Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 Pro teaser image shows attractive metal device, as sketchy hands-on photos leak of unannounced phone

Having recently shown up on TENAA, China’s certification body for consumer electronics, the metal version of Xiaomi’s flagship Redmi Note 2 has been teased by the company’s co-founder. As we’ve already seen from the TENAA images, the press render shows a device with a metal back panel, adding a more premium look to the range which, so far, has only been available in a variety of colored plastics…

Xiaomi’s metal finish means the Redmi Note 2 range will have three tiers: Regular, Prime and what we’re calling “Pro”. While the overall design and shape of the phone remains mostly unchanged, there are a couple of distinguishing features between this and the plastic models Xiaomi launched back in August.

As well as this ‘official’ teaser, there are some hands-on images doing the rounds which some are suggesting is the same device. But very clearly, this isn’t the case.

Below, you’ll see the image teased by Xiaomi’s co-founder on Weibo, and there are a couple of things to notice. Firstly: The rounded edges on the sides and on the top. Secondly: The shape of the dual LED flash beneath the camera. Thirdly: The camera itself.

If you compare all these elements to the supposed leaked images of the Redmi Note 2 Pro which leaked on Chinese social media, you’ll see that either a) The leaked hands-on photos are not the Redmi Note 2 Pro, or b) Xiaomi’s taking liberties with its press renders. Given the evidence, it’s plausible that Xiaomi has two new metal phones to show us later this month.

In the ‘hands-on’ pictures you’ll notice the camera is housed in a protruding metal ring and the LED flash is circular, not pill-shaped. What’s more, the edges of the device aren’t rounded at all, they’re completely flat. It’s possible someone has stumbled across another unannounced Xiaomi phone, since some of the design is still very similar. Whatever this is, we don’t think it’s the actual Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 Pro. It could, however, be an upgraded version of the non-Note Redmi series phones. It’s plausible that we’re looking at a Mi 2S or Mi 3. But that’s just speculation.

As for the Redmi Note 2 Pro, we’re expecting Xiaomi to announce this device has similar specifications to the currently-available Redmi Note 2. It has a powerful 64-bit octa-core Helio X10 processor and a full HD 5.5-inch screen, dual SIM support, 13MP Samsung camera and a huge 3,060mAh battery. As for this unannounced device, we’re not sure what to expect. It’s been rumored Xiaomi will launch its next phone(s) at an event on November 24th. Hopefully, if true, we’ll find out what Xiaomi has up its sleeve for the holiday quarter.

Update: Our suspicions about the leak not being quite right are seemingly verified by reputable leaker, Steve Hemmerstoffer. It seems the hands-on pics are of a completely different device: The ZTE V3.

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