Overview Xiaomi Mi6 - a powerful leader with a good camera

Characteristics

Appearance and ease of use

Xiaomi abandoned large smartphones upper price segment, returning to the diagonal of 5.15 inches. And just as the generation Mi5 without an index, fresh Mi6 received two versions: in a glass or ceramic package.

Ceramic version - the flagship, so comes with a more powerful stuffing. Presented so far only in black. More massive glass version is sold in three colors: black, white and blue with gold trim.

execution recalls samsung S7: Nice color shimmers on the faces, changing its color depending on the light. Surprisingly, glass black smartphone was less easily soiled than the iPhone 7 in the same color, even though the oleophobic coating is not intended for housing.

The smartphone has a convenient streamlined shape.

Front panel Mi6 does not stand out. Above is the camera, lighting, and proximity sensor, earpiece (also known as the second speaker in multimedia applications) and a tri-color LED.

Controls are in the usual places. Swing volume and power button - in the area of ​​access to the thumb, as well as ultrasound scanner, located between the touch buttons "Back" and "Home" directly below the display. The scanner was modified compared to the previous generation of stuffing: if Xiaomi Mi5s he faltered in 15-20% of cases, the updated version works almost unerringly even with wet hands.

At the bottom end - USB Type-C universal connector adapted to modern controller USB 3.1. user available higher data rates and sequentially charging (using the appropriate accessories). At the upper end is an IR transmitter for use gadget as a remote control and an additional microphone.

USB Type-C - a single wire interface Mi6, traditional mini-jack is not available. The benefits and disadvantages of the solutions discussed below.

Despite the stated moisture protection manufacturer, its standard is not specified. Unfortunately, under the terms of testing, we had to give up swimming device and check the corresponding properties.

In his hand Xiaomi Mi6 may seem heavy and slippery. With longer use this feeling is lost - the case does provide a convenient and sturdy grip. But with too smooth surfaces, angled, can be a problem.

Display

Xiaomi Mi6 uses advanced IPS-panel, compared to previous generations of smart phones. The most similar characteristics is Mi5s Plus.

Screen smartphone has a very high brightness and contrast, and excellent color reproduction juicy feel in the dark, and bright sunlight. Almost AMOLED, but without the inherent problems of OLEDs.

In addition, serious completions screen subjected to the software side. The smartphone has improved algorithms for preservation of vision. Now, the minimum screen brightness equal to one candle - the most pleasant and the correct value to use the device in full darkness.

Also Mi6 have improved reading mode, familiar to us from other smartphones. However, the flagship almost not change the color of the display, while the simpler Xiaomi devices include a yellow light.

Hardware platform and performance

Xiaomi Mi6 became one of the first smartphones based on the new SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 platform. It is worth emphasizing - production, since almost every brand announced the launch of such a device, but Samsung and Xiaomi have offered them to buy the mass consumer.

This comparison becomes particularly Mi6 charm. The new processor to cope with any stress right now and will do so a few years: a huge performance headroom. Provide relevant data and benchmarks by writing a novelty in the category of the most powerful smartphones.

In addition, the new processor to reduce heat dissipation. Apparatus even when heavy load is not heated above 45 degrees.

Operating system and software

Like other companies smartphones, Xiaomi Mi6 running MIUI. The first copies of The handset comes with a Chinese version of the firmware eighth. It is currently available and the international (global) version of the add-in, based on the latest version of Android 7.1.1.

The system has enhanced customization shell smartphone functionality and the connected peripherals, appearance and response to various events.

Important differences from previous versions become advanced algorithms work screen in read mode and in low light, improved power consumption.

autonomy

Capacitance non-removable battery Xiaomi Mi6 of 3350 mA · hr. Excellent figure for a leader, but a small - for users Lower Mainstream smartphones, including device Xiaomi redmi lines 4 and Redmi Note 4.

Contrary to expectations, well-optimized program shell and a modern processor allow Mi6 achieve excellent autonomy. On it can be as much as 8 hours to watch movies on the maximum brightness of the screen when off the wireless interfaces. Reducing the level of illumination up to 25% increase in time up to 14 hours.

In mixed mode, the smartphone does not hold less than a day. The net operating time display at maximum brightness - not less than 5 hours. And it 10-15 with synchronization application in the background, a constant correspondence, phone calls, watching videos and using the machine as a navigator.

The new chipset allowed the engineers to implement another important function - fast charging prospective standard Quick Charge 4.0. Via its C Xiaomi Mi6 charged with 0 to 100% within 1 hour 30 minutes. So that the battery served as long as possible, the charging algorithm is non-linear: 50% smartphone is charging only half an hour, 80% - for an hour.

camera

Usually Chinese smartphones can boast of shooting quality. But there is another matter. Main camera - one of the main advantages of Xiaomi Mi6.

As befits a modern fashion flagship, Mi6 got a double main camera. Each module hides the flagship Sony IMX298 with a matrix of 12 MP, used in the previous generation of smartphones. But, as we know, does not always work the camera depends on the hardware configuration. Such was the case with Mi5, which PhotoChances and developers have not been disclosed. Apparently, they took the time to master the module of Mi6, because he's all right.

Fresh flagship equipped chetyrohosevoy camera stabilization, and it actually works very well. Also worth noting is the improved sharpness of images.

For the average user, not meticulously scrutinizes each frame, these properties manifest themselves especially when shooting at night and in cloudy weather. These complex scenarios work out Xiaomi Mi6 better than any of the Chinese smartphone.

Not every system camera lets you receive these photos.

The front camera has been designed for the Chinese canon: as you know, the entire population of China is very fond of doing selfie. If desired, it can help to get artistic pictures. As a simple frame for social networks can not even discuss it.

Sound

This season Xiaomi grabbed another mobile trend - stereo. The first of its two external speaker devices got exactly Mi6: one set at the lower end, and the second was amplified Elementary emitter.

Combining in this case benefited only half: the upper sounds much quieter, stereo sound gets a little distorted. Probably, if the dig into the settings or wait for the official full version of the global firmware, the problem will be fixed in software.

And while Xiaomi Mi6 still has the most interesting sound external speakers among all company smartphones. He was juicy, deep bass, as far as possible for the mobile device. Roughly the same music plays ZTE Axon 7, Which is half the cost of the audio section.

A spoonful of tar added solution engineers follow the example of Lenovo and Apple and abandon the traditional headset jack. The role played by the mini-jack universal data connector. Fortunately, USB Type-C to Mi6 runs on advanced chip USB 3.1 standard, therefore allows simultaneous charging of the device and listening to music on a wired headset.

The bundle has an adapter for regular headphones. But Xiaomi took care of customers, and providing something better. Now you can buy an updated version of the hybrid headset Xiaomi Hybrid with the USB Type-C instead of the 3.5 mm connector.

Wireless interfaces

In accordance with the status of a leader, Xiaomi Mi6 received the support of all modern communication standards. To connect to peripherals using the latest Bluetooth 5.0 LE with reduced power consumption and increased range. There NFC - you can use Android Pay and the "troika". Wi-Fi module works in all common bands and has good long range, easily linking to the router 3-4 reinforced concrete walls.

Navigation module Xiaomi Mi6 supports GPS, A-GPS, BDS, GLONASS satellites in the search are displayed. Cold start is almost instantaneous: takes less than 10 seconds.

As always, the novelty has cut the range of operating frequencies of LTE, including Band 20. Unfortunately, a short time testing is not possible to determine, by means of software or hardware locked part of European bands. However, in networks "Biline", "Megafon», Tele2 Volga region indicated excellent reception and transmission with both voice connections, and the transmission mode EDGE / 3G / LTE data.

results

Pros:

• Compactness.
• A large number of colors.
• Quality camera with dual module.
• Modern energy-efficient processor with performance headroom for several years.
• Good sound from the speakers and the headset (through USB Type-C).

Minuses:

• The lack of a 3.5 mm audio jack.
• Fragile glass body.
• Slippery coating.
• The low (relative to the average segment Xiaomi smartphones) autonomy.

Cost Xiaomi Mi6 - $ 410 (With coupon Mi664GZY) for the version with 64 GB of memory and a constant 480 dollars (With coupon GRMi4G) for the version with drive to 128GB. The main trends become competitors OnePlus 3T ($ 400), ZTE Nubia Z17, Mi5s (300 dollars) And the Samsung Galaxy S7. Most of them are inferior in Mi6 autonomy and performance, but on the quality of the picture will certainly benefit for the Galaxy S7. The choice in any case remains for the buyer.