The Xiaomi Mi A2 is an Android One device that sports stock-like
Android software, far apart from Xiaomi’s usual MiUI implementation.
When Xiaomi launched the Mi A1 last year, the company’s tryst
with stock Android software was an experiment, but thanks to the unprecedented
success with that device, the phone is now part of Xiaomi’s yearly cycle.
Hence, the Mi A2 is an update over its predecessor, and brings a healthy mix of
Google and Xiaomi in one phone.
Price and availability
Mi A2 for the 4/64GB variant is priced at Rs 16999 and 6/128GB
variant is expected to be launched at a later date.
What’s new
The primary changes this year include a larger 5.9-inch FHD+
display, a new dual-camera combination on the back and a higher resolution front
camera. The Mi A2 omits the telephoto lens from last year, in favour of a
20MP+12MP setup. So, the camera doesn’t have fancy optical zooming
capabilities, but it still shoots portrait shots. In fact, Xiaomi says its
software will intelligently choose which sensor to use when you’re shooting
photos in portrait mode.
There’s also a sizeable update in terms of processing power,
but perhaps not enough to ditch your Mi A1 just yet. The Snapdragon 660 takes a
page out of Qualcomm’s flagship chipset (the 845), replacing ARM’s Cortex A53
cores with custom Kryo 260 cores. That should give a good boost in terms of
processing speeds, at least on paper. You can expect higher benchmark scores
compared to the Mi A1.
Xiaomi is also quite confident about the camera this time and
suggests that it will be comparable to the OnePlus 6, which is quite a claim to
make. While it’s too early to take a call on this, things are looking up after
the first few shots. The camera app here is the only noticeable change to Google’s
stock Android software.
The Mi A2 still comes with a two-year update promise, meaning
it will definitely get the Android P and Android Q updates in future. At the
moment, the phone runs Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box.
Design
While the Xiaomi Mi A2 retains the general look of the Mi A2,
there’s a noticeable change in its identity. For one, the phone feels wider,
meaning it’s not as ergonomic as its predecessor. The “hand feel” isn’t of a
compact phone and lies closer to that of a phablet. It’s also slimmer and has
the full metal build like last time.
The two cameras are placed vertically on the top left on the
back, with a noticeable bulge. You’ll find the fingerprint sensor below it, at
the centre of the rear panel.
While the design has changed a bit, this looks more old
school amongst a sea of notch-riddled, full screen smartphones today. The Mi A2
is not a big screen phone with a small overall footprint. And that might
actually work against Xiaomi at this point.
Verdict
The Mi A2 is an update over its predecessor, so it’s not
expected to replace your Mi A1. However,
it gives Xiaomi a shot at user acquisition, by getting customers who aren’t too
fond of the company’s own software. In the long run Mi A2 would likely be one
of Xiaomi’s many phones only, but it keeps the company relevant and grinding.
Particularly in India, the Mi A2
might be very important to Xiaomi’s cause. Since the company has hiked the
pricing this time. In mid-ranged bracket, the Mi A2 will be a cheaper
alternative to the Nokia 7 Plus, and on first impressions, Nokia is in for a
tough battle.
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R
