Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note series earlier this year with the Redmi Note 5 and the Redmi Note 5 Pro where the Redmi Note 5 was a budget-centric device while the premium Redmi Note 5 Pro was a performance-centric device. Talking about the Xiaomi Redmi Y2, it was released as a selfie-centric device. Both the products of Xiaomi falls exactly side by side in the terms of pricing and most of the specifications. Let us compare the two head to head and compare which is the better pick for your money.
Design & Build
Although both the phones look quite similar and are based on almost the same design language. Both of them have physically different sizes with the Redmi Y2 being a slightly taller and slightly wider device, which means there is an increase in the bezel size of the device. The Redmi Y2 and the Redmi Note 5 looks almost the same, especially with the front side. On the rear, the Redmi Y2 takes inspiration to the more powerful version of the Redmi Note 5 the Redmi Note 5 Pro.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is built with a more premium unibody metal build, while on the other hand, the Redmi Y2 comes with a plastic build. This makes the Redmi Note 5 look and feels premium whereas the Redmi Y2 feels cheap in hand when compared to the Redmi Note 5. Both the phones look premium. The Y2 having a smaller battery size feel light in hand and especially the build material also help to keep it light. The Redmi Note 5 feels heavy on the bottom due to the large 4000 mAh battery.
Display
Viewing angles on the Redmi Note 5 is much better than the Redmi Y2. The Redmi Note 5 uses the same display as that of the Redmi Note 5 Pro which makes it much better for the device. The Redmi Note 5’s display also comes with better saturation and contrast levels, while the contrast and saturation of the Redmi Y2 are also great but lacks with respect to the other better quality display.
Performance
Redmi Note 5 and the Redmi Y2 both shares the same processor the Snapdragon 625, which makes it head to head at least for the performance comparison. Both the devices comes with a 3GB & 32GB RAM & internal storage option, and even with a 4GB & ^$GB RAM & Internal Storage option. Performance of both the products are head to head and performs similarly.
Both the phones are easily having a battery life of more than a day, at the end of the day on the Redmi Note 5 you get a battery of around 40% while on the Redmi Y2 you get around 25 – 30%. This type of battery is only possible when you are using the phone for calling purpose and normal social media. If you use the phone like a maniac then you are going to have a hard time keeping the phone alive the whole day long.
Camera
The Redmi Note 5 comes with a single 12MP shooter at the back while the Redmi Y2 comes with a dual 12MP + 5MP shooter. The extra rear camera on the phone gives it a better option in terms of bokeh effects and other wide angle shots. Both the phone produces almost similar effects in landscape and natural shots. It is the bokeh shots where the Redmi Y2 excels. Even the Redmi Y2 have AI Enabled which gives its images a better sharpening that we find on the Redmi Note 5.
On the front camera, the Redmi Note 5 comes with a 5MP shooter where the Redmi Y2 uses a 16MP front. The bigger front camera enables us to get better images in low light and especially via the portrait mode. AI is enabled even on the front camera which makes the front camera images of the Redmi Y2 look much softer and much better in terms of contrasts and colors.
Pricing
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is priced at 9999 INR for the 3GB & 32GB Variant and comes in four different colors Black, Gold, Rose Gold, and Lake Blue. The higher RAM and internal storage variants come for INR 11,999 with the same color pallet. The Redmi Y2 is offered for the same price in the same configurations, but the Y2 is offered for three different colors options which are Elegant Gold, Rose Gold, and Dark Grey.
Verdict
The Redmi Note 5 device which can perform all the daily tasks. The Redmi Y2, on the other hand, is featured as a camera-centric device on a budget. The device excels mostly in the camera department, but the screen and build quality is a downside on the Redmi Y2. Which device will be you be taking with you out of the two? Do let us know in the comment section below. If you are still confused do take a look at the review of the Xiaomi Redmi Y2 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5.