The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Umidigi F1 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive in and find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S edges out the Umidigi F1 thanks to its slightly faster processor, Quick Charge support, and generally more polished software experience. While the Umidigi F1 offers a compelling price, the Redmi Note 7S provides a more refined and reliable package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat13 600/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, December | 2019, May. Released 2019, May |
| Status | Available. Released 2019, January | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in) | 159.2 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| | - | Splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), planned upgrade to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.7, 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60/120fps, (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired, QC4 |
| Type | Li-Ion 5150 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Red, Gold | Onyx Black, Sapphire Blue, Ruby Red, Astro White |
| Models | - | M1901F71 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 140 EUR |
Umidigi F1
- Large Display
- Competitive Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Less Optimized Software
- Slower Performance
- Mediocre Camera
Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S
- Faster Processor
- Quick Charge Support
- Better Camera
- Reliable Software
- Slightly Higher Price
- Design can be generic
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.3-inch display, but the Redmi Note 7S typically has slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to Xiaomi's generally superior display calibration. The Umidigi F1's display is adequate but may lack the vibrancy of the Redmi Note 7S.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi Note 7S generally produces better photos, especially in low light. Its 48MP sensor, combined with Xiaomi's image processing, delivers more detail and dynamic range. The Umidigi F1's camera is decent but struggles in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The Snapdragon 660 in the Redmi Note 7S holds a slight advantage over the Helio P60 in the Umidigi F1. While both are capable of handling everyday tasks, the Redmi Note 7S offers smoother multitasking and slightly better gaming performance. The Snapdragon's efficiency also contributes to better battery life.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a respectable battery life, typically lasting a full day with moderate usage. However, the Redmi Note 7S's more efficient processor and Quick Charge support give it an edge in terms of charging speed and overall longevity.
Buying Guide
The Umidigi F1 is a good choice for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize a large display and don't mind a slightly less optimized software experience. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S is ideal for users seeking a balance of performance, camera quality, and fast charging in a reliable package.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S, thanks to its Snapdragon 660, generally offers smoother gaming performance than the Umidigi F1.
❓ Does the Umidigi F1 support fast charging?
No, the Umidigi F1 only supports standard 18W wired charging. The Redmi Note 7S supports Quick Charge 3.0, allowing for faster charging speeds.
❓ Which phone has a better user interface?
Xiaomi's MIUI on the Redmi Note 7S is generally considered more polished and feature-rich than Umidigi's custom UI on the F1.
