Xiaomi Mi A2 : what you need to know before buying

After the death of Nexus lineup, it is very hard to get affordable phone with clean Android experience and a phone that comes with regular updates. Google then created Android One certification. Android One is a series of smartphones that run the unmodified Android operating system. It is a hardware and software technical standard created by Google intended to provide a consistent user experience and improved security through frequent updates and Google Play Protect. Android One was launched in 2014 and focused on entry-level devices for emerging markets, but later evolved into Google’s principal mobile program. Xiaomi Mi A2 is new entrant in this lineup of smartphones. 

1. What are the key specifications of Xiaomi Mi A2?

   • 64GB or 128GB storage
   • 5.99″ FullHD+ display
   • Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 660 chipset.
   • 4GB or 6GB of RAM.
   • 32GB or 64GB or 128GB onboard storage.
   • 12mp+20mp rear camera setup
   • 20mp front-facing camera
   • 3010mAh battery.
   • Android Oreo OS .
   • Bluetooth 5.0
   • Type-C USB port
   • Black, Blue and Gold color options

2. Why is everyone talking about this mobile?

   • Mi A series comes with pure Android with Android One support, made for those who love to have clean Android experience, with regular updates.

3. What kind of AI does it have?

   • Not much. And anyways, AI is heavily misused and abused term in mobile world.

4. What is the price and where is it available?

   • Pricing details are not revealed yet. Entry level variant should cost betweeen 15k and 20k and top end should not be above 20k.

5. Does it have dedicated SD card slot?

   • No, there is no SD card slot. Pick the one with 64GB or 128GB of storage and make good use of cloud storage.

6. Does it have water resistance?

   • No, there is no water resistance for this phone.

7. Is the Display protected by any toughened glass?

   • Yes, Xiaomi did not mention which version of Gorilla Glass is used.

8. Does the camera support portrait mode?

   • Yes, there is intelligent portrait mode that Xiaomi calls AI portrait.

9. Does the camera support video shooting in 4k mode?

   • Yes, at 30fps frame rate.

10. What is the software version on this mobile?

    • Android 8 Oreo stock Android

11. What is the battery capacity and type of charger with this mobile?

    • There is a 3010mAh battery. Fast charger is not bundled with the phone and to enable fast charging, you have to purchase compatible charger in the market. India variant will support hyper fast Quick Charge 4.0 (using third party charger).

12. Does it have fingerprint and face unlock?

    • Yes. There is a fingerprint reader on the back side of the phone.

13. How strong is the phone?

    • Xiaomi Mi A2 comes with full metal body. Pop on a tempered glass on the display and you will have a solid phone in hand.

14. Are there animojis on this phone?

    • No, not yet.

15. How are software updates?

    • Xiaomi Mi A2 comes with stock android and is labelled Android One phone. This means that the phone will get update at better pace compared to MIUI OS phones.