GSMArena.com GSMArena.com

Tip us

1.5m
109k
RSS

EV

Merch

Log in

Login

I forgot my password
Sign up
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Videos
  • Featured
  • Phone Finder
  • Deals
  • MerchNew
  • Coverage
  • Contact
ADVERTISEMENTS
GSMArena team, 27 February 2015

Striking the right note


Xiaomi Mi Note review: Striking the right note

  • Comments (39)
  • User reviews
  • Mi Note

1. Introduction
  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. Retail package, design and build quality, controls
  3. 3. Display, battery life, connectivity
  4. 4. User interface
  5. 5. Performance
  6. 6. Phonebook, telephony, messaging
  7. 7. Gallery, music and video players, audio quality
  8. 8. Camera, image quality, video recording and quality
  9. 9. Web browser, pre-installed apps
  10. 10. Final words
  11.  
  12. Xiaomi Mi Note specification
  13. User opinions and reviews
  14. Review comments (39)

Xiaomi Android

Introduction

Proper flagships are coming in pairs lately as every maker is trying to cater for different crowds. Apple, Samsung, HTC and Sony - but also Oppo, Meizu, Huawei. Until recently the breakdown would've implied ones to watch and learn from vs. ones to compete with but the market is changing. Up and coming Chinese makers have really hit a stride.

Xiaomi here has done a fair deal of watching and learning, and still haven't entirely outgrown the copycat phase. Yet they do have not one, but two flagship phablets that seem capable of challenging the big guys. Today we meet the Mi Note, the first of the two to make it to the market.

Unlike the Mi Note Pro, which uses all the latest tech such as a QHD display and the controversial Snapdragon 810 chip, the Mi Note is still one foot in 2014 with a 5.7" 1080p screen and Snapdragon 801. But don't be mistaken - Xiaomi has spared no effort in making the Mi Note a looker, enhancing its camera department and polishing its MIUI 6 launcher. The moment you grab a Mi Note - you'll know you are handling something new and special.

Xiaomi Mi Note Xiaomi Mi Note Xiaomi Mi Note Xiaomi Mi Note
Xiaomi Mi Note official pictures

Some of the highlights of the smartphone are the 13MP rear camera with optical stabilization and 4K video recording, as well as the promising front 4MP UltraPixel selfie sharpshooter. Other things of interest include dual-SIM support, 4G LTE and a 3,000mAh battery. Once you are past the nice metal frame and you've had enough exploring the rear curved glass, you'll be greeted with the new flattened MIUI 6 software.

Key features

  • 5.7" IPS 1080p capacitive touchscreen of 386ppi; Corning Gorilla Glass 3
  • Android 4.4.4 KitKat with MIUI v.6
  • 2.5GHz quad-core Krait 400 CPU; 3GB of RAM; Adreno 330 GPU; Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset
  • 13MP camera, f/2.0 aperture, dual-tone dual-LED flash, 4K video capture
  • 4MP (16:9) front-facing camera, 1/3'' sensor size, 2µm pixel size; 1080p video recording
  • 16/64 GB of built-in memory
  • Active noise cancellation with a dedicated microphone
  • Cat. 4 LTE (150/50Mbps); Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac; Bluetooth 4.1; GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou; microUSB, USB On-The-Go
  • Dual SIM dual standby (1x Micro-SIM, 1x Nano-SIM)
  • 3,000mAh battery

Main disadvantages

  • Launches on Android KitKat
  • No microSD card slot
  • No user-replaceable battery
  • No NFC
  • No FM radio
  • Sold exclusively online

Our hopes that Xiaomi would eventually consider microSD card slots on its flagships were left unanswered. The Mi 3 and Mi 4 didn't pack a memory slot either, so it isn't much of a surprise.

The Snapdragon 801 chip doesn't support an FM radio by default and requires extra chips to do so - Xiaomi chose not to bother.

Finally, the unibody build doesn't allow for a removable battery and this will be a red flag to some, though hardly a dealbreaker.

Xiaomi Mi Note Xiaomi Mi Note Xiaomi Mi Note Xiaomi Mi Note
Xiaomi Mi Note live pictures

We've seen many manufacturers moving to various unibody designs at the expense of having a non-removable battery and we can't say we're that disappointed. The lack of a microSD slot is an entirely different thing though - plenty of room for one in a phablet after all.

We know you are all eager to see the Mi Note in action, so we are done introducing it. Our traditional hardware checkup kicks off right after the jump.

Special thanks to HonorBuy for providing the review unit.

Next Page » 2. Retail package, design and build quality, controls
1. Introduction
  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. Retail package, design and build quality, controls
  3. 3. Display, battery life, connectivity
  4. 4. User interface
  5. 5. Performance
  6. 6. Phonebook, telephony, messaging
  7. 7. Gallery, music and video players, audio quality
  8. 8. Camera, image quality, video recording and quality
  9. 9. Web browser, pre-installed apps
  10. 10. Final words
  11.  
  12. Xiaomi Mi Note specification
  13. User opinions and reviews
  14. Review comments (39)

Reviews Xiaomi Mi Note review
  • Comments (39)
  • User reviews
  • Mi Note

Xiaomi Mi Note review: Striking the right note - Reader comments

M
  • Major
  • KIq
  • 17 Jul 2018

Its main camera focus is not working properly, can anyone guide me to get rid of the issue.

  • Reply
x
  • xiomi note mi note3
  • U$0
  • 07 Dec 2016

I am boking

  • Reply
G
  • GEORGE
  • gIH
  • 08 May 2016

Hi hi on you will hear a massive difference in sound

  • Reply
  • Read all comments
  • Post your comment
Total reader comments: 39

Phone finder

  • Samsung
  • Apple
  • Huawei
  • Nokia
  • Sony
  • LG
  • HTC
  • Motorola
  • Lenovo
  • Xiaomi
  • Google
  • Honor
  • Oppo
  • Realme
  • OnePlus
  • vivo
  • Meizu
  • BlackBerry
  • Asus
  • Alcatel
  • ZTE
  • Microsoft
  • Vodafone
  • Energizer
  • Cat
  • Sharp
  • Micromax
  • Infinix
  • TCL
  • Ulefone
  • Tecno
  • Doogee
  • Blackview
  • BLU
  • Panasonic
  • Plum

All brands Rumor mill

ADVERTISEMENTS

Related articles

  • Xiaomi sold over 1 million devices in India during the Republic Day Sale
  • Manu Kumar Jain leaves Xiaomi
  • Top 10 trending phones of week 4
  • Xiaomi 11T and Poco F4 are receiving Android 13-based MIUI 14
ADVERTISEMENTS

Popular reviews

Apple iOS 14 review

Apple iOS 14 review
Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra review

Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra review
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G review

Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G review

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

The upcoming all-electric Audi A8 2024 will be very similar to the Grandsphere concept The upcoming all-electric Audi A8 2024 will be very similar to the Grandsphere concept Tesla Model Y's wheel falls off on the highwayGMC's Hummer EV SUV enters mass production, deliveries start this quarter
ADVERTISEMENTS

Home News Reviews Compare Coverage Glossary FAQ RSS feed Youtube Facebook Twitter Instagram

© 2000-2023 GSMArena.com Mobile version Android app Tools Contact us Merch store Privacy Terms of use Change Ad Consent Do not sell my data