With the Mi A2, Xiaomi has retained a lot of the elements that made last year's Mi A1 one of the best budget phones of 2017, while rolling out upgrades in key areas to make it an enticing option in 2018.
It was the Mi A1 that kicked off the Android One rebirth last year, and the model has worked very well to fill the void left by the Nexus. The Mi A2 is an ambitious effort that brings robust hardware to the $300 price point, but where the phone truly shines in the cameras. Here's what you need to know about the Xiaomi Mi A2.
Here are the specs
When talking about value, there are few brands that come close to Xiaomi, and the Mi A2 exemplifies the company's ethos. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 660, has class-leading 12MP + 20MP cameras at the back, and costs under $300.
Sure, it's missing out on a few features — the headphone jack and the MicroSD slot — but as an overall package, it's one of the best devices in this segment.
| Category | Features |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 8.1 OreoAndroid One |
| Display | 5.99-inch 18:9 FHD+(2160x1080) IPS LCD panelGorilla Glass 5 |
| SoC | Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 6604x2.2GHz Kryo 260 + 4x1.8GHz Kryo 26014nm |
| GPU | Adreno 512 |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB |
| Storage | 32GB/64GB/128GB |
| Rear camera | 12MP (f/1.8, 1.25um) + 20MP (f/1.75, 2.0um)PDAF, LED flash, 4K video recording |
| Front camera | 20MP (f/1.75, 2.0um)AI portrait modeLED Selfie lightBeautify 4.0 |
| Connectivity | LTE with VoLTEWi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth 5.0GPS, GLONASS |
| Battery | 3010mAh batteryQuick Charge 3.0 (USB-C) |
| Fingerprint | Rear fingerprint sensor |
| Dimensions | 158.7 x 75.4 x 7.3mm |
| Weight | 166g |
| Colors | Black, Rose Gold, Gold, Blue |
The cameras are incredible
The cameras definitely give the Mi A2 a leg up in this category
If there's one reason to recommend the Mi A2 over other devices in this segment, it's the camera prowess. With class-leading 12MP + 20MP cameras at the back and a fantastic 20MP shooter up front, the Mi A2 is the phone to beat in this area.
The 20MP sensor at the back offers four-to-one pixel binning that drastically reduces noise in low-light conditions. There's the option to switch between the standard 12MP sensor and the low-light 20MP sensor manually, and the front 20MP has an LED module that kicks in when taking selfies in low-light scenarios.
Here are our first Xiaomi Mi A2 camera samples
Android One + Xiaomi is a potent combination
The cameras definitely give the Mi A2 a leg up in this category, but what makes it stand out from other Xiaomi phones is the fact that it runs Android One. Xiaomi teaming up with Google over Android One is a significant milestone, as the Chinese manufacturer counts MIUI as a differentiator on its phones.
The Mi A2 is running Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box, and Xiaomi has committed to delivering the Android 9.0 Pie update in the coming months. There isn't a timeline yet for the update, but it should hit all Mi A2 units before the end of the year.
Read our review for all the details
Although the Mi A2 has strong specs, that doesn't necessarily guarantee it'll hold up to the rigors of day-to-day usage. If you're interested in picking up the phone or would like to know how the Mi A2 works as a daily driver, hit up the link below to read our detailed review.
Xiaomi Mi A2 review: A great sequel with a fantastic camera
Here's how it compares to other phones
The Mi A2 is Xiaomi's strongest showing yet in the $300 segment, but there's no shortage of devices at this price point. The Nokia 7 Plus is a great phone in its own right, and while it costs $375, you do get NFC and a MicroSD card slot.
If you're looking for something with a larger battery, then the Redmi Note 5 Pro is a great choice as well. For gaming, the Honor Play is the device to beat in this category, and ASUS' ZenFone Max Pro M1 pairs a ginormous 5000mAh battery with a pure Android skin.
Here's how the Mi A2 holds up against other phones in this category:
- Xiaomi Mi A2 vs. Nokia 7 Plus
- Xiaomi Mi A2 vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro
- Xiaomi Mi A2 vs. Honor Play
- Xiaomi Mi A2 vs. ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1
Now available in Europe and India
Xiaomi is now selling the Mi A2 in select European markets and India. The phone costs €249 ($290) for the version with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, with the 4GB/64GB variant retailing for €279 ($320).
In India, the Mi A2 is exclusive to Amazon India, where the device is available for ₹16,999 ($250). That's for the model with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage; Xiaomi is set to launch the 4GB/128GB variant in the country in the coming months.
