Xiaomi Redmi 7 review: Value-for-money smartphone under ₹10,000

Brand: Xiaomi

Product: Redmi 7

Key specifications: 6.26-inch HD+ display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 processor, 4,000mAh battery, 12-megapixel and 2-megapixel dual rear cameras, 2GB and 3GB RAM, 8-megapixel selfie camera, and dual 4G.

Price: ₹7,999 (base model)

Rating: 3/5

Redmi 7 is the latest budget smartphone from Xiaomi. The successor to Redmi 6-series, which launched in India almost six months ago, comes with several upgrades including design improvements and better specifications. With price starting at ₹7,999, Redmi 7 is sandwiched between Redmi Go and premium Redmi Note 7 phones.

As expected from Xiaomi, the latest Redmi 7 smartphone checks all the boxes for a solid budget smartphone. It features 6.26-inch HD+ display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 processor, 4,000mAh battery, 12-megapixel and 2-megapixel dual rear cameras, and expandable storage up to 512GB. Very few phones at the price point or cheaper can match this set of specifications.

Just like newer Redmi Note 7 series, the Redmi 6 successor has also received the much-needed design upgrade. Gone is the boat-shaped iPhone X-lookalike notch on the top. Redmi 7 comes with a tinier and less distracting dot notch on the front. Coupled with a 19:9 HD+ display, Redmi 7 catches up with the latest phones similar screen design layout. The back panel has now glass-like finish. The black colour may not be the best looking one, but you can consider the Comet Blue and Lunar Red colour variants as well.

Xiaomi's Redmi 7 feels slightly heavy at 180 grams and is quite thick too at 8.47mm. Volume and power buttons, however, are well within the reach. The fingerprint sensor on the back is also easily accessible. While Xiaomi has definitely worked on the looks of the phone, the design implementation could have been slightly better. For instance, edges feel sharper than usual.

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But there's a lot going for Redmi 7. The 12-megapixel and 2-megapixel dual rear cameras deliver good results in daylight conditions. You can further enhance the images by switching on the AI and HDR modes. There's also a Pro mode in the camera for further personalisation. For a ₹7,999 phone, Redmi 7 does a good job. Lowlight images could have been much better, but that's something a lot of phones in this category and even more expensive phones haven't been able to fix.

Xiaomi Redmi 7 handles day-to-day tasks with ease. From hours of YouTube streaming to browsing and instant messaging, Redmi 7 lives up to our expectations. You can play PUBG on the phone as well. While basic games run pretty smooth on the phone, graphic-intensive apps may lag a bit. The 4,000mAh battery is a welcome upgrade. The phone can easily last more than a day if you're a light user. For power users, Redmi 7 can still deliver almost day-long backup. Other elements such as call quality and speakers are fine.

Verdict