Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite Review / The "purple cow" of smartphones
Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite is the entry level smartphone belonging to the Android One ecosystem, which represents even more the philosophy of the project as well as Xiaomi, ie good technology at the right price. But let's discover together if Mi A2 Lite private MIUI interface but with on board the latest release of the green robot has amazed us or not, in our full review.
And already from the packaging we realize how much the company believes in this project, proposing the product photo on the front and various calls to Android One on all sides of the sales box, inside which we find not only the device but also the network charger with European attack and exit 5V / 2A, cable for charging and micro USB data transfer, pin for removing the SIM cart, quick manual in English and a convenient one Smoky color soft silicone cover of good workmanship.
In reality you do not feel the need to use the supplied cover, because the ergonomics of this Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite is one of the strengths. Dimensions equal to 149,33 x 71,68 x 8,75 mm and a weight of 178 grams they marry in a design that albeit it is poco original is unique. In fact, on the front of the smartphone we can admire the 5,84 inch display in 19: 9 format with resolution Full HD + (2280 x 1080 pixels), brightness 500 nits, 432 PPI, contrast ratio 1500: 1, NTSC color rendering 84%, which has the particularity of incorporating a small notch, better known as notch. This has no special functions if not the fact of hosting the capsule, the selfie camera, and the sensors of brightness and proximity while the notification LED is located in the left corner of the lower frame, in solitude, as there are no physical or soft-touch buttons as they are integrated into the display.
But back to the display, covered by a glass with 2.5D processing, and that exploits the IPS technology managing to return one truly brilliant color rendering and lively even at strong angles. In addition, it is also excellent readability under the sunlight thanks to a very wide backlighting scissor and a very reactive sensor. The 19: 9 report on the display also does not seem to create compatibility issues with apps, and also at the software level we have the possibility to activate the night mode in order to preserve the sight by coloring the display with amber and thus limiting the emission of harmful blue light radiation. Finally we have the possibility to activate or deactivate the Ambient Display function, ie upon receipt of a notification the screen will be activated showing only its contents without being able to interact with it, while it is not possible to adjust the color temperature or contrast as in MIUI. The presence of the notch to many will raise concerns about the notifications, to which I answer directly that they can be calm because Mi A2 Lite will show the icons of the last three notifications on the left side of the notch or the last two and 3 dots to make us understand that there are more notifications, while on the right side we will find the various icons of GPS signal, WiFi, Bluetooth etc .. although not shown the percentage of the battery, so you will need to pull down the curtain notifications. Finally I report it correct polarization of the display that can be viewed without problems even if you wear a pair of sunglasses with polarized lenses.
Returning to the design of the Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite this consists of one back cover completely made of metal with the exception of the two plastic bands placed at the ends of the body and which serve to optimize the reception of the signal. On the back we find the elegant Android One logo and that of the Xiaomi company, but also the fingerprint sensor which is almost flush with the body and I found particularly precise but definitely poco quick. Moreover we do not have functions dedicated to it as on the MIUI. Finally always on the back we find the photographic module composed of a double optic arranged vertically and which also houses a LED flash.
The profiles of Mi A2 Lite are slightly rounded, merging with a sort of step straddling the display, ensuring a mile grip of the device. Along the profiles we can admire the on / off key and volume rocker on the right while on the left we find the SIM cart that can host 2 SIM in nano format and a micro SD card for the expansion of internal memory with support up to 256 GB, without renouncing the Dual SIM Dual Standby functionality. Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite offers the support to all bands on a global scale, therefore also the coveted 20 band but unfortunately we do not have support for the Dual 4G. However, the reception of the signal is always constant and I have never encountered critical issues.
The upper profile is dedicated to the entrance jack from 3,5 mm for the earphones, the second microphone for noise reduction and the IR transmitter, a real comfort to control TV and electrical appliances of various kinds. Finally, the main microphone is located at the bottom of the smartphone. the micro USB input for charging with OTG support and the system speaker. The sound that comes out of this speaker is of fair quality, unbalanced towards the high tones while the volume level is very high even at the highest levels the sound never distorts.
Well so far, I would say everything ok, a smartphone of good construction indeed I would say rather solid: considered that on the plane, when returning from the program #MiExplorers in Madrid, the A2 Lite Mi fell to the floor and I climbed on it with all my weight ... well, he's still here with us and without even a scratch. But Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite even belongs to the entry level range of the market, offers a good level of hardware, perhaps dated but well optimized and that over the years has given great satisfaction on other Xiaomi license plates.
In fact, under the body we find the processor Snapdragon 625 octacore to 2.0 GHz coupled to GPU Adreno 506, 4 GB of RAM 3 64 GB of internal storage (there is also the 3 / 32 GB version) expandable via micro SD. The Snapdragon 625 processor ensures the the right balance between performance and energy consumption, allowing in fact a daily use whose dominant is the fluidity of the system, at least in most situations. We can safely play with titles with a pushed graphics, without exaggerating, but still obtaining a satisfying gaming experience. Common operations such as browsing the Internet, social media, chat, use of multimedia content etc .. are guaranteed to full user experience but in certain situations, which do not arise from the stress of the terminal, I could experience slowdowns and stumbling in the opening of the app like Facebook and Instagram but also with the Camera app. There is no doubt that the software, although based on Android Stock, needs to be improved.
The firmware is of course based on experience Android One on 8.1.0 Oreo base with level security patches updated to the 5 June 2018 (at the moment no update has been issued). And I personally would never recommend to those coming from a Xiaomi device with MIUI interface. The shortcomings are so many, not only on a graphic level with the customization through the Themes but at a functional level as the ability to record a phone call, or the integration of currency conversion and measures in the calculator and much more.
Of course, whoever chooses an Android One or Stock device, does it just because of the simplicity of the software that should ensure better fluidity, net of the slender operating system and without extra features not required. But maybe Xiaomi with simplicity does not get along. Just like for Mi A1, which over time has received updates but also numerous critical bugs, Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite did not satisfy me in the stock experience: I could also find some crashes like the Google Play Store or the Trusted Face app (which deals with the release with the face). Add to this that despite Mi A2 Lite enjoy connectivity Dual-band 802.11 a / b / g / na WiFi (2.4 / 5 GHz) with support for WiFi Direct, Bluetooth 4.2 and GPS / AGPS / GLONASS / Beidou module, just GPS navigation has created me a few problems since the data connection was interrupted continuously. Absent FM Radio, or better, the application of the radio, you can however use them with a little trick: just type in the dialer of the phone * # * # 6484 # * # * followed by the CIT menu where in the last voice you can test the functionality of the FM radio.
It is clear that the problems are related to software, which in this case is one first release and that before the sale of the 8 August could receive an update that improves and corrects the various bugs. But basic you have the whole Google suite that allows you to get a satisfying user experience, thanks to goodies like Google Lens or Google Photos that will allow you, for example, to stabilize your videos. Good battery life, a unit from 4000 mAh that even if it does not have the support for fast charging get full energy in about 2 hours and 15 minutes performing around 6 hours of active screen with stress use while in normal activity you will be able to get almost 1 day and a half of use.
We have reached the moment in which to face the photo gallery of Mi A2 Lite, which is composed on the front of one 5 megapixel camera, OmniVision OV5675 sensor, f / 2.0 aperture with 67,9 ° angle which allows the capture of video in Full HD resolution to 30 fps, as well as to activate the HDR function, but above all, to this end, they have been donated 3 important functions. The first is to take pictures with in portrait mode, then the classic bokeh effect to which is added the Quick Beauty 4.0 function, through which to correct some imperfections of the skin, the eyes, the lounge of the face etc ... although personally I have never appreciated this function, on any Xiaomi device. Finally the third function is that linked to possibility to unlock the A2 Lite with the face but even here, alas the software cut off compared to MIUI makes the difference. In fact, even if the face is recognized in quite reasonable times (in good light conditions), the unlock will not take us directly to the home but you will still need to swipe up to access, so it is worth unlocking the smartphone with the fingerprint .
On the back instead we find one dual optics composed of a 12 megapixel unit, Sony IMX486 sensor, f / 2.2 aperture, pixel surface from 1,25 μm and a 5 megapixel unit, Samsung S5K5E8 sensor, f / 2.2 aperture. Also in this case we have the possibility to take pictures with the portrait mode, Automatic HDR as well as shoot videos with maximum Full HD resolution at 30 fps, slow motion and time lapse. The PDAF point of focus occurs quickly, although in some circumstances it may be seen as light Focus Hunting phenomenon, but the color rendering is definitely faithful to the original. Of course Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite is not a camera phone and pictures in low light are definitely rich in background noise, but to be honest with a little care you will be able to capture really amazing shots. In short, you judge from the images in the gallery above.
PROJECTED IMPACT
Mi A2 Lite is a terminal that makes available and makes known the quality Xiaomi to all users who are wary of the Chinese brand. Xiaomi does it in the best way, offering to a definitely competitive price a complete terminal in every respect. Surely for those coming from terminals with MIUI interface, the transition to Android One could be traumatic, but on balance could also be the opposite ... Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite is a smartphone that I would recommend, especially to a young audience, to those approaching for the first time to the Android world to those looking for good quality without spending a fortune. Com Mi A2 Lite you can carry out your daily operations without worrying about staying dry with the battery, you can also entrust the shots of your memories and above all you can ensure the full support of an international community that has just been born. Mi A2 Lite represents the "purple cow" of smartphones, something unexpected but phenomenal, making itself noticed and making a fortune in an all-brown world. So you can ask for the purchase at the store Gearbest.com to grab the Mi A2 Lite at the best price currently on the market.
I didn't get the purple cow
The Purple Cow is a reference to Seth Godin's marketing metaphors to define a product or service that, due to its characteristics and quality, is unique, original and extraordinary
Hello I just got the xiaomi mi a2 lite that I bought via ebay on a foreign site. I have 3 doubts.
1. The cell phone loses the wifi signal after a few minutes and also makes it lose to the PC
2. The cell phone tends to get warm enough
3. The warranty is 2 years?
Could you help me? ... if there are persistent problems I could return it ...
thank you
1. 2. it could be a software problem but you will only know by doing a reset
3. Info on the conditions of sale you have to ask the seller
For more info there is our dedicated facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/xiaomimia/
Ok I have applied to join the group ... do I have to reset my phone or wifi?
I didn't understand how to use the FM radio. Is it possible to install an application or is it only used from that code?
I was doubtful whether to choose the MI A2 Lite to replace a broken Redmi 4X but after the sentence "And personally I would never recommend it to those coming from a Xiaomi device with MIUI interface." I'm not so convinced anymore….
A Xiaomi under 5,99 ″ and with B20 now seems impossible ...
you can always take the redmi 6 pro, it is practically the mi a2 lte but with miui, but you have to wait for the global version
Hello Emanuele, because I advise you to wait for the vers. global redmi6pro?
in it what differences? moreover, will the b20 be present in the global version?
Thanks for the info but to date it seems that with the 20 band the 6 Pro will not do it ...