As expected, Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi has launched a pair of new mobile devices yesterday. Both its hugely popular Redmi Note phablet and its Mi Pad tablet were updated to "bring premium to a whole new level" – both got improved with various components including full metal bodies.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3
This popular large smartphone got updated with a full metal body and a fingerprint sensor. Its 5.5-inch screen has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, just like the Note 2. Internally it boasts a 2.0GHz Helio X10 processor, a 4000mAh battery, and 13MP/5MP cameras. Users get 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage built-in. There was no mention of NFC and microSD expandability.
An 'advanced edition' of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 brings 3GB of RAM and 32GB of built in storage with a slightly faster processor clock (2.2GHz). The updated phablet remains a slim 8.65mm but gained 4g in weight to become 164g. The Dual-SIM Redmi Note 3 will be priced at RMB 899 (£95 / $140). If you want the 'advanced edition' it will cost RMB 1,099 (£115 / $170).
Xiaomi Mi Pad 2
Again this new device features a metal body construction. A significant change from the original Mi Pad is in the processor. Xiaomi has moved away from the Nvidia Tegra K1 SoC in the original to equip an Intel Atom X5 X8500. Intel's 64-bit Atom processor is built at 14nm and clocked at 2.24GHz. 2GB of LPDDR3 memory is equipped, as is either 16GB or 64GB of built-in storage (whether there is a microSD card slot is, again, not specified).
The 7.9-inch screen is made by Sharp and has a 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution. At the back you have an 8MP camera, with a 5MP unit at the front. This tablet is 6.95mm thick and weighs 322g. A 6190mAh supports fast charging and is said to be good for 12.5 hours of video stream enjoyment. Wi-Fi 802.11ac is supported and the new device sports a USB Type-C port.
The 16 Xiaomi Mi Pad 2 will sell for RMB 999 (£105 / $155) and the 64GB tablet will sell for RMB 1,299 (£135 / $200). An Android version of the Mi Pad 2 launches initially with a Windows 10 version coming in December.
