The Mi Note 2 is a dual curved screen mobile from Xiaomi, it’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor (Same used in the Mi5S or Google Pixel) 4GB to 6GB of RAM and 64GB to 128GB of UFS 2.0 storage. It also has a 22.5MP Sony IMX318 rear camera with 4k EIS (electronic image stabilization) and an autofocus 8MP front facing camera.
The battery is a large 4070mAh, which is good for around 6 hours of screen on time or over 8 hours continuous as seen in my PCMark work 1.0 benchmark of 10 hours (As seen in the video).
Unboxing video:
Summary:
Overall I really like this mobile, it feels every bit a premium mobile with its excellent build quality, speed and battery. Only let down I feel by an OLED panel that’s not as sharp as other 1080p panels. By no means a deal breaker however, people demanding the absolute best screen might be a little disappointed with this LG pentile OLED curved panel. If Xiaomi does make this model with a flat screen (As rumored) and use the Mi 5S Plus’s IPS or a QHD panel, address the minor issues (front camera focus, video quality) I think then the Mi Note 2 is will be one of the best Chinese Snapdragon 821 offerings around late 2016.
Pros:
- Very nice premium build & finish
- Fast Snapdragon 821
- Quick UFS 2.0 storage
- Wifi range & speeds are great
- Fast 4G with good signal strength
- Good battery life
- Decent loudspeaker
- Clean & clear 3.5mm output
- Accurate fingerprint reader
- 4k EIS works well
- Can take very detailed stills
- IR transmitter
- Strong GPS signal
Cons:
- Not the sharpest 1080p panel
- Screen color shifting
- No MicroSD support
- Low light photos have lots of noise
- Artifacts in video / Low audio bitrate
- 4k video not as sharp as competitors
- Front camera autofocus hit or miss
- Slippery
Where to buy one? Gearbest here, they will also be selling the global version at some point.
Don’t forget I’m giving one of these away, with my 50,000 YouTube subscribers giveaway. Make sure you enter here and get your entries in!
Xiaomi Mi Note 2 photos:
Kemal Selimovic
Thank you for the great review of the Xiaomi Mi Note 2. I think it’s amazing phone for the price and I must have one. You pointed at display colour shifting a few times but my question, is that case with Samsung galaxy S7 edge display too? The other thing is low light camera recording. As I am a photographer and have a top professional DSLR cameras and a I can tell you that there is a lot of noise on photos with ISO above 1600. I have Mi 5s and I noticed that output from “Open Camera”, comparing to system camera, is much better and cleaner but it’s because of lower ISO at Auto recording. The only thing I don’t understand is why Xiaomi does not calculate on global market as Hussain. I hope you will continue to review Xiaomi products and maybe suggest if there is a better alternative to their products in your reviews.
Thanks again and Best regards from Denmark 🙂
Kemal Selimovic
Correction: As Huawei
Chris G
Hi, no on my S7 it doesn’t really do this. Not like the screen on the Note 2. Xiaomi still have a lot of work to do when it comes to camera optimization. Using manual mode will get the best results, but in my reviews I leave it on auto which most people normally use.
ANNAYAPPA HG
Can we book Redmi mi mix to India & can we use in india
Coulibaly Nourdine
Hi, thank you for your excellent video. In your unboxing video, there is not play store. So i want to know do you do to have play store on the mi note 2 (differents steps). Is there any issues. Sorry for the bad english. Thank you!
Karlos
If you are from Europe (I dont know if this method is valid for another continents) you have to flash the international miui rom developed by modders. For this, at first, you have to contact with xiaomi to unlock your phone, and then you can flash the rom.
It seens a bit difficult, but it isn’t and if it looks hard for you, you can look tutorials in the net.
I have a MI5 and i know what i talking about.
Coulibaly Nourdine
Hi
Thank you, i just receive the device and i will try your advice.
Chris G
Firstly I removed all the Chinese apps I could uninstall and then installed these 4 apks https://mega.nz/#!0NlmxDLR!Wjaf5GfhtXoS3FEFw6PvF-amVCQ99siTQGvvrPQVuZE to get Google play & contacts sync. The rest like paly music, drive etc you can get from Play itself.
Coulibaly Nourdine
Thank you, i will tried it when i will get my phone.