Xiaomi Mi A2 long-term review

19 November 2018
Second time’s the charm, right? That’s certainly what Xiaomi would have you believe. The second coming of its Android One line is here, but is it any good? You still might not be very used to the concept of pairing Xiaomi hardware with unadulterated Google software - after all, the company’s MIUI is one of the heaviest Android skins you can find. But there’s no trace of that in the Mi A2, and this device is definitely as intriguing as its predecessor, which was Xiaomi’s debut album in the Android One collection.

Sort by:

  • M
  • Mr bos
  • KZ8
  • 21 Nov 2018

I actually disapointed with the phone..no sd card... no 3.5 headphone jack...the battery also is too small....I cannot really enjoy the SD660 while playing game....because the battery died so fast....if I can turn back time.... I wouldn't buy this phone....

    • T
    • Tom
    • t7W
    • 21 Nov 2018

    I have Pocophone F1, Mi A2 (6x), and a relative got a Redmi Note 5. Mi A2 has the best camera and screen quality, and the only one with IR remote for TVs. Other than that, Poco F1 is above overall. Mi A2 has better audio than Redmi Note 5, and has faster face recognition, thinner and of course better processor. The only advantages that Redmi Note 5 have over Mi A2 are the headphone jack and bigger battery capacity. Other than that Mi A2 is above Redmi Note 5 in all aspects.

      • Q
      • Qidamin
      • RBb
      • 21 Nov 2018

      leledumbo, 20 Nov 2018No, Redmi Note 6 Pro indeed has better sensor. The same sen... moreRedmi Note 5 pro and Redmi 6 Pro are using Samsung sensors if I am not wrong, not Sony.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • FKy
        • 21 Nov 2018

        Tbh I would have been all over this phone since a long time ago but the supported bands for the US, more specifically AT&T leaves less to be desired.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • PGq
          • 21 Nov 2018

          Kickasser, 20 Nov 2018Did you use any of those phones that you suggested? If you... moreSorry, but i do care about the essentials such as 3.5mm jack, microsd slot etc before buying a phone,

            • V
            • VFhellionID
            • tDQ
            • 21 Nov 2018

            What's the point on having a second review if you haven't update the device to its latest OS? You should have waited for 9.0 pie to hit your phone then you could do a re-review explaining new UI changes, etc.

              Zamachi, 20 Nov 2018Whoa, hold on... "We've seen slightly better camera perfo... moreNo, Redmi Note 6 Pro indeed has better sensor. The same sensor that they've been using since Redmi Note 5 Pro all up to the latest and greatest Mi Mix 3: IMX363. Remember that Mi A2 is actually Mi 6X, that comes earlier than the days of IMX363. I believe the main sensor is the same as my Mi Note 3: IMX386. This sensor lacks dual pixel auto focus and has only 1.25μm pixel size compared to IMX363.

                "Also in Settings you can toggle the viewfinder gridlines and choose whether to have low light photos automatically enhanced. Though the latter sounds good in theory, we really weren't able to figure out what it does."

                It just (should) trigger HHT whenever it detects a low light scene, at least that's how it's implemented in other Xiaomi phones.

                  • M
                  • Mrki
                  • JF0
                  • 20 Nov 2018

                  Kaku Diego, 20 Nov 2018I'm running Android Pie and I'm living in Brazil! So GSM la... moreAndroid pie is available in Brasil?!
                  I guess I will be the last one to get it...
                  ☹️

                    • Z
                    • Zamachi
                    • JF4
                    • 20 Nov 2018

                    Whoa, hold on...
                    "We've seen slightly better camera performance from phones such as the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera and Redmi Note 6 Pro"

                    You're saying Note 6 Pro has a better camera than Mi A2? Really? In what scenario? From what I know Note 6 pro has inferior sensors compared to Mi A2's, but yet, I'm no expert, so some clarification would be welcome.

                      Anonymous, 20 Nov 2018"Finally, let's address the elephant in the room. Well, one... moreDid you use any of those phones that you suggested?
                      If you can overlook 3.5mm jack, Mi A2 is certainly a better option, especially on the camera front...
                      Do not recommend phones without using them...
                      Asus Max pro m1 doesn't stand a chance in front of Mi A2...

                        I'm running Android Pie and I'm living in Brazil! So GSM lazy Arena, just update the phone!

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • 6p$
                          • 20 Nov 2018

                          Anonymous, 20 Nov 2018"Finally, let's address the elephant in the room. Well, one... moreAgree. Sd card slot is more important than audio jack for me.

                            Looks like the Pixel and the iPhone X had a baby

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • PGq
                              • 20 Nov 2018

                              "Finally, let's address the elephant in the room. Well, one of two actually, but the lack of a 3.5mm headset jack was covered in the Design section. Another thing that's missing from the Mi A2 is NFC. This is quite a big omission if you live in a country where mobile payments are a thing - and they're definitely starting to pick up some steam worldwide, so it's no longer just a bunch of territories where that's available."

                              What about the lack of a microsd slot?? Is that not one of the elephants in the room?!

                              P.S Just get Zenfone Max Pro M1 / Nokia 6.1 etc. for microsd slot & 3.5mm jack as STANDARD while maintaining stock android feel & experience.

                                • M
                                • Mr Nadal
                                • CCg
                                • 20 Nov 2018

                                This is truly underrated device.
                                gsmarena should have reviewed the red unit, obviously they don't know what they are missing, it's marvellous.
                                They should review the miui version also, cuse it's lighting fast waaay better than android one. This one here can run PUBG at high +60 fbs by default, and it can even handle HDR without breaking a sweat. And its camera is great at low light environment using manual mode. Truly understand

                                  kgbme, 20 Nov 2018No NFC is a plus, one less security flaw to worry about; an... moreYou're right about protective cases, but, what are you talking about? How NFC is a 'secutrity flaw'?

                                    > "We don't usually put mid-rangers through the long-term review process, and for a good reason - they generally don't elicit the same amount of interest from you as flagships do."

                                    - Is it just me, or that really is some BS of a reason?

                                      Kangal, 20 Nov 2018Ah, come on! No comparisons to other devices?!? Especia... moreThis is a long term review. The real review is https://m.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_a2-review-1798.php

                                        This is one of the biggest letdowns of the year, it's almost as if Xiaomi wanted to make it less appeasing to push it's MIUI phones instead. It's pretty much a downgrade from Mi A1. Yes we all wished Mi A1 had a better chip than the same old 625. And they did deliver 660 and flushed everything else good in the toilet. No microSD slot, 3.5mm jack, a camera hill (can't call that a bump) and shit battery. I'd rather buy the good old A1

                                          2 of 3