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Xiaomi Mi Note review

8.7/10 AVG.
RATING
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Xiaomi Mi Note
Xiaomi Mi Note
Xiaomi Mi Note
Xiaomi Mi Note
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8.7/10
Informr score
The Xiaomi Mi Note currently has an Informr score of 8.7 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 3 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Premium design and build quality
  • Fast performance
  • HD display
  • Excellent camera quality

What's bad

  • Glass back panel attracts smudges
  • Not available in all countries

The Xiaomi Mi Note is the company's flagship phablet and competes directly with the likes of Apple and Samsung. Reviewers note that it bears design hallmarks of both manufacturers – the metal frame of the iPhone 5 and curved back of the Galaxy Note Edge. Both the front and back of the device is protected by Gorilla Glass completing the premium look of the Mi Note. At 0.3 inches thick it is also thinner than the iPhone 6 Plus and weighs a scant 156 gram; almost too light and thin for some critics. The only niggle experts had with this was that the back panel attracted smudges. Besides this, however, they applaud its build quality and overall design calling it "gorgeous."

There's another area where the Mi Note emulates the iPhone – the UI. When experts compared them side-by-side the cosmetic similarities were obvious from the icons to the drop down menu. It does, however, run on Android so it has access to the Google Play store as well as its own Mi app store.

Despite its low cost, the Mi Note doesn't make any concessions in the hardware department. The most obvious feature is its 5.7-inch, 1080p LCD display. Critics had no problem with the screen sharpness, color balance or viewing angles. Sitting behind the screen is a 2.5GHz quad-core processor and 3GB of RAM. It offers two performance modes – balanced and performance – with balanced as the default. Based on benchmark tests, balanced mode throttled the CPU maxing it out at 1.7GHz while performance offers unhindered CPU and RAM usage. Regardless of what mode they used, experts didn't notice any slowdowns when swiping through the OS or performing basic task and even playing some casual games. The balanced mode is meant to get more life out of the 3,000mAh battery and, in fact, lasted experts a full day of moderate usage.

The Mi Note comes equipped with a 13MP rear camera and optical image stabilization technology. When put to the test, experts were able to take detailed and color accurate images in almost every lighting situation, though they point out it loses some detail in night time shots. Still, they commend its performance with Ars Technica stating, "There is nothing to complain about in the camera department."

Reviewers highly recommend the Xiaomi Mi Note for those that can get their hands on it. CNET states, "The Xiaomi is one heck of a phone…I'm very much taken with its design, performance and features." IB Times adds, "The Xiaomi Mi Note is what I wish the iPhone 6 looked like."


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.5 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.5 GHz
5.7"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5.7"
13+ MP
Camera
Camera
13+ MP
3000 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Pocketnow
Pocketnow

The Xiaomi Mi Note has top quality design and feel, but the insides don't live up to the outsides.

- Adam Doud, Pocketnow
Android Authority
Android Authority

This device certainly proves that Xiaomi is more than capable of competing in the over crowded US smartphone market, and it is actually quite unfortunate that it won’t be officially available there. All in all, the Xiaomi Mi Note is one very solid device from hardware to software, and is one o...

- Lanh Nguyen, Android Authority
GSMArena
GSMArena

The Xiaomi Mi Note set out to be an affordable flagship. When such claims are coming from China, the flagship is usually the less credible part of the phrase. Xiaomi are by no means the first to put quality ahead of affordability. Take a look at a Oppo's latest N3 and R5. The Mi Note isn't cheap and...

- GSMArena team, GSMArena


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


Xiaomi backs up the Mi Note with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Mi Note has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Xiaomi support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Xiaomi's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
5.7"

The Xiaomi Mi Note's screen size is 5.7 inches with 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.5 GHz

There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 Quad core 2.5 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 4.4 KitKat operating system (OS).

Camera
13+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 13+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 5+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
16/32 GB

Internal memory is 16/32 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
3000mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 3000 mAh battery. Xiaomi's performance ratings are 871 minutes, 379 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Mi Note Specs

Overview
Release Date January 27, 2015
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 4.4 KitKat

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 Quad core 2.5 GHz
Internal Storage 16/32 GB
RAM 3 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Unknown
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
Yes
Dual SIM Yes
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot No
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
13+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (Dual LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Multi-shot, Panorama, Smile detection, Burst mode
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV, FLV
Video Recording Parameters
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
Pixel Density 386 pixels
Size 5.7 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 3000 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 392 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 379 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 871 minutes
Standby Time Unknown
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Black, White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 15.5 x 7.8 x 0.7 cm (6.1 x 3.1 x 0.3 in)
Weight 156 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
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Additional Information Other Names (AKA):
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