MIA South Africa, local distributor for Xiaomi, today announced that the Redmi Note 2 will be available at participating online retailers from this week onwards. Priced at R2 999, the Redmi Note 2 comes with a 2.0 GHz MediaTek Helio X10 octa-core chipset. This is combined with 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of onboard storage, along with a microSD slot for an additional 32 GB.

Up front, the Redmi Note 2 comes with a 5.5” full HD display (1920x1080, 400 ppi pixel density), with the added feature of Sunlight Display, which adjusts the screen for clear images under direct sunlight. On the rear, we find a 13 MP primary camera, which also sports a HDR mode developed by Xiaomi. Furthermore, it has Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF), allowing the Redmi Note 2 to focus in 0.1 second. There's also a front-facing 5 MP camera with ƒ/2.0 aperture to keep selfie takers happy.

The company believes the Redmi Note 2 is bound to fill a gap in the South African smartphone market. According to BMI-TechKnowledge's 2015 SA Consumer Digital Lifestyle Research Programme, many smartphone users would consider a phablet for their next handset if price were not an issue. “At R2 999 we are bringing the 5.5” form factor within reach of the majority of smartphone users in the country,” according to RJ van Spaandonk, president of MIA.

The Redmi Note 2 can be ordered online immediately from Takealot and MIA Africa, and will go on sale at selected outlets of Dion Wired, Game, Incredible Connection and Makro starting next week.