Answering the question about the smartphones of two well-known Chinese brands Meizu or Xiaomi - which is better to buy, is not so simple. On the one hand, both companies produce a lot of similar models of mobile equipment - both in terms of parameters, functionality, and even price.
On the other hand, different users like their own features of smartphones - some prefer branded ones, others want better image quality, others are more interested in the autonomy of the device.
Brand History
Both Chinese companies cannot be called newcomers to the mobile technology market. However, the Meizu brand became known first - in 2003, several popular mp3 players were produced under it. But already at the end of the last decade, after, the company's management is betting on smartphones, predicting them to be more successful than players starting to become obsolete.
In 2009, the first Meitsu touch phones appeared, the design and equipment of which were largely copied. Due to the too serious similarity of the Meizu M8 model, the production of the Chinese copy was discontinued a year after the company entered the smartphone market. Now Meizu does not repeat such mistakes, but its products still have a slight resemblance to iPhones.
Xiaomi began its work in 2010 as a manufacturer of MIUI software shells, which is now considered proprietary for phones of this brand. However, a year later, the brand also released its first Mi1 smartphone with good parameters for that time - a four-inch screen, 1 GB of RAM, 4 GB of ROM and a 1930 mAh battery.
Over the next six years, the company released more than a dozen models of smartphones (tablets) and three tablets, which are in good demand for their cost and performance.
Comparison of smartphone parameters in 2017
In order to compare the products of the two brands this year, it is worth deciding on the evaluation criteria. Chief among them are the following characteristics:
- variety of models on the market;
- build quality and appearance;
- performance of similar devices;
- quality of sound and pictures taken with these smartphones.
It does not hurt to also consider the features of the platforms under which the gadgets of competing brands operate. It is worth remembering one of the main characteristics of modern smartphones - autonomy, which affects the time of use.
And as an additional evaluation criterion, you can analyze the presence of devices compatible with these phones and small design differences in the form.
The lineup
Comparing the number of devices released annually by both companies, you can see that they manage to release new items a little more often. The same brand currently has noticeably more smartphone models and their modifications. Moreover, both in the segment of expensive and powerful flagships, and among those whose price does not exceed $100.
At the same time, in 2017, the picture changed - new smartphones and, sold at a bargain price and having very good parameters, increased the demand for the brand's products. And now on the network you can find an approximately equal number of offers to buy equipment from both companies.
The prices for the models of the two Chinese brands do not differ much from each other. The price category is also the same - for both budget devices and flagships:
- smartphones with 2 GB of RAM cost between $100 and $200 for Meizu and between $110 and $180 for Xiaomi;
- models with 3 GB of RAM can be purchased for $150 to $350 and $130 to $380, respectively;
- four-gigabyte phones cost between $200-550 (Meitsu) and $180-550 (Xiaomi).
Flagship, that is, the most productive and expensive versions of both manufacturers will cost about $500-600. However, Xiaomi has many such options - Meizu has only one so far, Pro 7 Plus. Therefore, lovers of flagships with high power should pay attention to the Xiaomi brand, which offers a greater variety of characteristics (including screen sizes).
Additional features
Among the features of brands associated with the smartphone market only indirectly, we can note the presence of a wide variety of gadgets from Xiaomi. This company also produces set-top boxes for TVs, and smart watches, and television receivers, and even umbrellas, backpacks and clothes.
The advantage of buying a whole set of such devices (not counting those that are not related to electronics) is easy synchronization through the use of common software.
Among the reasons to choose a Xiaomi smartphone in 2017 are:
- the need for continuous use of the gadget without recharging for several days(in standby mode and periodic calls) or at least 6-10 hours if you use it for games and Internet surfing. Batteries of some models of this brand are difficult to compete not only for Meizu, but also for other smartphone manufacturers;
- practicality and durability- the case is not shockproof and "indestructible", however, due to the use of metal in the construction, it withstands more serious mechanical stress compared to gadgets of other brands;
- brighter screen, on which you can read, watch images or videos even in bright sunlight;
- launching more modern games- buying a flagship Xiaomi smartphone, even a gamer can expect not to change it over the next 2-3 years.
Among the advantages, one can note a greater variety of models, and the presence of custom firmware, and the presence of an infrared port. And users who prefer not to buy flagships, but not the most budget options, will get more advantages when buying Xiaomi than when choosing Meizu smartphones. This brand offers a better price for its products in the middle price category (about $200-300).
Several reasons to choose Meizu
Meitsu phones have the following advantages:
- better price of most budget versions with 16–32 GB of ROM and 2 GB of RAM;
- high sound quality, ahead of not only Xiaomi models, but also smartphones of other competitors from the same price category;
- more convenient control button below the screen and by double tapping the screen;
- switching tracks using gestures, making it easier to scroll through songs and melodies;
- better firmware - although there are fewer platform options for Meizu models, all of them are correctly Russified and contain practically no flaws.
By choosing, you can save several tens of dollars. It is by this amount that it is cheaper than the Xiaomi version similar in characteristics. It is worth noting the better assembly of the brand's models, although their body strength is slightly lower compared to the competitor.
Results
Despite some difference in characteristics, not all users pay attention to it. And the criterion often becomes just a habit - the first bought and your favorite Xiaomi or Meizu smartphone can make you choose the same brand in the future.
Buyers are also guided by the advice of loved ones or the ratio of price and quality that matches their requirements. Therefore, there is no unequivocal answer to the question of which brand to choose from these two.
Video:
Xiaomi brand phones have found a lot of fans. According to search engines, the request for this brand is several times higher than the number of requests for other Chinese manufacturers. Since the catalog of Xiaomi models is constantly updated, it is difficult to figure out whether to buy a new gadget or wait for the release of something more worthwhile.
Top 10 best phones from Xiaomi for you.
10 Xiaomi Redmi
This is one of the cheapest representatives of the brand in our market. The price tag is not big - only 7000 rubles. It has a screen of 13 centimeters with a resolution of 1280 × 720, Android 6.0 OS, 16,000 megabytes of built-in and 2,000 megabytes of computing power. The main camera has acquired features such as 13 megapixel shooting quality, LED flash, auto focus and optical stabilization. The front camera has a quality of 5 megapixels with a battery capacity of 3120 milliamps.
9 Xiaomi Mi 5c
It costs an average of 13,000 rubles, the screen is 13 centimeters. OS Android 6.0. The main camera has a built-in LED flash and autofocus. The battery capacity is 2860 milliamps.
8 Xiaomi Mi Max
The feature of the smartphone is the largest screen and the most powerful battery. The price of a tablet phone is 17,200 rubles. It has a display of 16 centimeters, with a resolution of 1920 × 1080, the Android 6.0 operating system, 64,000 megabytes of built-in and 3,000 megabytes of computing memory, a battery capacity of 4850 milliamps.
7Xiaomi Redmi Pro
The average price in Russia is 12,800 rubles. It has a 14 cm OLED screen. Resolution - 1920 x 1080 pixels. OS Android 6.0, 64,000 megabytes of permanent and 3,000 megabytes of RAM, support for 2 SIM cards and an external card. The energy capacity of the battery is 4050 milliamps. The chip is the presence of a 10-core MediaTekHelio X25 processor.
6 Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro
The average price in Russia is 12,000 rubles. There is a screen of 13 centimeters. OS Android 6.0, 32 gigabytes of permanent and 3 gigabytes of operational. The energy capacity of the battery is 4100 milliamps. Let's go through user reviews, so that, as they say, there was an oil painting. In general, in itself it is a decent phone, with decent technical characteristics. But here's the problem, they don't have the ability to read the 4G connection range. Due to such an overlay, you will have to be content with only a 3G network. This is also due to the fact that market orientation does not imply the use of this phone with a 4G connection. An excellent sore is the fact that very often the smartphone itself downloads unnecessary and unnecessary programs that simply clog the RAM and permanent memory of the smartphone. However, the lack of the function of one of the fastest types of connection is not fatal, as it is easily replaced by a Wi-Fi network or an older brother - 3G. And the phone's fondness for downloading obscure content is easily quelled by careful use and protection of the phone from unwanted software.
5 Xiaomi Redmi Note 4
With an average price in Russia of 10,100 rubles and an IPS screen of 14 centimeters, it has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, receiving the status of one of the best smartphones. Pre-installed Android 6.0 OS, with 32 gigabytes of permanent and 3 gigabytes of RAM. The energy capacity of the battery is 4100 milliamps. Considering the comments of users, one can observe an interesting picture. Oddly enough, this model has received the status of an extremely durable, if a bit boring proposal from Xiaomi. Of course, it boasts a long battery life, optimal price and performance, and has a good display. But at the same time, factors such as the lack of the X-factor, an old and boring design, and everything else, as tests have shown, if you use the camera in low light, it starts to “glow”, which does not have the best effect on night shots. Buy or not - it's up to you, and we move on to the next device.
4 Xiaomi Mi 5s
In fourth place is Xiaomi Mi 5S. Its average price in Russia is 19,800 rubles. It has the following hardware characteristics: a screen of 14 centimeters, with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels, Android 6.0 OS, 64,000 megabytes of permanent and 4,000 megabytes of computing memory, support for 2 SIM cards. The energy capacity of the battery is 3800 milliamps. If you look at the smartphone under a microscope, it is very impressive. From the point of view of power and performance, you can’t find fault with it, besides, the charge, based on the volume of the battery, is kept at the proper level. The manufacturer should be given credit - he was able to create a cheap and at the same time powerful phone. Its main and most urgent problem remains software. It is not as strong as we would like, but still there are options and much worse. This smartphone can give such sensations, after which you will completely want to change it to any other smartphone. He calmly competes with the iPhone 6S, leaving the "Seventh Galaxy" in the dust. The product is rare and very high quality and without a doubt worth it to buy it.
3 Xiaomi Redmi 4x
Xiaomi Redmi 4x. Its average price in Russia is 8500 rubles. A 1280×720 resolution screen, Android 6.0 OS, 16,000 megabytes of built-in memory and 2,000 megabytes of computing memory make the phone an excellent indicator of value for money. However, to be honest, I would like to see more technical solutions from the company in new products. Judge for yourself, yes, they release similar new items, but only with a small number of differences. Only chipsets, cameras are subject to a small replacement, and everything else is essentially the same. The lack of better and more timely smartphone software also evokes melancholy.
2Xiaomi Redmi Note
Xiaomi Redmi Note. This is the best selling phone in our country. The price is 10200 rubles. Specifications: IPS display 14 centimeters, OS Android 6.0, 32,000 megabytes of permanent and 3,000 megabytes of computing memory, a niche for microSD cards, with a capacity of up to 128,000 megabytes. Main camera 13 megapixels, front 5 megapixels. The energy capacity of the battery is 4100 milliamps. As for the reviews, everything here is quite interesting. Despite the fact that the manufacturer claims good quality at a low price, the purchase may not justify itself. The fact is that often this model can be found in "flash sales", that is, in small groups, where acceptable quality is not guaranteed. If you buy a smartphone, not directly from the company, but through intermediaries, they also cannot guarantee the absence of problems. There is a high chance of being left without a phone and without money. Because of this, if you decide to purchase this smartphone, it is better to buy it directly from the company. If the phone is broken, then it is easier to take it to a private workshop, since the official technical support charges literally for everything.
1 Xiaomi Mi 64
Xiaomi Mi 64 is a smartphone from Xiaomi that has the best camera and maximum performance. Its average price with us is 28,000 rubles. It has an IPS screen with a diagonal of 13 centimeters, Android 7.1 OS, 64,000 megabytes of permanent and 6,000 megabytes of computing memory, support for 2 SIM cards, but there is no external memory card. The energy capacity of the battery is 3350 milliamps. In terms of autonomy, the Mi 6 outperforms the iPhone 7 Plus and Huawei P10 by more than half. Xiaomi's latest flagship has a good camera and battery life, as well as excellent performance. At the same time, it is half the price of the flagships of Samsung or Apple. But the screen will not work for connoisseurs of larger sizes - because of the diagonal of only 13 centimeters. In general, reviews of the smartphone are mixed. Some doubt the purchase, arguing that with a fairly dynamic development of technology, there is no point in chasing new products every year. In any case, the phone is considered worthy of purchase. However, if your phone breaks down, it is recommended that you take it to a private workshop, not an official service center, because the former often causes unjustified time delays.
Xiaomi is the most popular Chinese technology manufacturer in Russia. This is evidenced by both the statistics of search queries (per month, the query "Xiaomi" in Yandex is typed 3.4 million times, the query "Lenovo" - 2.6 million, the query "Huawei" - 1.5 million), and the sales results: the top 10 most popular Android smartphones in Russia in 2017 included 4 Xiaomi models (this is how, with an emphasis on the last syllable, the brand name is pronounced in Chinese; such fruits of Russian folk art as Xiaomi, Xiaomi, Xiaomi or Shaomi are incorrect), while models from other Chinese manufacturers failed to even make it into the top ten. If you look at the sales statistics of Android smartphones around the world, then there are 5 Xiaomi models in the top 10 at once, and the Xiaomi smartphone is also in first place in sales both in Russia and in the world. What is the secret of the colossal success of this manufacturer? In an excellent combination of "price-quality": Xiaomi offers models with very good performance for little money.
The catalog of Xiaomi models is updated almost every month, so even fans of this brand can find it difficult to figure out whether to change their last year’s device to a new one or wait for the next novelty, and it’s doubly difficult for those who are thinking about buying a smartphone from this manufacturer for the first time. in a sea of different patterns. To complete our acquaintance with this brand, we have collected all the best and current models from Xiaomi for the summer of 2019 in one rating, which takes into account the price-quality ratio, owner reviews and technical specifications.
10 Xiaomi Redmi 4A 16Gb - the cheapest phone in the Xiaomi catalog
The average price in Russia is 7,000 rubles. You can buy Redmi 4A 16Gb on AliExpress for 5.5 thousand rubles (delivery to Russia is free). The cheapest model in the Xiaomi catalog, which appeared in November 2017, scored 73% of fives according to reviews in Yandex Market. Specifications: 5-inch screen with a resolution of 1280x720, Android 6.0 operating system, 16 GB of internal memory and 2 GB of RAM, there is a memory card slot up to 128 GB (combined with a slot for a second SIM card). Main camera 13 MP with LED flash, autofocus and optical stabilization. Front camera 5 MP. Battery capacity 3120 mAh. Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 MSM8917 quad-core processor. There is no fingerprint scanner. Plastic case.
9 Xiaomi Mi 5C
The average price in Russia is 13,000 rubles. You can buy Mi 5C on AliExpress for 11.9 thousand rubles (delivery to Russia is free). The novelty from Xiaomi, which appeared on sale in early March 2019, scored 50% of fives according to reviews in Yandex Market. Specifications: 5.15 inch screen, 1920x1080 resolution, Android 6.0 operating system, 64 GB of built-in and 3 GB of RAM, no memory card support, support for two SIM cards. The main camera is 12 MP with LED flash and autofocus, it has a 150% increased light sensitivity, high image quality is achieved by implementing the function of two-phase noise reduction and a unique algorithm for layered optimization. 8 MP front camera with dynamic image enhancement.Battery capacity 2860 mAh. 8-core processor of own production Surge S1. There is a fingerprint scanner. Metal case.
8 Xiaomi Mi Max 64Gb - Xiaomi smartphone with the largest screen and the most powerful battery
The average price in Russia is 17,200 rubles. This tablet phone, which appeared in May 2017, scored 74% of fives according to reviews in Yandex Market. Specifications: 6.44-inch screen with a resolution of 1920x1080, Android 6.0 operating system, 64 GB of internal memory and 3 GB of RAM, there is a slot for a memory card up to 128 GB (combined with a slot for a second SIM card), 16 MP main camera, frontal 5 mp. Battery capacity 4850 mAh. Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 MSM8956 6-core processor. There is a fingerprint scanner.
7Xiaomi Redmi Pro 64GB
The average price in Russia is 12,800 rubles. You can buy Redmi Pro 64GB on AliExpress for 9.8 thousand rubles (delivery to Russia is free). This model was released at the end of July 2017 and today scored 47% of fives according to reviews in Yandex Market (see reviews of Xiaomi Redmi Pro). Specifications: 5.5-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, Android 6.0 operating system, 64 GB of permanent and 3 GB of RAM, support for two SIM cards, support for an external memory card (the slot for it is combined with the slot for the second SIM card). Battery capacity 4050 mAh. 10-core processor MediaTek Helio X25 (MT6797T). There is a fingerprint scanner. Like the 7th iPhone or LG G5, Xiaomi Redmi Pro has 3 cameras at once. A 13-megapixel Sony IMX258 sensor is responsible for capturing the main picture, while a 5-megapixel sub-sensor from Samsung provides beautiful bokeh (the part of the image that is out of focus in the photo) and helps in post-focusing finished shots. Both cameras shoot at the same time. The front camera has a resolution of 5 MP.
6 Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro 32Gb
The average price in Russia is 12,000 rubles. You can buy Redmi 4 Pro on AliExpress for 10.7 thousand rubles (delivery to Russia is free). This model was released in November 2017 and today scored 73% of fives according to reviews in Yandex Market (see reviews of Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro). Specifications: 5-inch screen with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, Android 6.0 operating system, 32 GB of permanent memory and 3 GB of RAM, there is a slot for an external memory card up to 128 GB (combined with a slot for a second SIM card). The main camera is 13 MP and the front camera is 5 MP. Battery capacity - 4100 mAh. Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953 octa-core processor. There is a fingerprint scanner. Metal case.
5 Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 32Gb
The average price in Russia is 10,100 rubles. You can buy Redmi Note 4 32Gb on AliExpress for 9 thousand rubles (delivery to Russia is free). Xiaomi introduced Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 at a presentation in Beijing on August 25, 2017. To date, this model has scored 59% of fives according to reviews in Yandex Market (see reviews of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4). Specifications: 5.5-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, Android 6.0 operating system, 32 GB of permanent memory and 3 GB of RAM, there is a slot for a memory card up to 128 GB (combined with a slot for a second SIM card). Main camera 13 MP, front camera 5 MP. Battery capacity 4100 mAh. 10-core processor MediaTek Helio X20 (MT6797), 2100 MHz. There is a fingerprint scanner. Metal case.
4 Xiaomi Mi5S Plus 64Gb
The average price in Russia is 19,800 rubles. You can buy Mi5S Plus 64Gb on AliExpress for 18.1 thousand rubles (delivery to Russia is free). Xiaomi's flagship, which appeared in the fall of 2017, scored 45% of fives according to reviews in Yandex Market (see Xiaomi Mi5S Plus reviews). The model is an improved version of the spring flagship Mi5.Specifications: IPS LCD screen 5.7 inches with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, Android 6.0 operating system, 64 GB of permanent and 4 GB of RAM, support for two SIM cards. Battery capacity 3800 mAh. There is no support for an external memory card, although 64 GB is more than enough for the average smartphone user. There is a fingerprint scanner (on the back of the case). Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 quad-core processor. Adreno 530 video processor.
The Mi5S Plus has two main cameras, each with 13 megapixels (Sony IMX258 sensor). The lens aperture is f/2.0. Also, the camera is equipped with phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and dual LED flash. Monochrome and color camera modules in this smartphone work in pairs, providing the closest possible color reproduction to reality. The front camera is 4 megapixels, the pixel size here is increased to two microns, so that the sensor receives more light. The lens has an f/2.0 aperture and an 80-degree field of view.
The Dxomark resource gave the Mi5S Plus camera 78 points, the Google Nexus 6 got the same score.
3 Xiaomi Redmi 4X 16Gb
The average price in Russia is 8,500 rubles. You can buy Redmi 4X 16Gb on AliExpress for 6.2 thousand rubles (delivery to Russia is free). The second-best-selling model in Russia today in the Xiaomi catalog, which appeared in February 2019, scored 78% of fives according to reviews in Yandex Market. Specifications: 5-inch screen with a resolution of 1280x720, Android 6.0 operating system, 16 GB of internal memory and 2 GB of RAM, there is a memory card slot up to 128 GB (combined with a slot for a second SIM card). Main camera 13 MP with LED flash and autofocus. Front camera 5 MP. Battery capacity 4100 mAh. Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 MSM8940 octa-core processor. There is a fingerprint scanner. Metal case.This model is the best choice for those who need a budget smartphone with a powerful battery. There are many such people, this explains the great popularity of Redmi 4X.
2 Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X 32Gb is the best-selling Xiaomi smartphone in Russia
The average price in Russia is 10,200 rubles. You can buy Redmi Note 4X on Aliexpress for 8.7 thousand rubles. Introduced at the end of January 2019, the flagship of the mega-popular Redmi Note family scored 74% of fives according to reviews in Yandex Market (see Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X reviews). Today it is the most popular phone in the Xiaomi sales catalog in Russia.Specifications Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X: 5.5-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, Android 6.0 operating system, 32 GB of permanent memory and 3 GB of RAM, there is a slot for a memory card up to 128 GB (combined with a slot for a second SIM card ). Main camera 13 MP, front camera 5 MP. Battery capacity 4100 mAh. Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953 octa-core processor, 2000 MHz. Video processor Adreno 506. There is a fingerprint scanner. Metal case with plastic inserts on the top and bottom of the rear panel.
If we compare this model with last year's flagships of the family (winter Redmi Note 3 Pro and summer Redmi Note 4), then thanks to the new processor and graphics chip, Redmi Note 4X added autonomy and performance, and thanks to the new Sony IMX258 camera module, the quality of shooting has noticeably improved. Apparently, Redmi Note 4X will become one of the most popular models of 2019, which is facilitated by the excellent combination of "price-quality" that Xiaomi is famous for.
1 Xiaomi Mi 6 64GB - Xiaomi smartphone with the best camera and maximum performance
The average price in Russia is 28,000 rubles. You can buy Mi 6 64Gb on AliExpress for 24.9 thousand rubles (delivery to Russia is free). The official start of sales of the new Xiaomi flagship took place on July 4, 2019. As of today, Mi 6 64Gb scored 60% of fives according to reviews in Yandex Market (see reviews of Xiaomi Mi6).Specifications: IPS screen 5.15 inches with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, Android 7.1 operating system, 64 GB of permanent and 6 GB of RAM, support for two SIM cards. There is no support for an external memory card, although 64 GB is more than enough for the average smartphone user. Battery capacity 3350 mAh. Battery life in video mode - 9.7 hours, in game mode - 7 hours. In terms of battery life, Mi 6 is about one and a half times superior to such flagships as the iPhone 7 Plus or Huawei P10. The octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998 processor, together with the already mentioned 6 GB of RAM, gives excellent performance: Mi 6 is the third most powerful smartphone in the world (and the second of Android smartphones), it is second only to HTC U11 and iPhone 7 Plus (antutu rating results). .com). There is a fingerprint scanner. There is water protection.
Xiaomi smartphones have always been distinguished by excellent technical characteristics, but they could not boast of an ideal camera. The camera of the new flagship in Xiaomi is positioned as a real alternative to the iPhone 7 Plus. The main camera of Mi 6 is equipped with two lenses, a wide-angle and a telephoto lens, both with a resolution of 12 megapixels, as well as a 4-axis optical stabilization system. Working together, these cameras allow you to take beautiful and clear pictures in any conditions. Portrait mode allows you to take clear and high-quality photos. The Mi 6 has a portrait lens with a focal length of 52mm. The 2x optical zoom camera captures stunning landscape shots, while the 10x digital zoom captures even the smallest details from a distance. Mi 6 with 4-axis optical image stabilization technology captures sharp images, capturing even the smallest vibrations. The built-in accelerometer and gyroscope allow you to stabilize the slopes and movements of the smartphone during shooting.
The front camera received 8 megapixels and a new firmware. The Beautify 3.0 beautiful filter technology reacts differently to men and women - it changes the appearance of men a little less. For women, the cheeks are reduced, the skin is smoothed, and the eyes are slightly enlarged to a greater extent.
The portal hi-tech.mail.ru in the June comparison of flagship cameras in 2019 gave the Xiaomi flagship camera the same points as the Sony Xperia XZ Premium. At the same time, Mi 6 was able to bypass the flagship of ASUS - ZenFone 3 Zoom, which is positioned as a camera phone.
So, the new Xiaomi flagship has a good camera and autonomy, as well as excellent performance. All this at a price half that of the flagships of Samsung or Apple. At the same time, this model will not work for fans of large screens - the display diagonal is only 5.15 inches.
Smartphone manufacturers produce lines and models in large quantities, and sometimes it is already difficult to understand them. Of the A-brands, this is especially true of Samsung, which already had Core, Grand, Star, On, J and so on. Of the popular Chinese manufacturers, Meizu suffers from such confusion. We will return to these masters of inventing new names later, but for now we will try to deal with the equally popular Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi, which began its activities with the MIUI shell for Android in 2010 (now it has already reached its eighth version).
The first smartphone was released in 2011. Now the manufacturer has a wide range of products, from smartphones and tablets to clothing. But we will focus on the main field of activity - smartphones. We can distinguish two main lines of smartphones: Mi and Redmi with some branches, which we will now do.
Mi line
It all started with the Mi line. Xiaomi's first was the Mi-One smartphone and several of its variants. The line is successfully produced to this day and is the flagship of the manufacturer. Typically, top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon processors are used. Today the line can be divided into three parts:
Mi
Flagship smartphones with top specifications and relatively small screens: the previous flagship Xiaomi Mi4 was equipped with a 5-inch screen, the current Mi5 has a 5.15-inch one. A decent amount of time passed between the release of the models and the company managed to release a number of different variants of the previous Mi4 flagship: Mi4i, Mi4c, Mi4S and the Mi4 version with the Windows Mobile operating system.
Mi note
In order to expand the range (and increase the audience, of course) in January 2015, Mi Note and Mi Note Pro were announced, which became the company's first smartphones with large screens. Both smartphones received 5.7-inch screens. In fact, Xiaomi Mi Note was a larger version of the flagship Mi4 with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, while Xiaomi Mi Note Pro was really a flagship with an 810 dragon and a QHD display. Due to a common problem with the long-suffering Snapdragon 810, the smartphone was significantly delayed. The company plans to continue the line and soon the announcement of Xiaomi Mi Note 2 is expected, which will receive flagship specifications and a large screen.
Mi Max
There is an audience of users who love smartphones even more, which are already approaching tablets in screen size. Xiaomi decided to take into account the wishes of this category and this year released a huge Xiaomi Mi Max with a 6.44-inch screen. The smartphone has not flagship, but rather interesting characteristics. Whether the smartphone will continue and result in another MI branch is too early to say, but it is quite possible.
Redmi line
Following the Mi-One and Mi-Two smartphones and their variations, Xiaomi set its sights on more affordable smartphones and introduced Xiaomi Redmi (aka Hongmi and Red Rice) in the summer of 2013. The main difference from previous models was the use of MediaTek processors instead of Qualcomm and a lower price tag. Looking ahead, it is worth saying that both MediaTek and Qualcomm are used in the current Redmi models, but the line is still positioned as more affordable. It can be conditionally divided into two parts.
Redmi
Redmi smartphones are relatively compact (by today's standards) models with screens of 4.7-5 inches. Initially, all smartphones in the line were made of plastic, the current Redmi 3 (with all options) is already made of metal and has acquired fingerprint scanners.
Redmi note
As you might guess from the name, these are the same affordable smartphones, but with larger screens. The first model was released in 2014 and was equipped with a 5.5-inch 1280x720 screen, Mediatek MT6592 processor and was enclosed in a polycarbonate case. The current Redmi Note 3 has become the first Xiaomi model with a metal case and a fingerprint scanner.
Different versions of the smartphone are now being produced with Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 650, 2 and 3 GB of RAM, 16 and 32 GB of internal memory. Formally, they are intended for different markets, although we sell any variations.
Don't want to overpay for expensive flagships? Feel free to choose Xiaomi smartphones, they have almost top-end features and are sold at a very low price. Below we have compiled a rating of the best models of the brand, and also shared the latest information about upcoming Xiaomi products.
What will Xiaomi smartphones look like in 2018-2019?
Xiaomi Redmi 5
At the end of 2017, the Chinese giant first introduced the new generation of the Redmi line to the public. At the moment, the smartphone is already on sale at a price of $180. The key feature of the gadget was the presence of a large widescreen 5.7-inch display, which has not yet been seen in any Xiaomi budget employee.
Of course, the design of Redmi 5 has changed dramatically, this is especially noticeable when compared with the previous model of the line. Familiar navigation keys have completely disappeared from the front panel, their functions have been transferred to the screen. Outwardly, the state employee is very similar to the frameless LG G6. But at the back, the smartphone has undergone minimal changes, here you will find the usual fingerprint scanner and a 12-megapixel camera slightly protruding above the body.
The highlight of the program, the 5.7-inch display received the usual IPS matrix with FullHD resolution. Subjectively, the screen looks a little better compared to previous Redmi budget phones. Its colors are more saturated and the viewing angles are maximum. The display itself is protected by tempered glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5, it is completely resistant to minor damage and scratches. There is an oleophobic coating.
Redmi 5 is equipped with one of Qualcomm's most balanced processors - Snapdragon 625. This chipset has a very good value for money and is used in most mid-range smartphones. In the AnTuTu synthetic benchmark, the processor scores about 55 thousand points. The Adreno 506 chip is responsible for graphics processing here. We have already managed to test the novelty in games, it can be recommended to gamers as a cheap gaming device.
The new generation of Redmi did not receive the main innovation that brand fans have been waiting for so long - a dual camera. Redmi 5 has received only one 12-megapixel f / 2.2 photomodule on the rear panel. A simple 5-megapixel photosensor is used as a front camera. The quality of the photo has not gone far since its predecessor, the novelty is unlikely to replace a mid-range smartphone in this matter.
Xiaomi Mi7
The flagship Mi6 became a real hit last year, the smartphone even received the unspoken status of "people's" thanks to its relatively low price. Today we already have the first details about the next generation of Xiaomi's main line of smartphones.
So, the novelty will receive a frameless widescreen display, which will occupy the maximum possible area of the front panel. Judging by the preliminary renders, the future flagship will somewhat resemble the already released Mi Mix 2. The main functional elements (earpiece speaker, front camera, sensors) will be placed in a small front panel insert. The gadget will also receive the yet-to-be-released flagship Snapdragon 845 processor and support for wireless charging. The official presentation of Mi7 should be expected at the end of February. The novelty will go on sale presumably in the spring.
Xiaomi Mi Max 3
More recently, the not yet released Xiaomi Mi Max 3 lit up in the first live photos. A photo of the new phablet appeared on the profile resource SlashLeaks, which specializes in collecting a wide variety of leaks. The photo shows the front panel and the top end of the device. According to insiders, the novelty will receive a 6.99-inch frameless display with an aspect ratio of 18:9. Presumably, the screen resolution will be 2160 x 1080 pixels. The gadget will also lose the 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB Type-C port will appear on the bottom.
Another nice innovation of the phablet is the dual main camera. Two 12-megapixel photomodules will be located directly above the fingerprint scanner. The hardware platform of the gadget is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor, Xiaomi Mi Max 3 will also receive 4 GB of RAM. Estimated price of new items - about $250.
Xiaomi Mi Mix 3
The first generation of Mi Mix was the subject of heated discussion, delight and censure of users. You can see the fruits of Xiaomi's risky step, the trend for frameless smartphones became the main one in 2017 and will be so in 2018-2019. In Xiaomi Mi Mix 2, the manufacturer has corrected most of its own mistakes and made the smartphone exactly the way users would like it to be. What will be the third generation of the line?
While there is no exact data, we can only rely on fragmentary information from insiders within the company. So, the future gadget will receive a widescreen 7-inch display, which will take up most of the front panel of the device. Presumably, the display resolution will be QuadHD +, and the not yet released top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor will act as the basis for the hardware platform.
Xiaomi Mi6X
Almost immediately after the publication of the renderings of the next flagship of the manufacturer, an unknown insider got access to the first images of the not yet released Mi6X smartphone. As you can see in the photo, the novelty will receive a dual main camera in the manner of the iPhone 8, the lenses are located on a vertical platform.
The Mi6X does not have a fingerprint scanner; instead, a small hole of unknown purpose can be seen on the rear panel. According to rumors, the novelty will receive a 5.1-inch FullHD display, 6/64 GB of memory and a 4-megapixel front camera. More details should be expected at the official presentation of Mi6X at the end of February.
Top 5 Best Budget Xiaomi Smartphones of 2017
Xiaomi Redmi 5A
- Screen: IPS, 5" HD;
- Memory: 2/16 GB;
- Camera: main - 13 MP, front - 6 MP.
As befits a true Chinese manufacturer, Xiaomi takes the buyer with the most attractive - low price. The budget Redmi 5A will cost you no more than a hundred dollars, while the gadget can offer excellent build quality, good (for this price category) performance and pretty good cameras.
Another reason to pay attention to this state employee is the IPS matrix of its display. With a very tight cost framework, the manufacturer managed to achieve a good level of color reproduction with the correct display of shades. Thanks to the 4xx series processor from Snapdragon, the device also copes well with a variety of user tasks (including casual games). You can buy on Player.ru.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A
- Screen: IPS, 5.5” HD;
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 (1.4 GHz);
- Memory: 2/16 GB;
The Note version of Xiaomi's cheapest smartphone has a larger display (5.5 inches) and a larger battery. The gadget will definitely appeal to those who love phablets, but are not ready to overpay significant amounts for them. The only negative of the device is a rather boring design, which is completely copied from Redmi 5A.
However, under the discreet appearance of the device is one of the best budget processors. In the overall standings of the AnTuTu synthetic benchmark, Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A received 45 thousand points, which is quite enough for comfortable everyday use of a smartphone without lags and brakes. The camera of the smartphone also deserves special praise, it can take clear pictures even in poor lighting conditions.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A
Xiaomi Mi 5C
- Screen: IPS, 5.15” FullHD;
- Processor: Surge S1 (1.4 GHz);
- Memory: 3/64 GB;
- Camera: main - 12 megapixels, front - 8 megapixels.
Mi 5C is a kind of experiment for Xiaomi. Recall that this is the first manufacturer's device with a proprietary processor inside. The Surge S1 CPU has a maximum clock speed of 2.2 GHz and performs very well in synthetic benchmarks. True, with a significant load, the device still heats up quite noticeably, which can cause throttling. To avoid the latter, there is a special item in the smartphone settings to limit the operation of the SoC.
The screen of the gadget has a FullHD resolution, the pixel density is 417 units per inch. Xiaomi Mi 5C boasts good color reproduction, although at large viewing angles the shades are slightly distorted towards cold tones. The built-in 2860 mAh battery provides up to 1.5 days of normal operation without recharging.
Xiaomi Redmi 4X
- Screen: IPS, 5" HD;
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 (1.4 GHz);
- Memory: 2/16 GB;
- Camera: main - 13 MP, front - 5 MP.
Xiaomi Redmi 4X is the latest flagship model of the budget line of smartphones with a 5-inch screen. The gadget received a standard design, which dates back to the second generation of Redmi. The smartphone also has an infrared port that can be used to control compatible home appliances.
The state employee is available in several versions, the youngest received standard 2/16 GB of memory, there is a combined slot for microSD memory cards. Another advantage of Xiaomi Redmi 4X is a rather capacious 4100 mAh battery, which provides up to 3-4 days of work in normal mode. You can buy on Player.ru.
Xiaomi Mi Max 2
- Screen: IPS, 44” FullHD;
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (0 GHz);
- Memory: 4/64 GB;
- Camera: main - 12 MP, front - 5 MP.
The first generation of Mi Max managed to win the hearts of loyal Xiaomi fans, so the company decided not to stop there. Xiaomi Mi Max 2 received a large 6.44-inch display with FullHD resolution and a mid-range hardware platform. The dimensions of the device are its main plus and minus - the large screen is very informative, but not everyone will like such a large phablet.
Yandex.Zen, well, for one, put a like (thumbs up) for your work. Thank you!
Subscribe to our Telegram @mxsmart.
