Tech

XiaoMi Recently Launched A New Model They Call The ‘iPhone 8 Killer’

2017-09-14 , 11:20 am

If you weren’t aware, Apple has been sweeping the globe with their recent launch of the iPhone 8, 8 Plus and iPhone X.

You can read a non-biased (not really) fact-based article on it here, and an opinion-based one by someone that’s a teeny weeny bit biased against Apple (sorry, Boss. No hard feelings, eh?).

Anyway, a relatively new competitor going by the name of XiaoMi has entered the arena, and the spunky young kid has declared himself the ‘iPhone Killer’.

Big words from a small kid, punk, seeing how Apple is a practical giant in the smartphone industry.

But I like it. Let’s see what you got.

Mi Mix 2

Dubbed the Mi Mix 2, Xiaomi’s latest model was unveiled in Beijing on September 11 (the eve of Apple’s launch) to generally hyped fanfare.

Aside from an all-screen display and design that shares certain similarities with Apple’s iPhone X, it also got an all-ceramic “unibody” design by Philippe Starck. (There are also editions with a normal metallic frame and a ceramic back combo)

Now, I’m unsure what “unibody” means, but that shit sounds cool, so I did a little research on it.

Apparently, the process involves pressing a special type of ceramic powder into a mould with 240-ton force and then baking it at up to 1,400 degrees Celsius (2,552 degrees Fahrenheit) for seven days. At the end, the

At the end, the moulded pieces will shrink by about 20 percent, lending it an especially tight tolerance.

The pieces are then put into a CNC machine to cut out the ugly bits, and subsequently polished with diamond dust for ten hours.

Overall, it could take about ten days from start to finish.

Well, hate to admit, but that sounds like some dope shit even to an Apple fanboy like me.

First and second versions

While the first version has a 17:9 aspect ratio screen, the second one has an 18:9 full-screen display, making the screen look like it’s filling the entire front surface.

The original version had a 6.4i-nch screen that was a bit too big for most people, and so they rectified it, reducing the screen to a more pocketable 5.99-inch display.

Camera wise, the Mi Mix’s wasn’t exactly that groundbreaking.

The Mi Mix 2 has a Sony IMX386 sensor (with 1.25um pixels) and 4-axis optical stabilisation setup as the one on Mi 6 (with a slightly lower f/2.0 aperture).

It can shoot 4K or 1080p videos at 30 fps, and 720p videos at up to 120fps for slow motion.

The updated version will also be equipped with a hidden speaker and a stronger ultrasonic proximity sensor.

Backed by 43 networks, it can be used almost anywhere in the world, making it a ton more convenient for travellers that network around.

Nope, the Sahara desert and the Pacific Ocean are still out of bounds. Probably.

Specs

With a new look, it’s got to have the specs to match it, so let’s check it out.

Aside from Qualcomm’s top-of-the-range Snapdragon 835 chipset along with 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 2.1 storage, there’s also a special edition with 8GB of RAM but just 128 GB of storage.

It’s powered by a 3,400mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 support (9V/2A) via USB-C and will sport a 18K PVD rose gold-coated camera rim.

Sales

This might come as a shock to some of you guys, but Xiaomi actually outsold Apple in China during the second quarter of this year.

In fact, Apple’s stock in China hasn’t exactly been performing well, seeing as it comes in fifth after the likes of Huawei, Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi.

Consensus

Amazingly, Xiaomi’s portrayal of their Mi Mix 2 as an ‘iPhone killer’ might just hit the mark.

Aside from comparable specs and hardware, its cheaper pricing rate will definitely draw in the crowds.

But it doesn’t have the iPhone 8’s more technologically-advanced features, like Augmented Reality. That’s one plus point for Apple.

Guess we can only wait and see, huh?

The Mi Mix 2 will be available in China from Sept 15 on and will sell for 4,699 yuan (S$969.40). A variant retails between 3,299 yuan and 3,999 yuan, reported Chinese media. Customers that do not reside in China would have to wait, as the Mi Mix 2 will only push out worldwide at a later date.

And if it’s true to their usual form of selling in overseas markets, be prepared to camp on their site like what happened with the Mi Note 2.

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This article was first published on goodyfeed.com