A Solid, 2-Paw Device

Using the Xiaomi Mi Max for a couple of weeks was an enlightening feel. The phone is enormous, merely at that place's no doubting the quality of the hardware Xiaomi has managed to include at an affordable toll point.

Virtually of the issues I had with the Mi Max relate to its size. At 6.44-inches, at that place is only no comfortable way to concur and operate this smartphone in one hand, at least without resorting to constantly using the i-handed software mode. Restricted to two-handed employ in the majority of circumstances, the Mi Max speedily became cumbersome, particularly when I wanted to concur another object while operating this device.

Xiaomi hasn't done much to optimize their MIUI software skin for large phones either. Aside from one or two exceptions, the majority of apps included on this handset are enlarged versions of those found on smaller devices, which doesn't brand neat use of the massive display. Don't wait good third-party app back up either, as 6.iv-inch phones are rare enough that developers merely don't bother optimizing their apps for the extra screen real estate.

With that said, there are some cracking reasons to employ such a massive phone. The media consumption experience is awesome, particularly for videos and games. Having dual front facing speakers would have complemented this experience well, however fifty-fifty without stereo audio I was able to really enjoy using the Mi Max for entertainment. In some respects, it's better to think of this device as a small tablet with phone functionality attached.

From a hardware perspective, I was impressed with what Xiaomi has managed to pack into a device that costs just $250. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 SoC is very fast in this toll bracket, comfortably beating the Snapdragon 801, and even outperforming the Snapdragon 808 that nosotros've seen in flagships as recently as late last year (such equally the Nexus 5X).

This is 1 of the few devices I've used in the $250-350 price subclass that isn't demolished by older flagship handsets from a performance perspective, so that'southward a big win for the Snapdragon 650 hither.

The SoC isn't the only practiced piece of hardware in the Mi Max. Storage performance is excellent, and at that place's too LTE (suitable for European and Asian markets), Wi-Fi air conditioning, and a great fingerprint scanner on the rear of the device. The primary omissions here are NFC and USB-C, although this isn't a flagship handset, despite what the remainder of the hardware spec sheet would propose.

Battery life is superb as well, thanks to an enormous iv,850 mAh lithium-ion prison cell; in that location'southward no chance yous'll run out of accuse on a daily ground.

In some respects, it'south better to recall of this device as a modest tablet with phone functionality fastened.

The 16-megapixel camera is decent, meaning it's no ameliorate than other mid-range shooters I've used. Colour quality and dynamic range is good, although some processing bug tin lead to blurry images indoors. The included HDR mode is fantastic and should be used often, peculiarly while outdoors, though a lack of OIS hurts low light functioning. Surprisingly, the Mi Max includes support for 4K video capture, which is an excellent inclusion in a cheap handset.

The Mi Max's build quality is fantastic. The phone is huge, simply it is solidly built. This is another relatively cheap handset from a Chinese OEM that uses a design that rivals loftier-end devices, which is why basic plastic bodies no longer cut information technology, even in the budget segment.

If yous don't like the idea of a phone that's incommunicable to use in one manus, yous should steer well clear of the Mi Max. But if you lot are after a huge display and think you can manage the inconvenience that comes with it, there's a lot to like about the Mi Max.

Y'all tin can currently pick up a Mi Max for just $250 from Gearbest, which includes 32 GB of storage. The 64 GB models are slightly more expensive and also worth looking at, while the 128 GB model will set you lot back $100 more.

Pros: Powerful Snapdragon 650 SoC. Very affordable for what you get. Nifty metal build, fingerprint sensor and enormous bombardment. Huge display is perfect for media consumption.

Cons: Impossible to use in i hand without the aid of software. MIUI is a very heavy Android skin, and software updates are rare.