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Verdict
In countries where Xiaomi has achieved great success, the ingredients for said success were seemingly simple - pick a relatively undeveloped region and fill it with low-cost high-value handsets, rinse and repeat.
In attempting to conquer the west, the manufacturer faces an uphill battle in convincing the wider consumer market to buy its handsets, as the market is mature and full of good value options.
But for those willing to take the plunge, the Redmi Note 6 Pro is a hugely accomplished handset for the price point.
Boasting a large, colorful and bright screen, a huge battery, a powerful chipset, a versatile camera and a premium design, it more than lives up to its price point. It really is difficult to get better hardware for the price.
As ever, where the picture falls short a little is in the software. MIUI can be overbearing, nanny-ish and cluttered, while battling various system apps and the unavoidable attempts of Xiaomi to upsell its services can be grating.
Regardless, if this is a path which Xiaomi intends to continue along, other manufacturers will need to wake up and take notice.
Who’s this for?
This device is an excellent choice for the power user who doesn’t want to shell out for a full flagship smartphone, offering many of the same bells and whistles for a lot less moolah.
It is also a good choice for road warriors, needing versatility and performance on the go.
Should you buy it?
For the asking price of under 200 pounds/dollars most of the nearest competitors cannot offer the same value, and as such if this is your budget then the Redmi Note 6 Pro should be on your radar.
Still not sold? Consider these alternatives:
Huawei P Smart (2019)
The Huawei P Smart 2019 is a strong competitor to the Redmi Note 6 Pro. It boasts a slightly fancier design, greater availability and a nice screen. However the Redmi Note 6 Pro has a slightly better camera, a more powerful chipset and a slightly less obtuse software skin.
- Read our full Huawei P Smart (2019) review
Moto G7 Play
The Moto G7 Play has a weaker screen, a less powerful chipset and less RAM than the Redmi Note 6 Pro, however it boasts a clean interpretation of Android and has much greater availability (meaning easier repairs if needed). It is also slightly cheaper than the Redmi Note 6 Pro.
- Read our full Moto G7 Play review
Moto G7
The Moto G7 has a smaller battery and a weaker camera than the Redmi Note 6 Pro, and it has a slightly inferior chipset and the same amount of RAM. However, it also boasts a pure take on Android (meaning less clutter to work through), and wider availability, though it's significantly more expensive than the Redmi.
- Read our full Moto G7 review
First reviewed: April 2019
