Sports streaming on mobile phones is quite popular, but why? Are you better off watching your favorite sports game on a big screen?
Well, mobile phones are more convenient. You can watch your favorite event wherever you go, as long as you have a powerful phone and a stable internet connection.
But how about the Redmi smartphone? Can you stream an HD sports stream on your Redmi smartphone without that spinning wheel of doom (we are talking about buffering)?
The short answer is, yes, you absolutely can! But let’s dive a bit deeper and find out why Redmi smartphones are a solid choice for sports streaming.
Why Redmi Smartphones Are Great for Streaming
So, why Redmi smartphones are so good at sports streaming? Well, Xiaomi’s Redmi series has been a game-changer if you are looking for a budget and mid-range smartphone on the market. They’ve introduced some impressive technologies for a fraction of the price compared to other flagship smartphones like Galaxy and iPhone.
When it comes to sports streaming on your smartphone, there are a few things you need to consider, such as:
- High-refresh-rate display
- Powerful processor
- Long-lasting battery
Refresh Rate
The high refresh rate will give you a smooth picture, which is quite important for watching high-action and fast-paced sports like horse racing, for example.
Now, a lower refresh-rate display will get the job done, don’t get me wrong, but if you want the best experience, it is better to choose something with at least 120Hz refresh rates.
However, most phones with higher refresh-rate displays are very expensive, but Redmi with their phones like Redmi Note 12 Pro, have introduced AMOLED displays and 120Hz refresh rates for a fraction of the price.
So, you don’t have to worry about getting a blurry broadcast from your favorite horse race. Instead, you can focus on how to bet on the Kentucky Derby since you already nailed your streaming setup.
Processor
Next, we have to talk about the processor and why having a powerful one is important for live video streaming. Processors are in charge of literally processing operations on your phone. That’s why some smartphones become laggy after opening a few apps.
Now Redmi phones with MediaTek Dimensity or Snapdragon processors can handle high-quality streaming, and you can also multitask and operate other apps while watching your sports stream.
Battery life
Lastly, we have battery life, which let’s be honest is quite important for sports streaming. You wouldn’t want to get a phone with 40 minutes of battery life at high performance. Yes, you can watch your stream while charging your phone, but it can overheat and that’s not the point.
Fortunately, most Redmi phones, especially the flagship models like the Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G have a 5000mAh battery, and according to GSMArena, a 97-hour endurance rating, which is more than enough for watching your favorite sports match.
What Do You Need to Stream Sports on a Redmi Phone?
Okay, now you have the perfect hardware, what else do you need? Well, having a powerful phone is one part of the story. You also have to worry about your internet speed.
Just so you can have a seamless experience and steam your favorite sports matches in HD or 4K, it requires a decent internet connection. Ideally, you’d want to have at least 5Mbps for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K.
Now, if you have 50Mbps internet at home, don’t think that you’ll get the entire 50Mbps to your phone. Most internet plans come with TVs, which also consume a significant portion of your internet speed, plus you have other devices that are connected to the network.
If you are using mobile data when streaming, make sure you have a good plan. Sports streaming can eat through data very quickly.
The Right Apps
Now that you’ve sorted out the internet speed, the next step is to choose the right apps. Don’t fall for that trick and choose to watch illegal live video streams. Even if you don’t get in trouble, the stream quality is often terrible and you’ll get a lot of glitching.
The best way to stream is through an official app that is designed for mobile sports streaming, like fuboTV, ESPN, DAZN, YouTube TV, Sky Go, and others depending on your location.
A monthly subscription will cost you anywhere from $10 to $50 depending on the plan you choose.
How To Optimize Your Redmi for Streaming
Now, you have your hardware and decent internet connection, but that’s not all. You also need to optimize your phone for sports streaming.
First, make sure you use Wi-Fi whenever possible. Mobile data is great, but your Wi-Fi is often faster and more stable. Plus, mobile data is expensive and you wouldn’t want to burn through your plan unless you have unlimited 5G.
Next, make sure the processing power from your phone goes towards your video stream. You should free up your phone’s RAM by closing the apps you are not using. Yes, smartphones nowadays are smart, and background apps might not consume a lot of RAMS, but it doesn’t hurt to close them.
Lastly, never forget to enable dark mode on your mobile phone. This has nothing to do with how smooth is the stream, instead, it is focused on reducing eye strain and saving battery life.
What About 5G? Does It Make a Difference?
Oh, absolutely. If you’ve got a 5G-enabled Redmi phone, like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G, you’re in for a treat. 5G can deliver speeds up to 10 Gbps, which is over 100 times faster than 4G.
That means no buffering, even if you’re streaming in 4K. According to a 2023 report by OpenSignal, 5G users experience an average download speed of close to 200 Mbps. That’s like upgrading from a bicycle to a sports car.
What If You’re Traveling? Can You Still Stream?
Good question! If you’re traveling, geo-restrictions can be a pain. Some streaming services are only available in certain countries. But don’t worry, there’s a workaround: VPNs.
A Virtual Private Network can mask your location, allowing you to access your favorite sports streams from anywhere. Just make sure to choose a reliable VPN with fast speeds—NordVPN and ExpressVPN are popular choices.
Common Issues and How to Fix Them
Even with the best setup, things can go wrong. Here are some common issues and how to tackle them:
- Buffering: Check your internet speed. If it’s slow, try lowering the stream quality.
- App Crashes: Update the app or reinstall it. If that doesn’t work, clear the app’s cache.
- No Sound: Check your volume settings and make sure your phone isn’t in silent mode or a hardware issue. (Yes, it happens to the best of us.)
Final Thoughts
So, Redmi smartphones are actually very good for streaming sporting events. If you are thinking about buying a Redmi smartphone and you are a sports fan, just make sure to get one with a 120Hz display and a powerful processor. These are the important components when watching live sports matches.
Another thing important to mention is that Redmi phones offer unbeatable value for money, so if you are on a tight budget but still want the best experience, the Redmi phone is a solid choice.
