Gauntlet: iPhone 6 Plus vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note

The iPhone 6 Plus is the current “it” phablet in the market today. It has the size and specs that command attention. Its price, however, has sparked something in us. What if there’s a handset out there that can give you a great smartphone/phablet experience without punching a noticeable hole in your wallet?

Our quest had us size up other brands’ units with the iPhone 6. Now, it’s the iPhone 6 Plus’ turn. From flagships to more midrange offerings, we’ve trimmed our list to a few select devices, and the Redmi Note is one of them. Xiaomi has been infamous for offering decent specs at really low prices, and this midrange phablet is no exception. Let’s see how it stacks against Apple’s phablet under the categories below.

Size

The Redmi Note is a hefty phablet. It’s shorter than the 6 Plus by a full 4 millimeters, but wider and thicker than Apple’s flagship device. It’s also noticeably heavier by around 20 grams. You’ll definitely feel the weight of it in your hand or in your pants pocket. For users with smaller hands, the added width and weight might make it a little cumbersome to operate.

Performance

Make no mistake, Apple’s hardware and software specs dominate in this round. The Redmi Note runs on an octa-core MediaTek processor paired with a Mali graphics chip, which makes it run MIUI and several games pretty well. However, the Redmi Note still runs on Jelly Bean, with no word from Xiaomi if it will have an official update.

Battery Life

The Redmi Note wins this round, thanks to its 3,200 mAh battery. The 6 Plus runs on 2,915 mAh which is pretty decent for a smartphone, until you factor in the display it needs to power. Simply put, Apple’s display draws more power from the battery, and the fact that most non-phablet smartphones in the market already have close to their capacity and have lower specs. Regardless of handset you prefer, it’s never a bad idea to pack a powerbank for emergencies.

User Interface

The Redmi Note runs MIUI, their homegrown operating system that is skinned on top of Android Jellybean. It does help you forget that the platform is outdated. It also does away with the app drawer, similar to iOS. If you’re an Apple user and want to slowly get around to experiencing the Android operating system, then Xiaomi’s MIUI helps out a lot. However, iOS 8.1 is still a very user-friendly interface to have, just because the hardware is tailored to its software.

Image Quality

In a numbers comparison, the Redmi Note wins in the megapixel count. 13 megapixels is no small matter, and Xiaomi’s track record with smartphone cameras has been great so far. It has good contrast and acceptable focus and shoot times, but like many an Android device, it suffers in low light conditions. The iPhone 6 Plus has an 8 megapixel rear shooter, and Apple’s track record for their cameras has always been well-received, with this flagship phablet being no exception. The Redmi Note might win the numbers game, but the 6 Plus takes better overall photos regardless of lighting conditions.

Durability

The iPhone 6 Plus wins, thanks to its aluminum body. The Redmi Note has a plastic back cover, and it’s the type that retains the oil from your hands, making it feel slick to the touch. Getting a bumper case for both phablets will be your best option here, given their size.

Cost

The iPhone 6 Plus starts at P44,500. As usual, you pay a premium for a premium product. The Redmi Note, however, starts at P9,850. Apple doesn’t hold a candle to the Redmi Note.

Verdict

Despite the incredible price difference, the iPhone 6 Plus wins with its premium features. The Redmi’s bulkiness and outdated software knocks it off the competition. That isn’t to say that the Redmi is a weak device. For its price point, it definitely excels, as expected from the third largest smartphone manufacturer in the world.