Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro vs Mi A2: Which one should you buy?

Xiaomi Mi A2 is now available for a starting price of ₹11,999. Should you buy the Mi A2 or Redmi Note 7 Pro? We explain.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro is available in India at a starting price of Rs 13,999 (HT Photo)

Xiaomi earlier this week announced a big price drop for its Mi A2 smartphone. Launched at ₹16,999 (base model) in July last year, Xiaomi Mi A2 is now available for ₹11,999. But with Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro recently launched, should you consider investing in the Mi A2 smartphone?

Camera

Mi A2 has offered the best camera phone from Xiaomi in the under ₹20,000 price bracket. The smartphone comes with two rear cameras including a 12-megapixel Sony IMX486 sensor and 20-megapixel Sony sensor. As explained in our review, Xiaomi Mi A2 delivers near-excellent results in daylight.

The catch is that Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro has stepped up the camera game with Sony's latest IMX586 sensor to deliver 48-megapixel camera. Redmi Note 7 Pro offers much better quality in terms of depth and clarity.

Performance

Xiaomi Mi A2 uses Snapdragon 660 processor which also powers phones such as Redmi Note 7 and Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2. Qualcomm's Snapdragon 660 SoC is a capable performer and can easily handle graphic-intensive apps such as PUBG. Qualcomm's Snapdragon 675 on Redmi Note 7 Pro is slightly faster and more capable. But for non-power users, the difference in speeds will be negligible.

The biggest difference between the two phones is the software. Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro runs on Android Pie-based MIUI 10, a custom ROM. Android purists may prefer vanilla experience in Xiaomi Mi A2 that runs on Google's Android One platform. The Google programme also ensures timely security and software updates.

 

₹11,999!! 🤩 An incredible new price for #MiA2. It's an offer you can't resist!

Your favourite Mi A2 comes with:
⚡@qualcomm_in Snapdragon 660
📸 20MP Sony sensor on front and back
📷 ƒ/1.75 large aperture
⚡ @Android One

660 retweets and I will give away one #MiA2! 👍 pic.twitter.com/yTV0uebSKK

— Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) March 11, 2019

Key differences

There are a few key differences between the two phones. For instance, Redmi Note 7 Pro has a trendier glass back design with a notch on the front. Xiaomi Mi A2 has metal unibody design with an 18:9 screen without a notch. Also, Xiaomi Mi A2 does not have 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD slot.

Availability

Getting a Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro can be difficult right now due to high demand. The smartphone went out-of-stock "in seconds" during its first online sale. Mi A2 is much easier to buy as it is available on mi.com, Amazon, Mi Home, Mi Store and other Mi preferred partners.