Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 vs Mi A2 vs Mi 8 Lite: Price, Features and Specifications Compared

We all know that Chinese handset maker Xiaomi rules the mid-range smartphone segment. The company is known to produce power packed pocket-friendly devices that are loaded with good features and specifications. The recent addition to its mid-range portfolio is Redmi Note 7. The phone is company’s first offering for 2019 and is also the first smartphone to be launched after Xiaomi recently announced that Redmi would operate as an independent brand moving forward. The phone is already considered as one of the best mid-range devices present in the market. Today, we’ll compare the Redmi Note 7 with other two offerings from Xiaomi dubbed as Mi A2 and Mi 8 Lite to find out which one provides a better value for buyer’s money. The comparison will be based on several software as well as hardware parameters including Design, Display, Dimensions, Processor, RAM, Storage, OS, Battery Capacity, Camera Configuration and last but not the least Price. Continue reading if you are considering buying a good mid-range phone soon…

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 vs Mi A2 vs Mi 8 Lite: Design, Display and Dimensions

In terms of design, all three phones look quite different from each other. The Redmi Note 7’s design is refreshing as it marks Xiaomi’s departure from the metal unibody design. The latest phone comes with a 2.5D curved glass on the back with gradient look and features a water drop shaped notch at the top of the display which is a trend nowadays. The design is similar to some of the recently launched Realme and Honor phones. The phone has a layer of Corning’s Gorilla Glass 5 protection on top and the company also claims it to be water as well as dust resistant. However, it needs to be noted that the device does not come with any IP certification. The Mi 8 Lite also comes with a 2.5D glass back and an aluminum frame. The gradient colour options make the phone look attractive. While, the Mi A2 is the least attractive of the three phones due to its classic full metal unibody design and presence of thick bezels above as well as below the display. In our view, the Redmi Note 7 is a better-looking device of the three.

In terms of display, the Redmi Note 7 sports a 6.3-inch full HD+ LTPS display with screen resolution of 1080×2340 pixels and an aspect ratio of 19.5:9. As mentioned earlier, the display comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and 2.5D curved glass protection. The Mi A2 features 5.99-inch ‘full-screen’ FHD+ IPS LCD display with 2160×1080 pixel resolution and 18:9 aspect ratio along with 2.5D curved Gorilla Glass for protection. The Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite bears a 6.26-inch Full HD+ display having a screen resolution of 2560×1080 pixels, 19:9 aspect ratio, and a wide notch at the top of the display. It’s a tough call between Redmi Note 7 and Mi 8 Lite here so we’ll call it a tie.

In terms of dimensions, the Redmi Note 7 measures 159.21 x 75.21 x 8.1 mm and weighs 186 grams. The Mi A2 has dimensions of 158.7 x 75.4 x 7.3 mm and weight of 165 grams. The Mi 8 Lite weighs in at 169 grams and it measures 156.4 x 75.8 x 7.5 mm. So, the Mi A2 is the slimmest and the lightest of the three phones.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 vs Mi A2 vs Mi 8 Lite: Processor, RAM and Storage

The Redmi Note 7 has 2.2GHz Snapdragon 660 octa-core SoC underneath to keep things ticking along with Adreno 512 graphics. In terms of memory, there’s 3GB, 4GB, and 6GB RAM options + 32GB and 64GB storage options. The storage is expandable via a microSD card slot (up to 256GB).

The Mi A2 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of non-expandable storage.

The Mi 8 Lite draws power from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 660 AIE octa-core processor, coupled with Adreno 512 GPU. The phone comes in three memory variants – 4GB RAM + 64GB inbuilt storage, 6GB RAM + 64GB inbuilt storage, and 6GB RAM + 128GB inbuilt storage.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 vs Mi A2 vs Mi 8 Lite: OS and Battery Capacity

In terms of software, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 and Xiaomi Mi A2 run MIUI 10 out of the box based on Android 9.0 Pie and Android 8.1 Oreo respectively. While the Xiaomi Mi A2 provides a stock Android One experience which should be comparatively smooth due to the absence of customizations.

In terms of battery, the Redmi Note 7 is fueled by a 4,000mAh battery with Quick Charge 4 support that can provide up to 251 hours of standby time, 23 hours of talk time, 13 hours of video playback, and 7 hours of gaming as claimed by the company. The Mi A2 is backed by a 3,000mAh battery that supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 4.0 technology. While the Mi 8 Lite 3,350mAh battery with support for fast charging technology. So, the Redmi Note 7 is a clear winner in this department.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 vs Mi A2 vs Mi 8 Lite: Camera Configuration

The Redmi Note 7 comes with a dual rear camera module that comprises of a 48-megapixel Samsung GM1 primary sensor with f/1.8 aperture + a 5-megpapixel secondary sensor. The rear camera set up gets monochrome dual-LED flash support along with PDAF. The front hosts a 13-megapixel selfie sensor, which also doubles up as AI face unlock and features AI smart beauty, AI single shot blur, Background Blur, and more.

The Mi A2 bears also bears a dual rear camera consisting of a 12-megapixel Sony IMX 486 sensor + a 20-megapixel Sony IMX 376 secondary sensor. Both the sensors have an f/1.75 aperture feature a dual-LED (dual-tone) flash. For selfies and video calls, there’s a 20-megapixel camera with soft LED flash. The front camera also has AI assistance.

The Mi 8 Lite is equipped with 12-megapixel primary sensor + a 5-megapixel secondary sensor for depth sensing on the back. On the front, you get a 24-megapixel camera for selfies that is also capable of shooting AI-based portrait selfies.

So, the Redmi Note 7 wins the battle of optics. The Mi A2 gets the runner up’s position, while the Mi 8 Lite stands last.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 vs Mi A2 vs Mi 8 Lite: Price

The Mi A2 got a big price cut in India recently. It now starts from Rs. 13,999 (old price- Rs. 15,999) for the base variant i.e. 4GB RAM + 64GB inbuilt storage variant and the 6GB RAM + 128GB inbuilt storage variant is priced at Rs. 16,999 (instead of Rs. 18,999). There are four colour options available for the users- Black, Gold, Lake Blue and Rose Gold colour options.

The Mi 8 Lite is priced in China at 1,399 Yuan (roughly Rs. 14,700) for the base model with 4GB RAM model. The 6GB RAM + 64GB internal storage variant is priced at 1,699 Yuan (roughly Rs. 17,900) and the 6GB RAM + 128GB internal storage variant is priced at 1,999 Yuan (roughly Rs. 21,000). It comes in three color options — Dream Blue, Twilight Gold, and Black.

The Redmi Note 7 is also not yet launched in India but it is also expected to arrive in the country soon. In China, the device is priced at CNY 999 (roughly Rs. 10,300) for the 3GB RAM + 32GB storage base variant and the price goes up to CNY 1,199 (roughly Rs. 12,400) for the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage variant, and CNY 1,399 (roughly Rs. 14,500) for the 6GB RAM + 64GB storage variant. The phone will be available in three colour options- Twilight Gold, Fantasy Blue, and Bright Black.

CompareRaja’s Verdict

The Redmi Note 7 wins the battle here, thanks to its good display, impressive battery and better camera configuration. The phone looks good and is priced well too. Our second preference goes to Xiaomi Mi A2.

Here’s a quick specs comparison between Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, Mi A2 and Mi 8 Lite for your reference…