[pconline review] The dual-camera and full-screen features are increasingly capturing consumer attention. Large-screen phones seem to have had a tougher time in the market than before. The bulky design and high power consumption have kept many users at a distance from these models. However, just as the summer rains approached, Xiaomi Max's successor, the Xiaomi Max 2, arrived quickly. In a market segment where many manufacturers are not paying much attention, the Xiaomi Max 2 appears to be leading the charge for big-screen smartphones.
The Xiaomi Max 2, available in 4GB+128GB configuration, has a reference price of loading... For image reviews, quotations, and more details, check the parameters overview section.
The Xiaomi Max 2 is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, and body storage options of 64GB and 128GB, with support for microSD card expansion. The camera setup includes a 5MP front-facing camera and a 12MP rear camera (Sony IMX386). The battery has been upgraded from 4850mAh to 5300mAh, and it supports 9V/2A QC3.0 fast charging and reverse charging. The system runs on MIUI 8.2 based on Android 7.1.1.
The good sales performance of the Xiaomi Max naturally paved the way for the arrival of the Xiaomi Max 2. Therefore, the Xiaomi Max 2 continues the previous large-screen cost-effective strategy in pricing. The 64GB version is priced at 1699 yuan, while the 128GB version is 1999 yuan, both under 2000 yuan. In this size and grade category, the Xiaomi Max 2's competitiveness is among the best.
**Design: Enhancements in Detail, Improved Texture**
The Xiaomi Max 2 inherits the 6.44-inch large screen configuration from its predecessor. When the screen size is close to the limit, how does it perform? Let's take a closer look.
The white box packaging maintains Xiaomi's minimalist design philosophy. The front of the package only shows basic capacity information and the Xiaomi logo, with minimal modifications. After opening the box, the contents are quite simple, consisting of the Xiaomi Max 2 body, manual, and charging accessories, forming the user's first impression of the device.
First, let's examine the front of the device. The screen size of 6.44 inches is impressive, providing an ultra-wide visual experience. Compared to 5.5-inch models, it feels like a "small screen." The 1080P resolution screen delivers a delicate display, and the brightness is also commendable among large-screen devices. The screen quality is sufficient for large-screen entertainment needs in video and audio.
The elements above the device are simple and tidy, with distance sensors, earpiece, and a 5MP front camera arranged sequentially. There is a hidden notification light under the panel. Notably, the Xiaomi Max 2 also features a speaker on the handset, creating a stereo sound effect with the bottom-mounted speaker, offering a great audio experience for entertainment.
At the bottom of the device, there is a common Android three-button design found in Xiaomi models, which is relatively straightforward. From the front, the screen-to-body ratio of the Xiaomi Max 2 has significantly improved compared to its predecessor, with narrower upper and lower bezels. The edges of the touchscreen do not appear overly thick, and the 2.5D curved glass adds a sense of elegance.
On the sides, the Xiaomi Max 2 retains a comprehensive set of interfaces. The bottom features a Type-C interface supporting 9V/2A fast charging and reverse charging, while the top includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and an infrared transmitter for controlling household appliances. In a market where headphone jacks are being phased out, this remains a crucial feature for big-screen devices.
Moving to the back, the body material has seen a significant upgrade. Unlike the previous generation's plastic-metal hybrid design, the Xiaomi Max 2 features a full metal unibody design, enhancing the texture and giving it a feel closer to premium models. The touch experience is excellent.
The back of the device uses a slightly curved surface design, adding stability to this large-screen device. However, given its size, one-handed operation remains challenging. The fingerprint recognition is quick, but the placement is slightly high, requiring the other hand to hold the phone while unlocking, which can lead to accidental touches.
The antenna design has been updated to a more aesthetically pleasing U-shaped dome design, improving the overall integration of the device. The camera uses the Sony IMX386 sensor, the same as the flagship Xiaomi 6, equipped with a dual-color temperature flash and rounded corners, ensuring a sleek appearance.
The power button and volume keys are located on the right side of the device, with firm and responsive feedback. Lastly, the thickness of 7.6mm is remarkable for a phone with a 5300mAh battery, contributing to the sleek profile of the Xiaomi Max 2.
In terms of design, the Xiaomi Max 2 didn't introduce any groundbreaking innovations like the MIX series, but it made substantial improvements in details and craftsmanship compared to its predecessor. While the inherent size of the device limits its appeal to a niche audience, shedding its "clunky" image could be a prerequisite for big-screen devices to gain wider acceptance.
**System: Feature-Rich, Yet with Some Ads**
When it comes to the MIUI 8 system, we are familiar with its functionality and optimization. Among domestic mobile phone systems, it stands out in both aspects, catering to user needs effectively.
Starting with the main interface, whether it's the lock screen or the desktop, the MIUI system of the Xiaomi Max 2 doesn't differ significantly from other Xiaomi models. From the flagship Mi 6 to the budget Redmi 4X, recent iterations of MIUI haven't shown significant changes in visual elements, which might cause user fatigue over time.
The negative one-screen design integrates global search and life reminders on one screen, allowing users to access related information via a card-like preview by swiping right. This feature is particularly useful for tracking shipping information from shopping apps, benefiting those who frequently shop online.
The dual-app function offers better support for commonly used social media and online gaming apps. The multi-app performance on 4GB storage shows no obvious lag, indicating that MIUI is doing well in background optimization. Additionally, the split-screen function is available on the Xiaomi Max 2.
As part of the Xiaomi ecosystem, today's Xiaomi phones, from Redmi to Mi series, come with an infrared emitter module as standard. This allows users to control household appliances entirely with their smartphone. If you're also a Xiaomi TV user, having a big screen in hand becomes even more impressive.
The benefits of a large screen are difficult to convey without personal experience. If you're a fan of mobile e-books or binge-watching videos, the Xiaomi Max 2 will likely offer a better experience than many other models.
Overall, MIUI as a mature custom system doesn't require users to worry about the experience. However, the important split-screen feature arrived late and lacks a reasonable plan for large-screen space, making the Xiaomi Max 2 feel like a larger Redmi 4, plus intrusive system-level advertisements. A system that elicits mixed feelings—some love it, others don't.
**Camera: Flagship-Level Sensor**
The Xiaomi Max 2 is quite sincere in its camera configuration, featuring the same Sony IMX386 sensor as the flagship Mi 6. With 12 million pixels and a single pixel size of 1.25 μm, it ensures sufficient light intake in low-light environments. Paired with the front 5MP wide-angle camera, the Max 2's photography capabilities are expected to impress.
The camera interface follows the familiar Xiaomi style, with simple and convenient operations. The mode selection is relatively complete, and with the excellent camera hardware and PDAF phase detection autofocus, the focusing speed and shutter response are satisfactory.
In actual shooting, the Xiaomi Max 2's rear 12 million-pixel resolution provides detailed and vibrant images with proper white balance, making both details and colors more appealing. For a model in this price range, it performs admirably.
However, when shooting in low light, the tuning still revealed some shortcomings, such as noticeable smudging and room for improvement in noise control. Under most lighting conditions, though, the Xiaomi Max 2's camera performance is solid.
**Performance: Energy-Saving God U with a Large Battery**
In terms of performance, the Xiaomi Max 2 is equipped with a 14nm process Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, integrating 8 A53 cores clocked at 2.0GHz. Standard 4GB of RAM and body storage options of 64GB and 128GB are available.
While the previous Xiaomi Max used the Snapdragon 650 processor, the Snapdragon 625 on the Xiaomi Max 2 might seem like a step back, but it isn't. The 14nm process used by the Snapdragon 625 is more power-efficient, and its multi-core switching efficiency surpasses the Snapdragon 650 with its 2×A72+4×A53 architecture. Additionally, the Snapdragon 625 includes an X9 LTE modem, supports QC 3.0 fast charging, and is the current mainstream configuration.
In terms of benchmark scores, the Xiaomi Max 2 performs as expected for a Snapdragon 625 device. AnTuTu scores 63,687 points, Geekbench scores 881 points for single-core and 4,339 points for multi-core, with 4K read speeds of 60.32 MB/s and write speeds of 14.06 MB/s. These figures are quite satisfactory for the price, and the 4GB of storage ensures smooth performance for most online games and applications.
The standout feature of the entire device is undoubtedly the 5300mAh large-capacity battery. Given the current market reputation, the combination of the "energy-saving god" Snapdragon 625 with a large battery ensures excellent endurance, and the Xiaomi Max 2 is no exception. Even with prolonged usage of the bright screen, the Xiaomi Max 2 can handle a day of heavy use. For daily activities like WeChat chatting and web browsing, it can easily last two days.
From a performance perspective, the Xiaomi Max 2 excels in meeting the entertainment needs of any large-screen device. Its marathon-like endurance, combined with fast charging capabilities, makes the performance of this phone very strong and stable.
**In-Depth Experience: Minor Regrets**
If criticism is free, praise loses its meaning. During our in-depth experience with the Xiaomi Max 2, we also identified some minor regrets, partly due to the MIUI 8 system's integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem and partly due to unique hardware specifications of the Xiaomi Max 2. These are for reference only.
**System Ads Are Everywhere**
Internet brands operate like long-term fishing nets. It seems that they don't make money from hardware alone but shift profit pressure to software and services. Users are first acquired with affordable products, and once the hardware is controlled, ads are inserted at the software level.
Advertising marketing and user experience are not necessarily contradictory. It is undeniable that precise and refined content are positive external benefits of advertising. However, given the domestic app development environment, APP downloads and unrestricted marketing still dominate the mainstream.
For example, the Xiaomi theme and video app sometimes display pop-up ads on open screens, though it's a rare occurrence. However, the aggressive screen brushing can be frustrating for users.
In balancing user experience and advertising revenue, MIUI has always struggled to maintain stability. You might wonder why system apps often add illogical features, such as forcing app recommendations in weather apps or inserting popular videos in file apps.
Of course, MIUI does offer some options to disable ads, and a few cannot be turned off, requiring a search through a search engine for "Mi XX app + ad removal."
For instance, the app recommendations in the weather app cannot be canceled; the entry to disable app recommendations in the desktop folder is hidden within the folder renaming process. We believe that consumer upgrades mean quality upgrades, and it is not wise to retain users through clever intelligence.
What is amusing is that MIUI's ad placements seem pervasive, leaving users to lament, "Is such an operation necessary?" App recommendations appear on the music playback interface and app installation interface, and the same app is recommended multiple times a day. You might also like? Unfortunately, I don’t like it.
**Too Big, Too Big**
Although the Xiaomi Max 2 is called a "one-handed grip large-screen smartphone," its physical size falls somewhere between a phone and a tablet. In reality, the screen-to-body ratio of the Xiaomi Max 2 hasn't improved, and its body size and weight have slightly increased compared to its predecessor.
Given its form factor, the portability of the Xiaomi Max 2 is poor—it’s comfortable for the eyes but too heavy for pockets. Thus, the ultimate big screen is both a strength and a limitation of the Xiaomi Max 2. Xiaomi hasn't developed a moat around this, limiting its core users to:
Big screen enthusiasts.
This means that while you enjoy the wide field of vision, ample power, and refreshing operation of the 6.44-inch screen, you must also accept the trade-offs. Besides one-handed holding, completing other operations is nearly impossible. It's better for users to carry a small bag when traveling.
**Split Screen Functionality, Lacking Smoothness**
The large screen of the Xiaomi Max 2 also implies some minor regrets. MIUI 8 seems to have been slow to optimize for this screen. The system interface only offers a simple zoom, and the split-screen function demonstrated at the conference has not yet been pushed to the stable version of the system.
Therefore, our visual experience with video and reading remains at a smaller and larger level, rather than improving the efficiency of content acquisition and use.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, based on 14nm process technology, is praised for its low heat, high energy efficiency, and sufficient performance to drive a Full HD screen smoothly. However, the Xiaomi Max 2 doesn't deliver the smooth experience one would expect. This might be due to insufficient optimization because of MIUI 8's heavy workload. Hopefully, this will improve in future updates.
Take "King of Glory" as an example. The Xiaomi Max 2 can run the game smoothly, with acceptable frame rates. However, the traditional 16:9 screen cannot fully utilize the horizontal visual space, and frames drop slightly in complex scenes. The Xiaomi Max 2 is a large-screen gaming console, yet it can't avoid some artifacts.
**Conclusion**
For the Xiaomi Max 2, it cannot be discussed with other models in general. A large-screen device must meet large-screen standards. On the hardware side, the Xiaomi Max 2 is quite good as a big-screen player: its slim and stylish appearance, excellent stereo sound experience, and long-lasting endurance performance allow it to stand out. However, in terms of software, the MIUI experience and pervasive ads, similar to other Xiaomi phones, have become a source of embarrassment and regret.
That said, the entry price of 1,699 yuan for a 64GB version of a large-screen smartphone is quite competitive, and the performance is also commendable. What do you think?
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