Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer is a captivating smartphone that combines stunning design with powerful features. Its sleek glass front and back, complemented by an aluminum frame, give it a premium look and feel. The 6.21-inch Super AMOLED display with HDR10 support ensures vibrant colors and sharp visuals. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset and 8GB of RAM, this phone delivers impressive performance. The dual 12 MP rear cameras with optical zoom and 4-axis OIS capture stunning photos and videos, while the 20 MP front camera ensures great selfies. The in-display fingerprint sensor and face ID technology provide convenient and secure unlocking options. With a non-removable 3000 mAh battery and 18W fast charging, the Mi 8 Explorer keeps you connected all day. This variant also features a transparent back, adding an element of uniqueness. With its attractive price of around 400 EUR, the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer is a standout choice for those seeking style and performance in a smartphone.

Design and Build Quality

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition boasts an impressive design that exudes a premium look and feel. Its sleek and stylish appearance is enhanced by the use of high-quality materials. The device features a glass front and back, protected by the durable Corning Gorilla Glass 5, and an aluminum frame made from the robust 7000 series. This combination not only adds to the aesthetics of the phone but also contributes to its overall durability.

With dimensions of 154.9 x 74.8 x 7.6 mm (6.10 x 2.94 x 0.30 in) and weighing 177g (6.24 oz), the Mi 8 Explorer Edition strikes a good balance between portability and usability. The slim form factor and lightweight design make it comfortable to hold and operate with one hand. The device also features a textured back panel, which enhances grip and reduces the chances of accidental slips.

The finishing touches on the Mi 8 Explorer Edition are well-executed, giving it a polished and refined appearance. The placement of buttons and controls is ergonomic, allowing for easy access and intuitive navigation. The bezels surrounding the Super AMOLED display are minimal, resulting in an immersive viewing experience.

Overall, the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition impresses with its sleek and premium design, durable build quality, and ergonomic features. It combines aesthetics with functionality, providing users with a device that not only looks great but also feels robust and sturdy. Whether it's the materials used, the construction, or the fit and finish, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition showcases Xiaomi's commitment to delivering a high-quality smartphone.

Display

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition features a 6.21-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2248 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 402 pixels per inch. The display offers vibrant colors and excellent color accuracy, thanks to its OLED technology. It also supports HDR10, providing a wider dynamic range and enhancing the overall viewing experience. The screen has a tall 18.7:9 aspect ratio, which allows for a more immersive visual experience and provides a spacious canvas for multimedia consumption and gaming.

With its Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, the display is resistant to scratches and minor drops. The Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition offers impressive brightness levels, making it easily readable even under direct sunlight. The outdoor visibility is commendable, ensuring comfortable usage in various lighting conditions.

The touch responsiveness of the display is smooth and precise, allowing for seamless navigation and accurate input. The wide viewing angles ensure that content remains clear and vibrant, even when viewing the screen from different angles. Additionally, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition supports an always-on display feature, allowing users to glance at important information without fully activating the screen.

To enhance user comfort, the device offers features like a blue light filter and adaptive brightness, reducing eye strain and optimizing display settings based on ambient lighting conditions. Users can also calibrate the screen to their preference for color accuracy.

In terms of design, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition includes a notch at the top of the display, which houses the front camera and various sensors. This design choice allows for a higher screen-to-body ratio, minimizing bezels and maximizing the display area.

Overall, the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition boasts a high-quality display with vibrant colors, excellent viewing angles, and strong outdoor visibility. Its OLED technology, HDR support, and display protection make it a compelling option for users who prioritize an immersive and visually pleasing experience.

Performance

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition is a high-performance smartphone that offers impressive capabilities for gaming and multitasking. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset, this device delivers exceptional CPU and GPU performance. According to benchmark tests and performance analysis, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition achieves excellent scores in both synthetic and gaming benchmarks.

The Snapdragon 845 chipset, coupled with the Adreno 630 GPU, ensures smooth graphics rendering and a lag-free gaming experience. The GPU benchmarks highlight the Mi 8 Explorer Edition's ability to handle graphically demanding games with ease. With its powerful graphics scores, this device is well-equipped to provide an immersive gaming experience.

In terms of CPU benchmarks and processor performance, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition excels in delivering fast and efficient processing capabilities. Users can expect seamless multitasking performance and quick app loading speeds. The device's processor efficiency allows for a smooth user experience, even when running resource-intensive applications.

One notable aspect of the Mi 8 Explorer Edition is its system optimization and thermal management. The device is designed to handle prolonged gaming sessions without overheating or performance degradation. This ensures that users can enjoy extended gaming sessions without experiencing any significant drop in performance.

Overall, the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition offers exceptional performance metrics and delivers a powerful and lag-free user experience. Its chipset performance, GPU benchmarks, and CPU benchmarks demonstrate its capability to handle demanding tasks and provide a smooth multitasking experience. Whether it's gaming, app usage, or multitasking, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition proves to be a reliable and efficient device for performance-oriented users.

Software and User Interface

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition runs on the Android 8.1 (Oreo) operating system, which can be upgraded to Android 10 with the MIUI 12 interface. The MIUI 12 interface offers a user-friendly experience with its clean and intuitive design. It provides various customization options, allowing users to personalize their device according to their preferences. The software on the Mi 8 Explorer Edition is relatively lightweight and optimized, ensuring smooth performance and efficient multitasking.

The device comes with some pre-installed apps, but they are not overwhelming and can be easily uninstalled if desired. Xiaomi has made efforts to minimize bloatware, providing users with a cleaner experience. The MIUI 12 interface also includes useful features like a built-in app lock, dual apps, and a comprehensive security center for enhanced privacy and security.

One notable feature of the Mi 8 Explorer Edition is the under-display fingerprint sensor, which adds to the convenience and security of unlocking the device. The software seamlessly integrates this feature, allowing users to unlock their device quickly and securely.

Overall, the software on the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition offers a smooth and user-friendly experience. With its customizable interface, minimal bloatware, and useful features, it caters to the needs of both tech-savvy users and those looking for a simple and intuitive interface.

Camera

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition boasts a dual-camera setup on its rear, consisting of a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens with a f/1.8 aperture and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with a f/2.4 aperture. This combination allows for a versatile focal length range and enables users to capture stunning photos with a shallow depth of field and a 2x optical zoom. The camera's large 1/2.55" sensor size ensures better light gathering capabilities, resulting in improved image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Additionally, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition features 4-axis optical image stabilization, which effectively reduces camera shake and ensures sharpness in photos and videos.

In terms of image quality, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition excels in various scenarios. Its camera performs exceptionally well in daylight photography, producing vibrant and natural colors, as well as excellent sharpness. The camera's dynamic range is impressive, allowing for well-balanced exposures in high-contrast scenes. When it comes to indoor photography, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition maintains good detail and accurate colors, even in challenging lighting conditions.

For low-light photography and night shots, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition delivers commendable performance. Its low-light sensitivity and noise reduction capabilities enable users to capture clear and detailed photos in dimly lit environments. The device also offers a dedicated night mode, which further enhances low-light performance by combining multiple exposures to reduce noise and increase detail.

The camera features of the Mi 8 Explorer Edition include portrait mode, HDR, panorama mode, and a pro mode for manual control over settings. The device also incorporates AI scene recognition, which intelligently identifies different scenes and adjusts settings accordingly to optimize image quality.

When it comes to video recording, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition supports 4K video capture, providing users with high-resolution footage. The device also offers video stabilization to minimize camera shake and ensure smooth recordings. Slow-motion video and time-lapse modes are also available, allowing for creative video capture. The Mi 8 Explorer Edition supports various video formats, ensuring compatibility and flexibility in video playback and sharing.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer is equipped with a 3000mAh non-removable Li-Po battery. While the battery capacity may seem average compared to some other flagship smartphones, the Mi 8 Explorer offers good battery life. With normal usage, it can easily last a full day. The device also supports 18W fast charging, which allows for quick recharging. Additionally, it comes with QC4 technology, ensuring efficient and speedy charging. The phone does not support wireless charging, which may be a drawback for some users. However, the battery optimization features on the Mi 8 Explorer help in maximizing battery performance and efficiency. It has power-saving modes and adaptive battery management to extend battery life. Overall, the battery of the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer provides satisfactory performance, especially with its fast charging capabilities.

Connectivity and Networking

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition offers a wide range of connectivity options to keep you connected wherever you go. With support for various network technologies including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, and LTE, you can enjoy reliable and fast data speeds. The device also supports dual SIM functionality, allowing you to use two SIM cards simultaneously for added convenience. When it comes to wireless connectivity, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition is equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, ensuring a stable and fast internet connection. Bluetooth 5.0 ensures seamless pairing with other devices and offers improved range and speed compared to previous versions. NFC is also available, enabling easy and secure contactless payments and file transfers. The Mi 8 Explorer Edition features a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer. Additionally, the device supports wireless charging, allowing you to charge it without the need for cables. For navigation purposes, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition comes with GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, and QZSS support, providing accurate positioning information. Overall, the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition offers a comprehensive set of connectivity features, ensuring you stay connected and enjoy a seamless experience.

Additional Features

• Standout Features: The Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition offers several standout features that set it apart from other smartphones. It comes with a transparent back design, giving users a glimpse into the internal components of the device. This unique design element is sure to appeal to tech enthusiasts and those who appreciate innovative aesthetics.


• Water Resistance and Dust Resistance: The Mi 8 Explorer Edition does not have an official IP rating for water and dust resistance. Therefore, it is advisable to exercise caution to prevent any damage from exposure to water or dust.


• Wireless Charging: One of the convenient features of the Mi 8 Explorer Edition is its support for wireless charging. With Qi wireless charging compatibility, users can simply place their device on a compatible wireless charging pad to recharge the battery without the need for cables.


• Advanced Sensors: The Mi 8 Explorer Edition is equipped with a range of advanced sensors. These include an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, barometer, and compass. These sensors enable enhanced functionality and user experience, such as accurate motion tracking and environmental sensing.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition is a flagship smartphone that offers a range of impressive features and specifications. When comparing it to other related devices in the market, it stands out due to its unique design and competitive pricing.

In terms of competitors, the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition can be compared to devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S9, Google Pixel 3, and OnePlus 6T. While these phones also offer top-of-the-line specifications, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition stands out with its transparent back design, which gives it a distinctive and premium look.

In terms of market positioning, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition competes in the premium smartphone segment, offering high-end features at a comparatively lower price point. Its main advantage lies in its value for money proposition, as it provides similar specifications and performance to its competitors but at a more affordable price.

When comparing the features and specifications, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition boasts a 6.21-inch Super AMOLED display with HDR10 support, ensuring vibrant and immersive visuals. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset, delivering powerful performance and smooth multitasking capabilities. The device also offers 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, providing ample space for storing files and apps.

In terms of camera capabilities, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition features a dual 12MP rear camera setup, which captures stunning photos with great detail and clarity. The front-facing 20MP camera is also capable of capturing high-quality selfies. Additionally, the device offers other features such as face unlock, an under-display fingerprint sensor, and NFC support.

In terms of pricing, the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition is priced at around 400 EUR, making it a more cost-effective option compared to its competitors. This pricing strategy allows Xiaomi to gain a competitive edge in the market and attract customers looking for high-end features at a more affordable price point.

Overall, the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition offers a compelling package with its unique design, powerful performance, and competitive pricing. It positions itself as a strong contender in the premium smartphone market, providing a value-for-money proposition to consumers.

Pros and Cons

Here is a summary of the pros and cons of the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer based on the information gathered from various sources: Pros | Cons ---- | ---- Stylish Design: The Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer features a sleek and modern design with a glass back and aluminum frame, giving it a premium look. | No Expandable Storage: Unfortunately, the Mi 8 Explorer does not have a microSD card slot, so you are limited to the internal storage capacity. Impressive Display: The device boasts a 6.21-inch Super AMOLED display with HDR10 support, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. | No 3.5mm Audio Jack: Xiaomi has removed the traditional headphone jack, so you will need to use a USB Type-C to 3.5mm adapter or wireless headphones. Powerful Performance: Equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset and 8GB of RAM, the Mi 8 Explorer offers excellent performance for multitasking and demanding tasks. | Average Battery Life: The 3000mAh battery may not last as long as some other smartphones, especially with heavy usage. Dual Camera Setup: The device features a dual 12MP rear camera system with 4-axis OIS and 2x optical zoom, allowing for high-quality photos and impressive zoom capabilities. | No Water Resistance: Unlike some flagship smartphones, the Mi 8 Explorer does not have an official IP rating for water resistance. In-Display Fingerprint Sensor: The Mi 8 Explorer incorporates an under-display optical fingerprint sensor, providing convenient and secure biometric authentication. | Limited Availability: This smartphone may not be widely available in all regions, making it harder to purchase. Face Unlock Technology: Along with the fingerprint sensor, the Mi 8 Explorer also supports face unlock, offering an additional biometric authentication option. | Lack of Wireless Charging: Despite the glass back, the Mi 8 Explorer does not support wireless charging. Affordable Pricing: Considering its premium features, the Mi 8 Explorer offers good value for money, with a price tag of around 400 EUR. | MIUI Customization: Some users may find Xiaomi's MIUI interface, which runs on top of Android, to be heavily customized and not as clean as stock Android. Please note that the pros and cons mentioned above are based on the information gathered from the provided sources, and individual opinions may vary.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition offers an impressive array of features and specifications. Its sleek glass design, coupled with the aluminum frame, gives it a premium look and feel. The Super AMOLED display with HDR10 technology provides vibrant and sharp visuals. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset ensures smooth performance, and the 8GB of RAM allows for seamless multitasking. The dual-camera setup captures stunning photos and videos, while the 20MP front camera delivers excellent selfie shots. Additionally, the under-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock feature provide convenient and secure biometric options. Although the 3000mAh battery may seem slightly underwhelming, the 18W fast charging capability compensates for it. Overall, the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition is a top-notch smartphone that offers great value for its price, making it a compelling choice for potential buyers.