Xioami recently introduced Y-series in its portfolio to further strengthen its presence in sub 10K market. What differentiates Y1 from the existing Xiaomi phones under Rs. 10,000 is its bigger 5.5-inch display size and the high-resolution Selfie camera.
We have been using Redmi Y1 3GB RAM variant as our daily driver for the past few days to ascertain whether that’s reason enough to choose the Y1 over the existing alternatives. We are now in a position to answer all Redmi Y1 related queries to assist you with your buying decision. Let’s proceed.
Xiaomi Redmi Y1 Specifications
Model | Xiaomi Redmi Y1 |
Display | 5.5-Inch, IPS LCD 720p HD display, Gorilla Glass 3 |
Processor | 1.4GHz octa-core Snapdragon 435 processor |
RAM | 3GB/4GB |
Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB, dedicated microSD card (128GB) |
Software | Android 7.0 Nougat based MIUI 9 |
Primary Camera | 13MP sensor, f/2.2 aperture |
Secondary Camera | 16MP Front-Facing Camera, f/2.0, LED flash, Beautify 3.0 |
Battery | 3080 mAh |
Others | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano), dedicated slot, 4G VoLTE, fingerprint sensor, IR Remote |
Dimensions and Weight | 153 x 76.2 x 7.7mm; 153 grams |
Price | Rs. 8,999/ Rs. 10,999 |
Question: How is the Xiaomi Redmi Y1 design?
Answer: No other brands understand buyers need like Xiaomi in budget segment especially under Rs. 10K category. Xiaomi draws the first blood with its premium-looking design and that’s also the case with the Redmi Y1.
The phone has a design that should work for most users. It is slim, has rounded edges, given a premium finish and boasts of 2.5D curved glass on top of it. As usual, the front is dominated by display alongside camera setup, sensor and earpiece at the top and capacitive keys at the bottom.
On the flip side, it flaunts camera at the top left edge followed by fingerprint sensor and MI branding. The volume rocker and power key both sit at the right edge while sim tray slips in at the left edge.
The Xiomi Redmi Y1 is made of plastic, but it’s still good looking and comfortable to wield. We have no issues with the design.
Question: How is the Xiaomi Redmi Y1 build quality?
Answer: Xiaomi has mainly used plastic as primary material but due to premium finish it gives an illusion of metal body. In terms of build quality, it is not flimsy, there are no flexes on the phone. Having said that, built-quality-wise it certainly doesn’t feel as sturdy as Xiaomi’s very own Redmi 4.
Also Read: 10 Things To Know Before Buying an Affordable Phone in 2018
Question: Is Xiaomi Redmi Y1 Water resistant?
Answer: No, the Redmi Y1 is not water and dust proof.
Question: Does the Xiaomi Redmi Y1 comes with back cover and tempered glass?
Answer: No, Xiaomi is not known for bundling free back covers and tempered glass in the budget range.
Question: Does Xiaomi Redmi Y1 have capacitive navigation buttons below the display? Are they backlit?
Answer: Yes, Redmi Y1 features capacitive navigation keys but they are not backlit.
Question: How is the Xiaomi Redmi Y1 display?
Answer: The Redmi Y1 houses a 5.5-inch IPS display with 720P HD display with 236ppi density, 1000:1 contrast ratio, and up to 450-nits brightness.
As evident from the stat, it is not the sharpest display around but its good enough when you factor in its price. There are no issues with the display as such, it manages to render vibrant colors while being easy on the eyes.
Question: Does Xiaomi Redmi Y1 have the option to switch between colour modes?
Answer: Xiaomi allows Redmi Y1 users to set colors to warm, Standard and Cool as per their own choice. You can also toggle the contrast to an extent.
Question: Does Xiaomi Redmi Y1 have a Bluelight filter?
Answer: Bluelight filter option is not available on the Xiaomi Redmi Y1.However, if you read on your phone before you go to bed, Xiaomi has added a reading mode in display settings which will eliminate blue light so it doesn’t hamper your sleep.
Question: Does the Xiaomi Redmi Y1 have the option for automatic brightness?
Answer: Yes, automatic brightness is available on the phone.
Question: Does the Xiaomi Redmi Y1 display has Gorilla glass protection?
Answer: Yes, the Redmi Y1 display is layered with Gorilla Glass 3.
Xiaomi Redmi Y1 Performance and Storage
Question: How much internal storage space is free on Xiaomi Redmi Y1?
Answer: We got the 3GB+32GB variant of the Redmi Y1 in which approx. 23GB is available at the user end.
Question: Does Xiaomi Redmi Y1 have a Hybrid dual SIM tray or a separate microSD card slot?
Answer: The Redmi Y1 has dedicated microSD card slot and two sim slots.
Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi Y1 Lite vs Samsung Galaxy On5 Pro Specs Comparison
Question: Does Xiaomi Redmi Y1 has USB OTG support?
Answer: Yes, it supports USB OTG.
Question: Does Xiaomi Redmi Y1 have a fingerprint sensor? How many fingerprints can you scan and store?
Answer: Yes, it comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. You can register up to 5 finger imprints.
Question: Is the fingerprint sensor on Xiaomi Redmi Y1 fast and accurate? Is it always-on type?
Answer: Yes, it is fast, accurate and always on.
Question. Can I uses Fingerprint Lock for individual apps on Redmi Y1?
Answer: Yes, the fingerprint lock can be used on individual apps as well.
Question: How is the day-to-day or general performance? How is gaming performance of Xiaomi Redmi Y1?
Answer: Xiaomi Redmi Y1 rocks a Snapdragon 435 processor under the hood which is mated with 3GB/4GB RAM and 32GB/64GB storage. We played around for almost a week with 3GB RAM and 32GB variant and it manages to hold up very well and performed most basic tasks well. We also tried to play few games and there were no issues with them.
Tasks like opening apps and multitasking don’t run exceptionaly fast but the performance isn’t laggy either.
Question: Does Xiaomi Redmi Y1 have heating issues?
Answer: We are yet to face any heating issues with the Redmi Y1.
Question: Does Xiaomi Redmi Y1 support Google cardboard and other VR Apps? Does Xiaomi Redmi Y1 have gyroscope sensor?
Answer: Yes, the Redmi Y1 supports Google Cardboard and should support other VR apps well as it features all necessary sensors. The gyroscope is present on the Redmi Y1.
Xiaomi Redmi Y1 Camera
Question: Is Xiaomi offering OIS or EIS in Redmi Y1?
Answer: No, It doesn’t support either of them.
Question: How is the Xiaomi Redmi Y1 camera quality?
Answer: The Redmi Y1 is Xiaomi’s first selfie-centric smartphone in India and clearly Selfies has been the main focus for the brand. We have taken few self-portraits and they turned good enough for sharing on social media. The software isn’t exactly loaded with features to enhance selfies. You still get smart beautifications and filters.
With Redmi Y1, you will get a tad better selfies than Redmi 4 and Redmi Note 4, and the selfie camera performance is at par with the likes of Asus Zenfone Selfie.
The Rear camera quality isn’t anything impressive but it’s certainly above average when compared to other phones in this class.
Question: How is the HDR mode on Xiaomi Redmi Y1?
Answer: Yes, HDR mode is present in Xiaomi Redmi Y1.
Question: Can the Xiaomi Redmi Y1 shoot 4K videos?
Answer: With the Redmi Y1 you can only shoot videos up to 1080P.
Question: Can you record slow-motion videos on Xiaomi Redmi Y1?
Answer: No.
Software
Question: How is the software on the Xiaomi Redmi Y1?
Answer: The MIUI 8.5 on Redmi Y1 is based on Android 7.1.2 Nougat, with September security patch. Xiaomi is scheduled to push MIUI 9 update on the phone sometime later this month.
The MIUI 8 is rich in features as it comes with loads of gestures, scrolling screenshots, and other few others features and all of them run well. Having said that, the interface feels slightly sluggish when switching between multiple apps when few apps are running in the background.
Question: Does Xiaomi Redmi Y1 have one hand mode or gesture support?
Answer: Yes, it does support one hand operation and gestures.
Question: Can you run dual apps or two apps with the same account on Xiaomi Redmi Y1?
Answer: Yes, few apps are supported in dual apps options.
Question: Will Xiaomi Redmi Y1 get Android 8.0 Oreo update?
Answer: Xiaomi has a bad history when it comes to Android version upgrade. Therefore going by the past experience we don’t expect Android Oreo running on the Redmi Y1 anytime soon.
Also Read: How to Get Android Oreo Like Picture-in-Picture Mode on Any Phone
Miscellaneous
Question: What kind of SIM cards does Xiaomi Redmi Y1 support?
Answer: It supports nano sim cards in both slots. The phone also has a dedicated microSD card slot.
Question: Does Xiaomi Redmi Y1 support FM radio?
Answer: Yes, it supports FM Radio.
Question: Does Xiaomi Redmi Y1 have IR blaster?
Answer: Yes, IR blaster is present on the Redmi Y1.
Question: Does Xiaomi Redmi Y1 have LED Notification light?
Answer: Notification light is missing on the Redmi Y1.
Question: How is the call quality on Xiaomi Redmi Y1?
Answer: Call quality is very good in our area.
Question: Does Xiaomi Redmi Y1 support Reliance Jio SIM cards/ 4G VoLTE? Do both SIM slots support 4G VoLTE?
Answer: Yes. 4G VoLTE works fine.
Question: Does Xiaomi Redmi Y1 support native Jio Video calling or ViLTE?
Answer: No.
Question: How is the Battery backup on Xiaomi Redmi Y1?
Answer: It comes with 3080mAh battery which is good enough to last a day with moderate usage. The phone doesn’t support fast charging, though. If Battery backup is your top priority, Redmi Y1 can offer better mileage.
Question: How loud is the loudspeaker on Xiaomi Redmi Y1?
Answer: Loudspeaker is fairly loud. Audio quality is average.
Xiaomi Redmi Y1 Review – Should you buy it?
Once again, Xiaomi has managed to offer a competitive phone for budget buyers. If you strictly need a 5.5-inch display option, you can confidently choose the Redmi Y1 over Redmi 4. The selfie experience is better than existing Xiaomi options, but it’s not undercutting them by much.
Pros
- Good design, sturdy built
- Reasonable camera
- Reasonable performance
- Dedicated SD card slots
Cons
- No fast charging
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