Xiaomi Mi Max 2 Review: Is it Better Than The Xiaomi Mi Max?

 A technology company Xiaomi is known  for making some really good smartphones in a budget. Last year the company went bold and launched the Xiaomi Mi Max, which had a massive 6.44-inch display. This year the company is continuing their philosophy of a big screen device and have made the Mi Max 2 available in India at a Price point of Rs 16,999. Now the Xiaomi Mi Max 2 was first introduced in China this year and within a couple of months, the company has made the phone available to its Indian fan base. But is it worth the Rs 16,999 price tag? We find out. 

What's Cool?

The Xiaomi Mi Max 2 has got a more curvy design than the Xiaomi Mi Max. The Mi Max 2 is available in India in just one colour option of black. The black colour on the Mi Max 2 is slightly on the paler side when compared to the black version of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4. But still, it manages to have a character of its own. The flat back design keeps the looks of this phone neat. There is also no camera bump and the fingerprint sensor at the back feels much more integrated into the device than what we saw in the Mi Max. The Xiaomi Mi Max was a good start for Xiaomi as this is the only 6.44-inch device in the country right now that performs and delivers on a good smartphone experience. We still feel that the 6.44-inch form factor is treading into the tablet segment, but Xiaomi has managed to keep it compact with the Mi Max 2. The device also now comes with a USB Type-C connector for charging and file transfers. The 6.44-inch display is big, bright but is reflective under harsh sunlight. The phone also uses a 2.5D curved glass, but in the first go, you won't even notice it as it neatly integrates within the phones shell. 

Don't want to read the full review? Watch the Video Review of the Mi Max 2 below

 So, what do you do with a 6.44-inch display? The display on the Mi Max 2 is really helpful in watching videos and streaming content. The speakers on the Mi Max 2 are also dual stereo and loud. It's also a display that you'll love playing games on. The performance of the device is also optimal thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor that the Mi Max 2 uses. There is also enough RAM at 4GB for you to not feel unsatisfied. One of the biggest improvements on the Mi Max 2 is that it comes with now a 5300 mAh battery that's 500 mAh more than what you got on the Mi Max. This also takes a lot of time to charge as well. But the 5300 mAh battery lasts now a full 2 days. The phone is also offered with the latest Android Nougat operating system with MIUI8 on top of it. There is also 64GB of internal storage that's more than what you'll need. The 12-megapixel camera on the Mi Max 2 is an improvement over the Mi Max last year and the images that it captures are way more refined than what it used to be. The MIUI camera app also gives you loads of options in the camera department of this phone. 

What's Not So Cool?
Xiaomi Mi Max 2 has a good design, but the black colour and the metal body attracts a lot of fingerprint smudges on the device. It's a struggle to keep it clean all the time. Also, the massive 6.44-inch size is a bit difficult to pocket, especially if you wear skinny jeans. We mean, yes the device will fit in, but you'll feel awkward while walking. Also, the Xiaomi MIUI 8 is a bloatware that we have had a love hate relationship with. Same is the case with the Mi Max 2. We like the fact that you can tinker around with so many aspects of the device, but at the same time, there have been instances that the RAM management on the device was a bit wobbly. Another thing that we were not impressed with was the front 5-megapixel camera. It's just 'OK' for an occasional selfie, and that's about it. 



Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi Max 2 at Rs 16,999 offers something that no other phone offers in India right now. The thing that we are talking about is that large screen experience on a smartphone that you can carry around. Many would argue, but we still don't think that the Mi Max 2 is an everyday phone for you to have. At best it can be that secondary device that gives you a good video streaming experience and an amazing gaming experience. For those who think that a big phone is better, they would love the Mi Max 2, but for regular folks like us, we would still want it to be our secondary device.