Xiaomi Mi 6 review: Social climber

26 May 2017
Seven years in the making. That’s what Xiaomi says and you can feel the pride of a job well done. Is it arrogance? Maybe. And it may be surprising but not completely unfounded. A five-inch screen in a hot, curved metal-and-glass body. A dual camera with 2x optical zoom. A Snapdragon 835. The Xiaomi Mi 6 has many virtues and well… modesty isn’t one of them.

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  • D
  • Drugar
  • swm
  • 02 Feb 2023

I have had this phone since 2016, and it still works like the first day. bravo xiaomi!

    I had this phone in 2018, pretty sure it was the Ceramic model! I also liked the blue one too but probably couldn't get my hands on it. I vaguely remember the camera being pretty good! I have a picture of a cat. 🐱

      • S
      • Shuki
      • MrB
      • 28 Feb 2021

      I've got this one for almost 3 years, it's really good.
      Camera, functionality, power.
      A shame though 64gb is not enough.

        • M
        • Minu
        • w9L
        • 05 Feb 2021

        AnonD-742675, 06 Mar 2018Social climber? Not any more. Xiaomi started a new trend of... moreIt's actually the Sharp Aquos phones, way ahead of the time tbh

          • S
          • Sunny
          • U{4
          • 16 Jan 2021

          Really good performance camera and looking to vary good

            • A
            • Adeel
            • 6Pi
            • 13 May 2018

            dkart, 15 Dec 2017Does anyone know I can put an SD card in the 2nd SIM slot? thx!No

              • D
              • AnonD-742675
              • vxd
              • 06 Mar 2018

              Social climber? Not any more. Xiaomi started a new trend of design then alot of the big manufacturers started following. Who's got the last laugh again?

                • D
                • AnonD-664474
                • Kg{
                • 26 Dec 2017

                Samarth N8 808 user, 08 Aug 2017I like the phone, although they need to rev up the slow mot... moreBecause of the OIS, photos can be taken with no motion blur created by handshake ('cause our hands aren't the most stable camera equipment). With OIS, photos can be taken at longer shutter times because of the stabilizer, and with longer shutter times, the sensor is exposed longer to light, giving way to brighter images with lower ISO levels, which also leads to lower noise, and because of that, the software processing doesn't have to aggressively reduce the noise levels down (typically leads to very soft though clean results). Photos taken with OIS are mostly sharper because of the stability of the sensor while capturing.

                  • d
                  • dkart
                  • 8jX
                  • 15 Dec 2017

                  Does anyone know I can put an SD card in the 2nd SIM slot? thx!

                    • H
                    • HereNow
                    • Ixp
                    • 30 Nov 2017

                    Just wanted to add my view since I actually have both the Mi5 and Mi6. Despite any comments about "copying others" or "last year designs", the Mi6 is actually a fantastic phone and (imho) the best phone made in the 5.2" or so size. In fact, I hope the Mi7 keeps the same form factor and does not go the route of the 18:9 screen ratio trend. If they make any changes at all, maybe reduce the bezels a bit to squeeze in a 5.3" screen, and maybe offer a (very slightly) larger 5.7" model.

                    I personally feel this size phone (or possibly just a small bit larger) is the most functional and useful for everyday use. I also much prefer having the fingerprint scanner on the front as the home button, with the 2 UI buttons next to it.

                    I am not saying phones with larger (taller) screens are worse than this size, and maybe for many people that use their phone for media etc, having a taller screen and minimal bezels is preferred, but in practice, anything larger than the Mi6 size becomes increasingly more difficult to use one handed. Although you can use various methods such as custom gestures or navigation fly outs to mitigate this, (I feel) they all have disadvantages.

                    If you are willing to adjust how you use your phone to account for the larger (taller) screens of most of the current designs, then sure, there are many other options. But if you prefer a phone that fits in and can easily be used one-handed, then the Mi6 is just about the perfect size and layout, with a fantastic screen, amazing battery life and top performance.

                    About the only other thing that is worth considering regarding the Mi6 is the ceramic version is surprisingly heavy, which may make it uncomfortable for some people over extended periods of use.

                      • D
                      • AnonD-719328
                      • IYx
                      • 30 Nov 2017

                      Plz make a review of Xiaomi Mi Note 3....plz

                        • D
                        • AnonD-67138
                        • Ks{
                        • 12 Nov 2017

                        No 3.5mm no deal.None smartphone deserve the ditch of p2.

                          • A
                          • Anonymous
                          • KRV
                          • 11 Sep 2017

                          Should i consider Huawei P10 or Mi 6? I have been struggling to make decision.

                            • t
                            • theinthannnyunt
                            • f{a
                            • 11 Sep 2017

                            How about with Oneplus 5

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • 043
                              • 03 Sep 2017

                              Anonymous, 03 Jun 2017Most of us have mirror cameras that are 1000 times better? ... more1. nah I don't have something like that
                              2. the best camera is the one that's always with you (-> phone camera)

                                • D
                                • Delwar
                                • P5s
                                • 16 Aug 2017

                                Price is too high . Pls Reduce Price.


                                Thanks - Delwar

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-691235
                                  • X%p
                                  • 11 Aug 2017

                                  Powerfull on budget phone, great job Xiaomi..!!

                                    • S
                                    • Samarth N8 808 user
                                    • KAL
                                    • 08 Aug 2017

                                    I like the phone, although they need to rev up the slow motion modes, this is SD 835 for God's sake, not a Snapdragon 625 (which can do all the video recording modes mentioned here).

                                    @ GSMA staff: Hey Guys, you said, "In handheld shooting, the shutter speed would go down to 1/12s so the OIS is not doing a class-leading job but most photos we shot turned out sharp."

                                    Could you please explain how OIS is supposed to increase shutter speed?
                                    The last I checked, OIS only stabilises a photo, so they turn out sharp, but shutter speed isn't affected at all.

                                      • ?
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • nmM
                                      • 31 Jul 2017

                                      Almost perfect audio (THD only that is worse vs other phones)

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-661148
                                        • U}}
                                        • 09 Jul 2017

                                        AnonD-664988, 29 May 2017How???? I think they come up first with Mi Note design whic... moreYeah, you absolutely right. Xiaomi used this 3d back cover first in the world with mi note and mi note pro in 2015. Check it yourself.. Apple copy it from xiaomi mi note!