Solid performer at affordable price
Xiaomi’s Mi MIX 2S is not just good-looking but also full of features, writes Izwan Ismail
IT looks like China brand smartphones are gaining more traction among consumers today compared to a couple of years back.
Pricing is one of the main contributors to their popularity among Malaysians, as premium devices from bigger players such as Apple and Samsung are getting out of reach for many.
Aside from affordability, the China brands are also getting better in design, despite their almost similar look to the iPhone X, with the vertical dual camera.
THE MI MIX 2S
Xiaomi’s MI MIX 2S is a beautiful flagship device that is comparable to premium phones in the market currently, specs wise.
This 5.99-inch Android phone comes with the latest Qualcomm SnapdragonTM 845 processor with a 2.8GHz maximum clock speed and the new Qualcomm AdrenoTM 630 GPU.
These chips have more than enough power to allow users to play the most demanding mobile games or run multiple apps at a go. With a maximum clock speed of 2.8GHz and eight Kryo 385 cores, the CPU sees a 30 per cent performance increase over the last generation and up to 30 per cent lower power consumption. In addition, the platform features AI processing, delivering three times improvement in overall AI performance compared to the prior generation.
On the camera side, the phone boasts a 16MP front camera, designed for selfie lovers, which works well in low light condition.
The accompanying 12MP and 5MP AI dual camera at the back also captures details in good light and produces high resolution images. The back camera also features a 2x optical zoom, which lets you get closer to your subject without losing picture quality.
I tested it after dusk with a cityscape view of San Francisco recently and found that the camera performs really well. This is because the 12MP primary sensor has 1.25µm large pixels, which results in brighter images in low light conditions. The 5MP secondary sensor, meanwhile, is dedicated to acquiring depth of information, producing photos with great bokeh effects.
In Portrait Mode, both the front and back cameras support AI Beautify that can detect make-up and keep it intact, while the algorithm has also been optimised for popular selfie facial expressions.
Besides that, DxOMark, the leading and trusted source in the industry for camera and lens image quality measurements and ratings, has given Mi MIX 2S a 101 photo rating, the highest in the Xiaomi phone line.
All these premium features may put a top-of-the-line phone from Apple and Samsung in the region of between RM3,000 and RM5,000, but the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S stays humble at just RM1,999 (64GB) and RM2,199 (128GB).
WELL-DESIGNED DEVICE
I’ve tried and tested many China brand phones before but this one feels really hefty and good in the hand. Its metallicfinish back is symmetrically curved and gently tapered toward the edges, achieving great ergonomics and aesthetics at the same time.
The aluminum frame that holds a 5.99 FHD+ display is perfect in the hand and looks good too. It is also good to know that the unique design elements in the Mi MIX series have won “gold” at the four major awards: IDEA, IF, Red dot and Good Design, and have been recognised by some of the world’s most prestigious design awards and museums.
CONCLUSION
If you’re on a budget but want a premium spec phone, you may want to consider the Mi MIX 2S. If you’re not convinced on just paper statement, pop into any of Xiaomi’s outlets and give it a try.
I give this phone a 4/5 rating.