.5 hours of Screen on Time depending on intensity of usage. Considering that the battery is a year old, these results are right around average. However the benefits of a removable battery meant that I could swap the battery for a new one and the battery life would also likely improve. Coupling with quick-charging that could charge the phone in slightly more than an hour, the device is a pleasant to use with regards to battery life.

Conclusion

With the Note 5 not having the removable battery and SD card slot, this makes the Note 4 the last member of the Note series to have these features. Although the Note 4 is about 15 months old, I believe that the Note 4 is still a really good product to get even in 2016.

In terms of specifications, we are reaching the point of diminishing returns. The Note 4 still performs admirably in terms of daily usage, such as web-browsing and watching videos. The Epic Citadel tests clearly shows that the Note 4 will probably be bogged down in the future, however from the games I tried playing, it was on-par with the competition. In the current state, the Note 4’s performance is still really good.

Although a Note 4 is still pretty expensive to buy for a brand-new set, one could easily purchase a second-handed Note 4 for a pretty good price of below SGD 500.

So at the end of the day, for those who wants to have a stylus on their phone to write on, still wants the removable battery and SD card support, the Note 4 is still a pretty solid buy. Just do not expect it to be as future-proof as the Note 5. If you choose to buy a Note 4 in 2016, you would be a rather happy customer.