There’s a new Mi Max 2 in town – check out what it has to offer.
How to buy the Xiaomi Mi Max in the UK: Xiaomi Mi Max UK price
Official pricing for the Xiaomi Mi Max is 1,499 yuan for the base model (3GB RAM, 32GB storage, Snapdrgaon 650), 1,699 yuan for the middle model (3GB RAM, 64GB storage, Snapdragon 652), and 1,999 yuan for the top-end model (4GB RAM, 128GB storage, Snapdragon 652). See all smartphone reviews Those prices convert to £159.78, £180.93 and £212.96 respectively, but since Xiaomi doesn’t officially sell its phones in the UK they are irrelevant. You will be able to buy the Xiaomi Mi Max in the UK, but not at this price.
Gear Best has set live the Xiaomi Mi Max product page in its online store, and you can sign up to be notified as soon as stock arrives. It’s available in Champagne or Light Grey, with free shipping to the UK. See: Xiaomi Mi Max 32GB ($401.07/£277.60), Xiaomi Mi Max 64GB ($442.06/£305.99), Xiaomi Mi Max 128GB ($503.53/£348.55) Do note, however, that you will have to pay import duty on the Mi Max’s arrival in the UK if requested to do so by customs. Remember to factor in this additional cost. For more advice on buying tech from China read our advice on grey market tech. Also note that if you are on the O2 network (or any network that uses its coverage) you will not receive 4G on the Xiaomi Mi Max. This phone supports only the 1800MHz, 2100MHz and 2600MHz 4G bands. Also see: How to tell whether a phone is supported by your network
Xiaomi Mi Max release date; MIUI 8.0 release date: When is the Mi Max coming out? When is MIUI 8.0 coming out?
A release date has not yet been confirmed for the Xiaomi Mi Max, and as soon as it has we will update this article. However, we do know that it runs MIUI 8, which enters beta testing on 1 June, with Developer ROMs promised for 17 June. If MIUI 8.0 is to follow the steps of MIUI 6.0 and MIUI 7.0, the final version will be made available on 13 August 2016. Also see: Best phablets 2016
Xiaomi Mi Max specifications
Xiaomi’s Mi Max is an enormous all-metal phone with a 6.44in screen and 4850mAh battery, yet it’s just 7.5mm thin. It will be the first device to run MIUI 8 (see MIUI 8 new features). Three versions are available, with the 32GB storage model running the hexa-core Snapdragon 650 chip with 3GB of RAM, and the 64- and 128GB models running the octa-core Snapdragon 652 with 3- and 4GB of RAM respectively. All three are able to support microSD cards up to 128GB in capacity, but this comes at the expense of the dual-SIM functionality – the microSD card uses the same slot as the second SIM. Also see: Best Chinese phones 2016
Here are the Xiaomi Mi Max full specifications: • Android 6.0 with MIUI 8.0 • 64-bit 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 hexa-core/652 octa-core • Adreno 510 GPU • 3GB/4GB RAM • 32GB/64GB/128GB storage, plus microSD support up to 128GB • 6.44in full-HD (1920×1080, 342ppi) 2.5D Arc screen with Gorilla Glass 4 • Dual-SIM dual-standby (Micro/Nano) • 4G bands 1800/2100/2600MHz • 16Mp rear camera with PDAF, f/2.0 aperture and dual-LED flash • 5Mp selfie camera with f/2.0 aperture, 85-degreen wide-angle lens • Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) • IR blaster • Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi • GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS • Bluetooth 4.2 • 4850mAh non-removable battery • 173.1×88.3×7.5mm • 203g • Available in black, white and gold
MIUI 8.0 new features: What’s new in MIUI 8.0
MIUI 8.0 looks very similar to MIUI 7.0, but with bold new colours that change with the weather and easier-on-the-eyes Mi Lanting fonts. To keep tighter tabs on runtime you can now select which apps you want to run at startup, and freeze background tasks and apps in a power saving mode. Various apps have been updated. Notes, which has new templates, can now be secured by a password or fingerprint, and MIUI 8.0 will now draw your attention to any messages that might be dodgy. The Calculator and Browser have been revamped, while there’s a new math-problem-solving app that offers step-by-step solutions. A Scanner lets you scan a product barcode or take a photo to purchase that item or a similar item online, or create quick QR codes. Also see: Best phones 2016 and Best Android phones 2016
The Gallery app has also been tweaked to include new sharing controls and the ability to select multiple photos and apply doodles and stickers. Video editing tools have also been enhanced. The MIUI 8.0 Developer ROM will be supported on all Redmi and Mi Note devices, plus the Mi 2, Mi 2S, Mi 3, Mi 4, Mi 4C, Mi 4S, Mi 5 and this Mi Max. Read next: Best new phones coming in 2016 Follow Marie Brewis on Twitter. Marie is Editor in Chief of Tech Advisor and Macworld. A Journalism graduate from the London College of Printing, she’s worked in tech media for more than 17 years, managing our English language, French and Spanish consumer editorial teams and leading on content strategy through Foundry’s transition from print, to digital, to online - and beyond.
