Xiaomi just introduced a new entry-level 48 MP smartphone – the Redmi 9T!
Take a look at the new Xiaomi Redmi 9T, and see if this is what you have been waiting for!
Xiaomi Redmi 9T : New Entry-Level 48MP Smartphone!
Xiaomi just introduced a new entry-level 48 MP smartphone – the Redmi 9T! This is the 4G little brother of their Redmi Note 9T. Confusing naming, indeed!
6.53-inch FHD+ Dot Drop Display
The Redmi 9T sports a large 6.53-inch Dot Drop display, with a FHD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels.
It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, and is TUV Rheinland-certified for low blue light.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 662
The Redmi 9T is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 mobile platform, with 4G LTE and WiFi-AC connectivity.
It has an 8-core processor, with four high-speed Qualcomm Kryo 260 Gold cores running at 2.0 GHz, and four low-power Qualcomm Kryo 260 Silver cores running at 1.8 GHz.
It comes with the Qualcomm Adreno 610 GPU, and the 3rd Generation Qualcomm AI Engine.
Memory + Storage Options
Xiaomi is offering two memory and storage options – 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage, and 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage.
Five Cameras
In the front, the Xiaomi Redmi 9T has an 8 MP selfie camera, with a f/2.05 aperture. At the back, it has a quad-camera system that consists of :
a 48 MP main camera, with f/1.79 aperture and 4-in-1 Super Pixel capability
an 8 MP ultra-wide camera, with f/2.2 aperture
a 2 MP macro camera, with f/2.4 aperture, and
a 2 MP depth sensor, with f/2.4 aperture
Power + Charging
Powering all that is a massive 6,000 mAh battery, which supports 18 watt fast charging. Oddly enough, it comes with a 22.5 watt charger in the box.
Xiaomi Redmi 9T : Specification Comparison
To help you differentiate between the Redmi 9T (4G) and the Redmi Note 9T (5G), here is their specification comparison.
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realme just launched their realme 5i smartphone, with 4 rear cameras and a large 5000 mAh battery.
Let’s take a closer look at the realme 5i, and find out what it offers!
realme 5i Preview : A Slightly Different realme 5!
Contrary to expectations, the realme 5i is not a cheaper version of the realme 5, but a slightly different variant.
In fact, it has the same price as the realme 5, just trading the high-resolution front camera for more memory. This is probably why realme gave it two different colour options.
Here is a summary of its key features :
It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665, which is fabricated on the 11 nm process technology
It comes with 4 GB RAM – 1 GB more than the realme 5 at the same price point
It has a triple slot tray, which supports two nano SIM cards and a microSD card
It has an 8 MP front camera with f/2.0 aperture – the realme 5 has a 13 MP front camera
Its rear quad-camera consists of a 12 MP main camera, an 8 MP wide-angle camera, a 2 MP portrait camera and a 2 MP macro camera
It comes with realme’s largest battery yet – a 5,000 mAh lithium-ion battery
realme 5i Specifications
In this table, we compare the realme 5i against the realme 5 at the same price point :
Specifications
realme 5i
realme 5
Display
6.5-inch LCD display – 720 x 1600 pixels (~269 ppi)
– 480 nits max brightness
Protection
Gorilla Glass
Gorilla Glass 3+
Operating System
Android P with ColorOS 6
System Platform
Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 AIE
CPU
4 x Kryo 260 Gold cores (2.0 GHz)
4 x Kryo 260 Silver cores (1.8 GHz)
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Xiaomi just launched the Redmi Note 8, offering 48 MP photography at ridiculous price points!
Here is EVERYTHING you need to know about the new Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, including its key features, price and availability!
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Revealed!
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (Lazada | Shopee) builds upon the Redmi Note 7 that was launched just 6.5 months ago, offering a faster and more efficient Snapdragon 665 mobile platform and expanded photographic capabilities.
Join Allen An, Xiaomi Country Manager of Malaysia and Singapore, for his presentation on what’s new!
Faster + More Efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 AIE
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (Lazada | Shopee) replaces the old 14 nm Snapdragon 660 AIE platform, with a new 11 nm Snapdragon 665 AIE platform.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 actually has a slightly slower CPU, but makes up for it with a much faster Adreno 610 GPU.
More importantly, it is built on the smaller 11 nm process technology, which reduces its power consumption and thermal output.
Expanded Photographic Capabilities
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 first introduced a 48 MP main camera built around the Samsung ISOCELL Bright GM1 sensor, paired with a 5 MP depth sensor.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (Lazada | Shopee) uses the same 48 MP Samsung GM1 camera, but pairs it with a 2 MP depth sensor instead while offering expanded photographic capabilities through two additional cameras :
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a new 8 MP wide-angle camera with f/2.2 aperture
a new 2 MP macro camera with f/2.4 lens
The Redmi Note 8 Has Faster Charging… Well, Not Quite
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (Lazada | Shopee) supports 18 watt fast charging. However, it only ships with a 10 watt fast charger.
If you wish to make full use of its faster charging capability, you will need to purchase a separate 18 watt fast charger.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 vs Redmi Note 7 Comparison
Specifications
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8
Xiaomi Redmi Note 7
Display
6.3-inch Dot Drop display – 1080 x 2340 pixels (409 ppi)
– 84% NTSC, 1500:1 contrast ratio
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (front + back)
IP Rating
NA
Operating System
Android 9 Pie
System Platform
Qualcomm Snapdragon 665
Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
CPU
4 x Qualcomm Kryo 260 Gold cores (2.0 GHz)
4 x Qualcomm Kryo 260 Silver cores (1.8 GHz)
4 x Qualcomm Kryo 260 Gold cores (2.2 GHz)
4 x Qualcomm Kryo 260 Silver cores (1.8 GHz)
48 MP Samsung GM1 camera with f/1.79 aperture 8 MP wide-angle camera with f/2.2 aperture 2 MP macro camera with f/2.4 lens 2 MP depth sensor with f/2.4 lens
48 MP Samsung GM1 camera with f/1.8 aperture 5 MP depth sensor with f/2.4 lens
Dual SIM Capability
Dual SIM, dual active capable
Connectivity
4G : LTE Cat 13 UL, Cat 13 DL
Wi-Fi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 2.0 Type C
Fingerprint Sensor
Yes, Rear-Mounted
Other Sensors
Proximity, Ambient Light, Acceleratometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
NFC
No
Battery
4,000 mAh lithium-ion battery
Charger
18 W fast charging (maximum)
10 W fast charger in box
10 W fast charging (maximum)
10 W fast charger in box
Dimensions
75.3 mm wide
158.3 mm tall
8.35 mm thick
75.21 mm wide
159.21 mm tall
8.1 mm thick
Weight
190 g
186 g
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Price + Availability
Like they did with the Redmi Note 7, Xiaomi will offer three Redmi Note 8 models :
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Xiaomi just launched the Mi A3 – their new best-in-class Android One smartphone. It promises to offer a big upgrade over last year’s Mi A2 smartphone.
Let’s take a look at what Xiaomi upgraded in the new Mi A3, and see how much has changed from the Mi A2!
The Xiaomi Mi A3 Smartphone
Let’s start with the official Xiaomi Mi A3 tech briefing by Allen An, Xiaomi Country Manager for Malaysia and Singapore.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 AIE Platform
The Xiaomi Mi A3 (MY | US | UK | AU) uses a newer, upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 mobile platform. Despite its name, it actually has slightly slower CPU performance than the Mi A2‘s Snapdragon 660.
However, it boasts a faster Adreno 610 GPU, and is fabricated on the 11 nm process, which means it is smaller, runs cooler and is more power-efficient.
The Mi A3 also comes with UFS 2.1 flash storage, which is much faster than the eMMC 5.1 flash storage used in the Mi A2.
HD+ AMOLED Display
Xiaomi swapped out the Mi A2‘s Full HD+ IPS display, for a HD+ AMOLED display in the Mi A3.
It has a lower resolution, but offers a much better colour gamut of 102.7% NTSC, with a higher contrast ratio of 60,000:1.
Front Camera : 32 MP With Super Pixel
Xiaomi swapped out the Mi A2‘s 20 MP front camera with f/1.75 aperture and LED flash for a 32 MP front camera with f/2.0 aperture.
To ensure great low-light performance, this 32 MP front camera supports Super Pixel technology, which combines four pixels, creating a large 1.6 μm pseudo-pixel.
Triple Rear Cameras : Dual Cameras + Depth Sensor
The Mi A2 paired a 12 MP Sony IMX486 camera with a 20 MP Sony IMX376 low-light camera. Xiaomi took a different direction with the Mi A3.
The Xiaomi Mi A3 (MY | US | UK | AU) boasts a 48 MP main camera with a large ½” sensor size and bright f/1.79 aperture. It supports Super Pixel technology, so that takes care of low-light performance.
The main camera is paired with a 2 MP depth sensor, which does not take any photos. Its sole function is to obtain depth data so the Mi A3 can create accurate software bokeh effects.
The second camera is now an 8 MP ultra-wide angle camera, with f/2.2 aperture. This offers more creative photography options than the Mi A2.
The Audio Port + microSD Slot Returns!
Xiaomi also listen to pleas from their fans and reintroduced the 3.5 mm audio port, and the microSD slot. So you can now use your wired earphones, and add more storage!
34% More Battery Capacity!
The Mi A2 was criticised for its relatively small 3,000 mAh battery, which did not last long with the power-hungry Snapdragon 660 processor.
Xiaomi fixed that with a much larger 4,030 mAh battery in the Mi A3 (MY | US | UK | AU). Coupled with the more power-efficient Snapdragon 665 processor, it should deliver a much longer battery life.
Xiaomi Mi A3 vs. Xiaomi Mi A2
Here are the specifications of both smartphones compared!
Specifications
Xiaomi Mi A3
Xiaomi Mi A2
Display
6.088-inch IPS display
- 720 x 1560 pixels
5.99-inch IPS display
- 1080 x 2160 pixels (403 ppi)
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Operating System
Android 9.0 Pie
Android 8.1 Oreo
System Platform
Qualcomm Snapdragon 665
Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
Processor
4 x Kryo 260 Gold (2.0 GHz)
4 x Kryo 260 Silver (1.8 GHz)
4 x Kryo 260 Gold (2.2 GHz)
4 x Kryo 260 Silver (1.84 GHz)
Graphics Processor
Qualcomm Adreno 610
Qualcomm Adreno 512
Memory
4 GB LPDDR4x SDRAM
4 GB LPDDR4X SDRAM
Storage
64 / 128 GB internal storage microSD card slot
64 GB internal storage No microSD card slot
Front Camera
32 MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture
- 1080p @ 30 fps video
20 MP IMX376 sensor with f/1.75 aperture
- single LED flash
- 1080p @ 30 fps video
Rear Camera
Triple Lens Camera
- 48 MP Sony camera (f/1.79)
- 8 MP ultra-wide angle camera (f/2.2)
- 2 MP depth sensor (f/2.4)
- Dual-tone LED flash
- 2160p @ 30 fps video
Dual Lens Camera
- 12 MP Sony IMX486 camera (f/1.75)
- 20 MP Sony IMX376 low-light camera (f/1.75)
- PDAF capability
- Dual-tone LED flash
- 2160p @ 30 fps video
Connectivity
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB-C
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 2.0 Type C
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Sales kicked off on 27 March 2019, with three colour options – Space Black, Neptune Blue and Nebula Red.
For the first time ever, Xiaomi will cover the Note 7 with an exclusive 18-month warranty!
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Unboxing The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) comes in a simple white cardboard box. Let’s unbox it, and see what we find inside!
When you fully unbox it, you will find the following items :
One Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 smartphone
One Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 clear TPU bumper case
One set of Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 documents
One Xiaomi MDY-09-EW USB charger (10 watt)
One USB Type C data and power cable
One SIM tray extractor pin
While we always like it when brands include a bumper case, this bumper case falls short of our expectations. We will explain it in our close-up look at the Redmi Note 7 and the bumper case.
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The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Up Close!
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) has a new design build around a large 6.3-inch Dot Drop display.
This display has a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2380 pixels, and covers 84% of the NTSC colour gamut!
The Redmi Note 7 is protected in the front and back by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which allows it to survive a 1.6 meter drop up 80% of the time!
Disappointingly, the bundled TPU bumper case was neither well-designed. It lacks an oleophobic coating and so is easily-smudged by fingerprints.
Critically, it does not protect the display or the camera bump at all, as the final part of this video will show. It can only protect against falls on the sides of the phone…
On the left side, you will only find the SIM tray.
The Power and Volume control buttons are both located on the right side.
The 3.5 mm audio port is located at the top – the most ideal location. Xiaomi also retained the IR emitter, so you can use it as a remote control!
We are very glad that Xiaomi chose to use the newer, bidirectional Type C USB port, instead of the old micro-USB port.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) is not water-resistant, but has watertight seals for its buttons and ports to reduce the impact of accidental water splashes.
Dot Drop Display
Covering most of the front is a large 6.3-inch IPS display with what Xiaomi calls a “dot drop” notch.
The display has a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, with a pixel density of 409 ppi.
It boasts a high contrast ratio of 1500:1, with a wide colour gamut of 84% of NTSC.
The dot drop notch allows for a larger display area, specifically space for more notifications. Barring the complete removal of the notch, this is about as good as it gets!
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
Launched in May 2017, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 is a powerful mid-range mobile SoC. It combines eight Qualcomm Kryo 260 processor cores, with an Adreno 512 GPU, a Snapdragon X12 modem, a Spectra 160 camera ISP and a Hexagon 680 DSP.
There are two processor clusters – a high-performance cluster of four Kryo 260 Gold cores running at 2.2 GHz, and a low-power cluster of four Kryo 260 Silver cores running at 1.84 GHz. The Kryo 260 Gold is a semi-custom version of the Cortex-A73, while the Kryo 260 Silver is a semi-custom version of the Cortex A53.
Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 660 is up to 20% faster in processor performance than the previous year’s Snapdragon 653, and up to 30% faster in graphics performance.
13 MP + 48 MP Cameras
Hidden in the dot drop notch is a 13 MP front camera. It can capture high-resolution photos but is limited to 720p videos.
At the back, it boasts a new 48 MP main camera built around the Samsung ISOCELL Bright GM1 BSI (backside illuminated) CMOS sensor. It has a bright and wide f/1.8 aperture, and is supported by a 5 MP depth sensor and a single LED flash.
The ISOCELL GM1 sensor supports the Samsung Tetracell technology, allowing it to merge four pixels into one large 1.6 μm pixel. This allows it to greatly increase light sensitivity in low-light conditions, delivering 12 MP pictures that are much brighter and clearer.
The depth sensor does not actually take any pictures. Instead, it lets the camera to more accurately differentiate the subject from its background, allowing for more realistic software bokeh effects.
There is no optical image stabilisation, but the camera supports electronic image stabilisation (EIS).
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Fast Fingerprint Sensor
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) has a fast fingerprint sensor located at the back, just adjacent to the rear camera bump.
In our tests, it was very fast and accurate, taking only 10 finger presses to record a fingerprint. It also supports 360-degree recognition, which makes it easy to activate.
The Redmi Note 7 does not support facial recognition, so the only alternatives to using the fingerprint sensor is to draw a pattern, or key in a PIN or password.
Hybrid SIM Tray
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) supports Dual SIM, Dual Standby capability. However, it only comes with a hybrid SIM tray.
The hybrid SIM tray allows the second nano SIM slot to double as a microSD slot. You can either use two nano SIM cards, or one nano SIM card with a microSD card.
Ergonomics
Thanks to its Dot Drop notch, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) is not a large device. In fact, it is about the same size as the Realme 3, and approximately the size of a traditional 5.7-inch device. This is why it fits even smaller hands and pockets.
The Redmi Note 7 has a nice 6.3-inch IPS display with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. That gives it an ultra-wide / ultra-tall 19:9 aspect ratio, which will result in some pillarboxing – a black bar will be present on the left and right sides of the video clip.
Setting Up The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) runs on Android 9.0 Pie, so it is really easy to setup. It should take you no more than 7 minutes to set it up as a new device.
Available Memory & Storage
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) comes with memory options of 3 GB and 4 GB of LPDDR4x memory. Our review sample came with the full 4 GB. MIUI 10.2 does not allow us to check the amount of free memory, but we used AIDA64 to confirm that it has 2.23 GB (55%) of free memory.
This is eerily similar to the Realme 3. If you opt for the 3 GB model, you will probably have 1.23 GB of available memory to use. That’s still more RAM than entry-level smartphones come with!
Xiaomi offers three storage options globally – 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB. Our review sample came with 64 GB, of which just under 52 GB (81%) is available for use.
This is enough space to store about 14,000 photos or 6.5 hours of 1080p videos. If that’s not enough, you can top it up with a microSD card (up to 256 GB).
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Battery Life
We tested the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7’s battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.
Thanks to its large 4,000 mAh battery, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) has a battery that exceeds 12 hours! This is not just screen-on time. It’s running the Work 2.0 benchmark over, and over again, for over 12.25 hours!
This is really surprising, because the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 is 2 years old, and is known for its higher power consumption. The same processor was used in the Realme 2 Pro, which lasted only 7 hours with a 3,500 mAh battery!
Battery Recharging Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 4, which allows for faster charging.
It comes with the MDY-09-EW fast charger with a 10 watt power output. Let’s see how fast it recharges the 4,000 mAh battery!
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) took 2 hours and 13 minutes (133 minutes) to recharge its battery from 20% to 100%.
This is good performance for its 10 watt charger, recharging its battery 35% faster than the Realme 3‘s 10 watt charger.
Its battery life : recharging ratio of 5.6 : 1 is pretty good. A rule of thumb – for one hour of battery life, you will need to charge it for 11 minutes.
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Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Camera Performance – Photo Samples
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) has a 48 MP main camera with a bright f/1.8 aperture, and a 5 MP depth sensor.
The ultra-high resolution sensor has pretty small pixels – just 0.4 µm in size, so by default, Xiaomi combines them to form a very large 1.6 µm pixel for a reduced 12 MP photo resolution.
At the default 12 MP resolution, the photos are 4000 x 3000 pixels in size, with file sizes between 3.5 MB and 6 MB.
Here are 10 high-resolution unedited photo samples for you to check out. Click on them to load the full-sized photos. You can also download them to examine up close.
The image quality was excellent, and it was more so at night – the details captured were crisp and clean of noise. However, note again that they were taken at the default 12 MP resolution.
There are some caveats though. The wide f/1.8 aperture naturally creates a narrow depth of field, with a nice bokeh effect. But in many cases, you will end up with an out-of-focus subject because of two issues :
trouble autofocusing on the subject in some cases, and
the inability to focus at short distances
In other words, it cannot take macro or close-up shots. You need to put some distance between the camera and your subject.
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Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Camera Performance – Video Samples
Despite its ultra-high resolution 48 MP sensor, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) only supports 1080p video recording. Here are two video samples.
Video Sample #1 : Piano Performance
Despite being limited to 1080p, we liked how it is at least electronically-stabilised, which makes for a shake-free video.
The Redmi Note 7 keeps a good focus on the pianist, Mr. Yang I-Deun, who is well-exposed. However, you can see that bright background is over-exposed and washed-out.
Its audio recording was pretty good. It was a little bright, but had a much wider range than we would expect from a smartphone at this price range. It also had pretty decent noise cancellation capability.
Video Sample #2 : Street Market
Thanks to its electronic image stabilisation (EIS) capability, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 delivers a pretty smooth, jerk-free video as we walked through the street market.
Although noise cancellation was pretty good, we noted some wind noise. Still, it was better than what we would expect at this price point.
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Work Performance – PCMark
We tested the Redmi Note 7’s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browsing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7’s Snapdragon 660 held up pretty well, considering it is a two-year old platform. In fact, it was just a little slower than the newer Snapdragon 710 that powers the OPPO R17 Pro.
Gaming Performance – 3DMark
We then tested the Redmi Note 7’s gaming performance using 3DMark, using the Ice Storm Unlimited test.
Despite its age, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 is still good for gaming. It actually beat the MediaTek Helio P60 that powers the Realme 3 by 32%, and was just 15% slower than the Honor Play‘s Kirin 970.
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Our Verdict
Xiaomi has always had the reputation for creating smartphones with exceptional value, and excellent design. Yet they seemed to have stumbled with the design of the Redmi Note 7, and its bumper case.
The large camera bump is so 2015, and the subdued colour gradient looks flat. The cheaper Realme 3 actually looked more premium! Even worse, the bundled bumper case fails to protect the camera bump or even the display.
But Xiaomi did not disappoint when it came to delivering value, and the Redmi Note 7 delivers it aplenty!
Not only does it come with a large 6.3-inch IPS display with Full HD+ resolution, both the front and back are protected by Gorilla Glass 5.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (Price Check) also boasts an ultra-high resolution 48 MP main camera, paired with a 5 MP depth sensor. Can you name another smartphone in the same price range with such a high-resolution camera?
Sure, it does not support 4K video recording, but at least it supports electronic image stabilisation which allows you to record smooth, jerk-free videos.
It also comes with a large 4,000 mAh battery that lasts over 12 hours in our tests. This is despite using a 14 nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 mobile SoC, which is known to be a little power-hungry.
If you are looking for a mid-range smartphone with a 48 MP main camera at less than RM 1,000 / $240 / £190 / €215, there is really only one choice – the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7!
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The Realme 2 Pro is a new mid-range smartphone that promises Max Power, Max Style. It’s a shot across the bow of other smartphone brands, with its combination of performance, features, looks and incredible price point.
In our in-depth review, we will take a close look at the Realme 2 Pro, and show you why this mid-range smartphone is taking the industry by storm!
The Realme 2 Pro Tech Briefing!
Here is the official Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) tech briefing in Jakarta. Unfortunately, it’s in Indonesian, but the slides are still informative.
Realme 2 Pro, Realme 2 and Realme C1 Comparison
Realme launched three smartphones in Jakarta – the Realme 2 Pro, the Realme 2, and the Realme C1. Here is a comparison of the three models, which look quite similar :
If you are interested to purchase the Realme 2 Pro at the awesome 12/12 deal,stake out this page!
Unboxing The Realme 2 Pro
The Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) is not available for sale yet, but we were one of the few to receive the first retail units. Let’s unbox it and see what we find inside!
Once you fully unbox the Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia), you will find the following items :
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The Realme 2 Pro Up Close!
The Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) has a very large 6.3-inch Full HD+ display, that is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass. It has a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, and a dewdrop notch, giving it a 90.8% screen-to-body ratio.
It also boasts a great-looking 15-laminate glass back that sounds and looks exactly like honor’s Aurora Glass. The only downside with all glass backs – it’s highly susceptible to smudges.
The Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, which has eight Qualcomm Kryo 260 cores that run at up to 2.2 GHz. Graphics processing is handled by the Qualcomm Adreno 512 GPU, and it comes equipped with the Qualcomm All-Ways Aware sensor hub and the Qualcomm AI Engine.
Realme did not skimp on memory, equipping the Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) with the 4 GB, 6 GB or 8 GB of the latest LPDDR4x memory. They were also generous with its storage – offering either 64 GB of eMMC 5.1 flash storage, or 128 GB of UFS 2.1 flash storage.
All that is powered by a 3,500 mAh battery, packed in a chassis that is only 8.5 mm thick, and weighs just under 175 grams. It is recharged by a 10 watt fast charger. Here are Realme’s lab test results on its battery :
Standby
16.5 hours
Music Playing (WiFi)
12 hours
Video Playback (WiFi)
10 hours
Surfing the Internet (WiFi)
12.5 hours
Although the smartphone industry is moving towards USB Type C ports, the Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) uses the good old micro USB 2.0 port. While not bidirectional, it is compatible with existing USB cables and accessories – a key consideration for the market it’s targeted at.
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Realme 2 Pro Specifications
Specifications
Realme 2 Pro
Display
6.3-inch display
- 1080 x 2340 pixels
- 19:9 aspect ratio, 409 ppi
Operating System
Android 8.1 with ColorOS 5.1
Platform
Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
Processor
4 x Qualcomm Kryo 260 Gold cores (2.2 GHz)
4 x Qualcomm Kryo 260 Silver cores (1.84 GHz)
Graphics Processor
Qualcomm Adreno 512
Memory
4 GB / 6 GB / 8 GB LPDDR4x SDRAM
Storage
64 GB eMMC 5.1 flash storage, OR
128 GB UFS 2.1 flash storage
microSD card (up to 256 GB)
Front Camera
16 MP image sensor with f/2.0 lens
Rear Camera
16 MP Sony IMX398 image sensor with f/1.7 lens
2 MP depth sensor with f/2.4 lens
Single LED flash
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Dewdrop Notch
The Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) has a bezel-less display, with a dewdrop notch (also known as a teardrop notch). It requires a good deal of engineering prowess to squeeze in a front camera, a light sensor, a proximity sensor, and a speaker into the tiny notch.
The dewdrop notch allows for a larger display area, specifically space for more notifications. Barring the complete removal of the notch, this is about as good as it gets!
Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
Launched in May 2017, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 is a powerful mid-range mobile SoC. It combines eight Qualcomm Kryo 260 processor cores, with an Adreno 512 GPU, a Snapdragon X12 modem, a Spectra 160 camera ISP and a Hexagon 680 DSP.
There are two processor clusters – a high-performance cluster of four Kryo 260 Gold cores running at 2.2 GHz, and a low-power cluster of four Kryo 260 Silver cores running at 1.84 GHz. The Kryo 260 Gold is a semi-custom version of the Cortex-A73, while the Kryo 260 Silver is a semi-custom version of the Cortex A53.
Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 660 is up to 20% faster in processor performance than the previous year’s Snapdragon 653, and up to 30% faster in graphics performance.
The Realme 2 Pro Cameras
The Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) has a very high-resolution 16 MP front camera, with a bright and wide f/2.0 aperture. It takes photos with a resolution of 4608 x 3456 pixels. Realme did not reveal the sensor model, but it’s quite likely the Sony IMX398.
Note : You can see the row of tiny speaker ports right above the front camera.
In the back, the Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) has a dual-lens camera, supported by a single LED flash. It is made up of an image camera with a 16 MP Sony IMX398 sensor and a very wide f/1.7 aperture, paired with a 2 MP depth sensor and a f/2.4 aperture.
This dual-lens camera does not have optical image stabilisation, but supports electronic image stabilisation (EIS). The depth sensor does not actually take any pictures. Instead, it lets the camera to more accurately differentiate the subject from its background, allowing for more realistic software bokeh effects.
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Fast Fingerprint Sensor
The Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) comes with a fast FPC 102x fingerprint sensor located at the back. In our tests, it is very fast and accurate, supporting 360-degree recognition.
In addition to the fingerprint sensor, the Realme 2 Pro also supports face recognition, and of course, the good old 6-digit passcode.
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Triple Card Tray
The Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) has Dual SIM, Dual Standby capabilities, with support for 4G on both SIMs. It also supports the addition of a microSD card, for additional storage of up to 512 GB.
It comes with a triple card tray, so you can insert a microSD card while still using two nano SIM cards. In other words, you get to have your cake and eat it too!
The Ergonomics
Despite its notch, the Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) feels like the Samsung Galaxy S9+. In fact, they both have the same width and thickness. Even with its slightly larger 6.3-inch display, the Realme 2 Pro is actually a wee bit shorter than the Galaxy S9+.
Thanks to its bezel-less display and elongated design, it feels smaller than the 5.5″ Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, and even 5.2″ smartphones like HTC 10. This is why it fits even smaller hands well, and fits better in smaller pockets.
The Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) has a nice 6.3-inch IPS display with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. That gives it an ultra-wide / ultra-tall 19:9 aspect ratio, which will result in some pillar boxing – a black bar will be present on the left and right sides of the video clip.
Setting Up The Realme 2 Pro
The Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) comes with Android 8.1.0 Oreo installed. The setup process is pretty easy, as we demonstrate in this video. You can also see how easy it is to train the fingerprint sensor.
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Available Memory & Storage
Realme offers the Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) with memory options of 4 GB, 6 GB and 8 GB of LPDDR4x memory. Our review sample came with the full 8 GB. Its ColorOS 5.2 does not allow us to check the amount of free memory, but we used AIDA64 to confirm that it has 5 GB of free memory.
With ColorOS and background apps taking up 3 GB of RAM, that is a lot of bloat… eerily similar to the Samsung Galaxy S9+. But with 5 GB of free memory, you really have nothing to worry about. Even the Galaxy S9+, a premium flagship smartphone, only has 3 GB of free memory!
The Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) also comes with either 64 GB of eMMC 5.1 flash storage, or 128 GB of the faster UFS 2.1 flash storage. Our model came with 128 GB, of which 103 GB is free to use.
This is enough space to store about 24,000 photos, or 11 hours of 1080p videos, or 5.5 hours of 4K videos. If that’s not enough, you can top it up with a microSD card (up to 256 GB).
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Realme 2 Pro Camera Performance – Photos
The Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) has a very capable dual-lens camera with the excellent 16 MP Sony IMX398 sensor and a very wide and fast f/1.7 aperture. You can think of it as a lower-resolution cousin of the new Samsung Galaxy A7 2018‘s triple-lens camera, sans the wide-angle camera.
The maximum 16 MP resolution is attained with the 4:3 aspect ratio, with 4608 x 3456 pixels, and a file size of between 4 MB and 6 MB.
Here are eight high-resolution unedited samples for you to check out. Click on them to load the full-sized photos, which you can also download to examine.
The resolution and detail of the photos are incredible. You can really see the detail of flower carpel and petals, the individual buds of the broccoli florets, and the texture of the grains. The colour reproduction was also excellent – not just vivid, but also accurate.
The f/1.7 aperture naturally creates a very narrow depth of field, with a nicer bokeh effect. But you have to be more careful in framing the shot, because the subject may end up out-of-focus. Notice how quickly the rest of the picture is out-of-focus in the broccoli and star anise pictures.
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Realme 2 Pro Camera Performance – Video Recording
Surprisingly, the Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) supports 4K, as well as 1080p, video recording. Even more expensive models like the Samsung Galaxy A7 2018 do not offer 4K video recording.
Video Recording Test #1 : Piano Performance (1080p)
In this video, you can see the amount of detail the sensor captures, even at just 1080p. Its cameras do not support OIS (optical image stabilisation), but it fortunately supports electronic image stabilisation capability.
Noise cancellation was decent, but the audio was too bright and lack bass and range. That said, this is very good performance for a mid-range smartphone.
Video Recording Test #2 : Piano Performance (4K)
First thing you will notice is that electronic image stabilisation (EIS) seems to be disabled or less effective in 4K. You will also notice the greater amount of detail recorded in each frame. Note too how its was able to control the bright highlights.
Video Recording Test #3 : Street Market (1080p)
As you can see, the Realme 2 Pro has good electronic image stabilisation, thanks to its high resolution sensor and fast processor.
Video Recording Test #3 : Street Market (4K)
But when we switched to 4K, it no longer had electronic image stabilisation, so the video was noticeably jerky.
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Work Performance – PCMark
We tested the Realme 2 Pro’s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browsing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
The Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) had pretty good gaming performance. It was only about 20% slower than the Honor Play and Honor 10, which boast a 12-core GPU; and a whopping 62% faster than the Galaxy A7 2018‘s dual-core GPU.
Battery Life – PCMark
We then tested the Realme 2 Pro’s battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.
Despite its rather larger 3,500 mAh battery, the Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) had a battery life just shy of 7 hours. Note that this is not just screen-on time. It’s running the Work 2.0 benchmark over, and over again, for 7 hours!
The new Samsung Galaxy A7 2018, in comparison, has a 50% longer battery life even though it only has a smaller 3,300 mAh battery.
A major reason is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660. It is a powerful mid-range chip, but built on the older 14 nm process technology. That means it consumes more power than newer chips built on 10 nm or even 7 nm process technologies.
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Battery Recharging Performance
The Realme 2 Pro comes with a 10 watt fast charger. Let’s take a look at how fast it recharges the 3,500 mAh battery.
The Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) took just over 2 hours (122 minutes) to recharge its battery from 20% to 100%. This is an average performance, considering it’s using a 10 watt charger.
Its battery life : recharging ratio of 3.9 : 1 is also average. A rule of thumb – for one hour of battery life, charge it for 15.5 minutes.
The fastest recharging happened up to the 85% level. This took just 68 minutes. Then the recharging speed slowed down, and it took an astounding 54 minutes to top up the remaining 15%.
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Our Verdict + Award
When the Realme 2 Pro debuted in Jakarta, it received a thunderous response. And why not? It offered a ton of great features in a very classy bezel-less metal + glass design, at incredibly low price points.
The Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) comes with a very large 6.3-inch bezel-less display with a very small dewdrop notch. This is what you would expect in a smartphone that costs at least twice as much.
It also comes with generous amounts of fast RAM and storage. You can opt for 4 GB or 6 GB or even 8 GB of the latest LPDDR4x memory. It comes with a minimum of 64 GB of storage, with a 128 GB option. All without breaking the bank!
Realme did not skimp in the photographic department either. The Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) comes with a high-resolution 16 MP front camera with a fast and bright f/2.0 lens.
In the back, it has a dual-lens camera that boasts an impressive 16 MP Sony IMX398 image sensor with a very bright f/1.7 lens. It is supported by a 2 MP depth sensor, allowing it to deliver more realistic software bokeh effects. The result – incredibly good photos worthy of smartphones that cost 2-3X as much!
If that’s not impressive enough, we should point out that it even supports 4K video recording! Albeit, without electronic image stabilisation. Still, this is a feature you wouldn’t expect in this price range!
Of course, it has some limitations. For one thing – it has rather poor battery life – lasting just under 7 hours in our stress test. It also has rather slow recharging performance. To be more accurate, recharging up to 85% is fast, but topping up to 100% takes a long time.
But if you can live with its limited battery life, and don’t mind taking a longer time to recharge, the Realme 2 Pro (Malaysia | Indonesia) is an incredibly great deal. So many flagship-class features in such a slim and beautiful metal and glass body, and offered at such incredible price points. What is there not to like?
That’s why we have no qualms awarding it our Editor’s Choice Award! Congratulations, Realme!
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A year after Xiaomi released their first Android One smartphone – the Mi A1, they released the Xiaomi Mi A2 together with a lower-end Mi A2 Lite model How does it fare, in light of new rivals like the Realme 2 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy A7 2018? Let’s find out in our Xiaomi Mi A2 in-depth review!
The Xiaomi Mi A2 Tech Briefing
The new Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) is an Android One device with a traditional rectangular 18:9 display. Powered by the more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, it comes with at least 4 GB of memory but lacks a microSD card slot. Here is an early Xiaomi Mi A2 tech briefing by Allen An.
The lower-end Mi A2 Lite, on the other hand, has a wider 19:9 display with a notch, and is powered by the rather dated Qualcomm Snapdragon 625. It comes with at least 3 GB of memory, and a microSD card slot.
Xiaomi Mi A2 Colour Options
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) will come in three colours, at least initially – Blue, Black and Gold. Here is a look at all three colours!
Xiaomi Mi A2 Price + Availability
Here is the Xiaomi Mi A2 launch price comparison for a few countries. Please note that the Indian pricing is not yet confirmed, because they have not yet been launched in India.
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The Xiaomi Mi A2 Up Close!
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) has a 5.99-inch IPS display, with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels and a 18:9 aspect ratio. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, while the metal body has a matte finish that is resistant to fingerprint smears.
It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 – a mid-range SoC with four Qualcomm Kryo 260 Gold high-speed cores running at 2.2 GHz, and four Qualcomm Kryo 260 Silver low-power cores running at 1.8 GHz. It also comes with the fast Qualcomm Adreno 512 GPU.
The Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) comes with either 4 GB or 6 GB of memory and 32 GB, 64 GB or 128 GB of internal storage. Our review sample is the mid-range model with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. It has a longish model name of M180402SG.
All that is powered by a 3,000 mAh lithium-ion battery, in a thin metal chassis that is only 7.3 mm thick, and weighs just 166 grams. We are glad to report that it has the new USB Type C port, and comes with a 10 watt USB charger.
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Xiaomi Mi A2 Specifications
Here are the specifications of the Xiaomi Mi A2 and the Mi A2 Lite compared!
Specifications
Xiaomi Mi A2
Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite
Display
5.99-inch IPS display
- 1080 x 2160 pixels (403 ppi)
5.84-inch IPS display
- 1080 x 2280 pixels (432 ppi)
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Unknown
Operating System
Android 8.1 Oreo
Android 8.1 Oreo
System Platform
Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
Qualcomm Snapdragon 625
Processor
4 x Kryo 260 Gold (2.2 GHz)
4 x Kryo 260 Silver (1.8 GHz)
8 x ARM Cortex-A53 (up to 2.0 GHz)
Graphics Processor
Qualcomm Adreno 512
Qualcomm Adreno 506
Memory
4 GB LPDDR4X SDRAM
3 GB LPDDR3 SDRAM
Storage
64 GB internal storage No microSD card slot
32 GB internal storage microSD card slot
Front Camera
20 MP IMX376 sensor with f/1.75 lens
- single LED flash
- 1080p @ 30 fps video
5 MP sensor with f/2.2 lens
- 1080p @ 30 fps video
Rear Camera
Dual Lens Camera
Main Camera : 12 MP Sony IMX486 sensor with f/1.75 lens
Low-Light Camera : 20 MP IMX376 sensor with f/1.75 lens
- PDAF capability
- Dual-tone LED flash
- 2160p @ 30 fps video
12 MP Sony IMX486 sensor with f/1.8 lens and PDAF capability
5 MP depth sensor with f/2.2 lens
- Dual-tone LED flash
- 2160p @ 30 fps video
Connectivity
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 2.0 Type C
WiFi : 802.11/b/g/n (dual band)
Bluetooth : BT 4.2
USB : microUSB 2.0
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
Launched in May 2017, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 is a powerful mid-range mobile SoC. It combines eight Qualcomm Kryo 260 processor cores, with an Adreno 512 GPU, a Snapdragon X12 modem, a Spectra 160 camera ISP and a Hexagon 680 DSP.
There are two processor clusters – a high-performance cluster of four Kryo 260 Gold cores running at 2.2 GHz, and a low-power cluster of four Kryo 260 Silver cores running at 1.84 GHz. The Kryo 260 Gold is a semi-custom version of the Cortex-A73, while the Kryo 260 Silver is a semi-custom version of the Cortex A53.
Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 660 is up to 20% faster in processor performance than the previous year’s Snapdragon 653, and up to 30% faster in graphics performance.
The Xiaomi Mi A2 Cameras
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) boasts a very high-resolution front camera, with a 20 MP Sony IMX376 image sensor. Its very bright f/1.75 lens lets you take great selfies even in less-than-ideal conditions. And when it gets very dark, it even has a dedicated LED flash to make sure you can capture a selfie!
At the back, the Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) has a dual camera system. Its main camera has a 12 MP Sony IMX486 PDAF sensor, with a f/1.75 lens. It also has a low-light camera that pairs a 20 MP Sony IMX376 sensor with f/1.75 lens. They are supported by a dual-tone LED flash.
The pairing of a high-resolution 12 MP main camera, with a higher-resolution 20 MP low light camera, is a curious choice. Let’s take a look at this comparison of three figurines in very low-light conditions :
Despite having the same f/1.75 apertures, and smaller pixels, the 20 MP low light camera does indeed have superior low light performance./
Unfortunately, the low-light camera must be activated manually using the Manual option. It doesn’t automatically get selected when you use the other camera options. And there does not seem to be an option to use it to record low-light videos.
Fingerprint Sensor
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) uses the FPC 102x fingerprint sensor located at the back. In our tests, it is very fast and accurate, supporting 360-degree recognition.
Surprisingly, the Mi A2 does not support face recognition login, only Swipe, Pattern, PIN code and password. So the fingerprint sensor is going to be really handy for fast logins.
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No 3.5 mm Audio Port
Although it is physically possible to squeeze in a 3.5 mm audio port into the Mi A2’s thin 7.3 mm chassis, Xiaomi chose to limited the 3.5 mm port.
Instead, they included a USB-C to 3.5 mm audio port adaptor. This allows you to continue plugging in your earphones and hands-free kit. You just cannot use them while charging your Mi A2 at the same time.
No MicroSD Card Slot
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) has Dual SIM, Dual Standby support, with a SIM tray that accepts two nano SIM cards. However, they chose to eliminate the microSD card slot. They did not even make SIM2 a hybrid SIM slot, that could double as a microSD card slot.
That means you must rely solely on the internal flash storage – there is no way to expand storage in the Mi A2. This is something iPhone users will be familiar with, but not Android users.
So unless you don’t intend to take many photos or videos, or install many apps or games, you should opt for the higher storage capacities of 64 GB or 128 GB.
Setting Up The Xiaomi Mi A2
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) comes with Android 8.1 Oreo installed. The setup process is pretty easy, as we demonstrate in this video. You can also see how easy it is to train the fingerprint sensor.
Available Memory & Storage
Xiaomi offers the Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) with either 4 GB or 6 GB of RAM. Our review sample came with 4 GB of RAM. MIUI does not allow us to check the amount of free memory, except through the hidden Developer Options.
From what we can see, about half of the memory is used at all times by MIUI and background apps, leaving you about 2 GB of free memory to use. That is good enough for a few memory guzzling apps to use.
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) has storage options of 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB. We highly recommend you opt for 64 GB or 128 GB, because it does not come with a microSD card slot, so you can’t add more storage. Our review sample came with 64 GB of storage, of which just over 48 GB is available to use.
This is enough space to store about 12,000 photos, or 5 hours of 1080p videos, or 2.5 hours of 4K videos. If that’s not enough, then you should opt for the 128 GB storage option. Remember – there is no microSD card expansion option.
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Xiaomi Mi A2 Camera Performance – Photo Samples
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) has a very capable 12 MP main camera, with the new Sony IMX486 PDAF image sensor and a very bright f/1.75 lens.
The maximum 12 MP resolution is attained with the 4:3 aspect ratio, with 4000 x 3000 pixels, and a file size of between 4 MB and 7 MB.
Here are six high-resolution unedited samples for you to check out. Click on them to load the full-sized photos, which you can also download to examine.
The resolution of the Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) is really amazing. It managed to capture the intricate details of the broccoli florets, the grape stems, and even the texture of the tiny white pepper seeds. The colours are also very nice – vivid but not excessive to the point they become unrealistic.
The wide f/1.75 aperture naturally creates a very narrow depth of field, with a nicer bokeh effect. But you have to be more careful in framing the shot, because the subject may end up out-of-focus.
Here are additional Mi A2 photo samples taken by Xiaomi’s Allen An using its 12 MP main camera.
And here are two more Mi A2 photo samples taken using its 20 MP low-light camera with Super Pixel capability.
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Xiaomi Mi A2 Camera Performance – Video Samples
We are glad to report that Xiaomi did not cripple the Mi A2’s awesome main camera in any way, allowing it to record up to 4K videos at 30 fps. However, they do not allow you to use the low-light camera in the back to record any video, and they limit the high-resolution 20 MP front camera to recording only 1080p videos.
Video Recording Test #1 : Piano Performance (1080p)
Look at the detail captured by the Sony IMX486 sensor in this video. Even at 1080p, it’s amazing how much detail you can see in the video. The camera does not support optical image stabilisation (OIS), but its electronic image stabilisation (EIS) capability works great.
We, however, want to point out some focus and exposure issues which detracts from an excellent camera performance. In addition, Xiaomi went overboard with their noise cancellation – the audio range is unnaturally thin and overly bright.
Video Recording Test #2 : Piano Performance (4K)
The resolution is really incredible at 4K, but notice how theXiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) loses its electronic image stabilisation capability. This is a shame, because the Snapdragon 660 should be fast enough to handle electronic image stabilisation…
Video Recording Test #3 : Street Market (1080p)
As this video shows, the Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) has very good electronic image stabilisation, when you are recording 1080p videos. Noise cancellation is very good, although the resulting audio range is too bright and lacks bass.
Video Recording Test #4 : Street Market (4K)
Once you switch to 4K video recording, the Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) loses its electronic image stabilisation capabilities. The video is noticeably jerkier…
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Work Performance – PCMark
We tested the Xiaomi Mi A2’s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browsing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
Despite using the same SoC as the Realme 2 Pro, the Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) is 5% faster in the Work 2.0 benchmark. It is also 12% faster than the flagship-class Kirin 970 used in the Honor Play, and a whopping 53% faster than the Samsung Exynos 7885 used in the Samsung Galaxy A7 2018.
Gaming Performance – 3DMark
We tested the Xiaomi Mi A2’s gaming performance using 3DMark, using the Ice Storm Unlimited test.
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) has 8% faster gaming performance than the Realme 2 Pro, despite being powered by the same SoC. This makes it just 15.5% slower than the flagship-class Kirin 970 used in the Honor Play, and 74% faster than the Exynos 7885 used in the Samsung Galaxy A7 2018.
Battery Life – PCMark
We then tested the Xiaomi Mi A2’s battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.
Battery life is a sore point for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660. It is powerful, but it is a 14 nm chip that guzzles power compared to newer chips built on the 10 nm or 12 nm process technology.
Hence, we are not surprised to see the Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) last just over 5.5 hours in our stress test. Let’s remember that it only has a 3,000 mAh battery, while the Realme 2 Pro, which uses the same Snapdragon 660 SoC, comes with a larger 3,500 mAh battery.
Battery Recharging Performance
The Xiaomi Mi A2 comes with a 10 watt fast charger. Let’s take a look at how fast it recharges the 3,000 mAh battery.
The Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) took just under 108.5 minutes (1 hour 48.5 minutes) to recharge its battery from 20% to 100%. That’s an average performance, considering it’s using a 10 watt charger.
That is a battery life : recharging ratio of 3:1. A rule of thumb – for one hour of battery life, charge it for 20 minutes.
The fastest recharging happened up to the 90% level. This took just 71 minutes. Then the recharging speed slowed down, and it took a further 37.5 minutes to top up the remaining 10%.
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Our Verdict
The Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) continues the Xiaomi DNA of delivering an excellent set of features at a very compelling price point. It combines a powerful Snapdragon 660 platform, with a large Full HD+ display, and three high-resolution cameras. All for less than RM 1,200 / US$ 420.
Their cameras bear special mention, because Xiaomi seemed to pay special attention to them. The main 12 MP camera uses the latest Sony IMX486 PDAF image sensor, while the secondary rear camera and the front camera both use the higher-resolution 20 MP Sony IMX376 image sensor!
Believe it or not, all three cameras are paired with very bright f/1.75 lens. This means they will work very well in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. This puts these cameras on par with those used in many flagship-class smartphones.
And if that’s not enough, the secondary 20 MP rear camera is actually a special low-light camera which actually delivers on its promise of capturing better low-light photos with less noise than is possible with the main 12 MP camera (even though it has larger pixels).
However, we have to wonder if users will really find the low-light camera all that useful. Particularly when it can only be activated in the Manual mode, and cannot be used to record low-light videos. Unless you are into night photography, it is likely that most users will find a telephoto or wide-angle camera far more useful.
We also have to question Xiaomi’s decision to do away with a microSD card slot. Having the option to add a microSD card is more than just saving some money, or the flexibility of adding more storage. It allows users to record their photos and videos directly into a microSD card, preventing them from being lost should they drop the phone into water or physically damage it.
The lack of the 3.5 mm audio port is not really that big a deal, especially when they threw in a free USB-C adaptor. What concerns us most is the relatively small battery. Yes, it allows the Mi A2 to be thinner and lighter, you will have to live with a relatively short battery life.
Still, the Xiaomi Mi A2 (US | UK | MY) offers a great package for its price point. There are very, VERY few smartphones that offer such high performance, with flagship-class front and rear cameras, at such price points.
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