Xiaomi Mi 8 test - it resembles an iPhone X, but not the price

Home ›Xiaomi Mi 8 test - it reminds the iPhone X, but not the price29.10.2018 22:30Mateusz Budzeń

The premiere of the new Xiaomi smartphone caused mixed feelings.We saw an efficient device again at an attractive price.On the other hand, Mi 8 quite clearly resembles the iPhone X.Consent, most smartphones released after the premiere of last year's Apple device received a notch and a double camera on a rather characteristic islet at the back.However, Xiaomi went a step further.

The Chinese manufacturer never hid fascination with Apple devices.Therefore, in Mi 8 he showed as large notch as the one in the iPhone X.The rear camera arrangement also looks almost identical.There were also several other solutions well known from iPhones.This does not mean, however, that the new Xiaomi smartphone is not an interesting device.I dare to say that this is one of the best models in the manufacturer's offer.

Xiaomi Mi 8: Specification

Workmanship and slightly protruding camera

Xiaomi Mi 8 looks like many other smartphones that have appeared on sale over the past year.People who like cutouts on the screen or think that notch does not interfere with everyday use, they can consider me 8 as a pretty nice smartphone.It is a pity, however, that despite the use of a notch, a wider frame was left at the bottom of the screen, which unnecessarily increases the size of the smartphone.

The front and rear are covered with a layer of scratch -resistant Gorilla Glass 5 glass.In the black color version, the housing is too happy to collect fingerprints.It is enough to literally a few minutes for the whole smartphone to lose a lot of charm.The use of glass also makes Mi 8 too slippery - it's really easy to accidentally extend and fall.

The sides are already made of aluminum.The whole structure makes a very good impression.Individual elements have been fitted perfectly.Nothing creaks, even under a stronger pressure.I must admit that in terms of the quality of workmanship and the materials used, Mi 8 certainly does not give way to much more expensive smartphones.

A main camera made of two lenses was placed on the glass back.They were separated by a LED lamp.The camera protrudes slightly, which makes the camera module more vulnerable to the first traces of use and any more serious damage.A fingerprint reader was also placed on the back.

The right side belongs to the volume and switch control button.They have a slight and chichy jump.They look solid and should not cause any problems when using the smartphone.However, they could provide more clear feedback.On the opposite side there was a tray for two nanosim cards.Unfortunately, there was no memory card slot.The bottom is a USB type C connector and a speaker hidden under one of the grilles.Unfortunately, Mi 8 does not have a headphone connector.

Due to the really large display, Mi 8 does not belong to compact smartphones.Dimensions are 154.9 × 74.8 × 7.6 mm.The weight is quite good 175 grams.I admit that seeing me 8 just after opening the box, I expected it to be heavier.

Display and problematic cut -out

The screen used is really big.It has up to 6.21 inches, so both hands will be needed for service.It is a pity that the manufacturer did not decide on a more compact size, leaving over 6 inches to a possible version of max.The screen was made in AMOLED technology.Provides high maximum brightness that allows convenient use even in the sun.However, in a direct comparison of the iPhone XS or Samsung Galaxy S9 fall better in this respect - they have lighter displays.Wide viewing angles, very good colors and great black should be entered on the list of advantages.The resolution of 1080 × 2248 pixels translates into a pixel density at 402 PPI.

At the top of the screen there was a really large cut -out size similar to the iPhone X notch.Despite the quite large belt, Xiaomi failed to mount a module that could compete with Apple Face ID.The cut is simply large so that the smartphone resembles the iPhone more, nothing more.Unfortunately, this translates into a lack of notifications on the upper beam and a more poor list of system icons.

In the settings you will find the option to hide Notch.However, what is the sense of using the cut -out and then adding the option of hiding it?Especially since hiding boils down to adding a black strip on the sides of notch.Secondly, in the case of Xiaomi Mi 8, the deactivation of the cutout looks quite comical.A program -applied black belt is wider than the actual cut -out.

Performance and mode for players

The heart is currently the most efficient Qualcomm system.The Snapdragon 845 processor consists of eight cores and reaches a maximum clock speed of 2.8 GHz.Adreno 630 deals with graphics processing.Of course, the system and applications work very quickly.There are no moments when there is a lack of power.There are also no problems with launching the latest games.We simply get the performance of the flagship smartphone.

Well, we have top performance, but is Mi 8 a smartphone for players?Yes, although there were several more serious shortcomings in this matter.On one side of the slippery, the housing makes it difficult to comfortably hold the smartphone without fear of accidental falling out.The design itself does not provide a certain grip.In addition, Mi 8 during a greater load gets quite warm in the upper left corner.

We have already mentioned the disadvantages, now the advantages that will be appreciated by the players.First of all, Xiaomi provided a special mode, which is intended for people spending a lot of time with mobile games.It allows you to set automatic memory cleaning when starting games, provides the option to disable notifications or limits the background synchronization.In addition, while playing, we have access to a convenient handy menu, from which we can take a screenshot, enable video recording or with one click activate the game mode described just a moment ago.

There was 6 GB RAM and 64 GB on board the tested model.Mi 8 is still available in variants from 128 and 256 GB per files.Before buying, it is worth thinking carefully about what version we will need, because, like the iPhone, Xiaomi did not use a memory card socket.However, looking at the quite large amount of free space offered, rather few users will miss the microSD card.The problem can only be less convenience in moving larger files.

The battery capacity is 3400 mAh.Yes, Mi 8 can withstand all day without a charger, although you should not expect sensational results.Disconnecting the smartphone at 7 am, in the evening about 21 it had only 20 percent.battery status.There was no wireless charging.We get fast charging Quick Charge 4.However, it is worth remembering that a 18W charger is attached to the box, which supports the previous generation of Quick Charge.

Android and MIUI overlay 10

The tested copy works under the control of Android 8.1 Oreo with a new version of MIUI marked with 10.According to Xiaomi, the overlay has been adapted to smartphones with large displays and received solutions using artificial intelligence whose task is M.in.ensuring greater efficiency.The AI Preload function is to shorten the charging time of the application and the functions of MIUI itself.This has been achieved thanks to the learning of user behavior patterns - the most commonly used applications and functions will be charged to memory before.I don't know if the function actually works, but one thing is certain - Android modified by Xiaomi is sensational fast.Only a few smartphones ensure such work efficiency.

MIUI 10 is a refreshed interface.We are not dealing with a revolution.The manufacturer has decided - earlier releases are a piece of good software.The overlay looks really good.Is focused on minimalism and pleasant to the eye.Xiaomi made sure that most of the interface elements were a coherent whole.System applications and icons have also been adapted to the main design guidelines.However, people who do not like the default appearance can always upload additional motives.

The manufacturer took care of a fairly rich set of own applications.However, we do not have the impression that the smartphone is overloaded with functions or selected options are duplicated.It is worth mentioning the cloning of the application - convenient if we use two accounts on social applications.In turn, thanks to the second space, it is possible to separate a special place on a smartphone, which can be treated almost as a separate operating system installation.It is also worth mentioning the application panel application.It provides access to options related to the optimization of the smartphone, as well as to the tool scanning smartphone in search of harmful software - the scanner is delivered by Avast.

In the settings you can turn off the screen buttons.Then the user gains more space and the service is done with gestures.Yes, inspired by gestures from the iPhone X.However, they do not work as well as in the case of the iPhone, they are not as intuitive and comfortable.

They give the impression that they are prepared in a hurry.My intentions were not always read correctly and I had to do more slowly and more accurately.I tried to find out for alternative control, but after one day I returned to the screen buttons.I would like to point out that I use the iPhone XS privately, so I should not have problems with gestures on Xiaomi.

The quality of photos and sound

Two cameras were placed on the back.The first is 12 MP, f/1 aperture.8 and optical image stabilization.While the second 12 MP camera has f/2 aperture.4 and acts as a telephoto lens and is used to achieve a better background blur effect.I must admit that Xiaomi has made a lot of progress in the quality of photos.Pics taken during the day look very good.Only at enlargement they begin to see shortcomings, such as lack of detail and small noise.It is also quite good at night - the photos are usually clear, and the detail does not fall somehow.However, it is easy to blur the photo, a slight movement of the hand is enough.

Xiaomi on the website boasts 105 points in Dxomark - the ranking of the best photographic smartphones.Such a great result would mean that Mi 8 takes better photos than even Samsung Galaxy S9 or Huaweia P20, which is not true.Samsung and Huaweia devices fall out noticeably better, especially in worse conditions.However, it is worth remembering that there are more and more votes, that the Dxomark ranking itself is not more covered with reality.

The front camera takes pictures in 20 MP.It only provides correct -looking pics, which certainly lack the details.Of course, there was also the mode of embellishment of the face, whose task is to smooth the skin and remove smaller defects.At a lower intensity, it copes tolerable.However, choosing a stronger correction makes the face look unnatural.A portrait mode has also appeared, which to achieve a better bokeh effect (background blur) - according to Xiaomi's assurances - use artificial intelligence.In good lighting conditions it is quite good.The software has no major face detection problems.However, with a weaker and artificial light, it is better to let go of using the described mode.

The camera application is simple and intuitive, which of course positively translates into the convenience of use.The most important functions were drawn to the fore.However, we switch between individual modes of taking photos by taking a gesture of pulling right or left.In automatic mode, you can choose to support artificial intelligence.The software tries to recognize the scenery and customize the photo settings.Detection of objects works even quite well, although the photos taken then are a bit too artificial.The application simply turns up the colors and slightly contrast.However, this effect is not as strong as in the case of Huaweia smartphones.

The speaker, which is located at the bottom under the right grille, provides a loud and clear sound.However, he has a problem with providing depth and low tones.It will work when watching movies on YouTube, but when listening to music it certainly will not impress.It should be borne in mind that Mi 8 does not have a headphone jack.Therefore, you will need USB type C headphones, minijack adapter (added to the box) or wireless headphones.

Summary: Is it worth buying Xiaomi Mi 8?

Yes, Xiaomi Mi 8 draws a little too much from the iPhone x.However, as I mentioned in the introduction, we are dealing with a really good smartphone.The basic version, which offers 6 GB RAM and 64 GB for data, in many large stores is valued at around PLN 1,900 (you can find even more attractive offers).It is worth noting that top competition models can cost PLN 3,000 or even more.Maybe they provide a little better quality of photos or sound, but on the other hand, they offer the same performance or comparable quality.

What's more, Mi 8 in selected aspects fall better than the more expensive competition.Android with the MIUI overlay works great quickly.I dare say that more efficiently than Samsung or LG software.In addition, MIUI is an attractive appearance and a lot of additional functions.On the list of advantages, you should also enter the extremely efficient fingerprint reader.Mi 8 is also a great AMOLED display - the twice as expensive iPhone XR has a worse lcd screen.

Is it worth buying Xiaomi Mi 8?Of course, this is a great proposition up to PLN 2,000.However, it is worth remembering that although the smartphone has a long list of advantages, selected shortcomings can really bother.Mi 8 is the lack of a minijack connector and memory card sockets.There was no wireless charging, a zastosowany akumulator wypada tylko przeciętnie.

PlusyMinusy

Programs

AktualizacjeAktualizacjeNowościZobacz więcej ›