Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Verdict
Megapixels, or good marketing, do not a good phone make. It is lucky then that the Redmi Note 7 is close to being the complete budget package.
The glass and plastic design is unremarkable, but sturdy - the screen could be brighter, however it is also capacious and colorful. Photos taken have good detail, and battery life is stellar, as too is performance.
In all, for such a low starting price, it really is difficult to find more phone than the Redmi Note 7 offers. This even despite the sometimes troublesome software, and the attempts by the manufacturer to push its services upon you.
Xiaomi should be proud, the Redmi Note 7 is a real achievement - one that puts almost every other smartphone manufacturer to shame.
Who's this for?
If you are someone who demands absolute bang for their buck, and who doesn't have a lot of cash available to lay out, the Redmi Note 7 is right for you. Power users, road warriors and budget champions will be well-served.
Should you buy it?
If you are after a smartphone for less than £200 (roughly $260/AU$370), the Redmi Note 7 should certainly be on your radar - especially when the inevitable price drops arrive.
First reviewed: May 2019
Check out these three alternative options:
Huawei P Smart (2019)
The Huawei P Smart (2019) comes at a similar price point to the Redmi Note 7 depending on the storage options chosen. It offers the same resolution screen, a lower megapixel camera and similar storage options. Between the Redmi and the Huawei, both have overblown software, however your mileage will vary.
Read our Huawei P Smart (2019) review
Honor Play
Starting at slightly more than the Redmi, the Honor Play comes with a similarly sized battery pack, a 16MP camera and a 6.3-inch screen. Over the Redmi, it has a very powerful Kirin 970 chipset, making this a better option for keen gamers.
Read our Honor Play review
Sony Xperia XA2
The Sony Xperia XA2, while launching at a higher price in 2018, has since dropped in price considerably. Offering decent battery life, a high-spec camera and a premium build, it is a good competitor for Xiaomi's handset. The Redmi however has a more powerful chipset and a more modern design.
Read our Sony Xperia XA2 review
Wear OS 5: what we want to see, and all the leaks so far
The obscure little PC that wanted to be a big NAS — super compact Maiyunda M1 doesn't cost that much, offers up to 40TB SSD storage, runs Windows and has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports
Image site Abload going offline reminds me of how much online content we've permanently lost
