Price and specifications of Xiaomi Redmi 2A advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview

The Xiaomi Redmi 2A is a budget-friendly smartphone that was announced in March 2015 and released in April 2015. Despite its discontinuation, the phone remains a popular choice for those seeking an economical entry-level device. With its accessible price point of around 130 EUR, the Redmi 2A offers a balanced mix of features suitable for basic usage, providing essential functionality such as dual SIM capability and a decent display size.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 134 x 67.2 x 9.4 mm and a weight of just 132 g, the Redmi 2A is both lightweight and compact, making it easy to hold and use with one hand. The phone features dual SIM support with dual standby, allowing users to manage two different numbers simultaneously, ideal for separating work and personal communications.

Display

The device comes with a 4.7-inch IPS LCD screen, offering a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, which translates to a respectable pixel density of approximately 312 ppi. The display, while basic, is sufficient for daily tasks like browsing the web and watching videos. The screen-to-body ratio stands at about 67.6%, providing an adequate viewing experience for its class.

Performance

Under the hood, the Redmi 2A is powered by the Leadcore L1860C chipset with a quad-core 1.5 GHz CPU, accompanied by the Mali-T628 MP2 GPU. This hardware configuration ensures the phone can handle basic applications and tasks without significant lag. It ships with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, supporting microSDHC cards for expandable storage, which is crucial given the limited onboard storage for multimedia and apps.

Camera

The Xiaomi Redmi 2A features an 8MP rear camera with an aperture of f/2.2, 28mm focal length, and additional features such as autofocus and HDR. It also includes an LED flash for low-light photography. The main camera supports video recording, although the quality is limited by today’s standards. For selfies and video calls, it has a 2MP front-facing camera that can record 720p videos.

Network and Connectivity

The Redmi 2A supports various network technologies, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE, providing decent speed for browsing and streaming. It supports 3G and 4G bands, which were standard at the time of its release. For local connectivity, it includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, GPS for navigation, and it features FM radio. It lacks NFC but provides a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion 2200 mAh battery, the Redmi 2A offers a satisfactory battery life for light to moderate usage, including calls, internet browsing, and app usage. The removable battery design enables users to replace the battery easily, prolonging the device's longevity.

Software

The smartphone runs Android 5.0 Lollipop with Xiaomi's MIUI 6 skin. MIUI provides a customizable user interface, allowing users to personalize their experience. However, potential buyers should note that the older Android version may not support newer applications and security updates.

Sensors and Additional Features

The device is equipped with basic sensors, including an accelerometer and proximity sensor. These sensors allow for basic functionalities such as screen rotation and automatic screen off during calls. The phone is available in various colors, including Black, Green, Yellow, and Pink, giving users some degree of customization in terms of aesthetics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Xiaomi Redmi 2A provides an affordable route to owning a smartphone with essential features. Despite being discontinued, it offers a good value for budget-conscious consumers who primarily need a device for basic communications and occasional multimedia use. Its compact size, lightweight design, and decent camera make it suitable for everyday tasks, though it's important to recognize its limitations, such as the low RAM and older software.