The best feature on a smartphone in our opinion isn’t one of the more flashier ones that you’ll barely end up using like superzoom ability for the camera, it is value in terms of ratio of performance and specifications to price paid. And in that ‘weight class’ few if any smartphones punches harder than Xiaomi’s Redmi Note Pro. This pocketable (164 x 76.5 x 8.1mm; 193g) smartphone packs an almost phablet-esque 6.67″ AMOLED DotDisplay (2400 x 1080 FHD+; 395 PPI) that makes media consumption a treat and mobile gaming, especially thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate.
Speaking of snappy, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G mobile processor that boasts a Qualcomm Adreno 618 GPU and is built on 8nm processing technology also keeps things fast and smooth while running apps, multitasking, and navigating Android 11 with its MIUI 12 overlay. Also assisting in this regard is the smartphone’s 6 GB LPDDR4X RAM and snappy (UFS 2.2) 128 GB onboard storage.
In terms of optics, the Redmi Note Pro also doesn’t make compromises as you get a 16MP selfie shooter, coupled with a 108MP wide-angle camera on the back supported by a 8MP ultra-wide angle camera, 5MP telemacro camera, and 2MP depth sensor. While super-high megapixel counts often don’t translate into better photos, this combination of cameras fairs well (coupled with the software options for photography enthusiasts) in all conditions, even in low-light conditions.
The software camera options include an improved night mode as well as long exposure mode with six effects (Moving crowd, Oil painting, Neon trails, Light painting, Starry sky, Star trails), enabling a great dollop of photographical creativity to be tapped from the snapper setup. You can also record up to 4K (3840×2160) videos at 30fps using the rear cameras or full HD videos at 30 to 60 fps using the selfie shooter at the front.
In terms of additional features, you get a very sizable 5020 mAh high-capacity battery, which will get you through a full working day, even with 120 Hz mode enabled. Heavy or power users can also rest assured that this smartphone and its charger supports 33W fast charging, meaning that you can top up that massive battery in around an hour. Also onboard is a increasingly uncommon 3.5 mm audio jack for your old-school earphones, which audiophiles will appreciate, along with IP53 splash, water, and dust resistance for the clumsy among us (see through cover was also included in our retail box).
All of this comes to you at a recommended retail price of just R5499 which is a literal midrange powerhouse bargain, with few competitors able to match that price to spec bang ratio. If you are considering a new smartphone as an Xmas gift or upgrade/replacement unit at that price range, then Xiaomi’s Redmi Note Pro is hard to beat and easy to recommend.
