Microsoft Lumia 535 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note: comparison of the 'budget' high-enders

Microsoft, post its acquisition of Nokia's Devices and Services Business, very recently launched the first non-Nokia Lumia smartphone called the Lumia 535.

Following the Lumia 535 launch in multiple countries, it comes under intense competition from similar budget-range smartphones (both in terms of pricing and technical specifications).

One of the strongest contenders is the Chinese-bred Xiaomi Redmi Note, a follow up to the successful entry-level Redmi 1S.

The battle (in terms of user preference and tech-specs) between Xiaomi Redmi Note and Microsoft Lumia 535 is certainly an unusual one, but makes sense considering that various emerging markets across the world are dominated by Chinese smartphone brands, and these brands are considered to offer high-end devices at comparatively affordable prices.

Let's see how both the Microsoft Lumia 535 and Xiaomi Redmi Note stack up against one another.

Microsoft Lumia 535 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note

Screen

Microsoft's Lumia 535 has a 5in display with resolution of 540 x 960 and pixel density of 220ppi. The touchscreen is protected by Gorilla Glass 3.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note comes with a slightly larger 5.5in screen with resolution of 720 x 1280 at 267ppi. There is some confused information regarding the level of scratch protection for the glass touchscreen cover, with various reports stating no protection, Gorilla Glass 2, and Gorilla Glass 3. The official Redmi Note specs page does not list any protection for the phone, so we will have to assume this is the case for the comparison.

Both phones boast multitouch support and 16 million colours.

Going by resolution and screen size, the Xiaomi Redmi Note just beats the Lumia 535, although lack of scratch protection could be a downside for some.

Hardware

The Lumia 535 is driven by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 chipset clocked at 1.2GHz and supported by 1GB RAM.

Redmi Note boasts an octa-core MediaTek MT6592 chipset clocked at 1.7GHZ, with 2GB RAM.

Gauging the above, on paper is seems the Redmi Note will pack more punch for games and multitasking in comparison to the Lumia 535.

In terms of connectivity, both the Redmi Note and Lumia 535 offer 3G, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi and microUSB connectivity options. But Redmi Note also offers 4G-LTE by means of an exclusive 4G-enabled model that costs a tad more than the 3G variant.

Memory

Both the Xiaomi Redmi Note and Microsoft Lumia 535 feature 8GB internal storage as standard, but differ in expansion options.

Redmi Note's internal storage can be expanded up to 32GB, whereas Lumia 535 supports expansion up to 128GB via external MicroSD cards, so it is clear who the storage space winner is here.

Camera

The Redmi Note features a 13MP primary camera and supports Full HD (1920 x 1080) video recording at 30fps, in comparison to the paltry 5MP primary camera and 848 x 480 at 30fps video offered by the Lumia 535. Both smartphones feature an identical 5MP front camera.

Xiaomi's Redmi Note clearly trumps Microsoft's Lumia 535 in offering a decent primary camera.

Battery

Xiaomi Redmi Note emerges as the clear winner, with its 3200mAh Li-Ion battery, in comparison to the 1905 Li-Ion battery offered by the Lumia 535.

Software

Lumia 535 runs Microsoft's popular Windows Phone 8.1 operating platform, straight out of the box, and also incorporates Lumia Denim. Buyers of Lumia 535 should notice Nokia-specific applications viz MixRadio and HERE Maps (online and offline) being embedded as default within their devices.

On the other hand, Xiaomi Redmi Note runs Google's Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS, along with the MIUI 5 user-interface on top.

The winner in this category will be a matter for user taste.

Release Date and Price

Both the Microsoft Lumia 535 and Xiaomi Redmi Note have begun a gradual rollout.

Redmi Note started from China, and has now reached India where it is priced at an affordable £93 (INR 8,999).

The Lumia 535 has also been officially launched in India where the handset is priced at £95 (INR 9,199). The smartphone has also hit European shores, and is available for purchase in France, for a price of €109.

Lumia 535, is confirmed to have a sub £100 price-tag in the UK as well. Microsoft Great Britain has listed the budget smartphone on its portal, which means that an official launch in the country is imminent.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note emerges as the winner over the Lumia 535, as far as technical aspects are concerned.

But Lumia 535 works on Microsoft's reliability factor, and also from the erstwhile Nokia roots. The smartphone should impress MS/Nokia loyalists and gain on the fact that Microsoft offers a comparatively greater degree of reliability than the Chinese Xiaomi.