Xiaomi Redmi A2 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

Welcome to my review of the Xiaomi Mi A2, a highly popular smartphone that has been making waves in the market since its release.

Design and Build Quality

The Xiaomi Mi A2 boasts a sleek, modern design that feels great in the hand and looks strikingly sophisticated. The phone's physical appearance is sure to turn heads with dimensions of 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) and a weight of 192 g (6.77 oz), making it comfortable to hold and easy to operate with one hand.

The device is built with high-quality materials, including an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass 5 front and back panels, which provide excellent durability and scratch resistance. The glass back panel is a particularly attractive feature, giving the phone a premium look and feel.

The Xiaomi Mi A2 is also ergonomically designed, allowing for a comfortable, secure grip when in use. The buttons on the phone are well-placed and easy to reach, making it simple to operate the device with one hand.

Overall, the Xiaomi Mi A2 has a solid, well-constructed build that feels sturdy in the hand. The phone's sleek, modern design and high-quality materials make it an attractive choice for those who value both style and durability in a smartphone.

Display

The Xiaomi Mi A2 features a 6.52-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio. The pixel density is around 269 pixels per inch, which is not as sharp as some of its competitors in the market. However, the display is bright with a peak brightness of 400 nits and offers good outdoor visibility.

The color accuracy and vibrancy of the display are decent, but not the best. The colors appear slightly washed out and lack the pop that you get from AMOLED displays. The touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the display are good, and the phone offers a smooth scrolling experience.

Overall, the display on the Xiaomi Mi A2 is decent for its price point. While it may not be the sharpest or the most vibrant, it gets the job done and offers good visibility in bright outdoor conditions.

Performance

The Xiaomi Mi A2 is a smartphone that delivers solid performance across various categories. The phone is powered by a Mediatek Helio G36 chipset, which is an octa-core processor clocked at 2.2 GHz. This processor is paired with 2GB or 3GB of RAM, depending on the model you choose. This combination allows for smooth multitasking, and the phone can handle most apps and games with ease. In addition, the phone's GPU, PowerVR GE8320, delivers decent graphics performance, making gaming on the Mi A2 a relatively enjoyable experience.

In terms of benchmarks, the Mi A2 scores reasonably well on most tests. In Geekbench 5, the phone scores around 400 points in the single-core test and around 1200 points in the multi-core test. These scores are similar to those of other phones in the same price range, such as the Nokia 5.4 and the Samsung Galaxy A12.

One of the standout features of the Mi A2 is its fast and responsive fingerprint sensor. The sensor is located on the back of the phone and is easy to reach with your index finger. The phone also supports face unlock, which is a convenient alternative to using the fingerprint sensor.

Overall, the performance of the Xiaomi Mi A2 is more than adequate for most users. The phone delivers smooth and responsive performance in most areas, and its fast fingerprint sensor makes unlocking the phone a breeze. While the phone may not be the most powerful device on the market, it offers excellent value for its price point.

Software and User Interface

The Xiaomi Mi A2 runs on Android 12 (Go edition) with MIUI, Xiaomi's custom user interface. The device offers a smooth and intuitive user experience, with an easy-to-navigate interface and customizable options. The phone comes with several pre-installed apps, including Google apps, as well as Xiaomi-specific apps such as Mi Remote and Mi Drop.

One downside of the software experience is the presence of bloatware, which can be frustrating for users who prefer a streamlined experience. However, these apps can be uninstalled or disabled to free up space and enhance performance.

The Mi A2 also offers several customization options, including themes, icon packs, and gesture controls. The user interface is clean and user-friendly, with a modern design and intuitive navigation.

In terms of software support, Xiaomi has a good track record of providing timely updates and security patches. The device is also part of the Android One program, which guarantees at least two years of OS updates and three years of security updates.

Overall, the software and user interface on the Xiaomi Mi A2 provide a positive user experience with customization options and regular updates. However, the presence of bloatware may be a downside for some users.

Camera

The Xiaomi Mi A2 is a mid-range smartphone that offers a dual-camera setup on the back, consisting of an 8-megapixel sensor and a 0.08-megapixel depth sensor. The rear camera features dual-LED flash and HDR, which helps capture images with better color accuracy and a wider range of light. The camera app is user-friendly and easy to navigate, with a variety of modes and settings to choose from.

In good lighting conditions, the Mi A2's camera is capable of capturing sharp and detailed photos with accurate colors. However, in low-light conditions, the camera struggles to capture enough light, resulting in noisy and grainy images. The camera also lacks optical image stabilization, which makes it difficult to capture stable photos and videos while on the move.

The front-facing camera is a 5-megapixel sensor, which is capable of capturing decent selfies with good color reproduction and detail. The camera app offers a variety of beauty modes and filters to enhance your selfies.

Overall, the camera on the Mi A2 is a decent performer for a mid-range device, with good image quality in optimal lighting conditions. However, it falls short in low-light conditions and lacks some advanced features like optical image stabilization. If you're looking for a phone with a better camera, you may want to consider other options in the same price range.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Xiaomi Mi A2 offers a range of connectivity options to keep you connected on the go. It operates on GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, making it compatible with most carriers worldwide. The phone has dual Nano-SIM card slots, so you can keep your work and personal contacts separate.

The device supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, which enables faster internet speeds and more reliable connections. Bluetooth 5.0 is also available, allowing you to connect to wireless headphones, speakers, and other accessories.

While the Xiaomi Mi A2 lacks NFC support, it has GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS positioning technologies, which ensure accurate navigation. The phone also features a microUSB 2.0 port, which is used for charging and data transfer.

Other connectivity options include FM radio, which provides access to a range of local radio stations, and a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio. The phone doesn't have wireless charging capabilities, but with its 5000mAh battery and 10W wired charging support, you can easily keep it powered up throughout the day.

In terms of sensors, the Xiaomi Mi A2 has an accelerometer, but it lacks a fingerprint sensor or facial recognition technology. Overall, the phone's connectivity and networking features are solid, but its lack of NFC and biometric authentication may be a drawback for some users.

Additional Features

The Xiaomi Mi A2 comes packed with some impressive and unique features that set it apart from other phones in its price range. One of the most notable features is its 5000mAh battery, which provides exceptional battery life that can last up to two days on a single charge. Additionally, the phone comes with a microSDXC slot for expandable storage, allowing users to store more photos, videos, and files without having to delete anything.

The Xiaomi Mi A2 also boasts an impressive audio quality, with a loudspeaker that provides clear and crisp sound. The phone also comes equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack, which will be great news for audiophiles who prefer wired headphones over Bluetooth ones.

The phone's construction and design are also impressive, featuring a sleek and modern look with a durable build. The phone is available in three colors: Light Green, Light Blue, and Black, giving users a range of options to choose from.

Other notable features of the Xiaomi Mi A2 include FM radio, GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS positioning, and an accelerometer sensor. However, it is worth noting that the phone does not come with NFC, which might be a dealbreaker for some users who depend on the technology for wireless payments.

Overall, the Xiaomi Mi A2 is a feature-packed phone that provides exceptional value for its price. Its long-lasting battery, expandable storage, and impressive audio quality make it a great choice for anyone who wants a reliable and functional phone without breaking the bank.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When it comes to comparing the Xiaomi Mi A2 to other related phones on the market, there are a few options worth considering. One such phone is the Nokia 7.1, which shares a similar price point and also runs on Android One. Like the Mi A2, the Nokia 7.1 boasts a dual camera setup and a sleek design. However, the Nokia 7.1 has a slightly smaller screen and less powerful processor compared to the Mi A2.

Another comparable phone is the Motorola Moto G6, which offers a similar screen size and resolution as the Mi A2, but at a lower price point. However, the Moto G6 has a less powerful processor and lower quality camera compared to the Mi A2.

For those who prioritize camera quality, the Samsung Galaxy A7 may be a better fit. This phone offers a triple camera setup and a larger screen compared to the Mi A2, but at a higher price point.

Ultimately, the Xiaomi Mi A2 offers a solid combination of performance, camera quality, and price compared to its competitors in the mid-range smartphone market.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Xiaomi Mi A2 is a budget-friendly smartphone that packs a punch when it comes to performance and features. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive models, it offers a solid user experience that will satisfy most users. The device boasts a sleek design, a large display, and a powerful processor that can handle most tasks with ease. The camera performance is also impressive, with good image quality and a range of features that allow users to take creative shots.

The battery life is also noteworthy, offering long-lasting power that can keep you connected all day. The software and user interface are user-friendly, and the phone receives regular updates to ensure optimal performance.

While there are a few downsides to the Xiaomi Mi A2, such as the lack of NFC and wireless charging, for the price point, it is a great value for money. If you are in the market for a budget-friendly smartphone that offers good performance and features, the Xiaomi Mi A2 is definitely worth considering.

Overall, we would recommend this phone to anyone looking for a reliable and affordable device that can keep up with their daily needs.