Xiaomi recently unveiled what is now its largest smartphone (phablet) to date with the announcement of Mi Max. Together with the device, Xiaomi also launched its very latest MIUI 8 operating system that has been built using Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS.
Xiaomi Mi Max
With Mi Max, Xiaomi has now created a brand new category for its expanding range of smartphones. Featuring a behemoth 6.44-inch display while still maintaining a weight that’s equivalent to most 5.5-inch smartphones, Mi Max is being marketed as the next generation portable computer. The display features Xiaomi’s own Sunlight Display technology, as well as blue-light filter and low-light viewing modes that assure a clear and comfortable viewing/reading conditions under any kind of light.
Mi Max comes with an extra large battery too, which has been tested to survive for up to 14 hours of video streaming, or about 7–10 hours of online games, on Wi-Fi.
Choices are aplenty too as the device comes in two different SoC configuration, 3 different storage options, and in 3 different colours.
Here are the key specifications of Mi Max that we were able to find:
- Option of either 64-bit octa-core (4x 1.8 GHz ARM Cortex-A72 processors + 4x 1.4 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 processors) Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 (MSM8976) SoC; or 64-bit hexa-core (2x 1.8 GHz ARM Cortex-A72 processors + 4x 1.4 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 processors) Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 (MSM8956) SoC; with Qualcomm Adreno 510 graphics on both options.
- Runs MIUI 8 (Based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow).
- 6.44”, 1920 x 1080 (FHD), IPS LCD display with a pixel density of 342.07 ppi. Comes with 2.5D curved glass, scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 4, covers 72% of NTSC colour gamut, luminance of 450 cd/m2 (nits), 1000:1 contrast ratio, and Sunlight Display technology.
- 3 GB RAM (LPDDR3) with 32 GB (eMMC 5.1) internal memory with the Snapdragon 650 variant; as well as 3 GB RAM (LPDDR3) with 64 GB (eMMC 5.1) internal memory, or 4 GB RAM with 128 GB storage for Snapdragon 652 variant; and accepts microSD card of up to 128 GB.
- Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac dual-band (MU-MIMO) with Wi-Fi Direct and Wi-Fi Display (Miracast), Bluetooth 4.2 LE, IrDA transceiver, DLNA, and USB 2.0 with micro-USB connector.
- GPRS, EDGE, HSPA+ and 4G LTE Cat 4 with VoLTE. Two SIM slots (micro-SIM, nano-SIM/microSD) with dual standby.
- 16 MP rear camera with CMOS BSI sensor, phase detection autofocus, dual-tone dual-LED flash, and 5-element lens assembly. 5 MP front camera with wide-angle lens (88-degree field of view). Camera aperture ratings are f/2.0 for both the rear and the front.
- Fingerprint reader, Gyroscope and Hall sensors, IR remote, Professional mode camera, 720p slow motion video at 120 fps, video with real-time beauty mode, FM Radio with recording, and support for additional formats/codecs for audio (FLAC, APE, DSD) and video (H.265, VC-1, MKV).
- 4,850 mAh, non-removable Li-ion battery with 5V/2A output for charger.
- Dimensions are 173.1 x 88.3 x 7.5 mm and weighs 203 g.
- Comes in Grey, Silver, and Gold colour options.
The devices are priced at CN¥ 1,499 for 32 GB (~RM 921), with the Snapdragon 650 variant; as well as CN¥ 1,699 for 64 GB (~RM 1,043) and CN¥ 1,999 for 128 GB (~RM 1,228), with the Snapdragon 652 variant. Mi Max is now available in China via Xiaomi’s online store as well as through its Mi Home outlets across the country.
MIUI 8
Coming along for the ride with the new device is Xiaomi’s update to its commendable take on the Android OS: Version 8 of the MIUI OS. Again claiming to have an overhauled design, it arrives with bold colours, interactive animations and system fonts. Interestingly, the last portion also now includes Xiaomi’s very own Mi Lanting font.
With MIUI 8, Xiaomi now allows users to have 2 completely different accounts, that can be setup with different sets of password or fingerprint, that unlocks two different home screens. Even apps and app data are said to be completely independent; but users will still have the option to merge data from certain apps, such as address book or call history. Xiaomi claims that MIUI 8 clones the installed apps to enable this multiple-account feature, and that messaging apps can now operate with two independent accounts. We’re still not sure though if the T&Cs of those apps allow for such methods of use.
Photo Gallery will have quick gesture-based share controls, and tap-based filter-changing option. Users will be able to add doodles and stickers onto photos, as well as effects and music to videos using the enhanced editing tool.
Scanning on MIUI 8 has also been expanded beyond QR codes. Documents can now be converted into an image, business cards into contacts, objects into searchable items that can then be purchased from the Taobao store, and incredibly, even mathematics questions into a step-by-step solution. We’re expecting that last one to raise some eyebrows in schools.
Other features include the ability to take long/scrolling screenshot, as well as an advanced calculator with additional functions such as bank loan and mortgage interest calculation, that works as a currency and unit convertor too. Battery life gets a bump as well, with further optimisations of apps and usage behaviours.
Beta testing for MIUI 8 is already underway in China, while the developer ROMs for Mi 2/2S/3/4/4c/4S/5/Max, as well as the entire Redmi, Redmi Note, and Mi Note series will arrive on June 17.
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