Xiaomi original un max. Let's look at the design and design features
Decent hardware, excellent display, convenient gadget format for consuming content on the go - and this at a price starting from $200. I’ll try to figure out whether Xiaomi Mi Max really offers the most for your money.
How I got sick with microplates
In 2013, Sony inadvertently created new category devices - microplates. Since then, a couple of worthy but expensive alternatives have appeared, including the 6.8-inch Huawei P8max. Nice gadget, but after long-term communication with him, he was afraid to contact the “Chinese” again. There were a number of annoying nuances in the proprietary shell that could not be removed due to practically complete absence alternative firmware.
I should note that my main smartphone has been an iPhone since 2007. Only generations have changed. At the current moment this is, before that it was. I always tried to take something on Android as a backup gadget - a joy for the gadget-maniacal soul, plus an alternative OS is sometimes required for work.
Having worked for a long time with Samsung smartphones, decided to try out the exotic Sony Xperia Z Ultra. First of all, I was impressed by the convenient size specifically for consuming content on the go - watching movies, YouTube, surfing the web, reading. But there were disadvantages, such as the erasable oleophobic coating, a mediocre camera, no flash and a weak speaker.
I continued my search for the ideal companion for the iPhone and tried it out - it’s good, but it’s worse for video due to the different aspect ratio (16:10 versus 16:9), plus the brakes due to the weak adaptation of Android to the old generation of proprietary Kirin processors, and even those mentioned Above are the features of the proprietary Emotion UI shell.
Don’t forget that the release of MIUI 8 is just around the corner, with a lot of nice little things and innovations. If you really want, custom firmware with a new interface can be installed now, but I will wait for the global and official one with updates over the air.
What's the result? The device perfectly replaced the Nexus 6, while I got a faster smartphone with the ideal display size for any content consumption, be it watching videos, reading, web surfing, social networks, etc. Naturally, I filled it with videos (which is facilitated by 64 GB own memory+ 64 GB microSD) and everything you need to have something to do in any situation.
Now I give it to my child without fear, in the confidence that he will not cause a local Armageddon. I carry it with me everywhere and always, plus it’s a personal alarm clock and bedside gadget. If there was a bedside table nearby, I would use the iPad Pro, but there is no bedside table, and it’s not convenient to place the tablet next to the pillow.
- Anyone looking for a relatively inexpensive but productive tablet small size with SIM slot. Mi Max has everything you need. Without compromise and for very modest money.
- Those who want to get a truly universal smartphone to replace their phone and tablet, so that they can carry only one device with them. Just be prepared for its size and the fact that it is almost impossible to operate with one hand. Plus a rather mediocre camera.
- For those looking for a replacement for the Sony Xperia Z Ultra. The review hero is more compact (not such wide frames), has a higher-quality display and a very pleasant and highly customizable interface.
Alternatives
In fact, with the current Xiaomi price Mi Max from $200 before $380 (depending on the model) it has no real competitors among monstrous phones. But several interesting alternatives to this format have appeared.
Yes, it was recently announced Huawei Honor Note 8. It is distinguished by a 6.6-inch AMOLED display with a 2K resolution (1440×2560 pixels, 443 ppi), but the size increased by 0.16 inches is offset by the fact that the system Android buttons screen, not hardware. How good the color rendition is there is also a question. In the Nexus 6, the display is very yellow, and even in the Huawei Nexus 6p, which supposedly has a high-quality Samsung AMOLED matrix, similar to that in the Galaxy Note 4, somehow it turned out to be not a fountain.
The processor is slightly more powerful (about 20%), but the Mali-T880 MP4 GPU is similar to the Adreno 510 in terms of speed. Add here the increased resolution compared to the Mi Max and you only get a minus in gaming performance. And the quality of driver adaptation for proprietary HiSilicon Kirin 955 chips still leaves much to be desired.
But the camera is definitely of better quality, judging by the reviews of eyewitnesses, the assembly is better, the design is a little more interesting, although the dimensions are larger (3 mm wider and 5 mm higher, but 0.3 mm thinner), and the battery is less capacious (4500 mAh) . The price also decides. The younger model Huawei Honor Note 8 (32 GB memory, 4 GB RAM) will cost the same money as the older Mi Max (128 GB memory, 4 GB RAM).
The second modern alternative is ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra. It is very similar in characteristics (amount of memory, processor), but has a larger display (6.8 inches, Full HD), a better camera module and NFC. The price is significantly higher (+$150 with similar equipment). I personally would vote with my ruble for Xiaomi. But I’ll look at the alternatives with pleasure.
Bottom line
Xiaomi Mi Max is undeniable, but the company’s devices should be treated with a healthy dose of skepticism. To do this, I suggest you read it and in many respects I agree with it.
Firstly, the quality control of Xiaomi, Meizu and other popular “Chinese” brands is simpler, except that Huawei holds the bar in its flagships and mid-rangers. Often, buying a gadget turns into a lottery, although I was lucky with the Xiaomi Mi Max. And there are comrades who are unlucky. For some, the display turns into cold colors (“bluish”), for others, the backlight is uneven touch buttons(the “menu” key barely lights up), while others have plastic panels that creak.
Don't forget about software support. Everything is fine as long as the smartphone is new. But will there be official firmware based on Mi Max? I'm not sure about that.
Be that as it may, at the moment, among monstrous phones, the hero of the review has no competitors in terms of price/quality. I am personally pleased with it and have definitely calmed down with Android smartphones for the next six months. Yes, I would like to touch the Galaxy Note 7, but, as I wrote above, I don’t see the point in a smartphone identical in diagonal to be a companion for the iPhone 6s Plus. If I decide to change my main mobile platform, then I’ll turn my attention to Korean flagships. These are really worthy devices, albeit with their own “cockroaches”, such as problems with autonomy and “guzzling” energy in standby mode.
4.00 out of 5, rated: 1 )
The summer “smartphone fall” of 2018 for Xiaomi did not end at all with three models of the sixth series of the Redmi line (Redmi 6, Redmi 6A and Redmi 6 Pro) and two models of the Android One project (Mi A2 and Mi A2 Lite). As if in the final level of a video game, the “boss” came onto the stage - the Xiaomi Mi Max 3 phablet. Just in case, let’s clarify: the word “phablet”, despite some cacophony, is not a curse word, but means a device that is larger in size regular smartphone, but not up to the tablet.
Category "Economy travel" 2100 ₽ - this is how much the Airbnb booking service credits to your bonus account when you register using the link. For those who are not yet familiar with it, we refer you to our Airbnb review (be careful, it’s a long book).
About the Xiaomi Mi Max 3 phone
Xiaomi Mi Max 3- most big smartphone, released by Xiaomi in 2018. The diagonal of its screen is only a tenth of an inch short of the coveted seven, which is a pass to the tablet category.
Despite the significant increase in screen diagonal, the dimensions of the device are almost the same as Mi Max 2. This was achieved by changing the screen aspect ratio (as in most 2018 models - 18:9) and eliminating the hardware buttons on the front panel.
Xiaomi not only preserved, but also developed the main advantages of the Mi Max line: a huge screen (6.9 inches - almost half an inch plus compared to Mi Max 2) and increased capacity battery (5500 mAh - 200 mAh more than its predecessor). Other improvements: installation of a dual camera (12 + 5 MP) and support for Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi 802.11ac standards.
The inherited disadvantages of the Mi Max 3 include, first of all, the lack of support for NFC technology. Yes, guys, no contactless payment for you! If you want to pay using your phone, save up for a flagship. So what if this is a premium Mi and not a budget Redmi? Tell this to Mi 6X owners who also carry cash and credit cards in their wallets.
Xiaomi Mi Max 3 is the second smartphone from this manufacturer, built on the Snapdragon 636 processor: Redmi Note 5, released six months earlier, became one of the best-selling models. Other manufacturers have not ignored this processor: Asus (ZenFone Max Pro), Nokia (X6), Lenovo (Z5) and Meizu (E3). Each of the eight cores (Kryo 260) of the Snapdragon 636 operates at up to 1.8 GHz.
Characteristics of Xiaomi Mi Max 3
The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 smartphone is available in two versions, differing in the amount of RAM (4 or 6 GB) and flash memory (64 or 128 GB).
- 2G network: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
- 3G network: WCDMA (850/900/1900/2100 MHz), TD-SCDMA (B34/B39), CDMA2000/1X (BC0)
- 4G network: FDD-LTE (B1/B3/B4/B5/ B7/B8/B20), TDD-LTE (B34/B38/B39/ B40/B41)
- SIM cards: 2 × Nano-SIM
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 8 × 1.8 GHz Kryo 260
- Graphics: Adreno 509
- RAM: 4 or 6 GB
- Flash memory: 64 or 128 GB
- Display: 6.9″ IPS LCD, 2160×1080, 350 ppi
- Main camera:dual 12 MP, f/1.9 + 5 MP, phase detection autofocus, LED flash
- Front-camera: 8 MP, f/2.0
- Battery: 5500 mAh, non-removable
- Positioning systems: GPS, GLONASS, BDS
- Communication systems: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, IrDA, FM radio
- Platform: Android 8.1 Oreo, MIUI 9.5
- Dimensions: 176.2 × 87.4 × 8.0 mm
- Weight: 221 g
The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 smartphone is available in gold, black and blue casings.
Buying Xiaomi Mi Max 3 on AliExpress
Traditionally the best prices Chinese brand phones are offered by sellers on the leading Chinese trading platform AliExpress. To make it easier to monitor and compare prices for Xiaomi Mi Max 3, below are automatically updated tables that present all offers from highly rated sellers. These tables will help you buy Xiaomi Mi Max 3 on AliExpess at the lowest price.
As a rule, in addition to the phones themselves, sellers offer kits with accessories: protective films, cases and memory cards. All tables on this page contain exclusively “pure” products without additional load - only the phones themselves (with the exception of sets with gifts that do not affect the overall price).
The tables show only new (not refurbished) products with free shipping. All prices are given in dollars, since the ruble exchange rate on AliExpress may change during the day.
The best deals for a given body color are highlighted in green. An "X" in a cell means that the offer either does not include a phone in that color, or all phones in that color are sold out.
To the right of the price, the maximum discount for coupons is indicated in small red text. For getting detailed information move your mouse cursor over it.
If you notice an error or inaccuracy in the tables, please report it to the address indicated at the bottom of the page.
Xiaomi Mi Max 3 4/64GB
6.9″ Snapdragon 636 4/64GB
Data updated 03/06/2019 08:58:43.
When buying a phone on AliExpress, you can get cashback ALME (for beginners) - 2.75%, LetyShops (using lety codes) - 2.25%, ePN CashBack - 2%.
Xiaomi Mi Max 3 6/128GB
6.9″ Snapdragon 636 6/128GB
Data updated 03/06/2019 09:04:20.
When buying a phone on AliExpress, you can get cashback (refund of part of the cost) using cashback services: ALME (for beginners) - 2.75%, LetyShops (using Lety codes) - 2.25%, ePN CashBack - 2%.
Xiaomi Mi Max 3 Global Version 4/64GB
6.9″ Snapdragon 636 4/64GB EU Plug
Data updated 03/06/2019 09:30:21.
The Xiaomi Mi Max smartphone is one of latest news manufacturer, which has already managed to attract close attention not only from specialists, but also ordinary consumers, who were able to appreciate the dimensions of the gadget, its performance and functionality. The combination is quite successful, so the device is a clear contender for closer acquaintance.
Appearance
Mi Max has quite large dimensions, which sets it apart from its competitors. The screen diagonal is 6.4 inches, but the device fits very comfortably in the hand, and operating it does not cause much discomfort. This is largely due to the thin body and rounded edges.
In the upper part of the front face there is led indicator and camera. At the bottom there are touch control keys, at the top end you can find an infrared port and a 3.5 audio jack. The bottom end is occupied by grilles that hide the speakers, between which there is space for a microUSB connector.
On the left side there is a slot for connecting SIM cards, on the right there is a volume control and a button responsible for unlocking the device and turning it off. They are located quite low, which increases the comfort of use.
The back panel is metal, only at the top and bottom there are small plastic inserts that ensure uninterrupted data transfer, including via wireless protocols. The camera, located at the top, has a small protrusion from the body. To protect it, the manufacturer has provided a steel rim and Gorilla glass. Near the camera there is a flash operating in two-color mode and a fingerprint scanner, with a slight notch for greater convenience.
Display
Xiaomi Mi Max offers users a Full HD screen based on an IPS matrix. It is protected by a sapphire crystal located on top. Gorilla Glass 4, whose rounded edges harmoniously fit into 2.5D technology. There is no layer of air between the screen and glass. Frame dimensions for this model price category minimal - everything looks quite stylish and sophisticated.
As stated earlier, the screen diagonal is 6.4 inches, which, with a pixel density of 342 ppi, makes it possible to create a clear and detailed picture without grids or defects. The image pleases with its elaboration and realism, including when viewed at an angle - no distortion was noticed even with a significant deviation. There are no problems with viewing even in bright conditions sunlight. Auto-adjustment is quick and quite good; the screen itself supports up to 10 multi-touch touches.
Performance
Xiaomi Mi Max is available to consumers in several variations, which makes it possible to choose best option for any needs and requests. One of the modifications is based on the Snapdragon 652 processor with 8 cores, the second is based on the 6-core Snapdragon 650. The frequency in both cases reaches 1.8 GHz. RAM is also variable - 3 or 4 GB available. As for the integrated one, it reaches 32, 64 or 128 GB.
The Adreno 510 GPU is responsible for graphics acceleration - thanks to this combination, even the “younger” version of the smartphone demonstrates high productivity when working with a variety of applications, including when they are launched simultaneously. During operation, the device does not heat up, as evidenced by multiple consumer reviews - the body temperature does not exceed 57°C. The interface is smooth, there are no jerks or slowdowns.
The fingerprint scanner is also pleasing - setting it up takes no more than 20 seconds, and when scanning, the grip covers the entire pad right up to the nail. Unlocking is instant and takes no more than one attempt.
Operating system and software Xiaomi Mi Max
The device runs Android OS version 6.0 Marshmallow, complemented by the MIUI 8 graphical shell.
Initially available in English and Chinese language pack, although there are no problems with downloading Russian localization, the process takes literally a few minutes.
The system itself does not contain anything superfluous - just a list necessary settings and a package of standard services from Google. The work is not difficult and does not require getting used to - everything is implemented at a fairly high level. And from an aesthetic point of view, everything looks very, very nice. We should also highlight the notification system and the integrated equalizer, which allows you to use the required preset for listening with Xiaomi headphones.
Despite its impressive dimensions, operating it with one hand is not difficult. If desired, you can select the required size of the area for control elements or launch the Touch Assistant - floating function key with a wide range of options available.
Cameras
The main camera of the Mi Max from Xiaomi has a resolution of 16 megapixels and demonstrates a fairly good level of pictures, although they do not claim to be of professional quality. Detail and sharpness are good, both in natural and natural light, the photos are realistic, with excellent color rendition and color balance.
Examples of photos taken on Xiaomi Mi Max:
At night shooting everything is far from being so positive, although there is nothing surprising in this - price segment does not make it possible to obtain a truly high-quality and productive camera suitable for productive functioning in various conditions.
Example of a night photo:
A variety of settings allows you not only to choose the optimal shooting option, but also to complement the photo with various effects.
The front camera resolution is 5 megapixels, which in combination with a wide-angle lens allows you to take good selfies. Video recording is available in Full HD format at 1080p and 30 fps. There is also an option to shoot in slow motion.
Autonomy
As for the indicators of autonomous functioning, this model, although it does not offer anything supernatural, at the same time demonstrates good indicators that are unattainable for many other devices in this segment. The battery capacity is 4850 mAh, the unit itself is non-removable, which can pose some difficulties during long-term use.
Option wireless charging not provided, but charging in operational mode available - the Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology involved ensures that 80% of the full battery capacity is received in just 30 minutes, which is made possible by increasing the incoming current and voltage. It is worth noting that this function is available only if you use an original or Qualcomm-certified charging element.
When operating in standby mode, the device's operating time is about 480 hours; continuous conversation is possible throughout the day. You can listen to your favorite music for 100 hours in a row, but when watching videos you will have to limit yourself to only 15 hours.
Communication and data transfer
There is not the slightest complaint about the operation of voice communication - the sound is loud, clear, without defects or noise. Use network resources also hassle-free and matches active coverage areas. Activation of GPS is fast - if satellite data is available, the process takes no more than 5 s, if there is no information - up to 20 s.
The infrared port, subject to the use of specialized applications, can be used to control a wide range of devices - both gadgets from Xiaomi and various household appliances, including air conditioning or TV.
Advantages and disadvantages of the model
Speaking about the main advantages, it is worth initially pointing out the following:- Large screen and its balanced relation to the body;
- Work with 4G;
- High performance processor;
- Capacious battery pack;
- Integrated IR port;
- Availability of a fingerprint scanner;
- Front camera with wide-angle lens;
- Reasonable price.
- Absence NFC module;
- Difficulty performing some operations with one hand;
- Combining the second SIM slot with a flash card;
- Difficulty in perception MIUI shell some consumers.
Specifications Xiaomi Mi Max
| General characteristics | |
| Type | smartphone |
| OS version | Android 6.0 |
| Type of shell | classical |
| Housing material | metal |
| Control | touch buttons |
| Number of SIM cards | 2 |
| Multi-SIM mode | alternating |
| Weight | 203 g |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 88.3x173.1x7.5 mm |
| Screen | |
| Screen type | color IPS, 16.78 million colors, touch |
| Touch screen type | multi-touch, capacitive |
| Diagonal | 6.44 inch. |
| Image Size | 1920x1080 |
| Pixels per inch (PPI) | 342 |
| Automatic screen rotation | There is |
| Multimedia | |
| Camera | 16 million pixels, LED flash |
| Camera functions | autofocus |
| Diaphragm | F/2 |
| Recording videos | There is |
| Max. video resolution | 1920x1080 |
| Max. video frame rate | 30 fps |
| Geo Tagging | There is |
| Front-camera | yes, 5 million pixels. |
| Audio | MP3 |
| Headphone jack | 3.5 mm |
| Connection | |
| Standard | GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE, LTE-A Cat. 12 |
| LTE bands support | 2100, 1800, 2600, 2600, 1900, 2300, 2500 MHz |
| Interfaces | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.2, IRDA, USB |
| Satellite navigation | GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou |
| A-GPS system | There is |
| DLNA support | There is |
| Memory and processor | |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 MSM8956 |
| Number of processor cores | 6 |
| Video processor | Adreno 510 |
| Built-in memory capacity | 32 GB |
| Volume random access memory | 3 GB |
| Memory card slot | yes, up to 128 GB (combined with a slot for a second SIM card) |
| Nutrition | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion |
| Battery capacity | 4850 mAh |
| Battery | non-removable |
| Charging connector type | micro-USB |
| Other functions | |
| Speakerphone (built-in speaker) | There is |
| Control | There is |
| A2DP profile | There is |
| Sensors | lighting, proximity, gyroscope, compass, fingerprint reading |
| Flashlight | There is |
| USB-host | There is |
| Additional Information | |
| Equipment | smartphone, Charger, USB cable, SIM clip |
| Peculiarities | processor - 4 cores 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2 cores 1.8 GHz Cortex-A72 |
| Announcement date | 2016-05-10 |
| Sales start date | 2016-05-17 |
Or not. To tell the truth, I still can't decide. On the one hand, a 6.44-inch smartphone is an excellent help in consuming any kind of content (videos, toys, books, websites), but on the other hand, it is a huge shovel that tends to slip out of your hands at any moment. By the second day of use, I was relatively problem-free typing text on Mi Max with one hand using Swype (which is what I usually use) and without outside help I was managing my Twitter feed, but the feeling of concern that I was about to drop it still did not leave me. This smartphone leaves very mixed and even somewhat contradictory impressions, but let’s talk about everything in order.
The text may and most likely does contain grammatical, spelling, punctuation and other types of errors, including semantic ones. I strongly encourage readers to point out these errors and correct me through private messages.
▌Specifications
| Screen: | 6.44-inch IPS display with FHD (1920x1080) resolution; protective coating Corning GG 4; 2.5D shape (rounded edges); oleophobic coating |
| Case materials: | metal back with plastic inserts on top and bottom |
| CPU: | six-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 (two Cortex-A72 1.8 GHz cores and four Cortex-A53 1.4 GHz cores) / eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 (four Cortex-A72 1.8 GHz cores and four Cortex-A53 1.4 GHz cores) |
| Graphic arts: | Adreno 510 (600 MHz) |
| Operating system: | MIUI 7 on Android based 6.0 |
| RAM: | 3/4 GB |
| User memory: | 32/64/128 GB + ability to install a memory card up to 128 GB instead of nanoSIM |
| Camera: | 16 MP (f/2.0 aperture), autofocus, LED flash; front camera 5 MP, also f/2.0, viewing angle 85° |
| Network support: | GSM/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900MHz), CDMA 1X/CDMA2000: BC0, WCDMA (850/900/1900/2100MHz), TD-SCDMA, FDD-LTE (Band 1/3/7), TDD-LTE (Band 38/39/40/41), two card slots (micro-SIM + nano-SIM, one radio module) |
| Wireless technologies: | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual band: 2.4 and 5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.2, GPS/GLONASS/BDS, A-GPS support, FM radio |
| Sensors: | fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, gyroscope, digital compass, distance and illumination |
| Additionally: | USB 2.0 microUSB port with USB-OTG support, fast charging with Quick Charge 3.0 technology, IR port, 3.5 mm for headset |
| Battery: | 4850 mAh, non-removable |
| Contents of delivery: | Power supply (5 V, 2 A), USB cable, instructions |
| Dimensions: | 173.1 x 88.3 x 7.5 mm |
| Weight: | 203 grams |
| Cost (official) | |
| Cost (real): | // dollars |
Initially, Xiaomi announced 3 versions of the smartphone, which, in addition to the price tag and the amount of user memory, were distinguished by a more powerful platform in the two older versions and 4 GB of RAM in the top model for 1999 yuan ($300 at the time of publication). Later, the most budget version of the smartphone with 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of user memory for ~$190 appeared on the virtual shelves of Chinese trading platforms. I got the younger version from the previously announced Max line for testing, i.e. smartphone with Snapdragon 650 on board, 32 GB of user memory and 3 GB of RAM.
▌How big he is!
The length of the smartphone is just over 17 centimeters. Right now, take the ruler in your hands and see how much it really is. For comparison, the dimensions of several popular models smartphones:
At the same time, Mi Max manages to fit more or less adequately in the hand. During operation, I either supported it with my little finger when working with the keyboard, or held it closer to the middle of the case while scrolling through social feeds. networks. In most other situations it was necessary to resort to the help of a second hand.
Swype is a great help when typing, because... even if you didn’t reach which last letter, auto-selection will most likely insert it itself. Therefore, with one-handed typing special problems did not arise, with the exception of a slight jitters about the likelihood of dropping the smartphone when intercepting it. The software mode for one-handed control somehow didn’t catch on with me.
The appearance of the smartphone is in the best traditions of Xiaomi: metal back panel with plastic inserts at the ends, under which the antennas of the radio modules are located. There are three color variations to choose from: gray, silver and gold, which I got for testing. The backing on the front panel remains white in any case. It looks nice, but there are a few complaints about the design. Firstly, in the torsion test, the components of the smartphone noticeably play. Fortunately, for everyday use of a smartphone this fact does not affect it in any way, but is probably due to the thickness of the case, which is only 7.5 mm.
Secondly, the camera module protrudes beyond the body. Yes, such a solution has already been seen many times in many smartphones, but Xiaomi designers made a fatal mistake by recessing the protruding rim relative to the glass. Thus, when the smartphone comes into contact with flat surfaces, the entire “impact” in the upper part falls on the glass covering the camera. After two weeks of use, you can observe the following picture:
Perhaps the sapphire glass used in the notorious iPhone (covers the camera) would save the situation, but who would put it in a smartphone for $250?
I have only good things to say about the fingerprint scanner on the back, except for the fact that I'm not a fan of its placement. The sensor speed of even the most budget representatives of the Redmi line is simply excellent, and the number of recognition errors is minimal. In addition, I like the shape, size of the scanner and its location in a noticeable recess, which .
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There is only one multimedia speaker at the bottom end, and a conversational microphone is hidden behind the second grille. The quality of speech transmission is not satisfactory, but the speaker lacks volume and low frequencies. The use of MicroUSB instead of USB Type-C seems to hint at a certain budget-friendly device, since the company is gradually introducing a new interface connector into older series smartphones.
The function keys on the right side do not play and have a noticeable tactile response. Above without changes: audio output and IR transmitter. The tray on the left side is combined: micro-SIM and a choice of nano-SIM or microSD.
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Considering that this is a multimedia device, skimping on the display would look like blasphemy on Xiaomi’s part. However, this did not happen; Mi Max has an excellent one in all respects IPS matrix with a brightness adjustment range from 2 to 631 cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of 936 to 1. The display is easy to read in the sun and does not dazzle the eyes in the dark. The only problem is that the oleophobic coating is weak compared to the one I tested quite recently.
Many reviewers complained about the black frames framing the display, but during all the time I used it I still couldn’t understand what was wrong with that. They do not catch the eye at all, and with a dark screensaver they look great, illusorily expanding the space occupied by the display. But there are so many people, so many opinions.
After 2 weeks of using the smartphone without a case or films, the protective coating of the display remained pristinely clean, despite the fact that the smartphone had been tested in a different edition before me. The question regarding the origin of the coating remains open, since the model is not indicated on the official Chinese website, and on the Indian website about the use of Gorilla Glass 3. Some foreign ones even replicate information about Gorilla Glass 4.
▌Surprised in a good way by the gaming performance
The Snapdragon 650 chipset was originally intended to be budget solution with the name Snapdragon 618, but was subsequently promoted to rank and there is a logical explanation for this. The fact is that in terms of performance it is in no way inferior and even slightly superior to the Snapdragon 808, which other companies installed in their flagship smartphones last year.
The Snapdragon 650 system-on-chip is equipped with four energy-efficient Cortex-A53 cores clocked at up to 1.4 GHz and two high-performance Cortex-A72 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz. Snapdragon 652, installed in older versions of Xiaomi Mi Max, is supplemented with two more high-performance cores, which, according to test results, brings it closer to last year’s top SoC - Snapdragon 810.
The first image shows the overall performance of the SoC, while the second shows the performance of the graphics accelerator.
Additional tests in comparison with devices that were previously in my hands:
| Phone/Benchmark | ||||
| Xiaomi Mi Max (Snapdragon 650) | 17902 | 8,8 | 1544 / 3680 | 77959 |
| Xiaomi Mi Max Pro (Snapdragon 652) | - | - | 1521 / 4443 | 83272 |
| 14801 | 4 | 890 / 4836 | 55209 | |
| 8557 | 5,8 | 635 / 2825 | 34009 | |
| 19594 | 12 | 991 / 2990 | 47075 | |
| 19564 | 9,9 | 1241 / 3222 | 50610 | |
| Xiaomi Mi 5 (Snapdragon 820) | 29891 | 30 | 2319 / 5507 | 131142 |
Despite comparable test results graphics performance 808 (Adreno 418, 128 stream processors, 600 MHz) and 650 (Adreno 510, unknown number of stream processors, 600 MHz) chips, in practice the victory was with the latter. For example, let's take WoT: Blitz. The ceiling for Xiaomi Mi 4c and 4s was average graphics settings, and in order to achieve a stable 60 frames per second it was necessary to additionally disable HD textures. In the Mi 4c review, I complained about the poor optimization of the game for this SoC, but six months later nothing has changed. Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 650 allows you to run “tanks” with maximum graphics settings, and fps remains at 50-60 and drops by a maximum of 10 frames in scenes with a lot of action or in aiming mode.
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In a shooter Unkilled on maximum settings graphics have a stable 40 frames per second without a decrease in fps in action scenes. WWR(network robot battles) limits maximum amount fps up to 30, and in scenes with high weapon activity the frames per second can drop to an unpleasant 18-20. In the latter case, optimization problems are evident, since the situation is similar on smartphones with Snapdragon 820.
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In all tested games, the processor load did not exceed 30%, and the maximum number of fps was limited by the performance of the graphics subsystem, which was fully loaded almost all the time. So, when choosing a smartphone, I advise fans of mobile gaming to first of all pay attention to the performance of the graphics subsystem, and not to the total number of points in popular synthetic tests.
For prolonged high load The smartphone body did not heat up above 40 degrees. No noticeable throttling was noticed, which is also confirmed by the GFXBench stability test.
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At the start of the system, about 1500 MB (out of 3!) of RAM are allocated for the user’s needs, and only 24.3 of the declared 32 GB are available for user use. To expand disk space by installing microSD up to 128 GB, you will have to sacrifice a second SIM card.
In terms of telephone functionality, the smartphone works well: speaker loud and high-quality, the vibration signal is felt in trouser pockets, both the first and second SIM can work in the 3G/4G network. FM radio only works with connected headphones, which act as an antenna.
▌Hemorrhoids cannot be avoided with flashing
Nothing has changed since the publication of the material. The smartphone comes from Gearbest with partially localized firmware, which is characterized by increased RAM consumption and low stability. For the monitored Xiaomi versions Mi Max is available with official MIUI with full localization, Google Play services and support for OTA updates. The release for older modifications is scheduled for August.
Unfortunately, the presence of official Global firmware does not at all simplify the process of replacing the software. The most adequate instructions for switching from custom Chinese MIUI to the official one are on the English-language forum. For test purposes, I used (Russian) for MIUI installation 8 Beta from multirom.me, but with this approach you will lose the ability to update the firmware over the air, which is important for the beta version.
▌Autonomy
A battery with a capacity of 4850 mAh in a fairly intensive mode of operation is enough for 6-7 hours of screen operation or 2-3 days. Heavy use means periodic GPS activity, Wi-Fi operation alternately with 3G, Bluetooth for pairing with Pebble watch. The screen brightness level is adjusted automatically. About 10-20 minutes a day are spent on World of Tanks: Blitz, which I use as a benchmark for gaming performance. Calls no more than 5-10 minutes a day, I don’t use SMS either. Mainly connecting to the network, instant messengers, social media. networks and surfing.
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Mi Max comes with a regular 5V charger with a current of 2A, and fully charged from 0 to 100% takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes. In addition, the smartphone supports fast charging technology, which for some reason is silent on the official Xiaomi website.
When trying to charge a smartphone from the included LeEco Le Max 2 charger with support for QC 3.0 technology, the charging time of the smartphone was reduced by only 45 minutes, which means that the capabilities of the charger, which is capable of continuously delivering 24 W of energy, are not used to 100%. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a tester capable of working with QC 3.0 at hand, and the one that was available, according to the passport, is capable of measuring voltages within 3-7 Volts.
▌Cameras at the level of the latest generation of Redmi smartphones
And that's basically all that can be said about them. They shoot well during the day, but poorly in the evening. The rear camera is represented by a 16-megapixel sensor covered with an f/2.0 aperture lens. The front camera is 5 MP, the aperture is similar, and the viewing angle is 85°. Examples of pictures in different conditions: this link.
In MIUI 8, Xiaomi messed up the camera app. The HDR mode activation button, which was previously in the place of the current “Modes”, was for some reason moved to top part screen, and even made it drop-down. Those. If you, like me, want to use HDR periodically and on your own, you will have to resort to using a second hand to expand the drop-down menu and activate HDR. The flash activation was moved there, and in its place was a filter selection key.
Chinese designers have a very strange vision of a user-friendly camera application interface.
▌Results
Xiaomi Mi Max is perhaps the only productive one of its kind with an adequate price tag. My short search did not find any serious competitors to this smartphone. The same Sony Xperia Z Ultra is already quite outdated in terms of performance, and the camera in it initially did not shine with results; Lenovo Phab Plus, with a comparable price tag, is also inferior in characteristics, and it certainly cannot be handled with one hand. LeTV One Max boasts a slightly more productive platform, but is much inferior in terms of autonomy, and it is not clear what it has with availability and software. Competitors include the relatively recent Sony Xperia C5 Ultra dual, but paying the same amount of money as the Mi Max for a display? No, please.
As practice has shown, the difference between a 5.7 and 6.44-inch smartphone is very noticeable after actively using the latter for 2 weeks. When I picked up the 5.7-inch one, the first thing I thought about was a 5, well, 5.2-inch display and I’m afraid to imagine my feelings if, right after the Mi Max, I got some device with a display up to 5". I was able to get used to such a diagonal and take advantage of its advantages, but it is not a fact that you will succeed, so I first recommend that you familiarize yourself with the device in person.
Finally, I do not recommend taking the version with 2 GB of RAM. Now for MIUI there is only so much RAM, but you haven’t been looking at a smartphone for a couple of months, have you?
What I liked
- Price
- Performance, particularly gaming
- Excellent autonomy
- Display with good brightness adjustment range
- fast fingerprint scanner, support for fast charging using QC 3.0 technology
What I didn't like
- Hull backlash in a torsion test protruding beyond the hull protective glass rear camera
- Difficulties with flashing the firmware, which is so necessary for full use of the device
- Weak oleophobic coating
What would you like
- NFC support
- Separate memory card slot
- QC 3.0 charger included as standard
▌Related links
Twitter. On my website I duplicate my own publications from all over the Internet, so too. Thank you for your attention!
On July 19, 2018, Xiaomi officially introduced its new phablet— Xiaomi Mi Max 3. In today’s review we will tell you about the advantages and disadvantages of the new product and compare it with its predecessor Mi Max 2.
SCREEN
IN new version The smartphone has an even larger diagonal screen. Now it is 6.9 inches (Max 2 has 6.44 inches). The IPS display is widescreen, with a now fashionable aspect ratio of 18:9, and has a FullHD+ resolution of 2160x1080 pixels (Max 2 has an aspect ratio of 16:9, FullHD resolution of 1920x1080 pixels). The technical parameters of the screen of the new product have also been improved compared to the second generation:
- Contrast has been increased by 50%, now 1500:1;
- 16% higher brightness - 520 nits;
- 17% improved color gamut.
We can say with confidence that the screen in the Mi Max 3 is better; it matches its predecessor in all respects.
APPEARANCE
The new product is very reminiscent of an enlarged version. Although, in fairness, it is worth noting that all Xiaomi smartphones released in 2018 are very similar. Mi Max 3 stands out among its peers due to its large size.
At the top of the front panel there are: earpiece, front camera and proximity and light sensors. Many will be pleased by the lack of a “unibrow”, although for some this will be a minus; this is a matter of taste, and it is purely individual for everyone.
At the top of the rear panel, closer to the right edge, it is located vertically dual camera and flash. The camera protrudes slightly above the body, as often happens. When using the case, this drawback disappears. There is a fingerprint scanner in the center. Below is the company logo. The cover is completely made of metal, there are no plastic inserts at the top and bottom, there are only small hidden V-shaped antennas.
On the right side you can only find a volume rocker and a power button. On the left is a hybrid tray for SIM cards (nano-SIM + nano-SIM or nano-SIM + microSD card).
On the top edge there are: a 3.5 mm jack for connecting headphones (headsets), an infrared port and an additional microphone for noise reduction.
On the bottom there is a USB Type-C port, a speaker and a microphone.
In general, the layout of the controls is standard for Xiaomi smartphones, nothing new was proposed. It’s a little disappointing that you can’t use 2 SIM cards and a memory card at the same time, although the built-in permanent memory, even in the younger version, will be enough for many, but more on that later.
There are three body colors to choose from: black, blue and gold.
CASE DIMENSIONS
Dimensions of Mi Max 3 are: 176.15 x 87.4 x 7.99 mm. Interestingly, having a larger display diagonal, compared to the same Mi Max 2, both devices have similar dimensions. Here Mi Max 3 is greatly helped by thin frames around the perimeter of the screen, as well as a display with an aspect ratio of 18:9.
As can be seen from the comparison, the dimensions of the devices are almost identical, but the screen area of the Mi Max 3 is much larger, which is a huge advantage, considering that it is a phablet.
The weight of the devices differs, but again not significantly. Mi Max 3 weighs 221 grams, and Mi Max 2 - 211 grams.
PERFORMANCE
The second smartphone in the Max line received a kind of downgrade in terms of performance compared to the first Mi Max, which had a Snapdragon 650 processor. Yes, the Snapdragon 625 processor (Mi Max 2) is newer and more energy efficient, but its speed is slower, especially for games. Considering the rather mediocre performance, it is impossible to call the second generation Mi Max a gaming solution.
As for Mi Max 3, everything is much more interesting. The manufacturer did not skimp on the processor and installed the one already familiar to us from Redmi Note 5 - Snapdragon 636 with Adreno 509 graphics accelerator. The difference in speed when compared with the processor installed in is simply colossal. If you look at the numbers in the Antutu synthetic test, the older model scores more than 118,000 points, while the Mi Max 2 scores about 62,000. The difference is almost double. The Snapdragon 636 falls slightly short of the Snapdragon 660 with a difference of 11,000 points. What conclusion can be drawn from these numbers? On Mi Max 3 you can play almost any hardware-intensive game with a comfortable FPS, and given the screen diagonal, it will bring you a lot of fun.
AUTONOMY
As for the battery capacity installed in Mi Max 3, it is also larger than its predecessor and is 5500 mAh (versus 5300 mAh in Mi Max 2). In addition, fast charging is supported using Quick Charge 3.0 technology, and this is very important for a battery of such capacity. In an hour the battery is charged to approximately 70 percent. It will take 135 minutes to recharge 100 percent of the charge.
You can see how the presence of Quick Charge technology affects charging speed in this article:
The manufacturer claims that a full charge should be enough for 17 hours of continuous video playback or 10 hours of gaming. The numbers are, frankly speaking, impressive. We will check how true these statements are in our full review.
Support for reverse charging is declared, that is, the smartphone can charge other mobile devices.
CAMERA
The main camera here is excellent and takes pictures no worse than top flagships. The Mi Max 3 uses the Sony IMX363 sensor, the same as the one, which, as we know, takes pretty good pictures. The main camera is now double. The manufacturer, following fashion trends, did not deprive the camera of artificial intelligence, which is capable of automatically detecting the scene. One of the sensors has a resolution of 12 megapixels with f/1.9 aperture, the second is 5 megapixels.
The front camera has a resolution of 8 megapixels with f/2.0 aperture and support for artificial intelligence, thanks to which the smartphone has a face unlock function.
We wrote in one of our reviews how to improve the quality of the resulting images on almost any smartphone:
SOUND
Speakers installed in the smartphone good quality. The sound is clear, there is enough volume reserve. When watching movies, playing games and other scenarios, stereo sound is reproduced. For achievement this effect uses a speaker installed on the top of the smartphone. Its volume is slightly lower than that of the main speaker, but this is not critical, the main thing is that this function is implemented.
The sound in the headphones is not bad. It is impossible to distinguish it from other devices of the company. Everything is quite predictable, since there is no dedicated audio chip here.
CONNECTION
The smartphone supports 2G/3G/4G networks, with all necessary frequencies, including Band 20.
Detailed list of supported bands:
- GSM: B2, B3, B5, B8;
- CDMA 1X/EVDO: BC0;
- WCDMA: B1, B2, B5, B8;
- TD-SCDMA: B34, B39;
- TDD-LTE: B34, B38, B39, B40, B41;
- FDD-LTE: B1, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B20.
The smartphone can work on Wi-Fi standard 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with support for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. Supported satellites: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou. Bluetooth version 5. NFC - absent.
SOFTWARE
Out of the box it works on a stable basis MIUI firmware 9.5 Stable, based on the latest version Android Oreo 8.1. Obviously, in the future the new product will receive stable MIUI 10 and an update to Android P.
CONTENTS OF DELIVERY
After unpacking the box you will find the following:
- smartphone;
- charger (9V/2A);
- USB Type-C cable;
- instructions;
- key clip for removing the SIM card tray.
SPECIFICATIONS
|
Model |
Mi Max 2 | |
|
PLATFORM |
||
|
CPU |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 |
| Cores | 8 | 8 |
| Clock frequency | 2.0 GHz | 1.8 GHz |
| Graphic arts | Adreno 506 | Adreno 509 |
| DISPLAY | ||
| Diagonal | 6.44 inches | 6.9 inches |
| Permission | 1920x1080 | 2160×1080 |
| Glass | 2.5D, Gorilla Glass | 2.5D, Gorilla Glass |
| MEMORY | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 4/6 GB |
| Persistent memory | 32/64/128 GB | 64/128 GB |
| Memory card | yes, 1 SIM + SD up to 128 GB | yes, 1 SIM + SD up to 256 GB |
| CAMERAS | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | Dual, 12 MP + 5 MP |
| Front-camera | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| INTERFACES AND COMMUNICATIONS | ||
| Networks | 2G, 3G, 4G LTE | 2G, 3G, 4G LTE |
| Bluetooth | v. 4.2 | v. 5 |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | |
| Navigation | GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou | GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou |
| NFC | No | No |
| Infrared port | There is | There is |
| Audio 3.5mm | There is | There is |
| Charging port | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| BATTERY | ||
| Capacity | 5300 mAh | 5500 mAh |
| Fast charging | no, 9V/2A | yes, 9V/2A |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion |
| FRAME | ||
| Materials | Metal | Metal |
| Protection | No | No |
| Dimensions | 174.1 x 88.7 x 7.6 mm | 176.15 x 87.4 x 7.99 mm |
| Weight | 211 grams | 221grams |
| Color | black, gold |
black, blue, gold |
ADVANTAGES
- Large 6.9-inch screen with FullHD+ resolution;
- Powerful Snapdragon 636 processor;
- Dual camera with Sony IMX363 optical sensor;
- Support for artificial intelligence algorithms;
- Battery capacity 5500 mAh;
- RAM 4/6 GB (memory type LPDDR4X);
- Support microSD cards up to 256 GB;
- Infrared port (IRDA);
- Audio jack 3.5 mm;
- Fingerprint scanner and facial recognition.
- Android Oreo 8.1.
FLAWS
- Device size. Not suitable for everyone who is used to using a smartphone with one hand;
- Weight 221 grams;
- Lack of NFC.
As you can see, there are many more advantages. Disadvantages are noted, but they are not significant, just to draw attention to them. A user who chooses a phablet for himself should not pay attention to the first two points. The diagonal of the screen dictates the large dimensions, and if you take into account the battery capacity, then the weight of the device. The absence of NFC is quite natural for Xiaomi company, since it equips only flagship devices with this module. With the release of Mi Band 3 with NFC, this drawback will be, albeit partially, corrected.
CONCLUSION
Xiaomi has released a very interesting device for phablet lovers. Concerning appearance, there is nothing special here, the smartphone is a typical representative of the company. I was pleased that the gadget’s hardware is quite good. This can be said about almost all components, from a powerful processor to the presence of artificial intelligence. Comparing it with Mi Max 2 makes no sense. Mi Max 3 is a much more advanced device. This worthy continuation Mi Max line of phablets. This device will no doubt be in great demand.
In addition to excellent characteristics, Mi Max 3 boasts a very attractive price. At the start of sales, the manufacturer announced the following figures:
- version 4/64 GB - $250;
- version 6/128 GB - $295.
Of course, these prices are only relevant for China. In Russia the price will be completely different.