Xiaomi Redmi S2 (Redmi Y2)

Xiaomi Redmi S2 / Redmi Y2 — The Budget Selfie Smartphone That Ticks All the Right Boxes

The Xiaomi Redmi S2, known as the Redmi Y2 in India, is a budget Android smartphone released in May 2018 as the successor to the popular Redmi Y1. Widely praised by tech reviewers across the globe, it quickly earned a reputation as one of the best all-round budget smartphones of its era — particularly for users who prioritize camera performance.

Reviewers praised the Redmi S2 as a great budget smartphone that ticks all the right boxes and specialises in the optics department, making it an ideal choice for anyone seeking good camera performance fused in a package that is overall a great daily driver.

The Redmi S2 features a large 5.99-inch IPS LCD display with an 18:9 aspect ratio and a 720 x 1440 pixel resolution, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset and an Adreno 506 GPU. It comes in 3GB/32GB and 4GB/64GB memory configurations, with microSD card support for expandable storage up to 256GB — giving buyers plenty of flexibility for their storage needs.

The standout feature is the 16MP front-facing camera with an f/2.0 aperture, making it one of the best selfie cameras available at this price point in 2018. The dual rear camera system pairs a 12MP main sensor with PDAF, LED flash, and HDR support alongside a 5MP depth sensor for portrait shots, capable of recording 1080p video. The phone launched with Android 8.1 Oreo and was later updatable to Android 9, MIUI 12.

A 3080mAh non-removable battery keeps the device powered through a full day of moderate use, while connectivity features include 4G LTE, dual Nano-SIM support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS with GLONASS, FM Radio, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. Notably, the Redmi S2 holds the distinction of being the last 32-bit smartphone ever released by Xiaomi — making it a unique piece of Xiaomi history. Originally priced at around $179, the Xiaomi Redmi S2 remains a solid, well-rounded budget choice for casual users.

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