Overview Xiaomi Mi Note 2 - a stylish smartphone with high-performance

Specifications

Appearance

Recently, the company has committed itself to improving the appearance of their products. Same Redmi Note 4 He revealed that Xiaomi designers knowingly eat their own bread.

Of course, the flagship is affected even more. Xiaomi Mi Note 2 stylish. Smooth curves of polished glass in a metal frame - what could be better?

The black performance smartphone is very beautiful. Subjectively, the Samsung S7 Edge looks easier. So the thought of Chinese origin Mi Note 2 just go to the side.

Getting Started surprised even more. One gets a sense of absolute presence, as if the touch straight to the icons and menu items. of the screen is almost invisible. Beveled edges gradually gone beyond the visible display area.

The effect is complemented by the presence of a physical button "Home" with built-in fingerprint scanner. Interaction with the mechanical key is not only nicer - it allows you to perform several functions (Touch - "Back" button - "Home") and more efficient to use a scanner to unlock device.

Despite the versatility of the central key, its complement neatly illuminated point touch buttons. Their function may change.

Swing volume and power button located on the right side. The left is decorated with only a slot for two SIM cards (memory cards are not supported). Clearances low, all elements are ideal. Even the logo looks appealing.

Despite the size (and it is the largest smartphone, not counting Max), Xiaomi Mi Note 2 is very convenient. In the palm of your hand, but not in use. The fact is that the gadget is perfectly in the hand, but it is very slippery - and so tries to fall.

Complicating the situation is the fact that a complete cover looks shabby. And to put this beauty in it strange why a stylish toy, if not see it the main advantages?

And it is impossible without a cover. Firstly, Xiaomi Mi Note 2 drives off any uneven surface. Second, the glass is perfectly collects fingerprints, despite the oleophobic coating. It makes it easy to erase the traces of use, but does not protect completely.

Finally, the third problem, the traditional glass for all vehicles. Even toughened glass or synthetic beats. Therefore recommend the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 can only be really neat people.

Display

All curved screens - OLED. It so happened due to the nature of their production. Someone may say that OLEDs have the wrong colors. I believe that you need to decide for yourself. For example, I like the panel like a lot more even quality IPS.

Display diagonal Xiaomi Mi Note 2 is 5.7 inches, at a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixel density gives a 386 ppi. By modern standards, not the highest, but the most optimal solution. And the battery will keep strong and do not give to see the pixels (if you do not get involved in mobile devices to view VR-content).

We should also mention that this display can play NTSC color standard 110%. That is more than the standard transmits digital television. So that the color rendition Note 2 is excellent.

Are not worse, and other technical parameters of the screen. Clear, high contrast. All in order to get the full effect of immersion in what is happening on the screen. Even the ubiquitous PenTile absent. And this is for OLED-display the most important thing.

Performance

As chipset Xiaomi Mi Note 2 flagship solution used Qualcomm Snapdragon 821. It is about 10% faster than Snapdragon 820 and is currently the fastest mobile processor. Possibly, before the release of first devices on the processor with the number 835. They will be quite soon, but are unlikely to be the reason for replacing the Mi Note 2 on the other machine.

Why? The current combination of a fast processor, Adreno 530 graphics accelerator and the fastest mobile memory UFS 2.0 allows smartphone confidently cope with any tasks still 1-2 years. And today, it shows just phenomenal results, even in synthetic tests loses closest competitors: OnePlus 3T, LeEco Le 3 and Xiaomi Mi5S Plus.

Unofficially, there are two versions of the Xiaomi Mi Note 2. Two versions of the first version designed exclusively for the Chinese market, and those users who do not travel outside the country. Junior model has a 4 GB and 64 GB internal memory (recall memory cards are not supported). The eldest - 6 and 128 GB respectively.

The global version for sale in other Asian countries, has 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal memory. This option is expensive, but for many uncontested. The fact that it supports all LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39 40, 41.

Modification for the domestic market is only eight pages in the fourth generation networks: 1, 3, 5, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41. As shown by Reddit user experience and XPDA, the smartphone does not allow to unlock additional frequencies. Apparently, there is a distinction between hardware modifications (possibly using different antennas, as with Xiaomi Redmi Pro 3 and Pro SE).

multimedia Features

The main camera

All the fans are waiting for the flagship brand. Why? Once they have further elaborated the cameras and allow you to make high-quality pictures.

Xiaomi Mi Note 2 until unpleasantly surprised. Formally smartphone module equipped with excellent resolution 22,56 Mn (5488 × 4112 pixels), based on the Sony IMX318 matrix with a pixel size of 1 / 2.6. " Furthermore, the gadget camera boasts a good aperture ratio f / 2,0 and 80 degree (wide) 6-lenticular lens. Even electronic stabilization is!

But still, as usual, it rests on the implementation. No optical image stabilization. So the video is bright, high quality and with a good sound, but shivering treatment may spoil everything. When taking pictures in the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 oiled frames are not uncommon. By the way, EIS switch in the settings there. It is likely that in the test firmware this feature was not implemented.

In comparison with other Flagship devices (Samsung S7, iPhone 6 SE) many frames abound overexposure or local dimming. No problems with color reproduction. Observed light noise. This lack of Xiaomi engineers were not able to remove even the double chamber Mi5S Plus.

Focusing moment, but the HDR mode and in difficult light may slightly overshoot. Automatic start HDR-shooting occurs at random, it has to be controlled manually.

But when high-quality lighting pictures are bright, juicy. No worse than any other Chinese smartphone with a similar value. Complex artificial lighting is not an obstacle, in this scenario, the pictures are normal.

Front-camera

As you know, the Chinese - are big fans selfie. And because a smartphone is designed primarily for the local market, the front camera Mi Note 2 is excellent.

It uses a module with a resolution of 8 M and the aperture (f / 2,0) lens. But most importantly, there is a working autofocus. Customize it impossible: Automatic self finds in the frame the face and focuses on it. In this case, it includes the effects of SLR front image plan turns crisp and the background - a bit blurry.

Sound

Unlike most Xiaomi devices, Mi Note 2 is equipped with a dedicated audio path. Other devices lineup Mi deprived of such grace developers. And this is no accident. Current features built-in Qualcomm codec is very good.

Whether a separate DAC and amplifier in a third-party program includes - failed to recognize. The fact that individual settings are found for this sound section. System add-limited standard tick HD Sound audio and already familiar utility Mi Sound Enhancer with add-ons for branded headphones and one for the whole OS equalizer.

The effect of using the HD Sound is not observed. EQ presets and affect the sound exactly the same way as in other smartphones of the company. Sound... Not Meizu, I tell you.

Better than most of the smaller brands of devices. Juicy, brighter, richer. The wider scene, slightly raised high and low frequencies. But very much it's like ekvalayzing. Apparently, the problem will be solved in the coming global operating system update. That's how it was with the last version of the Xiaomi Mi Note Pro.

The stock volume is small (by the standards of slightly deaf man who prefers loud electric guitars). Sometimes more. Other sound characteristics also slightly above average. This also applies to the voice companion, and your microphone and sound ringtones. But psychologically from the unit for 500-900 dollars waiting for more.

Software

The smartphone runs on MIUI 8 based on Android 6.0.1 with all its advantages and disadvantages.

But the operating system, as well as many creations Xiaomi, has two versions. One - Chinese with local applications and services. In it there are only two languages: English and Chinese. For all other users of the proposed global firmware with a mass of language packs and pre-installed Google services.

But global firmware for Xiaomi Mi Note 2 yet. Only available custom build from the official fan communities Xiaomi.eu and Multi. ROM. Therefore, many of the advantages Xiaomi proprietary add-ons are available for Russian users.

Unfortunately, the company has not adapted the operating system for the curved screen. So far, no third-party applications like any edge you can use only on the katabatic lock screen.

It is expected that in the coming 9 MIUI based on Android 7 Nougat algorithms will interact with the screen, similar to those used in the Samsung Galaxy S7. Especially in the Chinese and Korean companies have experience working together on Mi5S. Still remains to wait and look for third-party applications.

Other firmware functionality Mi Note 2 is the same as that of the other Xiaomi smartphones. A pile of ordered intuitive menus and sliders, with which you can customize everything from detailed sound profiles to a temperature of screen colors.

There is a simplified mode of use, well-designed power saving mode, and a great interface scaling.

Of the unique features have already been implemented will mention only one - Haptic Feedback. It improves response while typing, bringing the tactile sensation to what you can experience on a physical keyboard or iPhone 7. Very nice, and works in all applications.

Stand-alone operation

Once again, Xiaomi convinces us that thinks about the user. What users need? A good time working away from an outlet.

Under polished housing Xiaomi Mi Note 2 hides capacious battery to 4070 mAh. Consumption OLED-displays is lower than that of conventional IPS / TN-panels. Not bad-designed firmware also contributes, positively affecting the machine's operating time.

All this leads to the fact that the smartphone can run for up to two days without recharging. Of course, in the standard mode of use - no more than 5 hours of screen.

Other use cases demonstrate a high level:

• reading on the average luminance in airplane mode - up to 14 hours;
• viewing the film in airplane mode on the average brightness - up to 12 hours at maximum brightness - up to 10 hours;
• Web surfing (4G) - up to 10 hours;
• 3D-games - up to 7 hours.

Thus Xiaomi Mi Note 2 supports rapid charging of QC 3.0 standard. So that the completion of the energy reserves of the regular charger only takes half an hour.

conclusions

While the overall appearance of Xiaomi Mi Note 2 is quite controversial. This is a very nice device. He wants to buy, he wants to use. But the current situation many may not like. Camera a little flawed. The audio section is almost does not manifest itself (this problem was solved in the first version of Xiaomi Note some considerable time).

In Xiaomi Mi Note 2 has all chances to become the most sought-after Chinese smartphone. But this requires a fresh operating system, which is waiting for us in the spring.

While I would recommend the device only a true fan of the company. The main reason for this - obscenely high cost for Xiaomi products. The international version with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of non-volatile memory, and a global firmware supports all LTE bands worth $ 700!

At Mi Note 2 has a much cheaper competitors - less stylish, but balanced: OnePlus 3T ($ 450 version of 6/64 GB), Xiaomi Mi5S Plus ($ 380 option for 4/64 and GB $ 530 for 6/128 GB). And then there are Samsung Galaxy S7, whose value to offline stores decreased to 30 000 rubles (500 dollars). The choice is clear, and, alas, it is not in favor of Xiaomi smartphone.