Amidst a wave of leaks and teasers, Xiaomi has unveiled its flagship for 2018 – the Mi Mix 2S. The device debuted at an exclusive event in Shanghai, priced at 3,299 CNY (approximately Rs 34,000).
Design
The Mi Mix 2S continues the lineage’s hallmark edge-to-edge design, reminiscent of its predecessor, the Mi Mix. It boasts minimal side and top bezels, accompanied by a prominent bottom chin.
Previously, rumors suggested Xiaomi might eliminate the bottom bezel and relocate the front camera to the top left corner via a notch, but that’s not the case. The Mi Mix 2S appears to be merely an upgrade to its predecessor, featuring the latest hardware. The new design is expected to debut with the Mi Mix 3, hopefully later this year.
In terms of materials, Xiaomi has shifted from ceramic to 7000-series aluminum for constructing the Mi Mix 2S from scratch. Despite this change, there’s no noticeable difference in construction, as the device is coated in ceramic—available in black and white—and retains its soft, shiny texture. Additionally, the Mi Mix 2S features 18-karat gold highlights, as anticipated.
Key Specs of Mi Mix 2S
Delving into specifics, the Mi Mix 2S boasts a stunning 6.01-inch FullHD FullView screen. The earpiece resides discreetly within the compact top bezel, while most sensors are cleverly integrated behind the display. The side bezels are virtually non-existent, and the bottom bezel has been reduced by x% compared to its predecessor, the Mi Mix 2. The front-facing selfie camera remains positioned at the bottom right corner.
The Mi Mix 2S stands out as the first Xiaomi device to incorporate the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset, unveiled during the platform’s initial launch. This powerhouse is complemented by the Adreno 630 GPU, and Xiaomi’s integrated AI chip accelerates image scanning by 3x compared to the iPhone X. Additionally, users can choose from 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of internal storage.
In the software department, the Mi Mix 2S runs Xiaomi’s MIUI 9 ROM based on Android 8.1 Oreo. Alongside the Android Oreo benefits, Xiaomi enhances user experience with navigation gestures and Face Unlock. Notably, Xiaomi’s Xiao AI virtual assistant steals the spotlight, proficient in answering queries, waking the screen, navigating apps, controlling smart home devices, and more.
This device boasts a 3,400 mAh battery, complemented by Qualcomm Quick Charge 4.0 via USB Type-C and Qi wireless charging support. Notably, the Mi Mix 2S pioneers Xiaomi’s inclusion of wireless charging and NFC technology.
Mi Mix 2S: Cameras
The most noticeable upgrade in the Mi Mix 2S is its cameras. Xiaomi previously treated the cameras on Mi Mix devices as prototypes for future smartphones. Now, with the Mi Mix 2S as their flagship, they’ve equipped it with an iPhone X-style vertical dual camera, akin to the setup seen on the Redmi Note 5 Pro (also known as Redmi Note 5 in China).
Rumors were true: the Mi Mix 2S boasts a vertical dual-camera setup, comprising a 12MP wide-angle + 12MP telephoto lens, mirroring the iPhone X. It employs the Sony IMX363 sensor, a staple in flagship devices. Notable features include a sizable 1.4-micron pixel, dual-pixel autofocus for improved low-light photography, and 4-axis OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) integrated into one lens.
Enhancements include portrait mode, optical zoom, and hardware-level multi-frame noise reduction, eliminating reliance solely on software for noise reduction, instead utilizing proprietary hardware technology.
The company has integrated AI capabilities into its camera, significantly enhancing bokeh mode photos on the Mi Mix 2S. Dynamic bokeh is now enabled, allowing adjustment post-capture. You can modify not only intensity but also alter background lights’ shapes to hearts, achieving DSLR-like bokeh, and reposition them for swirl light effects.
Additionally, the camera’s AI capabilities include scene recognition, adjusting contrast and brightness based on surroundings, providing instant language translations, and currency conversions. The Mi Mix 2S achieves a remarkable DxOMark score of 101 for its camera performance.
Price And Availability
Xiaomi prices the Mi Mix 2S competitively considering its enhanced features, with the 6GB+64GB variant at 3,299 yuan (approx ₹33,700), the 6GB+128GB at 3,599 yuan (approx ₹37,000), and the top-tier 8GB+256GB variant at 3,999 yuan (approx ₹41,000). Share your thoughts on the Mi Mix 2S in the comments below.
Surprise Announcements
Xiaomi launched a new Mi Gaming Laptop for the Chinese market, featuring a Nvidia GTX 1060 GPU for graphics, an all-metal build, RGB lighting, dedicated macro keys (including one for fast food ordering), and competitive pricing.
Additionally, the company released the Mi AI Speaker Mini, now available in China. Besides its smart speaker functions, it doubles as a smart home hub for users with multiple Xiaomi devices.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
