Review Xiaomi Red Rice (Hongmi) - official MIUI smartphone based on MTK. First among equals: review of the android smartphone Xiaomi Red Rice Xiaomi red rice
General characteristics
A type
Determining the type of device (phone or smartphone?) Is quite simple. If you need a simple and inexpensive device for calls and SMS, it is recommended to opt for a telephone. A smartphone is more expensive, but it offers a wide variety of options: games, video, Internet, thousands of programs for all occasions. However, its battery life is significantly shorter than that of a simple phone.
smartphone operating system (at the beginning of sales) Android 4.3 Body type classic Body material plastic Office touch buttons Number of SIM-cards 2 SIM card type
In modern smartphones, not only ordinary SIM cards can be used, but also their more compact versions of micro SIM and nano SIM. eSIM is a SIM card integrated into the phone. It takes up almost no space and does not require a separate tray for installation. ESIM is not yet supported in Russia. Glossary of terms by category Mobile phones
common Mode of operation of multiple SIM-cards variable Weight 158 \u200b\u200bg Dimensions (WxHxT) 69x137x10 mmScreen
Screen type color IPS, touch Touch screen type multitouch, capacitive Diagonal 4.7 inches. Image size 1280x720 Pixels Per Inch (PPI) 312 Aspect ratio 16:9 Automatic screen rotation there isMultimedia capabilities
Number of main (rear) cameras 1 Main (rear) camera resolution 8 MP Rear flash Main (rear) camera functions autofocus Video recording there is Max. video resolution 1920x1080 Front-camera yes, 1.6 MP Audio MP3, FM radio Headphone jack 3.5 mmCommunication
GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G standard Interfaces
Almost all modern smartphones have Wi-Fi and USB interfaces. Bluetooth and IRDA are less common. Wi-Fi is used to connect to the internet. USB is used to connect the phone to a computer. Many phones also have Bluetooth. It is used to connect wireless headphoneto connect your phone to wireless speakers and transfer files. A smartphone equipped with an IRDA interface can be used as a universal remote control.
Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, USB Satellite navigation
Built-in GPS and GLONASS modules allow you to determine the coordinates of the phone using signals from satellites. In the absence of GPS, a modern smartphone can determine its own location using signals from base stations cellular operator. However, finding coordinates based on signals from satellites is usually much more accurate.
GPS A-GPS system isMemory and processor
CPU
Modern phones and smartphones usually use special processors - SoC (System on Chip, system on a chip), which, in addition to the processor itself, are located graphics core, memory controller, controller of input-output devices, etc. Therefore, the processor largely determines the set of functions and performance of the device. Glossary of terms by category Mobile phones
Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8228, 1600 MHz Number of processor cores 4 Adreno 305 video processor Built-in memory 8 GB Volume random access memory 1 GB Memory card slot yes, up to 32 GBFood
Battery type Li-Ion Battery capacity 2000 mAh Battery removable Charging connector type micro-USBOther functions
Control voice dialing, voice control Flight mode is Sensors illumination, approximation, gyroscope, compass Flashlight yes USB-host yesAdditional Information
Features: WCDMA version - Qualcomm MSM8228 processor, CDMA version - Qualcomm MSM8628 processorBefore buying, check with the seller for specifications and configuration.
In mid-2013, Xiaomi presented its first budget smartphone - Xiaomi Red Rice (Xiaomi Hongmi). Due to the frenzied popularity of the device, almost a year later, the company decided to release an almost identical device only with a different processor - Red Rice 1S. At the heart of the Xiaomi Red Rice 1S is a 4-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400.
Features Xiaomi Red Rice 1S
Appearance and assembly of Xiaomi Red Rice 1S
The appearance of the smartphone is not of particular interest. The front panel in black has a protective coating (according to some data AGC Dragontrail Glass, according to others Corning Gorilla Glass 2). The screen has an oleophobic coating, which allows you to achieve good sliding of your fingers. Thanks to this coating, fingerprints are easily rubbed off. Under the screen are three touch-sensitive keys "menu", "home" and "back". The touch keys are not backlit. Above the screen is a 1.6MP front camera, earpiece, light and proximity sensors.
Of the shortcomings, I would point out a huge, at the present time, framework. Despite the fact that the diagonal of the smartphone is 4.7 inches, it is similar in size to 5-inch smartphones. In spite of big size body and solid thickness, the device is equipped with a battery of only 2000 mAh.
The back cover is made of matte plastic, but all dirt and fingerprints are clearly visible on it. In the lower part back side there is a company logo, and at the top there is an 8MP main camera and a single-section flash.
Above the main camera is a hole for a second microphone, and on the right is an external speaker grill.
On the right side there is a power key and paired volume buttons. The left side is left empty.
On the upper end, the manufacturer has placed a headset connector, and on the bottom - a connector for charging and connecting to a microUSB computer and the main microphone.
The LED indicator is located under the center home key, and in the settings you can choose one of seven colors for each event.
The device fits well in the hand, however, despite the 4.7-inch screen diagonal, it cannot be called compact. The dimensions of the device are 137 x 69mm with a thickness of nearly 10mm and a weight of 158 grams.
Standard equipment: smartphone, charger and a microUSB cable. However, due to the popularity of the model, chinese online stores and on the aliexpress site you can find a huge number of all kinds of replaceable covers, covers and bumpers for this unit.
Xiaomi Red Rice 1s Screen
The smartphone uses a matrix with a diagonal of 4.7 inches and a resolution of 1280x720 pixels. The screen quality is not bad, although it has a number of drawbacks. The maximum screen brightness may not be sufficient in sunny weather. The screen is not made using OGS technology, therefore, the image is not always read well from a large angle. Among the advantages of the display, it is worth noting a good oleophobic coating: the finger glides well on the glass, and prints are easily rubbed off.
In the display settings, you can select the color temperature of the image. Multi-touch supports up to 10 simultaneous touches.
Xiaomi Red Rice 1S performance and benchmarks
The original version of Xiaomi Red Rice used a 4-core processor from Mediatek MTK6589T. The Hongmi 1S version is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 400 chip. At the heart of this chip is a 4-core Cortex-A7 processor with a frequency of 1.6 GHz. Adreno 305 is used as a video accelerator. Despite the fact that this processor is a mid-range solution, it is quite enough for even the most demanding games. For the tests were taken the popular racing Real Racing 3 and the beautiful shooter Modern Combat 5. Both games run flawlessly and lags.
Memory and OTG Xiaomi Red Rice 1S
The volume of the built-in storage is 8GB, and about 6GB is available to the user. The smartphone supports microSD memory cards up to 32GB. Connection to a computer is possible either as a media device or as a camera. Smartphone keeps connected external devices using an OTG cable. 
Xiaomi Red Rice 1s Battery
The battery capacity is 2000 mAh, which is a rather modest figure. However, the small screen size, coupled with not the most powerful processor, allow the smartphone to live for quite a long time. At maximum load with Wi-Fi on, a single charge lasts 3.5 hours. With an average intensity of use of the device (about 2 hours of screen operation), the smartphone will last for 2 days. I would also like to note the excellent optimization of energy consumption in the MIUI firmware. During the night, the smartphone was discharged by only 2%, which is an excellent indicator.
Xiaomi Red Rice 1s Sound
The main speaker of the smartphone is located in an unusual place - to the right of the rear camera. The sound quality is good, the volume is quite enough even for a noisy room. There is no distortion of sound at maximum volume. Sounds good in headphones, detail is good, although good player the phone will certainly not replace.
Xiaomi Red Rice 1s software features
The smartphone runs on Android 4.3 with MIUI branded shell. MIUI is rightfully considered one of the most convenient user interfaces... The main difference from pure Android is the lack of sections with installed applications. After installation, all program shortcuts go to the desktop, and removing the shortcut from the desktop removes the program. In general, the interface is user-friendly and works smoothly.
Communications and GPS Xiaomi Red Rice 1s
Unfortunately, lTE support in the smartphone is not, so we have to be content with one SIM card slot with WCDMA support and one slot for 2G.
The smartphone supports GPS and GLONASS, satellites are searched for 15-20, navigation is stable - Qualcomm is still.
Xiaomi Red Rice 1s Camera
The main 8MP camera was a pleasant surprise. Despite the budget level of the smartphone, the picture quality is decent. Even the smallest details can be seen in macro mode. HDR mode allows you to take brighter pictures in cloudy weather or when there is insufficient light. The camera app has simple and advanced modes. In simple mode, we have access to shooting modes, and in advanced mode, we can produce fine tuning and adjust sensitivity, white balance and exposure.
Sample HDR shots:
Front camera testing:
conclusions
Xiaomi continues to maintain a high level of quality. Xiaomi Hongmi 1S, although considered a budget device, compared to Mi3 and Mi4, will satisfy the needs of most users. The performance of the smartphone is enough for any daily tasks: calls, checking mail, reading, surfing. However, there will be no problems with the most modern and demanding games either.
Loud and high quality speaker
+ Good camera quality
+ The popularity of the model (a huge selection of accessories)
No OGS screen, no headroom
- Wide bezels around the screen
- Lack of key illumination
Xiaomi Red Rice, known in China as Hongmi (with a whale - red rice), is in many ways an iconic smartphone. Firstly, this is the first official MIUI smartphone based on the Mediatek chipset and at the same time with support for two SIM cards, and secondly, Red Rice has set a new bar minimum price in its class, and thirdly, for Xiaomi Red Rice was the first step in the entry-level segment. And judging by the results of sales, it is a very successful step.
Xiaomi Red Rice Specifications:
Official price: 799 yuan ($ 130)
Dual SIM support (TD-SCDMA + GSM)
ROM MIUI V5 based on Android 4.2
4-core processor MT6589T with a frequency of 1.5 GHz
4.7-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, Gorrila Glass 2
4 GB ROM + memory card slot up to 32 GB
Rear camera - 8 MP (F2.2, Full HD video recording), front - 1.3 MP (HD video recording)
Optional: GPS + AGPS, Bluetooth BT4.0LE + BT3.0HS, WIFI Direct
Sensors: gyroscope, light, gravity, distance, electronic compass
Connectors: microUSB (OTG), standard 3.5mm audio output
Battery: 2000mAh
Dimensions: 137 x 69 x 9.9mm
Unfortunately, we got a review of the version of Xiaomi Red Rice with support for 3G networks of the TD-SCDMA standard. This 3G standard is mainly widespread in China, and in our area another version of Xiaomi Red Rice is more relevant - with support for 3G WCDMA. But this will not affect the objective assessment of the device, because all the other characteristics are identical.
Equipment
Typically, Chinese manufacturers complete entry-class smartphones to capacity. But Xiaomi Red Rice received a very modest kit, like all other phones of this brand, including the top-end Xiaomi Mi3. This is a good sign, as the company is confident in its product and does not try to increase its appeal with a rich set of mediocre quality.
Red Rice is packaged in an eco-friendly cardboard box that has already become a classic for Xiaomi smartphones. It is made from recycled waste and features a minimalist design. Her main feature is that she is very strong and capable of supporting the weight of two adult men.
The kit includes a charger box, data cable, one 2000 mAh battery and Chinese documentation.
The charger box has a non-standard plug. Output current 1A, full charge time about two hours. The smartphone is also charged via a single data cable through any power source (computer, power bank, etc.), but for much longer.
High quality accessories.
Design and ergonomics
Many people criticize Xiaomi Red Rice's nondescript design, especially its wide bezels. In principle, design is a matter of taste, but Red Rice really looks rustic, as if it was done on purpose, so that it is more in line with the status of a “budget”. But it should be noted that live wide frames are not as striking as in the pictures.
The smartphone looks massive. If desired, its dimensions of 137 x 69 x 9.9 mm can easily accommodate a 5 "display, and not currently installed 4.7". In addition, the weight of the smartphone is well felt, which according to its characteristics is 158 g. For those who have large hands, the dimensions of the smartphone will fit perfectly, it will be convenient to operate with one hand. Below in the photo is my hand, it is medium in size. For me, the dimensions of Red Rice are quite convenient, but a slightly smaller smartphone would be ideal.
Red Rice's design may be simple, but practical. To further protect the display, the Red Rice edge has a border. The display itself is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 2.
The front camera and light and distance sensors are located in the left corner of the upper part of the bezel. Both sensors are working properly. A voice speaker is located in the center behind them. The quality is excellent, the interlocutor is heard clearly and loudly enough.
At the bottom of the front panel there are three red touch buttons - “Settings”, “Home” and “Back”. Interestingly, the buttons are not backlit, but in good lighting it seems quite the opposite, perhaps this is a property of paint. As a result, in good lighting the buttons are visible perfectly, but in poor lighting you need to navigate from memory. But the event indicator has a seven-color LED backlight.
Actually, in the photo below, exactly what I'm talking about - the buttons are not backlit, but they look exactly the same as the red LED indicator.
The back panel is made of regular plastic. It looks good, does not slip and is pleasant to the touch. Fingerprints remain, but not critical.
The smartphone has two microphones, one is the main one, which is traditionally located on the bottom, and the other is a noise canceling microphone, it is on the back, just above the rear camera. The camera itself protrudes slightly outside the body, but this does not affect the overall picture. Directly below it is a single LED backlight, the power is good.
It's worth noting that the main speaker is at the top of the rear panel, on the right edge. This is somewhat unusual, but Xiaomi is not the first time to experiment with the location of the speaker (remember the same). As for a "budget", the sound is good and moderately loud.
The volume rocker and the power button are located on one end (on the right). This placement is comfortable and makes the smartphone more ergonomic. The buttons are comfortable, made of aluminum. At the same end you can find a hook for removing the cover, it is at the very bottom. This is another plus to the ergonomics of the device, for example, the Xiaomi Mi2 / 2S / 2A series does not have this and many users have difficulties with removing back cover... There is nothing on the left side.
On the offsite, Xiaomi praises Red Rice as a smartphone with good sound quality. In principle, the sound is not bad, much depends on the headphones, but it does not reach the top-level smartphones. He also lacks volume, for example, it is already difficult to hear in public transport.
The standard 3.5 mm audio output is on the top, the main microphone and microUSB connector on the bottom. There is OTG support.
The assembled Red Rice is excellent, no backlash, gaps or squeaks. The lid is tight and easy to remove. Under the hood is a battery, two regular-sized SIM slots and a micro SD card slot.
Display
Red Rice received a 4.7-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels and protective glass Gorrila Glass 2. Despite the budget status, the display pleased with its quality: the picture is clear, good color rendering, viewing angles and brightness are high. Feels like it is in no way inferior to its counterpart on the JiaYu G4.
It is worth noting the good work of the touchscreen, while the display boasts a multitouch for 10 touches, which is rarely found even in higher-end smartphones.
Hardware part
The heart of Red Rice is the MT6589T chipset from Mediatek. This chip is well known to fans. chinese smartphones, it is based on 4-core Cortex-A7 (28 nm) with a frequency of 1.5 GHz and a PowerVR SGX544 graphics processor. Other specs include 1 GB of RAM and 4 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded by an additional 32 GB using microSD cards.
In Antutu, Red Rice showed 16,171 points, which is almost on par with the Nexus 4 and is close to the result Samsung Galaxy S3.
I would like to draw your attention to a wide range of different sensors, which is also not typical for budget companies.
In operation, the smartphone is quite smart, its performance is quite enough for comfortable work. Red Rice easily plays videos of popular formats in the 1080p standard, has no restrictions on the Internet and supports most modern games, although not always at maximum settings. The pluses also include the fact that the smartphone does not heat up as much as counterparts on top-end chips. Actually, this is the merit of the MT6589T platform, which is famous for its optimal ratio of performance and energy efficiency.
As you can see, Red Rice is very good in performance, has good multimedia capabilities and is well equipped with sensors, as if it were not an entry-class smartphone at all. The Red Rice filling may well compete with many mid-range smartphones.
Battery
Xiaomi Red Rice is equipped with a 2000mAh battery. This is not much by modern standards, but if the smartphone is used mainly as a dialer, then this will be enough for 3 days. But if the device is used actively, count on one full day. Personally, my smartphone lives on average for two days, mainly calls, music, web surfing and a reader.
It should be noted that such indicators were achieved not least thanks to the special software Xiaomi. The battery saver application has a number of settings and ready-made operating modes. The user can either use one of them or customize their own. I recommend digging into this program, it really helps to increase the "life" of the smartphone from one charge.
Battery test in Antutu.
Communications
The voice quality of Xiaomi smartphones has always been very high levelRed Rice is no exception. The device perfectly catches the network and keeps the signal stably. Microphones and a voice speaker are also of good quality, the interlocutor is heard perfectly.
Today, there are two versions of Xiaomi Red Rice on sale, both smartphones support two SIMs, but one works only with the Chinese 3G TD-SCDMA standard, and the second with 3G WCDMA standard, which, in particular, is presented here. Unfortunately, the quality of 3G WCDMA connection in Ukraine leaves much to be desired. The only operator that supports 3G WCDMA communication in Ukraine has significant coverage problems, while the main operators do not support it at all. Therefore, for most of us, it doesn't really matter which version of Xiaomi Red Rice to choose, because they will still use the GSM + GSM combination.
Pleased gPS work... Out of the box, the navigation of the Xiaomi Red Rice is better than that of most smartphones based on MTK chips. A similar situation is observed with. If, for example, a cold start for most of the “Chinese” at the ITC takes up to 3 minutes, then here - seconds. Also Red Rice sees satellites better. True, it falls short of the quality of navigation of the "big brothers" Xiaomi Mi2 / 2A / 2S on Qualcomm chips.
Outdoor GPS test.
Indoor GPS test (one-story house).
Cameras
Red Rice received two cameras - 8 megapixel rear and 1.3 megapixel front. The quality of the cameras is average.
The most that the front camera will do is video communication. You can record HD video, but a good self-portrait won't come out. At the same time, the rear camera has some potential. Even a very good photo can be taken under good conditions. The camera has autofocus, LED-backlight with good power, F2.2 aperture and is capable of recording Full HD video. The main disadvantage is that in low light, the quality of video and images drops noticeably, however, like most cameras on smartphones.
Example photo on the rear camera:
The originals of the photos can be downloaded here: (Downloads: 311)
Sample 1080p video:
But the camera application is made at the highest level, it no longer depends on the class of the smartphone, since it basic program ROM MIUI. The camera is highly customizable and comes with useful built-in functions. For example, the camera can automatically detect the QR code.
Software
One of the main advantages of all Xiaomi smartphones is the official ROM MIUI support. Today MIUI is one of the most popular firmwares in the world, and there are objective reasons for this.
Unlike stock Android, on which it is based, MIUI has significantly more functionality and at the same time offers an alternative design where there are no desktops. After meeting MIUI, many users no longer want to return to stock Android, arguing for a more convenient and thoughtful interface. It is also important that MIUI has top-level support - the system is updated every Friday. Detailed overview MIUI can be read.
Red Rice uses MIUI V5, which is based on Android 4.2.1. This version supports only English and Chinese, but if you wish, you can find a Russian-language version on the Internet. Out of the box apps are enough to get you started, and most of them are of better quality than stock Android counterparts. For example, you can select audio and video players, a task manager, a camera, which has already been mentioned, a browser, and more. In addition, MIUI has an excellent security system, a full-time antivirus, traffic control and personal data protection tools, and much more. MIUI is a firmware for the lazy, where everything is there, while everything is working properly and stably.
Since the smartphone has two SIM cards, an additional SIM button has been added to the voice call application. As you can see, the interface is very simple, intuitive and beautiful at the same time.
It should be noted that by default MIUI is not preinstalled google services, in particular, there is no GooglePlay market. Instead of GooglePlay, the Xiaomi branded store is used, which, unfortunately, is in Chinese. But if you wish, all Google applications can be downloaded, moreover, from the same Xiaomi store.
As for the quality of MIUI work on Red Rice, everything is predicted well here. The system works quite fast. If we compare with top-end Xiaomi smartphones, then in terms of performance Red Rice, of course, is inferior to them, but not critical, it is comfortable to work with it.
Conclusion
Well, after itself Xiaomi Red Rice left a pleasant impression, of the minuses - only the design, which stands out for its roughness. Otherwise, this is the best phone in its class, while it can compete even with devices at a higher level. Of its closest worthy competitors, only the JiaYu G4 comes to mind. In real retail, these smartphones have almost the same price, with a slight advantage Xiaomi, which in China today costs an average of $ 200. But on the other hand, the JiaYu G4 has better battery and it is more attractive, although also rather big.
In general, there is plenty to choose from. One thing is clear - any of these smartphones have not become a hit for nothing.
low price
high-quality display
high-quality assembly and materials
good performance
wide functionality
official MIUI
rough design
The device for review and testing is provided by the online store xiaomi-buy.com.ua
The perfect combination of price, performance and specifications is the Xiaomi Red Rice 1S. It just so happened historically that if a smartphone is made in China, then this is far from best choice... But now this situation has changed dramatically. One of the most striking examples is this devicewhich had copies with worse filling and lower quality.
Equipment
The package bundle Xiaomi Red Rice 1S raises some complaints. First of all, this is documentation. as usual there is. But the user manual made of a cardboard sleeve is rather modest. For experienced users this is not a problem, but for beginners it can be an unpleasant surprise. Also missing is one of the accessories - headphones. They will have to be purchased separately for an additional fee. Also worth noting is the box of the device, which is made of recycled paper. This results in less damage to the environment. The rest of the package is quite common:
- Smartphone.
- 2000 mAh battery.
- MicroUSB - cord.
- Charger.
Smartphone hardware
A 4-core performance platform is at the heart of this gadget. It is about the MCM8228 chip from the company - developer Kualcom, which belongs to the Shapdragon 400 family. Its peak frequency can reach 1.6 GHz. This decision by the Chinese development engineers brings the Xiaomi Red Rice 1S to an excellent level of performance. A review of the complete documentation indicates the presence of a graphics adapter - "Adreno 305". Based on all of the above, we can confidently say that its hardware platform is sufficient to solve any task. All programs, including the most demanding games, will run without problems on this device.
Graphics and cameras
4.7 inches is the screen size of this smart phone. Its resolution belongs to the class "HD", that is, 1280 x 720. It is also capable of handling up to 10 touches to the touch surface at once. It is difficult to say in what cases such functionality may be needed, but it is nevertheless implemented in this device. The matrix that underlies the display is made according to one of the best technology today - "IPS". Now about the cameras that are installed on Xiaomi Red Rice 1S. The overview of the technical parameters of each of them is impressive. The sensor element of the main camera is based on an 8 megapixel matrix. There is an automatic image stabilization system, autofocus and LED flash. All this ensures flawless photo quality. The second camera is brought to the front of the device. She has a more modest matrix of 1.6 megapixels. But for making video calls, its capabilities are quite enough. The quality of the transmitted image raises no objections.
Memory subsystem
The ideal memory subsystem for Xiaomi Red Rice 1S. The smartphone is equipped with 1 GB of RAM standard DDR3. This is enough to run any programs. The built-in drive has a capacity of 8GB, of which about 2GB is occupied by the pre-installed software. Everything else can be used by the user for his own needs. If this is not enough for you, then you can increase this volume up to 64 GB. You just need to install an external flash card. The MicroSD format is supported, and the corresponding slot is located next to the places where SIM cards are installed.
Appearance and usability
Despite the rather impressive dimensions (137 x 69 mm), the device does not look like a shovel in hand. All buttons are well grouped. Some of them are brought out to the right edge of the gadget (switches and swings for adjusting the sound), and some harmoniously fit under the screen (three classic touch buttons). The front panel is made of 2nd generation Gorilla Eye tempered glass. This material is resistant to scratches and problems with keeping it appearance must not be. The sides are made of plastic with a matte finish. So that your smartphone does not quickly lose its original appearance, you need to buy an additional accessory such as a cover. Xiaomi Red Rice 1S is such a popular smartphone model at the moment that this should not be a problem.
But what about autonomy?
The weak point is the battery of the Xiaomi Red Rice 1S. An overview of its technical characteristics says a battery rating of 2000 mAh. Let's be objective: for such a diagonal and similar hardware resources, this capacity will not be enough. If you use your smartphone only for calls, then one charge will last for 2 days. In reality, with more intensive use of the device, it is only 8-10 hours. The problem can be solved either by using an external reinforced battery, or by using a second internal similar battery. In any case, you need to buy an additional accessory to increase the autonomy of the device. Otherwise, it can be discharged at the most inopportune moment for this. Moreover, the most practical solution is an external battery, which can be connected to the MicroUSB connector at any time.
OS and other software
The Xiaomi Red Rice 1S has a rather difficult situation with the system software. Firmware installed in original state, includes only English and Chinese. Accordingly, to Russify the gadget, you will have to install additional software. At least this is true for smartphones purchased in China. Domestic stores sell devices with Russian language support. But the indisputable advantage of this device is the proprietary MIUI shell from Xiomi. In addition to the usual set of utilities from Google and social services, it includes many programs: antivirus, a set of browsers and text editor... In general, right out of the box, this smartphone is ready to go.
Communications
The set of communications from Xiaomi Red Rice 1S is impressive. It has everything you need and there is nothing superfluous. To exchange data with the global web, it is best to use "Wi-Fi". It is suitable for everything from humble startups and social networking to movies and online videos. If necessary, it can be replaced by a 3rd generation mobile network. Of course, the speed will be slightly lower, and the tariffs of cellular operators are not entirely modest, but it also allows you to work with any amount of information. If the smartphone works in the ZhSM network, then the speed will be much lower (up to 0.5 Mbit / s), and this will only allow you to communicate on social networks or view small sites on the Internet. There is also "Bluetooth", the main task of which is to transfer small files to smartphones or mobile phones. An excellent situation with this device with the navigation system. There are all standards: A-ZhPS, ZhPS and GLONASS. Moreover, they work clearly and their functioning raises no objections. This device provides support for only 2 wired interfaces: MicroUSB and 3.5 mm for the speaker system.
Xiaomi Red Rice is the first smartphone with support for two SIM-cards from a well-known Chinese company, announced back in August 2013. Like many other two-SIM cards, the device is based on a quad-core processor from MediaTek and is equipped with an IPS-screen. What makes Red Rice stand out from the competition? Read about this and not only in more detail in today's review.
It should be noted right away that Xiaomi Red Rice comes in two configurations that differ in the radio module and, as a result, support for various 3G communication standards: international WCDMA and purely Chinese TD-SCDMA ( latest version and is discussed in the review). Otherwise, there are no differences between them, but it is worth considering that each model has its own firmware.
Design and ergonomics
The smartphone comes in a standard Xiaomi recycled cardboard box. In addition to the device itself, there is a Micro-USB cable, a charger (5V, 1A) and an instruction for chinese... One could complain about the scarcity of the package, if not for the official price of $ 130.
The cover is made of gray matte plastic, pleasant to the touch, and covers the back of the smartphone and its ends. By the way, the model is also available in two color variations (white and red), and other colored covers can be purchased separately. On the front panel, covered with a protective glass, there is a front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera, light and proximity sensors, a voice speaker, a 4.7-inch IPS-screen, under which there are red hardware keys without backlighting. Just below there is an LED for the event indicator - you can choose one of seven colors for notification, message or missed call. On the top there is a 3.5 mm audio jack, on the bottom there is a Micro-USB connector and a microphone hole, and on the right are the lock and volume buttons. On the back of the device there is a second microphone hole, the lens of the main 8 MP camera, an LED flash, a multimedia speaker hole and the company logo. Under the cover there is a removable 2000 mAh battery, a microSD card slot and two SIM card slots (3G only supports one). This copy of Xiaomi Red Rice is branded for the Chinese mobile operator China Mobile, as evidenced by the logos on the front panel and lid.
Due to the smoothly rounded edges, Xiaomi Red Rice fits well in the hand. There are no special complaints about the quality of the materials used and the assembly. The only thing is that the lid still creaks when squeezed, but this in no way affects the rigidity of the structure.
Operating system and shell
Xiaomi is primarily MIUI firmware with a redesigned interface and excellent customization capabilities. The smartphone works under android 4.2.1 c shell MIUI fifth version. The interface practically does not differ from that on others xiaomi devices, for example (this review describes in more detail the capabilities of the MIUI feature). The differences concern only the work with SIM-cards, since the first dual-SIM smartphone of the company - applications such as "Phone", "Messages" have been slightly modified (added a choice of which card to call or send a message from), in the settings there was a choice of using the card for transmission default data.
Hardware platform
Xiaomi Red Rice is based on the MediaTek MT6589T chip, which includes a quad-core processor and a PowerVR SGX544 GPU, operating at increased frequencies relative to the MT6589 SoC (1.5 GHz versus 1.2 GHz and 357 MHz versus 286 MHz, respectively). The smartphone has 1 GB of RAM and 4 GB of internal memory, of which just over 2 GB is available for installing applications. Given the small amount of built-in storage, the use of a microSD card for storing photos and media files is a must. There are no complaints about performance - everything works smoothly and stably. What problems can arise with is demanding games, but here it is worth remembering the class of the smartphone.
Playing video files
| Codec / Name | FinalDestination5.mp4 | Neudergimie.2.mkv | Gran Turismo 6.mp4 | Spartacus.mkv | ParallelUniverse.avi |
| Video | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1920 × 798 29.99fps | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1920 × 816 23.98fps | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1920 × 1080 60fps, 19.7Mbit / s | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1280 × 720 29.97fps | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1280 × 536 24.00fps 2726kbps |
| Audio | AAC 48000Hz stereo 96kbps | MPEG Audio Layer 3 44100Hz stereo | AAC 48000Hz stereo 48kbps | Dolby AC3 44100Hz stereo | MPEG Audio Layer 3 44100Hz stereo 256kbps |
Complaints about voice communication no - the speaker is quite loud, the interlocutor is heard perfectly, as well as you. It is difficult to say how well the 3G connection will work, since the test copy only supports Chinese TD-SCDMA networks, but GPRS is enough for checking mail and news. If you plan to use the services of 3G operators, then you should pay attention to the WCDMA version of Red Rice. The Wi-Fi module works stably, and the search for satellites lasts about 20 seconds with A-GPS and 2-3 minutes without it.
Autonomy
The MediaTek MT6589T chip is a pretty good combination of performance and energy efficiency. So, a 2000 mAh battery charge is quite enough for active use throughout the day: Wi-Fi, data transfer and synchronization are constantly on, the smartphone is periodically used for making calls, browsing, listening to music and reading. With the data transmission turned off, Red Rice can easily live up to two days.
| Runtime indicators | |||||
| Mode \\ Device | Xiaomi Red Rice | Acer Liquid E3 | Fly IQ4410 Phoenix | HUAWEI Ascend P6 | Lenovo IdeaPhone S820 |
| Music | 4% | 2% | 3% | 6% | 7% |
| Reading | 7% | 27% | 19% | 16% | 18% |
| Navigation | 21% | — | 24% | 46% | 37% |
| Watching HD video | 30% | 30% | 30% | 23% | 23% |
| Watching HD Videos from Youtube | 27% | 39% | 29% | 29% | 29% |
| Antutu Tester (points) | 542 | 545 | 629 | 450 | 608 |
The% value displays how much of the battery is discharged in 2 hours of testing. In mode reading all disabled wireless communicationsmobile data connection and the display brightness is set to 50%. While listening music automatic data synchronization and data transmission worked. Headphone volume at 12 out of 15 possible levels. All music files in MP3 format, bit rate 320 Kbps. Navigation includes laying a route to google app Navigation. Brightness is set to 50%, all communication modules are disabled. During playback video data transmission in the mobile network is active, the display brightness is set to 50%, the sound volume in the headphones is at level 12 out of a possible 15. Video file format MKV, resolution 1024x432 pixels, frame rate 24.Playing video from Youtube was accompanied not only by work in wi-Fi networksbut also by active data transmission. Display brightness is set at 50%, headphone volume at 12 out of 15 possible levels.
Screen
As mentioned earlier, the smartphone uses a 4.7-inch IPS-display with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels and a density of 312 PPI. Viewing angles are typical for IPS-matrices - in case of deviation, the colors remain juicy and not inverted. The brightness varies from 28.3 to 363 cd / m² (50% - 188 cd / m²) and in sunny weather there will be no problems with the screen. Automatic adjustment brightness, although present, but does not work - the backlight level is adjusted manually. Judging by the messages on the forums, the problem is not an isolated one, but it is not at all critical.
Xiaomi did not save on the display, which can be seen with the naked eye without any measurements. The color gamut exceeds the sRGB space, the gamma curve is close to the reference value of 2.2, and the color temperature value is linear and coincides with 6500 K. According to these parameters, Xiaomi Red Rice gives odds to all devices located in the same price segment.
Camera
Xiaomi Red Rice is equipped with two cameras - 1.3 megapixel front and 8 megapixel main with f / 2.2 aperture. As for its segment, the shots are average - the camera makes a lot of noise in low light. The sound quality of the recorded video is not up to par. In general, if you need a camera phone, then you can safely walk past Red Rice.
Sample photos taken smartphone Xiaomi Red rice
Full HD video example captured by smartphone Xiaomi Red Rice
Purchase
Xiaomi Red Rice is not officially supplied to Ukraine, as well as to most other countries (of course, excluding China), which creates some difficulties for those who want to buy it. There are at least three options for purchasing a device with their own pros and cons. Firstly, you can buy a smartphone through the official website if you have acquaintances in China or with the help of an intermediary who will have to pay for services and shipping. If this is not possible, then you can order the device from chinese shops on marketplaces such as aliexpress. This will cost a little more - taking into account the cost of the parcel, the issue price will be about $ 180. It should be noted that many unscrupulous sellers sell fakes of Red Rice, with a price tag significantly lower than the above (and this happens, the Chinese counterfeit the Chinese). To prevent such excesses, it is worth paying attention to the seller's rating, customer reviews, and remember the saying "the miser pays twice." The disadvantage of ordering from trading platforms is not the fastest shipment of goods - about 3 weeks using postal companies. Now, almost the only inexpensive option for sending a parcel from China to Ukraine with a battery in the device is to use the services of the Singapore Post. You can also use other courier services, if the wait is a burden, but you will have to pay extra for it. And the third option - buying in Ukrainian online stores - is characterized by fast delivery, most likely the phone will already be localized using the appropriate firmware, but the device will cost about 2000 UAH. Which of the three purchase options is better to use is a matter of personal preference.
Outcome
Xiaomi has got a wonderful budget smartphone with support for two SIM cards, official MIUI firmware and an excellent display. It is hoped that such shortcomings as a small amount of internal memory and not the best camera performance will be corrected in the next version of Red Rice (although its release is still being discussed at the level of rumors, there is practically no doubt that Red Rice 2 will be). On the other hand, demand perfect work all components from a device with an average market value of $ 180 (according to aliexpress) are not accounted for. Inexperienced users can be stopped from buying by not the most simple procedure firmware (although some stores sell with already Russified firmware) and difficulties with warranty repair. If this does not scare you, and you need a productive two-SIM inexpensive smartphone, then Xiaomi Red Rice is one of the best candidates for this role today.
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