Xiaomi mi mix 2 description. Hardware and build quality. Hardware and software platforms

Full Screen, or in Russian: full display - a term that Xiaomi introduced. It was used as a slogan for the first generation Xiaomi Mi Mix. Well, now we have seen the second generation of Mi Mix, which means that it also needs its own slogan! Marketers got seriously confused and here it is: “Full Screen 2.0” is the slogan for the new flagship.

In this way, the company tried to hint at the improvements that the smartphone should come with. As we know, many companies are obsessed with mocking their rivals in the market in their advertising campaigns. This explains why some Xiaomi competitors announced their own frameless smartphones with the slogans: “Full Screen 2.1” or “Full Screen 29.0”.

In any case, Xiaomi is the first smartphone manufacturer to sell truly frameless devices. However, some of you may remember a phone from Sharp that was shown quite a long time ago, but also boasted an edge-to-edge display. You may also recall that it did not go into mass production.

XIAOMI MI MIX VS MI MIX 2

The new product has a lot of changes and improvements compared to its predecessor. Firstly, the second generation of the devicebecame less. The display size has been reduced by 0.4 inches. However, the device is in the category of so-called “phablets” and does not qualify for inclusion in the list regular smartphones. It’s just that now it’s easier to use the phone with one hand while doing other things with the other.

Due to the absence of frames, the dimensions of a device with a 6-inch display are comparable to the dimensions of devices with 5.5-inch displays, with frames, of course. Another advantage over is the aspect ratio: 18:9 versus 17:9.

The first generation used a lot innovative technologies, such as piezoelectric speaker And ultrasonic sensor approaching. What does it mean? First, sound vibrations are projected directly through the display, so a person can communicate on the phone without a traditional speaker. Secondly, the proximity sensor uses acoustic radiation to determine the distance. The technology is very cool, although complaints about call quality are also not uncommon. Thus, Xiaomi had to solve a serious problem: to allocate as much space as possible for the display without creating new problems, for example, when making phone calls. Luckily, our favorite company knows a lot about innovation.The second generation comes with three new technologies that reduce the size of the phone by 12%: a micro-front camera module, Chip-On-Film screen technology and a software-controlled active antenna for improved call quality.

The third big change concerns the design. The first generation looks brutal, and its successor is more modern. The company did rounded corners at the edges of the device so that it fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. Moreover, the new product will be available in not one, but two versions: with a ceramic rim and cover made of Series 7 aluminum, or in a completely ceramic version.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 - a true flagship, equipped the latest equipment. But there was still room in this ointment for a couple of fly in the ointment. Let's take a closer look at the new product together and try to understand where the company gave up.

APPEARANCE

We've talked about the design of this device many times. The main reason why we did this is due to the name of its designer - Philippe Starck. He is one of the most popular industrial designers around the world. Thanks to his ideas, the first generation became very popular. Surely, this factor was the most important in Xiaomi’s decision to collaborate with Stark again. Luckily for us, Philip knows how to create dream phones.

Everything about this device hints at premium class. Even the box looks like a box with luxury inside. It is made in a square shape with the phone name on top. On the bottom edge of the box there are only a few factory stickers with information on the specifications of the device.

Since the device is very fragile, a protective case is expected. In addition to it, the box contains the smartphone itself, a USB cable and 18W charging block. No headphones were delivered.

Mi Mix 2 has a 5.99-inch display with a resolution of 2160x1080 pixels and a pixel density of 403ppi. There are almost no frames on the top and side ribs, but there is a frame on the bottom. The anterior camera is located here. You can also notice that, unlike Mi6, there is no physical Home button.

The back panel of the device looks amazing. This is where the main camera is located, which we will talk about later. The camera eye is framed in gold. Nearby is a two-tone flash, necessary for better shooting in conditions low light. And right below the camera is a fingerprint sensor.
There is also a popular phrase on the back panel:“MIX Designed by Xiaomi”. These are really important words, because design here is the starting point for everything else.

The bottom edge is almost no different from that of the first generation. There are two speakers here and USB Type-C in the middle. The only difference is two antenna inserts, which were not present in Mi Mix.On the right side there is a volume rocker and a power button.

On the right there is a slot for microSD cards. There is a microphone hole at the top.
You won’t find a 3.5 mm audio jack here, but IP67 protection is claimed.

PERFORMANCE

Concerning hardware, only a few devices can compete with this phone. For example, OnePlus 5 or ZTE Nubia Z17. Like Mi Mix 2, these smartphones have Qualcomm processor Snapdragon 835.
Possible configurations of Mi Mix 2 are described below:
6 GB + 64 GB
6 GB + 128 GB
6 GB + 256 GB
8 GB + 128 GB

It is also worth noting the fact that the memory in the device is made using UFS2.1 technology, which is faster than eMMC. The read speed is about 740 MB/s, and the write speed is 240 MB/s. This is the most fast memory V mobile devices to date.

Test results of Mi Mix 2 with 6 GB random access memory in Antutu they are amazing. The device scored 180,000 points, which is higher than the ZTE Nubia Z17 with 8 GB of RAM, and very close to the results of OnePlus 5. Just imagine what result a smartphone with 8 GB of RAM will show!

XIAOMI BATTERY

It may seem that the battery capacity must be large enough to provide good autonomy devices. But imagine our surprise when we found out that the Mi6 has only a 3350 mAh battery. However, the device worked almost the entire day at active use. Thanks to Qualcomm for improved power consumption. Pass. So Xiaomi also installed a 3400 mAh battery in Mi Mix 2.

The device supports fast charging. In just 20 minutes, Mi Mix 2 charged from 44% to 79%. Fully charged takes 1.5 hours.

COMMUNICATION IN XIAOMI

It's no secret that the second generation supports full-featured NFC. It's no secret because, according to one of the leaks, this model got into the payment system in the Beijing subway. This means that the phone supports AliPay and other payment systems. In addition, the phone is equipped with 4 4x4MIMO LTE antennas. Thus, the 4G network is covered in 6 modes and 43 frequencies.

We have already said that the device can be supplied in a ceramic case, or in an aluminum case, but with a ceramic rim. What does it mean: ceramic body? This is not the traditional pottery we have seen before. The ceramics of this smartphone are reinforced with nano-zirconium powder particles, the size of which does not exceed 50 nm. The entire process takes about 10 days and involves a myriad of processes including powder finishing, molding, high temperature sintering and post-processing.

Compared to glass, ceramics are considered one of the hardest materials. On the Mohs scale, it has a degree of hardness of 8.5, that is, it scratches glass and can only be processed with diamond. This ceramic is in second place after sapphire and diamond. The great news is that such ceramics transmit electromagnetic radiation well, therefore, the 4G signal level increases.

As for the earpiece speaker, the device has returned to the traditional type, without piezoelectric elements. Xiaomi has installed a small hole above the screen, just large enough for sound to pass through.

Finally, Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 still uses an ultrasonic distance sensor instead infrared sensor. The phone is equipped with an internal ultrasonic transmitter operating at a frequency of 40 kHz. This is the same technology as in the first generation. But thanks to the speaker hole, it will work better.

CAMERA

Well, the camera in Mi Mix 2 is definitely its weak side. Unfortunately, the smartphone has only one 12-megapixel camera with Sony module IMX386. If you remember, one of the lenses on the Mi6 has a similar camera. This means it comes with a 1.25 micron sensor, 4-axis image stabilization, and other nice but not life-saving options for better shooting.

But to understand what has been improved over the first generation, let's dive into the details. Mi Mix is ​​equipped with a 16-megapixel camera (OV16880) with f/2.0 aperture and 1 micron matrix.

In fact, when comparing pictures taken by both devices in good lighting conditions, the Mi Mix's color reproduction is slightly better. As the example photos show, the colors are more vibrant, the perception is more real, but the photos are a little muted and slightly white.

However, the Mi Mix 2's camera has a little more detail in objects and detects edges correctly. And this is more important when it comes to background blur.The smartphone is also great for night shots. Pictures taken on Mi Mix have much more noise.

So we can say that the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 takes better pictures than its predecessor, but we would like to see a dual camera module.
Finally, the device comes with a 5-megapixel front camera.

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IN last years We've seen some innovations in the smartphone market, but one of them stands out. In 2016, the Xiaomi Mi Mix smartphone was released.

It is he, and not devices from more famous manufacturers, became the first smartphone with an edge-to-edge screen. Then competitors followed suit Chinese company. Samsung, LG, Apple and many others have released similar models. Nowadays, frameless screens have become a mandatory part of smartphones.

Mi Mix is ​​important for Xiaomi not only from a design point of view, but also from a business point of view. The company wants to be perceived on the same level as largest producers in the global smartphone market.

After that, she redesigned the device and released Mi Mix 2, again without frames. This time it will have to compete with devices like the Galaxy S8, LG G6, Essential Phone and iPhone X. Bezels have suddenly become so important that great smartphones like the Pixel 2 with a 16:9 ratio look outdated.

Now Xiaomi needs to prove that the success of 2016 was not accidental, but it will have to do this surrounded by successful competitors. In addition, the company chose this device to enter the European markets. Will he be able to resist here? Apple products, LG and Samsung? Let's find out.

Specifications

• Dimensions and weight: 151.8 x 75.5 x 7.7 mm, 185 g
• Materials: ceramics, aluminum
• Biometrics: fingerprint scanner
• Colors: black
• OS: Android 7.1, MIUI
• Screen: 6 inches IPS LCD, 1080 x 2160, 403 ppi, 80.81%
• Cameras: rear 12 MP, dual LED flash, pixel size 1.25 microns, sensor 1/2.9 inches; phase detection autofocus, optical image stabilization; video 4K 30 fps. Front 5 MP
• Processor: Snapdragon 835 8-core 64 bit, Kryo 280 2450 MHz, 10 nm, Adreno 540
• Memory: 6 GB, storage 256 GB, microSD up to 256 GB
• Battery: 3400 mAh

Design

Appearance is a matter of taste, but such a large screen catches the eye. The famous French designer Philippe Starck took part in the development. Mi Mix 2 combines a premium feel with a luxurious look.

Much has been carried over from the first generation smartphone, but the screen diagonal has decreased from 6.4 to 5.99 inches. As a result, the case is 7 mm shorter and 6.4 mm narrower, as well as thinner.

Naturally, the smartphone also weighed less. Weight is 185 g, which is 24 g less than the original device. The first smartphone was too large and heavy compared to the 2016 models; the developers responded to this complaint.

The device has a ceramic back surface with an aluminum frame. Ceramics are rare in smartphones; this material has pros and cons. It looks great and is difficult to scratch, but it is a fragile material. It collects fingerprints and easily slips out of your hands.

The edges of the case are aluminum, which gives it a durable feel, and the screen is covered with Gorilla Glass 4.

Supplied with durable plastic case, as if the manufacturers themselves admit that such a device is easy to drop out of your hands. As a result, the case covers a significant part of this splendor.

On the front there is a frame only under the screen. Xiaomi did not make a cutout on the screen in the style of the iPhone X or Essential Phone. Instead, the camera is located under the screen, which is also a questionable decision.

This time, not only the bezels have been removed, but also the 3.5mm headphone jack. Instead, an adapter for the USB-C port was included in the package. It eliminates the need to use wireless headphones.

At the top of the screen is a small telephone sink. The first generation smartphone used piezoelectric acoustic technology. It did not live up to expectations and was replaced with a regular speaker.

On the left side of the case there is a compartment for two SIM cards, on the right there is a volume control and a power button. A fast and reliable fingerprint scanner on the back of the smartphone, where the index finger rests. Nearby, in gold letters, it is indicated that this is a device made by Xiaomi. The camera also has a gold rim that stands out beautifully against the ceramic.

The developers did not provide the device with protection from water and dust. It should be used carefully; it may not survive accidental immersion.

Screen

The screen-to-body ratio exceeds 80%, so it takes up almost all the space here. Despite the large diagonal, the resolution is only 1080 x 2160, and the corners of the body are rounded.

Even if the screen is not Quad HD, it looks great and individual pixels on it are impossible to see even with careful study. Used IPS panel with good viewing angles, the brightness is also at high level, as well as color rendition.

Compared with AMOLED screens in smartphones like the Galaxy S8 or OnePlus 5T, the display here is not as rich. If you like bold colors, you can change them in the settings. True, they will not reach the level of the above-mentioned devices.

Working outdoors and in the sun will not be a problem as you can increase the brightness and see the image on the screen. A minor complaint is that the adaptive brightness control is sometimes too aggressive indoors. The screen is so dark that almost nothing is visible. You can change the brightness yourself in quick settings.

If a smartphone's screen is of utmost importance to you, the Galaxy S8 is a better choice. However, such large panel provides an immersive experience and should not disappoint. It is good for reading, watching videos and surfing the Internet. Viewing angles are impressive, especially in good lighting.

Performance

Thanks to the above features, apps load quickly. Android works just as quickly; running multiple applications at the same time does not slow down the work. You can minimize windows and then return to them to continue working without delay.

Thanks to high performance, stereo speakers and a large frameless screen, Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 is excellent multimedia device. Used flagship processor Snapdragon 835, 6 GB of RAM ensures gaming and multitasking.

If you hold the device in landscape mode, you can cover the speaker with your hand, and also accidentally press on the edges of the screen where there are no frames. Over time you can get used to it.

There is another speaker in the telephone sink, but it is quite weak. There is no headphone jack, so you need to use an adapter or wireless headphones.

Software

IN Lately Xiaomi has cleaned up its MIUI shell. It is still far from a stock version of Android like Oxygen OS on OnePlus, but the interface elements are quite convenient and largely copy Apple iOS and some other Android shells.

The most obvious difference from stock Android is the lack of an app drawer, meaning all shortcuts are on the home screen. You can put them in folders or install a third-party app list.

Many Mi Mix 2 units came with MIUI 8 version, but MIUI 9 is already available, to which the smartphones will be updated. It is based on Android 7, although since appearance of Android 8 six months have passed. Xiaomi is already testing this version and should release this update as well.

Even if you prefer pure Android, MIUI is a good skin. There are exclusive features like Quick Ball, which makes navigation buttons unnecessary. There is support for simultaneous login to two accounts in one application. Many interface elements can be customized using themes. Xiaomi also has its own screen recording program, which is simple and reliable.

Despite all this, Xiaomi goes its own way when developing MIUI. In China, the company sells smartphones with own services instead of Google services. Instead of the Play Store, the Mi Store and Mi Account are used. The international MIUI firmware is free of this, but some Xiaomi quirks remain, such as aggressive memory optimization. As mentioned above, it can be disabled.

Some may like the MIUI design even more than the pure version of Android. Small features like the wallpaper carousel where the lock screen and home screen are updated with cloud service Xiaomi are improving the appearance of the system. In terms of reliability, it is also good, there are almost no slowdowns or application crashes.

Cameras

Rear camera uses Sony sensor IMX368 with 12 MP resolution, HDR support, face detection and 4-axis optical image stabilization. The front camera resolution is 5 megapixels, it is located in the lower right corner under the screen.

The camera software is similar to what is used in other Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI shell. The developers borrowed a lot from Apple. The application interface is simple and offers various modes filming. Xiaomi did not try to offer anything extraordinary, as it did with dual camera on Xiaomi Mi 6. Apart from image stabilization and 4K video shooting, there is nothing special to highlight.

Given sufficient lighting, the camera does its job well, even if the owner has no knowledge of photography. Pictures are taken with rich colors and good dynamic range, the focus works quickly. In low light, stabilization comes to the rescue and helps produce good videos, but the quality of photos is poor. Even if you hold the smartphone with a very steady hand, the images come out blurry and with digital noise. Compared to the cameras on the Pixel 2 or even the iPhone 7, the results are unimpressive.

The strange placement of the front camera turns video chats into third party applications into complete chaos. Many programs simply don’t know that you need to flip the screen along with the camera. The viewing angle is very narrow, whereas many smartphones now offer wide-angle cameras.

We can say that Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 will not be a competitor to the best photographic smartphones, but under favorable conditions the results will be good.

Autonomy

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 has non-removable battery with a capacity of 3400 mAh, which fits into a 7.7 mm thick case. This is 1000 mAh less compared to the first generation device, but the battery life is still quite good. The smartphone works throughout the day, with a moderate load, 10%-15% remains in the evening.

Duration of work

Xiaomi aggressively manages app power consumption by throttling background processes to the point where they become simply useless. This is unlikely to appeal to those who need to quickly receive notifications from different programs.

Disabling this control does not cause the smartphone to drain much faster and it is still capable of working all day. Approximate tests showed that 20 minutes of browsing in the browser consumes 3% of the battery, 20 minutes of watching a video 5%, and 7% playing games for half an hour.

Supports standard fast charging Quick Charge 3.0. If you're going away and have little time, a few minutes of recharging will give you several hours of smartphone use. Not all smartphones with batteries with a capacity of more than 3000 mAh can boast of this.

Charging time

The package includes a fast charger; adapters from other smartphones, such as the Nexus 6, are also suitable. There is no support for wireless charging.

Price and Availability

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 was released in some countries; it also has no problems with availability in Russia. It supports 4G frequency bands around the world, so you can safely buy it from foreign online stores.

Price from 30,000 rub. and higher makes this smartphone a competitor to the OnePlus 5T model, which belongs to the category of flagship devices at a reduced cost. Basic model Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 received a memory configuration of 6/64 GB. The maximum flash memory is 256 GB.

An even more premium model with 8 GB of RAM and a ceramic body is sold in China.

Conclusion

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 is an excellent device for its price category. It has a beautiful edge-to-edge screen and powerful components, impressive battery life and many other advantages.

Despite this, compared to others Xiaomi models this device is expensive. Its main competitor will be OnePlus 5T.

If it was all about appearance, Mi Mix 2 would have no equal, but it also has its shortcomings. MIUI takes time to get used to, there is no protection against water and dust, the cameras are far from the best.

If you want to receive maximum performance but aren't going to pay a fortune for an iPhone X, or just love Android, the Mi Mix 2 will be excellent choice. At a price more than two times lower than an Apple device, you get no less big screen, and also don't get the nasty notch at the top of that screen.

pros

• Great edge-to-edge screen
• Ceramic back surface
• Autonomy

Minuses

• No headphone jack
• Rear camera could be better
• No protection against water and dust

The display, the main part of the Mi Mix 2, did not disappoint. Xiaomi didn't get carried away high resolution, so it is only slightly higher than standard Full HD, namely 2160x1080, which still gives a decent pixel density per inch - 402 ppi. The matrix is ​​the usual IPS, but with good characteristics and perfectly calibrated, as our testing showed. The contrast is high and the brightness too. Gamma and color temperature are close to ideal. There is nothing to complain about.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 can be used in stereo, however, one of the speakers is a conversational one, which is correspondingly quieter. The speakers handle simple compositions, like the soundtrack to the first Mafia, confidently. But as soon as you turn on something more saturated, some kind of electronic music, the power is barely enough - the detailing is so-so, the music starts to choke a little. In general, the quality is average. As for headphones, the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 does not have a 3.5 mm port, but the kit includes an adapter, so there is nothing to be afraid of.

Cameras

Let's be honest, the camera is one of the most weak points Mi Mix 2. It cannot be called bad, but against the backdrop of the overwhelming performance of the platform and the huge supply of RAM, its capabilities look a little ordinary. Even if the fairly inexpensive Xiaomi Mi A1 keeps up with the times and has a dual camera and a fashionable ability to blur the background in portrait photographs, then the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 rear camera, firstly, there is only one, and secondly, there are not enough stars from heaven. In principle, in automatic mode, if you adjust the exposure (in my opinion, the “automatic” itself often overexposes photographs), then you can take nice pictures. Then it will be difficult, but doable, to take a frankly bad picture during the day.

By releasing the original , Xiaomi company was able to declare itself as one of the first manufacturers whose portfolio includes a “frameless” smartphone. However, testing showed many controversial aspects of the model - weight and dimensions, implementation of the earpiece speaker, and other little things. Today we’ll see how the vision of the ideal frameless frame has changed Xiaomi smartphone in a year.

Smartphone provided Xiaomi.ua

Equipment and design

Just like a year ago, Mi Mix 2 meets the buyer in black cardboard box. We can immediately note that it has become simpler, and the supplied leather case has been replaced with a plastic one. This accessory may look cheaper, but it will certainly last longer and be more practical.

Surprisingly external changes in Mi Mix 2, compared to the first model, the minimum is about the same as between some iPhone 6 and 6s (exaggerated, but close to the truth). The case materials, as before, are metal (frame) and ceramics (back). The gold accents on the back have also been retained, although now only the camera lens is highlighted in color, and the fingerprint scanner is less noticeable.

Accordingly, tactile sensations remained at a comparable level - a pleasant, quite expensive and high-quality device, the back of which quickly becomes covered with fingerprints.

The list of changes does not end here and it’s time to note the most important of them. If Mi Mix was equipped with a 6.4-inch display, then Mi Mix 2 already received a 6-inch display. The body has become narrower, lower and a little lighter - the smartphone still feels heavy, but some may like it.

The reduced size has a positive effect on ease of use. Now the dimensions are comparable to 5.5-inch devices with frames, so with some skill, Mi Mix 2 can be used with one hand.

Another difference compared to the first Mi Mix is ​​the abandonment of the usual 3.5 mm jack; for using regular headphones, the kit includes a corresponding Type-C adapter.

In terms of build quality, everything is traditional good level. Physical keys in their places, they turned out to be quite comfortable. We also note the presence of a rare white version.

The degree of “framelessness” of the model has not changed. The actual distance from the edge of the image to the edge of the glass is a couple of millimeters, to which you should add the width of the metal frame. Therefore, upon closer inspection, you will notice that the frames are normal and noticeably wider than in the official images. But minimal padding at the top and bottom, as well as the rounded edges of the display, allow the smartphone to look quite impressive.

Display

The smartphone screen has become smaller (5.99 inches versus 6.4), but retains the resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels and IPS matrix. According to our measurements, the backlight brightness varies from 1 to 424 cd/m², and the contrast is 1 to 605.

Color rendering depends on the selected profile. In the “standard” color gamut is slightly wider than the sRGB space, and other parameters are close to the reference values.

In the “Increased Contrast” and “Automatic Contrast” profiles, the coverage becomes noticeably wider, the color temperature is higher, and the main parameters deviate more from the reference values. The picture turns out less “honest”, but more saturated and bright.

Overall, the Mix 2's display quality is comparable to other Xiaomi flagships - it's good IPS matrix with a comfortable brightness range, covered with glass with an oleophobic coating.

Hardware and software platforms

In terms of hardware, Mi Mix 2 differs little from Mi 6 and other flagships. Used Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, available memory sizes range from 6/64 to 8/256 GB. Traditionally there is no support for memory cards. The set of wireless interfaces includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC.

There were no problems with operating speed - the device feels quite fast, programs launch almost instantly, animations are smooth. In many ways, it’s worth saying “thank you” to MIUI - the shell is well optimized in terms of visual effects, although the developers still need to work on multitasking, since programs are often quickly unloaded from memory.

We tested the device on the stable Chinese build of MIUI 8.5 - we removed unnecessary programs and installed Google services ourselves. Perhaps, this is one of the main nuances of the device - in the Chinese MIUI, fonts still “spread” in some places, and double tap multitasking keys simply opens and closes the list running applications, although the device runs on Android 7.1.1.

During use, a “global” update was released MIUI versions(with localization and Google services), and also a firmware for developers based on MIUI 9 has appeared - in the first there should be no problems with fonts and Google services, in the second, double-pressing the multitasking key will work as it should. But, for example, the ability to fully expand notifications and respond to them is not yet available in any version of MIUI.

In fact, the shell continues to develop in parallel, without paying attention to the basic functionality of Android - those who are used to using it may not appreciate the developer's approach. If such nuances do not bother you, then there should be no problems. Plus, you will have the opportunity to try flexible power consumption settings and other MIUI functions for which it is praised.

Support for full-screen applications is implemented in MIUI at a normal level. Most of them “stretch” in height themselves, while for the rest the option can be turned on forcibly. How games work will depend on the developers. For example, in our case, Asphalt Extreme and Guns of Boom themselves earned full screen mode without black bars, and for Doodle Jump I had to activate the option. The smartphone software does not yet know how to stretch and trim video.

Multimedia, calls

The quality of music playback through headphones in Mi Mix 2 can be called ordinary - the sound is clear and detailed, the power is enough to drive most earbuds and on-ear headphones with low impedance. The only thing that confuses us is the need to use an adapter, which Xiaomi did for reasons unknown to us. On the other hand, the company has already released at least one of its own headphones with Type-C and acquired a fleet of Bluetooth models, so even in budget segment you can choose the appropriate accessory.

When playing sound through a single multimedia speaker, the conversational speaker is also used. This does not create a noticeable stereo effect, but the sound improves slightly. The multimedia speaker itself can be called average - it is loud, but does not have any special sound quality.

It's good that the company didn't forget to work on the earpiece. Compared to Mi Mix, a speaker of a different design was used here. Its sound is practically no different from usual solutions- talking on the phone is comfortable, you don’t have to adjust.

Working hours

Mi Mix 2 received a battery with a capacity of 3400 mAh - as much as 1000 mAh less than the first model. Therefore, the new smartphone can hardly be called too autonomous. The model works for a comparable time to its competitors - with my usual set of programs, the device averaged a day of work with 5-6 hours of active screen. In most cases, this will be enough to charge the device once a day. Supports fast charging as standard Qualcomm Quick Charge.

Camera

Frameless Xiaomi received the main camera module from Xiaomi Mi 6 (12 MP). At the same time, in frameless flagship the company uses only one main camera with worst characteristics optics (f/2.0 versus f/1.8 in Mi 6). It’s good that at least the optical stabilization system was retained.

The camera is equipped standard set shooting modes: HDR, manual, night, panorama and so on. Portrait mode no shooting.

The device takes pictures like others Xiaomi flagships- average Focusing and shooting occur quickly, the software correctly determines color temperature and in general the photographs look good, but upon closer inspection, the average detail in the photographs is noticeable, especially those taken in poor lighting.

The front module is located under the screen, so you have to turn the smartphone over to take a selfie. The 5 MP sensor (f/2.0) takes mediocre pictures.

Site evaluation

Pros:“frameless” design and case materials; normal body dimensions (width and height); high-quality screen; characteristics and performance; normal operating hours; The speaker has gotten better

Minuses: price; cameras are simpler than those of Mi 6 and generally worse than those of other flagships; rejection of the 3.5 mm jack; reduced battery capacity compared to the first Mi Mix

Conclusion: Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 can hardly be called unequivocally good or bad. The first model was perceived as a concept that became a real product, and the second version leaves comparable impressions. It’s safe to say that at the moment it is Mi 6 (and Mi Note 3) that is the current flagship of the company. Mi Mix 2 is assigned an image function, as well as the role of the expensive smartphone in the line. It has become more convenient to use, has a normal earpiece and updated characteristics. But on the other side of the scale are higher cost, less battery life, minus headphone jack, and average cameras by flagship standards. Probably, if you are a Xiaomi fan and want to use a “frameless” device, then the model is worth paying attention to, but it seems to us that in global terms this device will be on a par with other experimental and not the most successful Xiaomi flagships.

The first Mi MIX, presented last year, was a kind of “unicorn” - Xiaomi’s attempt not just to make an inexpensive smartphone with cool characteristics, but to create something special. And even though this “special” was very reminiscent of similar experiments with the lack of frames of the Japanese company Sharp - in the absence of Sharp smartphones on the world market, it was perceived as at least fresh. A smartphone with a 6.4-inch display in relatively compact body, and even with unusual design, - sounded good. But Xiaomi did not bother to make it really convenient and raised the price very much, as if declaring that dumping is not the only way this company fights for first positions in sales rankings. As a result, the experiment turned out to be quite unsuccessful, and it might seem that there will no longer be a second Mi MIX.

Well, we should rejoice at the persistence of the Chinese. The second Mi MIX was released exactly a year later - and Xiaomi’s mood did not become less serious. Yes, the new product has become much more “standard” in proportions, having received a display reduced to 5.99 inches in a fashionable 18:9 format, but the “frameless” concept and ceramic back panel remained in place. As well as the extremely current (adjusted for the past year) filling. Did Xiaomi manage to punch the “real” Korean and American flagships in the gut on the second attempt? And are there any prospects for the Xiaomi smartphone, which will be sold for 40 thousand rubles?

⇡ Specifications

⇡ Design, ergonomics and software

On its way to something more familiar than the completely unformatted first Mi MIX, Xiaomi followed a well-trodden path: an 18:9 (2:1) display that maximally follows the contours of the front panel, with a minimum of space on the sides, top and bottom. But the Chinese failed to completely get rid of frames - the smartphone is most similar to the LG G6 and the iPhone X, released a day later. The only two truly frameless smartphones remain the Note 8 with their curved AMOLED displays. Xiaomi Mi MIX 2, unfortunately, has the good old LCD display, which cannot be “wrapped” at the edges.

And everything would be fine if Xiaomi didn’t try to show off its renderings, shown at the presentation and published on the official website - in them, Mi MIX 2 looks like a gadget whose front panel is completely covered by the screen, without any compromises. When the smartphone is in your hands, you can notice the frames without the slightest difficulty. Why such petty fraud is needed is generally incomprehensible. But the number of false clicks, unlike the first Mi MIX, has decreased to almost zero.

One way or another, Mi MIX 2 looks no longer strange, like its predecessor, and is very relevant. Another thing is that with this relevance, freshness is lost - but this is a completely appropriate sacrifice for convenience. Holding the new product in your hand and reaching the corners of its smaller display (5.99 inches instead of the previous 6.4) is much more convenient. It feels like a typical job modern smartphone with a screen diagonal of about five and a half inches, where another half an inch is a bonus for being frameless. The only thing that is slightly confusing is the weight of the device - 185 grams. The thing is very weighty. I wouldn’t say, however, that these 20-30 extra grams compared to competitors somehow affect the user experience.

There will be two versions on sale, differing in design. Xiaomi versions Mi MIX 2, as in the case of Mi6, is “regular”, with a ceramic back and metal edges, and completely ceramic. It is slightly different in size, two grams heavier, and is also available in two colors: black and white (the regular one only comes in black). Well, more expensive, of course. The ceramic surface looks expensive and rich, it is no different here from what we saw in the first Mi MIX. She collects prints just as willingly - it’s true that it’s not difficult to erase them.

The front panel is covered with tempered (in theory) glass. It shouldn’t (in theory) be scratched under standard conditions, but after only a week of use I managed to get a couple of small scratches on it.