Xiaomi

Xiaomi Redmi Y1: Pros and Cons

Android OS v7.1.1 (Nougat)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 MSM8940
Adreno 505
3 GB / 32 GB
5.5 inch (720 x 1280 px)
13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus

Xiaomi announced the launch of the Redmi Y1 smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.5 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 MSM8940 SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The Redmi Y1 series was launched with Android OS v7.1.1 (Nougat) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The IPS display panel has good color accuracy. It can display a wide range of colors, this makes visuals look more lifelike and vivid This smartphone has a single camera on the back (13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus). Let's dive into what makes this device unique.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Xiaomi Redmi Y1 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Xiaomi Redmi Y1 / 1

Xiaomi Redmi Y1 specifications

BrandXiaomi
NameRedmi Y1
ModelREDMIY1
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.4 oz
Dimensions6.02 x 3 x 0.3 inch
Colorsgold, gray
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of Xiaomi Redmi Y1 is about 5.4 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).

Xiaomi Redmi Y1 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.1.1 (Nougat)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 435 MSM8940
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUAdreno 505

The Xiaomi Redmi Y1 comes with Android OS v7.1.1 (Nougat) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. An advanced scheduler manages this octa-core CPU. It assigns tasks to the CPU for real-time speed and power efficiency. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Xiaomi Redmi Y1 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.5 inch
Resolution720 x 1280 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5.5 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5.5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Xiaomi Redmi Y1 / 3

Memory, storage

RAM3 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Redmi Y1 has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage (32 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Xiaomi Redmi Y1 / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera16 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Redmi Y1 does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0, USB host
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The Xiaomi Redmi Y1 supports 4G/LTE networks. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Redmi Y1 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3080 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3080 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The battery of Redmi Y1 isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, hall, light, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 3, Dual SIM, MIUI 9, IR Remote

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The Redmi Y1 phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use. Gorilla Glass is very scratch resistant. It reduces the likelihood of everyday scratches and abrasions.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Xiaomi phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • microSD slot
  • Dual SIM support
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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