#SmartphonesFaceoff: Nokia 5.1 Plus v/s Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro
What's the story
In India's fast-growing and highly competitive budget-smartphone segment, the battle is fiercer than ever before. Hence, in today's face-off, we pit against each other two new, with similar specifications smartphones - Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro and Nokia 5.1 Plus. Both the phones are priced around Rs. 10,000, but which one should you buy? Here's our spec-wise comparison to help you decide better.
Information
Pricing of both the phones
The Nokia 5.1 Plus is priced at Rs. 10,999 for the 3GB RAM/32GB storage variant. On the other hand, the Redmi 6 Pro costs Rs. 10,999 for the 3GB RAM/32GB storage model and Rs. 12,999 for the 4GB RAM/64GB storage variant.
Design
At a glance
Up front, Redmi 6 Pro sports a notch-based display with noticeable borders and a beefier bottom chin. On the back, there's a vertically-stacked camera module and a fingerprint sensor, both housed in a polycarbonate chassis. On the other hand, Nokia 5.1 Plus features a slightly wider cut-out but has 2.5D curved glass on both the sides with a premium-looking high-gloss finish. Winner: Nokia 5.1 Plus.
Display
All about the screen
The Redmi 6 Pro features a 5.84-inch full-HD+ (1080x2280 pixels) panel with a pixel density of about 432ppi and an aspect ratio of 19:9. On the other hand, the Nokia 5.1 Plus sports a 5.86-inch HD+ (720x1520 pixels) display with a pixel density of about 317ppi and 19:9 aspect ratio. Winner: Redmi 6 Pro for its crispier and higher resolution display.
Primary Camera
For the shutterbugs
The Redmi 6 Pro offers an AI-powered dual rear camera setup comprising a 12MP + 5MP setup with f/2.2 aperture and LED flashlight. And, Nokia 5.1 Plus sports a dual rear-camera setup comprising a 13MP primary sensor with a f/2.0 aperture and a 5MP depth sensor, along with an LED flash module. Winner: Nokia 5.1 Plus for its slightly better optics.
Selfie Camera
For the love of Selfies
In the selfie department, the Redmi 6 Pro sports a 5MP (f/2.2) camera with AI-based Portrait mode, Beautify, and HDR. Nokia 5.1 Plus gets an 8-megapixel sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and 80.4-degree wide angle view. Further, HMD Global has offered a host of AI-optimized features such as Portrait lighting. Winner: Nokia 5.1 Plus for the extra megapixels.
Internals
All the important stuff
The Redmi 6 Pro is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, paired with 3GB/4GB RAM and 32GB/64GB of storage (expandable upto 256GB). The Nokia 5.1 Plus is backed by a MediaTek Helio P60 processor, paired with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage (expandable up to 400GB). Notably, both the processors have their own pros and cons and hence a tie.
Sensors & Software
Lifeblood of your smartphone
Both the phones pack a standard array of sensors including an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, gyroscope, proximity sensor and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. In terms of software, Nokia 5.1 Plus runs stock Android Oreo 8.1 whereas the Redmi 6 Pro runs Android Oreo-based MIUI 9.6. Here, Nokia 5.1 Plus has an advantage with timely and promised updates as part of Android One program.
Battery & Connectivity
Staying connected
In terms of connectivity, both the phones support dual-SIMs, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11a/c, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS/A-GPS, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. However, Nokia 5.1 Plus comes with a USB Type-C port while the Xiaomi phone has a Micro-USB port. In terms of battery, Redmi 6 Pro has a much bigger 4,000mAh battery as against Nokia 5.1 Plus' 3,060mAh battery. Winner: Redmi 6 Pro.
Our result
How things stack up!
The Nokia 5.1 Plus stands out with a premium finish, slightly better cameras, and Android One support. On the other hand, Redmi 6 Pro has a better display, a bigger battery, and a customized UI. Hence, if you're looking to use a sturdy phone for at least two years, Nokia 5.1 Plus is a great buy.