Xiaomi Mi A2, we have tested it

Xiaomi Mi A2, we have tested it

We thoroughly tested and analyzed the Xiaomi Mi A2, a new Chinese smartphone with very powerful cameras and at a mid-range price: the most basic version stands at 250 euros in Spain.

We can choose between three configurations: 32 GB with 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB with 4 GB of RAM, or the very interesting version of 128 GB capacity and 6 GB of RAM. Of course: we will have to give up microSD cards , since the phone lacks a tray for them.

The new Xiaomi model is an attractively designed DualSIM terminal , with a fingerprint sensor on the back and a metal and glass design.

Its main attraction is, without a doubt, its perfect quality / price ratio . In addition, we can enjoy Android One, an almost 100% pure version of Android, which works with great fluidity and allows all kinds of settings and customization.

Design in the lines of Xiaomi

The Xiaomi Mi A2 has the design lines that we are used to seeing in other terminals of the Chinese brand. We find, for example, rounded corners , a screen that occupies almost the entire front, and a fingerprint reader on the back of the phone.

The screen of the Mi A2 is large (5.99 inches) with a resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels . It should be mentioned that it offers a density of 403 pixels per inch, which translates into crisp graphics and an excellent user experience.

xiaomi mi a2 big screen

A rather uncomfortable detail for the summer season is worth mentioning : although the screen looks pretty good in direct sunlight, it doesn't show at all through polarized sunglasses. Therefore, in bright light and wearing sunglasses, you will not be able to handle your mobile: you will have to remove your glasses.

There's also bad news for hardcore fans of classic headphones: the smartphone doesn't have a miniJack port . We can use an adapter in the USB port to connect headphones, but this means giving up listening to music while the mobile is charging, or using wireless headphones with Bluetooth technology.

The Xiaomi Mi A2 measures 158.7mm long x 75.4mm wide x 7.3mm thick, and weighs 166 grams .

Up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage

The interior of the Xiaomi Mi A2 is designed for the most demanding users who do not want to spend large amounts on a smartphone.

We can choose 4 GB of RAM, with 32 or 64 GB of internal storage, or a version with 128 GB capacity and 6 GB of RAM.

When choosing the internal storage, yes, it should be generous: the mobile does not have a microSD card slot , which means that we will not be able to expand that capacity.

xiaomi mi a2 edges

Also keep in mind that cameras capture high resolution photos and videos. The files generated will be large and will quickly take up space on the phone: it is useful to anticipate this detail and synchronize the files with a cloud service (such as Google Photos) to save space on the terminal.

The Xiaomi Mi A2 works with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor, with eight cores : four running at 2.2 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz.

In this sense, there is no problem to mention: the phone works at a good speed , even with several applications open at the same time.

Xiaomi Mi A2

screen5.99 inches, 1080 x 2160 pixels HD (403 dpi)
Main chamberDual, 12 + 20 megapixels, f / 1.8, 4K video
Camera for selfies20 megapixels, f / 2.2, Full HD video
Internal memory32GB / 64GB / 128GB
ExtensionIt does not have a microSD tray
Processor and RAMEight cores (4 to 2.2 GHz and 4 to 1.8 GHz), 4 GB or 6 GB of RAM

AnTuTu Benchmark Power Test: 132202 points

Geekbench 4 Power Test: 1648 points (Single-Core) // 4740 points (Multi-Core)

Battery3,000 mAh, fast charge

AnTuTu Tester score: 8198 points

Operating systemAndroid 8.1 Oreo / Android One
ConnectionsBT 5.0, GPS, USB Type-C, Infrared, USB to mini Headphone Jack adapter
SIMDualSIM (dual nanoSIM)
DesignGlass and aluminum, fingerprint reader
Dimensions158.7 x 75.4 x 7.3 millimeters (166 grams)
Featured FeaturesFM radio, fingerprint reader
Release dateAugust 10, 2018
Price32 GB + 4 GB RAM: 250 euros

64 GB + 4 GB RAM: 280 euros

128 GB + 6 GB RAM: 350 euros

Spectacular cameras on the Xiaomi Mi A2

The main camera of the phone is dual, 12 + 20 megapixels , and it can record video in 4K quality (2160p). The secondary lens (for selfies) is 20 megapixels and records in Full HD (1080p) quality.

We are facing a phone with a really good camera, which allows you to obtain sharp photos even in poorly lit environments or at night.

More specifically, the main strength of the lenses of the Xiaomi Mi A2 is the result of the selfies: the faces are very bright , with a high level of detail and with a good contrast effect with the background.

In addition, the camera application of this mobile offers a large number of capture modes and options , depending on the type of scene that we have to photograph.

Another important detail is that all modes are available for both the main and front cameras . The only difference is found in the video, which in the case of the front lens records at most in Full HD quality.

Video recording on the Xiaomi Mi A2

In addition to selecting the recording quality, we can activate the special video modes: short video (ideal for social networks), slow motion and time-lapse .

We can also activate or deactivate image stabilization , select the interval for the time-lapse, etc.

Portrait mode

With this function activated, the Xiaomi Mi A2 camera will apply the blur effect ( bokeh ) to highlight an object or person in the first face against a blurred background.

It is important, in this case, that the object is at most 2 meters away from the lens at the moment of capture.

Square mode

Short video is not the only capture option specially designed for social networks . In fact, we can use the square mode in both the main and secondary cameras.

With this option activated, it is much easier to take photos to share on Instagram , since the viewer will directly show a capture space in square format.

xiaomi mi a2 camera

Panoramic photography

On the Xiaomi Mi A2, the arrow that marks the reference line for the panorama can be placed to one side or the other. This means that we can take panoramic pictures from right to left or left to right .

Manual mode on the Xiaomi Mi A2 camera

Both the main camera and the selfie camera have manual mode on the Xiaomi Mi A2. By activating this function, we can manually configure the main capture parameters: white balance, ISO, type of lens ...

In particular, the lens selection for low light is a very interesting option for night photography with a tripod, which allows to improve the final quality of the photos when there are few lighting elements in the scene.

Automatic mode in photography

By default, opening the Xiaomi Mi A2 camera will activate the automatic photography mode . With this format, the camera detects the characteristics of the scene and selects the most suitable parameters to take the photo.

We can always, yes, activate or deactivate the flash or HDR mode by hand , although they can be left set to automatic so that the mobile applies them or not depending on the characteristics of the scene.

xiaomi mi a2 design

Other settings and adjustments for the camera

As is usual in almost all smartphones, the Xiaomi also includes filters for photos , geolocation of images and the possibility of including a watermark with date and time, among other details.

Advantages of Android One as an operating system

This new Xiaomi smartphone works with the Android One mobile operating system , much purer and with more frequent updates. In addition, the phone comes with few factory pre-installed applications.

xiaomi mi a2 android one apps

In the daily experience of use, the speed of the processes is appreciated above all . And in the long run, of course, it's great to have updates every so often, without having to wait months for the latest Android news.

Long battery life, but be careful when charging

The Xiaomi Mi A2 has a 3000 mAh battery that offers many hours of autonomy. In fact, in the AnTuTu Tester test it has obtained a score of 8198 points, and in everyday use it can easily endure the entire day without going through the power outlet.

One aspect in which it could improve is in charging: when using any charger, even Xiaomi's own official one for the phone, the Mi A2 gets very hot .

xiaomi mi a2 apps xiaomi

After just an hour connected to the power, both the smartphone and the charger are very hot, and it takes a long time to cool down again afterwards. In summer, therefore, it is important to leave the mobile resting on a surface that will not be damaged by heat. And better if you do it on a cold ground to reduce this effect of overheating a bit.

Price and conclusions

The Xiaomi Mi A2 arrives on the Spanish market on August 10 , and we can find it in three different versions: for 25o euros, 32 GB and 4 GB of RAM; 280 euros for the version with 64 GB and 4 of RAM; and 350 euros for the top of the range, with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage.

Undoubtedly, the value for money is a point in favor of the smartphone , which offers high-end features for a very reasonable amount. We can enjoy Android One, a good processor and high-quality camera for about 300 euros, in addition to 4 or 6 GB of RAM.

xiaomi mi a2 box

We must also remember the good autonomy offered by its 3000 mAh battery , both in daily use and in intensive use. The AnTuTu Tester test gives you more than 8000 points.

As negative details or that could improve, we must highlight:

  • Screen with almost zero visibility with polarized sunglasses .
  • No miniJack port for headphones.
  • Both the mobile phone and the charger get too hot when we plug in the device to recharge the battery.
  • It does not have a slot to use an external microSD card , so we cannot expand the available storage space.