The Xiaomi Redmi Y2 brings considerable improvements over its predecessor
“The Xiaomi Redmi Y2 brings considerable improvements over its predecessor”
With the Redmi Y2 out in the market now, understandably, not many will consider going for the Redmi Y1 ( review). This upgraded model is actually an Indian variant of the Redmi S2, which is available for purchase in China. Compared to the Y1, some minor changes have gone into the specifications, but what remains the same is that both handsets have been promoted by the brand as selfie phones with high-resolution front cameras. Pricing-wise too, things haven’t changed much. If you’re looking to buy the new Redmi Y2, this comparison will help you know how much it has changed over its precursor, the Y1.
Screen size is the biggest differentiating factor between the two handsets. While the Y1 came with a 5.5-inch panel, the Y2 has been launched with a 5.99-inch display. Adhering to the trend of having taller displays, the new handset has adopted an 18:9 panel, which brings its resolution to 720 x 1440 pixels (HD+). In comparison, the Y1 features a 16:9 display with the traditional 720 x 1280 pixels resolution.
If cameras are to be looked at, then the Redmi Y2 grabs a huge upgrade with its dual camera setup. Instead of the 13MP single camera on the Redmi Y1, the new model kicks in a 12MP snapper with gyro-EIS and a 5MP secondary camera for offering portrait effects. This assembly enables the phone to deliver real-time bokeh effects, among other things.
The overall appearance has changed quite a bit due to the different placement of antenna lines for both these phones.
The Redmi Y2 gets updated internals as well, even as it goes for the slightly more powerful Snapdragon 625 chipset, instead of the Y1’s admirable Snapdragon 435 SoC. This gives it the benefits of a 2GHz octa-core processor and an Adreno 506 GPU. The Redmi Y2 comes pre-installed with MIUI 9.5 which grabs several new features including a few AI camera additions. Although the Y1 does not have the same software, an update for it will be released in the near future.
Both these dual SIM phones feature plastic shells, but let out premium vibes due to their shiny surfaces. Their fingerprint scanners are rear-mounted, whereas the flash modules on the front and back are also the same. They have been blessed with the same 16MP front camera, which is quite rarely spotted in the price segment. RAM and storage have also been kept unchanged by Xiaomi. The 32GB storage models come with 3GB of RAM, while the 64GB variants ship with 4GB of RAM. Both the phones hold on to dedicated microSD card slots that do not interfere with the second SIM slot.
Xiaomi has also used the same battery on both of these phones. It’s a 3080mAh unit which should be enough to get the device to last for an entire day.
Xiaomi has done well to update the Redmi Y1 effectively. The Redmi Y2 is a phone that’s specifically targeted towards selfie enthusiasts. Its dual camera setup and its taller display are two more factors that enhance its appeal further. All these features make it a strong smartphone, especially at the handset’s affordable price.
