Large display smartphones have their share of detractors, as users can look odd holding such a big device to their faces. Still, there is a niche market for huge smartphones for people who would like to have a device in between a smartphone and a tablet.
Xiaomi took this into consideration and launched a humongous phone last year called the Mi Max. The smartphone managed to turn heads with its gigantic 6.44-inch display. The company has now announced its successor, the Mi Max 2. While the display size is the same, we’ll look into all the ways that it is different from its predecessor.
Design and Display
As far as the design goes, there’s a subtle change between the Mi Max 2 and its predecessor. The Mi Max 2 now features a U-shaped Antenna design which helps keep the rear panel neat since it gives the phone a more seamless appearance. The full metal unibody of the Mi Max 2 now has rounded edges, unlike the sharper profile on the Mi Max. A common issue with really large phones (RLPs).
Xiaomi claims that the device has been improved for one-handed use. The fingerprint sensor, the camera, and flash retain their old positions at the rear of the device.
The display is the USP of the Mi Max phones and Xiaomi has left it unchanged. The Mi Max 2 features the same 6.44-inch Full HD display. Even though the display Resolution stays intact, Xiaomi has managed to reduce the size of the bezels.
Hardware
The Mi Max 2 features hardware upgrades over its predecessor. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoC with 4GB of RAM and 64GB/128GB internal storage.
In comparison, the original Mi Max came with a Snapdragon 650 SoC with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. Essentially, you end up with a better Processor along with a boost in RAM and storage.
Another significant improvement in the Mi Max 2 is in the battery department. It is fitted with a 5,300mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 and parallel charging. This is claimed to take the charge from 0% to 68% in one hour. Xiaomi has claimed a battery life of two days with the supplied battery. Its predecessor packed a slightly smaller 4,850mAh battery which still offered two day battery life and nearly 11 hours of screen on time.
Both the phones run the same OS and software. They run Android 6 Marshmallow based MIUI 8.
Another notable change is the addition of stereo speakers and an IR blaster.
Camera
This is another segment where the Mix Max 2 differs from the original. It uses a 12-megapixel rear camera which has a Sony IMX 386 sensor and comes with support for PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus) and HDR (High Dynamic Range). This sensor is identical to the one used in Xiaomi’s flagship Mi6.
The Mi Max had a higher Megapixel count on the rear camera. It came equipped with a 16-megapixel rear camera with PDAF and HDR. Even though the older device has more megapixels, Xiaomi’s new offering takes decidedly better images.
Pricing
Though the smartphone hasn’t reached Indian shores yet, we can estimate the prices from its rates in China. The Mi Max 2 starts from RMB 1,699 (approx. Rs. 16,000) for the 64GB version. The 128GB version is priced at RMB 1,999 (approx. Rs. 19,000).
The original Mi Max, when launched in India, cost Rs 14,999 for the 3GB model, and Rs 19,999 for the 4GB Prime model.
There you have it readers, the Mi Max 2 is a decent upgrade from its predecessor with a new processor and RAM and storage options. Owners of the existing Mi Max need not despair as their devices are just as well equipped leaving very few reasons for them to upgrade. Users who require a device between a full fledged tablet and a smartphone can eagerly look forward to it launching in India.