Back in 2016, simultaneously with the announcement of the first generation Mi Mix, Xiaomi set a new direction in the field of mobile device design. Having chosen an unoccupied, and at the same time, niche in demand in modern conditions, the company entered into a partnership with famous French designer Philippe Starck, who developed the concept of “frameless” from scratch smartphone.
The result met the wildest expectations: the innovative design of the new product received several awards and international awards, as well as high marks from various publications. In addition, consumers enthusiastically accepted the new model with its spectacular and futuristic appearance. The release of this device significantly influenced the smartphone market, which was soon filled with competing offers in different price categories. A year later, the successor to Mi Mix from Xiaomi was presented, which will be discussed in this review.
Equipment
A professional design approach is felt from the very beginning of getting to know the device, at the unpacking stage. The device comes in a square flat black box, decorated in the spirit of minimalism. There is nothing superfluous on the outside, so all attention is automatically focused on the golden MIX inscription. Under the lid, neatly folded accessories are located in separate compartments:
- rubberized USB Type-C cable for charging and synchronization;
- powerful power supply (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A);
- protective case in black, with a matte and pleasant-to-touch surface;
- adapter for connecting headphones via USB Type-C connector;
- “paperclip” for removing the SIM tray;
- user manual, designed in the style of a box and a smartphone (black paper, golden inscriptions).
Appearance, design features
The new model is presented in black and white body colors. In addition to the regular version, the Mi Mix 2 Special Edition series was released, featuring an all-ceramic body and an increased amount of RAM. The phablet looks very expensive, and in terms of design it is in no way inferior to premium devices.
Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 inherited from its predecessor many of the characteristic design features, design features and the concept of a “frameless” smartphone. For example, such features include a ceramic back panel with a glossy, mirror-like surface, as well as 18-karat gold trim on the edging around the main camera module. However, a number of important changes have been introduced into the design of the new model, which primarily affected the ergonomics of the device.
The body of the previous model was slippery and too wide. Because of this, users may experience discomfort when trying to hold the device in one hand. In addition, due to the slippery and flat surface of the side edges, it is not so easy to lift the smartphone from the table on the first try.
The updated version has become lighter (187 g versus 209 g) and more compact than its predecessor. This was facilitated by the use of a screen with a smaller diagonal (5.99” versus 6.4”). In addition, due to the new aspect ratio of the screen (18:9), the body has acquired a moderately elongated shape, and can easily fit in one hand. Now it is much easier to reach the power and volume control buttons located on the right side. And the index finger rests directly on the touchpad of the fingerprint scanner, which is located in a small recess on the back.
On three sides along the edges of the front panel there are minimal, very narrow frames. Visually, they appear wider than they actually are due to the convex surface of the metal frame, which replaced the slippery and glossy side edges. However, it was precisely due to the sloping shape of the ribs that it was possible to eliminate phantom touch screen activations when holding the device in the hand. On the bottom frame, which was reduced by 12%, there was room for the front photo module and LED notification light.
For a more comfortable grip, the edges of the back and front parts are curved using 2.5D technology. The case has become less slippery compared to the previous model, making it more secure in the hand. Ultimately, the manufacturer managed to significantly improve the ergonomics of the device compared to the first generation.
Moreover, in terms of ease of use, Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 has surpassed many “frameless” models, including flagships from A-brands. At the same time, the smartphone has not lost its individual, elegant and attractive appearance.
Sound quality
Due to the features of the “frameless” design, the first generation Mi Mix used a piezoelectric acoustic vibration emitter instead of a conventional earpiece speaker. This solution provided a good level of audibility, however, in a quiet room the conversation could be be heard by strangers, since the piezo emitter caused resonance of sound waves almost throughout frame. The developers decided to rectify the situation and carried out serious work on modernizing the audio component of the smartphone, introducing a completely redesigned sound subsystem.
The new model uses a high-quality 50 mW speaker, the hole for which is skillfully disguised at the very top of the front panel, at the junction of the case and the screen. The new conversational speaker does not scatter sound to the sides, provides high quality of transmitted speech and has a solid volume reserve. Thus, the interlocutor can be clearly heard even in a noisy environment. The external speaker located on the bottom edge also features clear sound and a very high maximum volume level.
The smartphone is equipped with an effective noise-canceling system and a highly sensitive microphone that can pick up sounds at a distance of up to 40 meters. Due to the lack of a standard 3.5 mm audio jack, you will have to use wireless solutions or a USB-TypeC port to connect headphones. However, the sound subsystem provides decent sound quality for musical compositions when connecting good headphones.
Display
Xiaomi positions Mix 2 as “Full Screen 2.0”, that is, a second-generation full-screen smartphone. With comparable dimensions, Mi Mix 2 has a larger usable screen area compared to models made in a classic design. For example, the dimensions of the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 with a 5.99” screen are comparable to the 5.5-inch iPhone 8 Plus and OnePlus 5.
The display characteristics are quite consistent with the flagship level. The resolution of the IPS matrix is 2160 x 1080 (FullHD+), pixel density is 403 PPI. The screen supports DCI-P color gamut, has an impressive maximum brightness and a high contrast ratio of 1500:1. Provides a clear and rich image that is perfectly visible from almost any angle, regardless of external lighting conditions.
If desired, the user can independently adjust the color balance, saturation and contrast of the image. For those who spend a lot of time browsing the web or reading e-books, the developers have provided an eye protection mode that reduces the intensity of blue light. The front panel is covered with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass 4.
Hardware platform
The smartphone received the most powerful filling in the form of the top-end Snapdragon 835 chipset, which is based on 8 Kryo 280 cores, with operating frequencies from 1.9 to 2.45 GHz. Graphics processing is handled by the integrated Adreno 540 video accelerator. Paired with 6 or 8 GB dual-channel LPDDR4x RAM, it delivers impressive levels of performance. The device can easily cope with any load - from everyday tasks to running resource-intensive 3D games at maximum graphics settings.
It demonstrates excellent performance in the interface, high speed of launching applications, and decent multitasking. In other words, Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 has a solid reserve of power, which will last the user at least for the next 2 years. Thanks to good optimization and a new energy-efficient platform made using a 10nm process technology, the smartphone There are completely no heating problems: even under intense and prolonged loads, the case remains barely warm.
The device is available in several configurations. The standard version with 6 GB of RAM includes options with different amounts of internal storage: 64, 128 or 256 GB. When purchasing, you must take into account the inability to expand storage using a memory card, and immediately choose an option with a suitable storage capacity. The limited edition ceramic case comes with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. In all cases, UFS 2.1 flash memory is used, which indicates high read and write speeds.
operating system
Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 runs Android 7.1.1 OS, on top of which the stylish, customizable MIUI 9 shell is installed. The OS version may not be the latest at the moment, but the shell is the newest. MIUI 9, in addition to the updated interface, is distinguished by excellent optimization and high speed.
The shell has become more intuitive and thoughtful. Mi Mix 2 is aimed at the international market, so copies shipped outside of China are running a global multilingual firmware version with integrated Google services.
Cameras
Compared to its predecessor, there have been significant changes for the better in terms of shooting quality. The role of the main camera is now performed by a Sony IMX386 sensor, with a resolution of 12 MP and an aperture of F/2.0. The size of individual pixels is 1.25 microns. The camera is complemented by a dual-tone LED flash, phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and 4-axis optical image stabilization. It supports recording 4K video, as well as shooting HD videos in Slow Motion mode at 120 FPS.
The characteristics are quite decent, and despite the fact that the main camera is inferior to the latest flagships from Samsung and Apple, this smartphone may well compete in shooting quality with many others brands. During the day, in good lighting, you get great pictures: bright, saturated, with high detail and a good level of sharpness. Autofocus works quickly and correctly, and the white balance is not affected. Thanks to the presence of optical stabilization, you can easily get clear photos taken in motion.
The Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 lags behind top-end camera phones most noticeably when shooting in more difficult lighting conditions. In photos taken at dusk, you can notice a decrease in detail and the appearance of grain. Shooting in HDR mode takes longer, so you'll need a steady footing or a steady hand to avoid blurring. However, to get really good night photos, you can use manual settings.
In order for the front camera to fit on the bottom frame, a 5 MP sensor was used, with minimal physical dimensions of the module. Considering the situation, the manufacturer managed to maintain decent shooting quality in good lighting. Before shooting, for convenience, you need to turn your smartphone 180°. The photo module will be in its usual position, and the camera interface elements will automatically adjust to the new location.
Battery
The phablet is equipped with a built-in battery with a capacity of 3400 mAh. For a screen with a diagonal of almost 6”, this is not so much. However, the Mix 2 features a new, optimized chipset, and coupled with MIUI's power-saving features, in moderate-intensive load mode it works from morning until evening, leaving a small reserve of charge for the next day morning. In general, this is a good indicator of autonomy for a device with powerful hardware and a large display.
In addition, the user can always count on prompt recharge, thanks to support for Quick Charge 3.0 technology, as well as a powerful included power adapter.
Wireless interfaces
The smartphone is compatible with 2 Nano SIM cards, which are placed in a special tray built into the left side. The device received global support for 2G, 3G and 4G mobile networks in 43 bands. You can access high-speed 4G LTE Internet in any region that has fourth-generation network coverage.
To obtain general access to the Internet, dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 and 5 GHz) is provided. Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 supports Wi-Fi Display technology and the Wi-Fi Direct wireless data transfer standard. The smartphone also supports Bluetooth 5.0. Updated standard compared to previous generation, features double connection speed and 4 times increased radius actions. Support for a multifunctional NFC chip allows you to take advantage of contactless payments.
Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 is perfect for navigating while walking around the city, and can also completely replace car navigator, thanks to the large screen and high-quality work of global GPS positioning systems (A-GPS), GLONASS and Beidou. The built-in digital compass will help you navigate in places where there is no connection with satellites.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros:
- sleek, premium design;
- minimal frames;
- ergonomics of the case – at the highest level;
- extreme platform power;
- substantial amounts of memory;
- large, high-quality screen;
- excellent sound of conversational and external speakers;
- good camera with optical stabilization;
- global 4G LTE support;
- fast charging Quick Charge 3.0;
- NFC and Bluetooth 5.0 support;
- fresh, optimized version of MIUI.
Minuses:
- the glossy surface of the case quickly becomes covered with fingerprints;
- no 3.5 mm headphone jack;
- the case is not protected from water and dust;
- There is no slot for a MicroSD memory card.
Review results
Since the release of the first Xiaomi Mi Mix, many smartphones with narrow frames have appeared on the market. However, you have to choose between affordable models with rather modest fillings, expensive flagships (LG V30, Samsung S8 and iPhone X) and the more affordable LG Q6, with rather mediocre fillings. But there is an optimal option - with decent characteristics, high quality, stunning design and an adequate price.
20
Xiaomi has put in an impressive amount of work to turn a concept, niche phablet into a competitive, flagship model aimed at the masses. Mi Mix 2 is a worthy continuation of the line, with improved ergonomics, corrected shortcomings of the previous model, a rethought audio component, and a better camera.
The cost of Xiaomi Mi MIX 2, depending on the configuration, is (as part of the promotional offer at the start of sales):
- version with 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage – $589;
- version with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage – $629;
- version with 6 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage – $689.
Thus, we can make a final conclusion. At the moment, Mi Mix 2 is the most affordable “frameless” smartphone with the top Snapdragon 835 chipset and 6 GB of RAM!
