Xiaomi Mi Note 2 The Ultimate Guide to Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of the Xiaomi Mi Note 2

The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 was a flagship smartphone from Xiaomi, launched in 2016. It was notable for its impressive hardware specifications and sleek design, which helped it stand out in the competitive smartphone market of that time. Although it has been discontinued, the Mi Note 2 is still remembered for offering exceptional value with high-end features for a mid-range price.

Design and Build Quality

The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 boasted a premium look and feel, with a glass front and back encased in an aluminum frame. The phone's dimensions are 156.2 x 77.3 x 7.6 mm, and it weighs 166 grams, making it relatively lightweight for its size. The dual curved screen was a standout design feature, competing with other high-end devices at the time. The device was available in several colors, including Black, Gold, and Silver, each offering a sophisticated aesthetic.

Display

Featuring a 5.7-inch AMOLED display, the Mi Note 2 delivered vibrant colors and deep contrasts, which are characteristic of AMOLED technology. The screen resolution was 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a pixel density of approximately 386 ppi, ensuring clarity and detail were maintained across all visuals. The screen-to-body ratio was about 74.2%, providing a good balance between display size and phone dimensions.

Performance and Hardware

The Mi Note 2 was powered by the Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 chipset, a high-performance quad-core processor featuring two 2.35 GHz Kryo cores and two 1.6 GHz Kryo cores. Coupled with the Adreno 530 GPU, the device handled demanding applications and gaming with relative ease. This chipset represented some of the best hardware available in 2016, making the Mi Note 2 an appealing choice for performance enthusiasts.

Memory and Storage

In terms of memory, the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 was available in configurations with 4GB or 6GB of RAM. Storage options included 64GB and 128GB capacities. A notable omission was the lack of a microSD card slot, meaning users had to make do with the internal storage. Nevertheless, the available storage was ample for most users’ needs.

Camera Capabilities

The Mi Note 2 was equipped with a robust 22.5MP main camera featuring an f/2.0 aperture, a 1/2.6" sensor size, and PDAF for fast autofocus. The camera could capture vibrant photos and featured dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, and panorama modes to enhance photography capabilities. For video, the main camera could shoot 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 30fps with gyro-EIS for stabilization.

Selfie Camera

For selfies, the phone had an 8MP front camera with an f/2.0 aperture and autofocus. It supported 1080p video capture, ensuring that both photos and video selfies were of high quality.

Battery Life

With a Li-Ion 4070 mAh battery, the Mi Note 2 provided excellent battery life. The inclusion of 18W wired fast charging meant users could quickly recharge their devices. Xiaomi's use of Quick Charge 3 technology allowed for efficient power management, helping extend the already considerable endurance of the device, rated at 92 hours in tests.

Software and Features

The Mi Note 2 came with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, layered with Xiaomi's MIUI 8.2. MIUI offered a customized user experience with various enhancements over stock Android. In terms of connectivity, the device supported GSM, HSPA, and LTE, with speeds up to HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps.

Sensors and Additional Features

A fingerprint sensor was front-mounted for quick unlocking and improved security. Other sensors included an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, and barometer, enhancing the device's functionality across various applications.

Audio and Connectivity

The phone was equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio connectivity. In terms of wireless connections, the Mi Note 2 supported Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, and GPS capabilities, including GLONASS and BDS for improved location tracking. An infrared port was included, although FM radio was not supported. The device also featured a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer.

Market Impact and Legacy

The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 was a significant device at its release, offering flagship specifications at a lower price point than many competitors. Priced at approximately 310 EUR at launch, it provided excellent value for money. Its design and features influenced subsequent Xiaomi models and maintained the brand's reputation for producing high-quality devices at competitive prices. Despite being discontinued, the Mi Note 2 remains a popular choice among smartphone enthusiasts who value its distinctive design and powerful specifications.

Conclusion

The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 stood out in the mid-range smartphone market with its flagship-level features and competitive pricing. Its sophisticated design, high-performance hardware, and feature-rich software offered users a premium experience without the flagship price tag. The Mi Note 2's success contributed to Xiaomi's growth and is remembered as a pivotal model in the company's expansion in international markets.