Review Xiaomi Mi Max. First look
May 10 Chinese company Xiaomi held a regular press conference, presenting the new version of the MIUI firm shell, as well as the smartphone Xiaomi Mi Max, atypical and with some unexpected side even for Xiaomi product. Yes, different teasers about Xiaomi Mi Max Xiaomi began to appear on the official website and in its group about a month before the presentation, yes, it was clear that the Chinese are preparing something big and with a large screen, but that is so, personally, I did not expect. Therefore, it will start with a smartphone, because MIUI – only a portion of each device and it will be discussed later.
Before the presentation was not aware of the exact name of the device, and all the teasers him supplied with a simple signature «MAX», so that the expectations of the users was such that Xiaomi will present an inexpensive smartphone with a large display. Another extension Redmi lineup with decent (but not top-end) parameters for a very nice price. And the company actually unveiled just such a smart phone, that’s just call it for some reason, Xiaomi Mi Max, that is, they carried the prefix «Mi» to the lineup of flagship devices. All that came out from the company Xiaomi with the prefix «Mi» to this point, is the best of the best in their categories, they were compact and flagship MI3 MI3, as well as a large machine Mi Note. Branches 4c Mi and Mi 4i were somewhat easier, in some ways stronger than the original model, but were also in the segment is not below average. A new Xiaomi Mi Max – is a budget device (at a price) with good options, but again, not the flagship. So let the name of the smartphone you do not mind, do not expect Xiaomi Mi Max breakout and compare it with the flagship, but in its price category it will be just a great machine.
Design is already typical for Xiaomi – simple front panel with 2.5D glass and the “rest” with a slightly curved edges, as in the Mi Note and Mi5, but, unlike them, it is made of aluminum instead of glass. From a practical point of view it is even better. Yes, the smartphone will not be as impressive to look like a flagship, but it will not get dirty as quickly and collect scratches and abrasions.
Materials – glass front and rear metal. Colors familiar and classic – light gray, silver and gold, the front panel in all cases white.
On renderers Xiaomi Mi Max device appears with a very thin frame, Chinese manufacturers of Huawei and Lenovo to various Ulefone, Elephone, Oukitel and others like to paint pictures with smartphone framework to one millimeter. In practice, of course, in addition to the really thin padding on the screen, Xiaomi Mi Max is a “dummy frame” – the region around a black display, which takes the pictures on the strength of 0.2 millimeters, but in reality, add frames smartphone about half a millimeter thick. This is absolutely not terrible, the unit still looks very cool and neat, but the fact of the desire and even the largest players trick the user renders of such (and we, again, not only about the Xiaomi) upsets me.
In size comparison Xiaomi Mi Max especially there is nothing, but rather a “PHABLET” than a smartphone with the screen diagonal of 6.44 inches size of the device to compete with the large devices.
- Sony Xperia Z Ultra (6.4 ”) – 179.4 x 92.2 x 6.5 mm, 212 grams
- Sony Xperia C5 Ultra (6 ”) – 64.2 x 79.6 x 8.2 mm, 187 grams
- Xiaomi Mi Note Pro (5.7 ”) – 155.1 x 77.6 x 7 mm, 161 grams
- Xiaomi MI Max (6.44 ”) – 173.1 x 88.3 x 7.5 mm, 203 grams
- Lenovo Phab Plus (6.4 ”) – 186.6 x 96.6 x 7.6 mm, 229 grams
I will not argue about the convenience of grip and other things, because: a) did not hold a new smartphone in the hands and b) what is there to speak at all – it’s a huge shovel, even in comparison with the rather big Samsung Galaxy Note 5 or Xiaomi Mi Note!
The presentation alone was noted incredible subtlety smartphone – only 7.5 mm, in fact, the modern “PHABLET” is the normal thickness of the shell, not too big, but not a record low. Sony Xperia Z Ultra Released in 2013 had a 6.5 mm thick, while the other unit from Xiaomi – Mi Note – 7 mm. It also says that the Xiaomi Mi Max does not claim the laurels of the leader and record levels of compactness and thinness are not necessary.
The device is built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 or 652 platforms, depending on the version. The easiest option with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of built-in based on the Snapdragon 650 – dual-core Cortex-A72 with a frequency of 1.8 GHz quad-core Cortex-A52 with a frequency of 1.4 GHz. Version 3/64 GB and 4.128 GB is based on Snapdragon 652 – quad-core Cortex-A72 with a frequency of 1.8 GHz quad-core Cortex-A52 with a frequency of 1.4 GHz. All versions use Adreno 510 graphics and a slot for a memory card, it can be installed in place of the second SIM-card.
The main camera with a resolution of 16 megapixel, f / 2.0, with auto-focus, the phase focus and video recording at 1080p. Some special moments on this camera can not mention – most likely, it uses similar to Redmi module devices. The front camera of 5 megapixel, f / 2.0, with wide-angle shooting.
Battery capacity in Xiaomi Mi Max – 4850 mAh. The device allows you to watch video (online) for about 14 hours. With this smartphone battery exactly should be enough for a full day of work, but how much good work for the time he would be in reality, it is not yet clear.
The Xiaomi Mi Max supports two SIM-cards, one slot is designed for card microSIM format, the second – nanoSIM. There is support for 4G + and VoLTE.
The smartphone runs on Android 6 with a proprietary interface MIUI 8. In general, the interface logic has not changed compared with the seventh version, it’s all the same familiar “miuay”, but innovation is still there.
MIUI 8
The basic idea of the new version of MIUI – even more simple and concise menu and a neat and clean interface as a whole. Icons curtain notifications, calendar and some other applications now change color depending on the weather, for example. In MIUI 8 appeared proprietary Chinese font is more smooth and readable than the standard. And the emphasis is on new opportunities in a variety of MIUI basic programs.
The gallery is optimized image viewing system (now the space is used more efficiently, even if you see the picture in vertical mode), new modes of editing images and video filters, stickers, and other things.
Scanner using the main camera, now allows you to not only scan barcodes, but also other information, for example, some mathematical equations to then perform calculations.
Updated notes application, it is now possible to “recovery record” or to protect the fingerprint, new themes notes.
Optimize energy efficiency, added tools for working with multiple windows, more convenient switching between running applications, and even some things.
Sign up to participate in the beta test of the new MIUI 8 will be from 16 May, and self testing will start on 1 June. Release «Developer ROM» Firmware version will be held on 17 June. Xiaomi promises that MIUI 8 will be for the following smartphones:
If you close your eyes to the thickness of the smartphone embellished body frame and the console “Mi”, which was previously hinted that the smartphone – the flagship, we have a very good “PHABLET”. Probably the best at the moment. And find flaws in it just like that, with the move, I did not get. Of course, when I get to the device, similar to him, and then sit down to write a review, then surely something “get enough money”, but now – no. If you take the price when ordering from online stores, where the device will appear in dealers, and add shipping, the base version of the Xiaomi Mi Max value of 1 500 yuan (about 15 000) will cost the user in the very first month of sales suspended in 20 000-25 000, the eldest – 30 000-35 000. “PHABLET” on a good platform, with 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of built-in, slot for card, high-quality display, capacious battery and, more importantly, nice and neat housing 20 000 rubles – a very good offer.
Of the competitors I can recall Lenovo Phab Plus, a smartphone in Russia now costs just about 25 000 rubles (Xiaomi Mi Max would cost the same 25 000 at the start, whether it is presented, we officially). The Lenovo Phab Plus larger screen (6.8 ”), but uses a simpler platform, less memory and lower battery capacity. Of the advantages – support for LTE-FDD band 20, for some it is important.
If you are looking for a smartphone with a large screen as much as possible, to the new Xiaomi Mi Max definitely worth paying attention to, even though it is not officially sold in Russia and to buy it is not as easy as many other devices. The main thing – keep in mind that before the smartphone order better to look for a reliable vendor and to require the original firmware (not “custom”), so it will be less of a problem.
P.S. At the Xiaomi Mi Max 8 and MIUI company planned to show new fitness bracelet Mi Band 2, but due to “technical difficulties” bracelet presentation postponed for about a month.
