If you think the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will be a very expensive phone, you may want to look for cheaper options, and at that screen size, the Xiaomi Note 2 Redmire could be one of the best options. Now photos have appeared in which you can see its metallic finish design, almost identical to that of the Meizu MX5, something that reopens the debate on inspiration among manufacturers.
A very similar design
The photograph below clearly shows the complete resemblance, and it's probably not a coincidence. We don't know exactly which design is inspired by the other, but the fact is that the resemblance is undeniable. The main difference is in the fingerprint reader, which is present in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2. However, it is not that the Meizu MX5 does not have said reader, but rather that the latter is integrated into the front, in the Home button of the mobile, in the style of the iPhone 6, while in the case of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 it is in the back cover.
If we go into physical detail, the Redmi Note 2 moves around the 152 x 76 x 8,3 mm and some 160 gr, Whereas the Meizu MX5 opt for a slimmer body of approximately 149,9 x 74,7 x 7,6 mm y 149 grThe Meizu also boasts 5,5 ″ AMOLED panel with great frontal use, while the Xiaomi offers 5,5″ IPS with resolution Full HDThe similarity of lines is clear, but the ergonomics and thickness slightly favor the thinner and lighter MX5.
A mid-range mobile
Even so, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 won't be a direct rival to the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, not by a long shot. That title, in reality, would go to the Xiaomi Mi Note and Mi Note Pro, phones that are high-end. And this Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 will arrive in Two versions, one that will be cheaper and will be basic range, something logical due to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor, and another that will be mid-range as it has the processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 615, and it will be the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 Pro. However, the rest of its specifications make it a pretty good phone. It will have a 5,5-inch Full HD display and 2 GB of RAM, as well as a 13-megapixel main camera and a 5-megapixel front camera. Its launch is imminent, and with these photos, we could almost say it's just a matter of weeks away.
Expanding with reference data compared to the Meizu MX5: the Redmi Note 2 equips a set that has been seen with 2 GB of RAM y 16 / 32 GB storage with microSD, battery around 3.060 mAh, FM radio, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and LTE with common bands (1/3/7/38/39/40/41). The rear camera of 13 MP with PDAF and HDR record to 1080p. For its part, the Meizu MX5 raises the bar with 20,7 SM, laser focus, sensor 1 / 2,3 " y 4K video, in addition to WiFi ac dual band y Bluetooth 4.1A practical detail: the Meizu does not support microSD, while the Redmi does, which is key if you're looking to expand memory without paying more.
In software, both run their own layers. based on Android (MIUI on Xiaomi and Flyme OS on Meizu). MIUI stands out for its deep customization and frequent updates, while Flyme is committed to a minimalist design and gestures. Meizu's mTouch front fingerprint reader offers quick unlock and payment/security features, while leaks placed the Redmi's on the back for natural hand-held access.
The low range is not what it used to be
In reality, the transition to the current scenario has been taking place for some time. The first devices in the Nexus family demonstrated this commitment to offering terminals with a price/performance ratio competitive. However, it was local Chinese manufacturers who took advantage of the Asian giant's resources to offer deceptive devices: they had high-end specifications, but their prices were mid-range.
The growth of Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, Meizu and others like them has been generated thanks to that very tight quality/price ratio which allows users to enjoy high-level specifications at a much lower cost. With lower operating costs - without large physical stores and relying on guerrilla marketing and social networks - these manufacturers were gaining ground on the big ones.
This also transformed low-end devices. The Nokia Lumia 520 demonstrated how a modest device could offer a decent experience, and soon rivals would emerge. Those proposals, designed for emerging markets, proved that they also made sense in developed regions.
The Motorola Moto G and its constant evolutions have been benchmarks in this transformation. That's why it's no longer so clear what the low-end is: if we measure it by price (the price barrier 200 Euros as a reference), today a mobile phone below that threshold can perform much better than usual.
OnePlus, the only defender of "pure" mid-range phones
This evolution has led many manufacturers to focus on the extremes of the price spectrum. The middle range is occupied by proposals that are too often a I want to but I can not. Microsoft tried it with its Lumia 830 as a representative of a mid-range that it didn't quite come together, overshadowed by more affordable and balanced models such as the 640/640 XL, very close to that psychological barrier.
One of the few worth mentioning in that range is the OnePlus 2, and its predecessor OnePlus One, which offered high-end features at a reasonable price. And that brings us to the dawn of a new segment which clarifies the evolution of the market.
Welcome to the super mid-range
The term has been promoted by MediaTek with SoCs designed for a New Generation of devices: a step above the low-end range, without reaching the price of the traditional average. If we limit it by price, this range is between 120 and 200 (and a little) euros, where surprising launches are taking place.
El Xiaomi Note 2 Redmire exemplifies this category along with options such as M or certain Lumia: mobile phones that go enough for most, with good cameras, remarkable performance and careful designs. Paying high-end prices has become a problem for many whim, especially when functions such as the fingerprint sensor and fast charge are democratized.
For those looking for one large screen, good autonomy and expandable memory, the Redmi Note 2 offers a balance that's hard to beat; if you prioritize the camera, AMOLED panel, and front-facing reader, the Meizu MX5 represents that step up in level without raising the price as much as in the premium range.
