In 2016, I came across a smartphone that simply left me awestruck. It was one of the best-looking smartphones I had ever seen, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. Later, when I learned that it wasn’t coming to India, it just broke my heart.
I’m talking about the Mi Mix.
So, when Xiaomi said they are getting the Mi Mix 2 to India, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the device. And now it’s here!
Specifications
- Display: 5.99-inch full HD
- Screen ratio: 18:9
- Processor: Snapdragon 835
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB (non-expandable)
- OS: Android Nougat 7.1.1
- Rear camera: 12-megapixel
- Front camera: 5-megapixel
- Battery: 3400mAh non-removable
- Price: Rs 35,999
Design & Display
Undeniably, the Mi Mix is eye candy. It’s not made of glass or metal, but ceramic, which makes the phone stand out. It’s curved on all four sides and gives the phone a premium look. At 7.7 mm, the phone doesn’t feel thick and rests well in the hands.
But it has its downsides. The glossy finish at the back makes the phone attract a lot of fingerprints and smudges, so you are going to end up constantly wiping it against your shirt before you show it off. Although, Xiaomi claims it is scratch resistant.
Overall, hats off to the design. Philippe Starck, the guy who designed the Mi Mix 2, has done a stellar job.
The display is attractive. It’s a full HD display that stands at 5.99-inch. With an 18:9 screen ratio, the display stretches to the top most corner of the phone, with absolutely no forehead.
Gaming and watching videos on the Mi Mix 2 feels quite immersive, also thanks to the Adreno 540 graphics processing chip. Though, I would have liked it if the display pushed out a few more pixels per inch.
An 18:9 screen ratio and just full HD? Not the best ‘jodi’.
Performance & Storage
As much as the Mi Mix 2 is a beauty to look at, it’s a beast within. The phone packs a powerful combination of an octa-core Snapdragon 835 chipset, coupled with 6GB RAM. Initial impressions are good. I’ll reserve my final judgements about the phone’s performance in the full review.
Android Nougat 7.1 and EMUI 8.5 make the experience much better. What I didn’t like though is that the phone comes in only one storage variant, which is the 128GB, that is not expandable. Some points lost.
The missing headphone jack does spoil the party (Google Pixel 2 and Apple iPhone have done this too). Good thing that Xiaomi is giving a headphone jack adapter in-the-box.
Camera & Battery
Smartphones under Rs 15,000 are coming with dual cameras these days, and when I saw a single lens rear camera on the Mi Mix 2, I felt Xiaomi is missing out on an important segment of buyers. Not that the 12-megapixel rear camera is bad, it’s just a single lens shooter at a time when its competition is going dual camera (like the OnePlus 5).
Another puzzling bit in the design that I wasn’t impressed with is the positioning of the front 5-megapixel camera, which is on the chin of the phone — at the bottom!
The moment I picked up the phone to click a selfie, I had to turn it upside down to get the proper frame. Don’t know if I want to get used to that.
The rear camera comes with 4-axis OIS (optical image stabilisation), which works well when you are shooting videos on the go. Even low light photography is impressive.
Captured in daylight
(Photo: The Quint)
A 3400mAh battery feels a bit underwhelming for a screen this big, but considering it’s an IPS display, you can expect a full day’s charge.
Initial Verdict
The Mi Mix ushered in the concept of a bezel-less design, and the Mi Mix 2 just finished the story with a more refined version of the same. Ceramic body, a full view display and top of the line hardware make the Mi Mix 2 a great phone!
BUT...
Would you spend Rs 35,999 for a ‘Xiaomi’? It’s true they have been pioneers in providing the best budget and mid-range phones in the market, but India is still warming to what a premium Xiaomi phone could be like.
If you love smartphone designs and are adventurous enough to spend more than Rs 30,000 on a Xiaomi phone, then the Mi Mix 2 is the perfect device to start with.
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