Mi A2 quick review: Xiaomi's Android One offering impresses with more than just price
Two weeks after the global launch of Xiaomi's latest Android One offering, Mi A2, in Barcelona, the device has finally made it across to Indian shores.
The successor to one of the best selling devices of last year, the Mi A2 has been launched in the country at a price of Rs 16,999. Though dearer than the price tag that the first Android One smartphone from Xiaomi came sporting, the price of the Mi A2 is still quite competitive when compared to the competition in the market.
Much like the Mi A1, the latest in Xiaomi's Android One program is a device that has been created by the Chinese smartphone maker in partnership with Google to tap into the strong Android enthusiast community existing in the country. In essence, it is a smartphone that promises stock Android experience paired with above par specs at a reasonable price.
However, with the market flush with similar devices already, will the Mi A2 be able to replicate the success of its predecessor? Well, that's something only time will tell. For now, let's take a look at what the device brings to the table in our quick review of it.
Design and display
So the moment I held the device in my hand, the first thing I noticed was how similar the design of the Mi A2 is to Redmi Note 5 Pro. The vertically placed dual camera module at the back and the core design scheme will both remind you of the Note 5 Pro, which to be honest is a very good looking phone in its own right.
Much like the Redmi Note 5 Pro, the Mi A2's front is dominated by a tall 5.99-inch FullHD+ display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. Though edge-to-edge in nature, the display is covered by a small amount of bezel and a slightly thick chin at the bottom.
The display is held together by a metal unibody which again will remind you of the Redmi Note 5 Pro. However, unlike its popular counsin, the Mi A2 brings with it a much cleaner design with far less noticable antenna bands at the back. The phone's circular fingerprint scanner is also located at the back.
At 7.3mm in thickness and 166gm in weight, the phone isn't too bulky too. In terms of colours, the Mi A2 will be available in four different shades: Black, Blue, Gold and Rose Gold.
Specs and performance
In terms of the internals, the device comes sporting quite powerful specs for the price. Under the hood, there's Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC paired with up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage running the show.
Keeping the lights on the device is a 3000mAh battery that comes with Qualcomm Quick Charge 4.0 support, which is a welcome upgrade from last year's Mi A1.
In terms of connectivity and features, there is no 3.5mm jack and the phone comes with a USB Type-C port instead. However, for those looking to use 3.5mm compatible earphones, Xiaomi does bundle with the phone a converter to help you with the same.
Being an Android One device, all this hardware on board has been paired with stock Android. However, it's not Android P. The device is currently being shipped with Android 8.1 Orea, with the promise of a piece of the Pie in the future.
Camera
Much like the Mi A1, its successor is also banking heavily on its camera performance to help defeat the competition. There's no denying that the use of stock Android instead of MIUI, is the phone's biggest selling point, but in all honesty, its most impressive feature is the rear camera module.
Though we are still to spend some considerable time with the MiA2, our initial impressions of the phone's camera performance is positive.
The rear camera module features two lenses – 12-Megapixel Sony IMX 486 sensor plus a 20-Megapixel Sony IMX 376 sensor. On paper, the configuration is clearly a massive upgrade on the cameras on the Mi A1, but it's in terms of how intelligently the hardware is used by Xiaomi is where the Mi A2 truly shines.
The camera module has been equipped with the technology to sense ambient lighting and automatically switch between the 12-Megapixel sensor – for well-lit shots – and the 20-megapixel sensor for low light situations.
This particular feature gives the phone a unique advantage over any other phone in the price segment.
The front camera too comes with a 20-Megapixel sensor. Since this is the same trusted lens that has previously been used on the Redmi Note 5 Pro, the Mi A2 should face no issues when tasked with clicking selfies.
Initial impressions
Make no mistakes, the Mi A2 is no segment defining phone. Unlike its predecessor, it's no all-rounder too. There are chinks to the armor of the device. The 3000mAh battery, lack of expandable storage and headphone jack are all issues that could hold the Mi A2 back.
Yet, the reality is that it more than makes up for them with its promise of a snappy SoC, stock Android and powerful cameras at a very aggressive price of Rs 16,999. But will this promise be enough? We'll soon find out in our full review of the device.