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Mi Max 2 review – Big Smartphone, Small Price

Xiaomi launched a new handset in the Mi Max series in India here is the Mi Max 2 review. Max 2 is big, comes with big screen, powerful processor, big RAM, big Storage and big battery of 5300 mAh capacity. The only thing small on this handset is the price of Rs. 16,999.

This Mi Max 2 is successor to the Mi Max. Both are big handsets made for users who prefer using a big device with big screen but comfortable enough to be used like a phone. The Mi Max 2 is a perfect device that fits between a tablet and a smartphone and in fact it is better than tablet as well as better than a smartphone.

Mi Max 2 is powerful, packed with good RAM and big storage (64GB ROM), plus there is micro SD card support in case you want extra storage. Performance is very smooth and handset hardly heats up. Body is slim but the size is big, however comfortable to hold but to operate you will need to use both your hands – in most cases.

There is finger print sensor for additional security and IR blaster that can be used to control your electronic devices (TV, AC etc). Camera is excellent, this Mi Max 2 is using 12MP primary camera with SONY IMX386 sensor that does an excellent job.

There is nothing to complain about on the Mi Max 2, even battery life is amazing. The only thing that is small is the price, just about perfect.

Mi Max 2 Specs and Review

Inside the box (unboxing the Mi Max 2) :  Handset, user manual, data cable (USB To USB Type C), SIM ejector tool and travel charger (fast charger) 12V/1.5A
SAR Value : 1.39W/Kg head and 1.31W/Kg body
Body : This handset is using a metal body with an excellent build and finishing, looks awesome thanks to the black color body / back with a matte finish. Handset has got a curvy back that makes it comfortable to hold. You can say it looks like a big Redmi 4.
SIM Type : Micro + Nano/micro SD (hybrid slot) – both SIM slot support 4G with VoLTE
Weight and Dimensions : 211 Grams, 7.6mm thick
Screen  :  6.44 inches, 2.5D curved glass, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution – color reproduction, touch response and viewing angles are really good
Connectivity :  4G, VoLTE (work on both SIM), WiFi (dual band), GPS, USB Type C, IR blaster and Bluetooth 4.2
Sensors : Accelerometer, Proximity, Light, Step, hall, Gyro and Magnetic
LED Notification : Yes, no option to change color
OTG : Yes supported
RAM : 4GB (about 1.9GB free on first boot)
ROM : 64GB (about 55GB free on first boot)
OS : MIUI 8 based on Android Nougat 7.1.1

Mi Max 2 Performance

CPU :  Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa core clocked at 2.0 GHz, 14nm FinFET
GPU :  Adreno 506 @ 650MHz
Heating : Low
Max Battery Temperature : 34 degrees

Overall performance is very smooth, no lags, no issues. I got one update before I started the review and the battery temperature is well under 35 degrees, that’s really good.

Mi Max 2 Benchmark

Quadrant : 24977
Antutu :
63996 / 13168
NenaMark3 :  59.4fps
Multi Touch : 10 points
Disk Speed : 214 MB/s read  and 150 MB/s write

Mi Max 2 Gaming Review

I installed and played Asphalt 8 in high quality mode and Modern Combat 5. Both games were playable, very smooth no lags. The gaming experience was different and much better cause of a bigger screen. Also touch area increased cause of bigger screen that also helps in games like modern combat 5 – for better accuracy.

Mi Max 2 Camera  Review

Rear Camera : 12MP, f/2.2, Large 1.25μm pixels, SONY IMX386 sensor, dual tone LED flash
Front Camera : 5MP, f/2.0
Video Recording : Max 4K resolution, 720p slow motion, time-lapse

The camera quality on the Mi Max 2 is excellent. The auto mode works perfect and in extreme low light if you switch to manual mode then the output will be even better. Front camera quality is also pretty good. If you compare the images taken with Mi Max 2 with Redmi 4 the quality on Mi Max 2 is better.

This handset can shoot 4K videos, video quality is pretty good, however cause of big size it may get difficult at times to shoot with one hand.

Camera Rating : 4.2 out of 5

Mi Max 2 camera samples

Download Original Image files (right click and save) (do not use it for commercial purpose, without permission of gogi.in).

Other features

There is finger print sensor on the back, its fast and accurate. Mi Max 2 comes with dual speakers, one speaker is at the bottom and the other is at same location as the in-call speaker. You do get stereo effects but the volume of the left speaker (in-call location) is much lower compared with the primary speaker – check video review to hear the difference.

Mi Max 2 comes with host of features like second space, dual apps, reading mode etc.

Mi Max 2 Battery Review

Battery capacity : 5300mAh (non-removable)
Charging Time : Full Charge – checking (1 hour 20 minutes for 50% to 100%) using fast charger provided. Full charge 2 hours 20 minutes.
Battery Life : 8 to 13 hours non-stop (moderate to heavy)
Daily usage battery life : Over  two day with mixed moderate usage and an easy up to one day with heavy usage may be more.

Battery Test Results

Battery Temp at idle : 29 degrees
Running Benchmark app :
 16 minutes / 2% / 33 degrees
Asphalt 8 + MC5 game play : 24 minutes / 5% / 34 degrees
4K video playback with full brightness (WiFi /4G on) :  61 minutes / 10% / 34 degrees

Verdict

Excellent smartphone or call it a phablet, its powerful, does not heat up, camera is excellent and so is the battery life. The only thing to consider is the size, since this is big and if you are comfortable using it then there is no better option in this phablet category. Those who are already using the Mi Max can upgrade if required.

Rating : 4.5 out of 5

Mi Max 2 price in India is Rs. 16,999 with 4GB RAM and 64GB Storage (next sale on 27th July).