Discover the Power and Elegance of Xiaomi Mi6: A Flagship Smartphone with Exceptional Camera Quality

The Xiaomi Mi6 combines sleek aesthetics, a thoughtfully crafted design, high performance, and a host of subtle features, making it one of the most captivating smartphones available today.

Specifications

Display	5.15 inches, IPS, 1920 × 1080 pixels
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (Octa-core)
GPU	Adreno 540
RAM	6 GB
Internal Storage	64 or 128 GB
Main Camera	Dual 12 MP modules (Sony IMX389 sensors)
Front Camera	8 MP
Operating System	Android 7.1.1 with MIUI 8.0
Ports	USB Type-C
SIM	Dual nanoSIM
Wireless Connectivity	Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 LE
Navigation	GPS, A-GPS, BDS
Battery	3350 mAh, Qualcomm Quick Charge 4.0 support
Sensors	Fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, barometer
Dimensions	145.2 × 70.5 × 7.5 mm
Weight	168 g

Design and Usability

Breaking away from the trend of oversized premium smartphones, Xiaomi Mi6 embraces a compact 5.15-inch display, reminiscent of its predecessor Mi5. It offers two premium finishes: a sophisticated ceramic edition and a stylish glass variant.

The ceramic model serves as the flagship option, featuring enhanced hardware and is available exclusively in black. The glass version comes in three attractive colors: black, white, and blue with a golden trim.

Its design echoes the elegance of the Samsung Galaxy S7, with shimmering edges that subtly change hue depending on the lighting. Surprisingly, the black glass version resists fingerprints better than comparable models, despite lacking an oleophobic coating.

The device boasts an ergonomic, streamlined shape that fits comfortably in hand.

The front panel is minimalistic, featuring a front camera, ambient and proximity sensors, a speaker that doubles as a secondary multimedia speaker, and a tri-color notification LED.

Control buttons are ergonomically placed: volume rocker and power button are within thumb reach, and an enhanced ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is positioned between the capacitive back and home keys beneath the display. This upgraded sensor significantly reduces recognition errors, even with wet fingers.

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The bottom edge houses a USB Type-C port with USB 3.1 controller, enabling fast data transfer and pass-through charging with compatible accessories. The top edge features an infrared transmitter for remote control functionality and an additional microphone.

USB Type-C is the sole wired interface, as the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack is omitted—a topic addressed later.

While Xiaomi claims water resistance, specific standards are not disclosed, and testing did not include water exposure.

Initially, the Mi6 may feel slightly heavy and slippery, but its well-designed body ensures a secure and comfortable grip over extended use. However, the smooth surfaces at angled edges may occasionally feel slick.

Display

The Mi6 features an upgraded IPS panel compared to previous Xiaomi models, closely resembling the Mi5s Plus in quality.

This screen delivers outstanding brightness, high contrast, and vibrant colors, performing excellently in both low-light conditions and bright sunlight—offering an experience close to AMOLED without organic LED drawbacks.

Software enhancements further improve eye comfort, with a minimum brightness level equivalent to a single candle, ideal for nighttime use.

The device also includes an enhanced reading mode, which subtly adjusts the display without the typical yellow tint seen in other Xiaomi phones.

Hardware and Performance

As one of the pioneers in adopting Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 chipset, the Mi6 stands out in the flagship category. While many brands announced devices with this processor, only Samsung and Xiaomi made them widely available.

This powerful processor handles all current tasks with ease and offers ample performance headroom for years to come, as confirmed by benchmark results placing Mi6 among the top-performing smartphones.

The chipset also manages heat efficiently, keeping the device temperature below 45°C even under heavy load.

Operating System and Software

Running MIUI based on Android 7.1.1, the Mi6 initially shipped with a Chinese firmware version, but now offers a global edition with enhanced features and localization.

MIUI provides extensive customization options for the user interface, smartphone functionality, connected peripherals, and system behavior in response to various events.

Notable improvements include refined screen algorithms for reading mode and low-light conditions, as well as better power management.

Battery Life

The non-removable 3350 mAh battery offers solid capacity for a flagship device, though it is modest compared to some mid-range Xiaomi models like the Redmi 4 or Redmi Note 4.

Thanks to efficient software and the Snapdragon 835 chipset, the Mi6 delivers impressive battery life: up to 8 hours of continuous video playback at full brightness with wireless features turned off, extending to 14 hours at 25% brightness.

In mixed usage scenarios, the phone easily lasts a full day, with screen-on time exceeding 5 hours at maximum brightness while multitasking with messaging, calls, video streaming, and navigation.

The device supports Quick Charge 4.0, enabling a full charge in just 90 minutes. The charging algorithm prioritizes battery health, reaching 50% in 30 minutes and 80% in 60 minutes.

Cameras

Unlike many Chinese smartphones, the Mi6 excels in photography. Its dual rear camera setup features two 12 MP Sony IMX298 sensors, previously used in Xiaomi devices but now fully optimized.

Equipped with four-axis optical image stabilization, the camera delivers sharp, stable images, especially in low-light conditions and overcast weather—outperforming most competitors in its class.

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The front camera is designed with selfie enthusiasts in mind, producing high-quality images suitable for social media and artistic shots alike.

Audio

Following current trends, Xiaomi Mi6 is the first in the brand’s lineup to feature stereo speakers: a primary speaker on the bottom and an enhanced earpiece speaker.

While the stereo effect is somewhat uneven due to volume differences, software updates may improve this experience.

The audio quality is rich and deep with solid bass, comparable to premium devices like the ZTE Axon 7.

However, the removal of the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack means audio output relies on the USB Type-C port. Fortunately, this port supports USB 3.1, allowing simultaneous charging and wired audio playback.

The package includes an adapter for standard headphones, and Xiaomi offers a USB Type-C hybrid headset for enhanced audio quality.

Wireless Connectivity

The Mi6 supports all modern connectivity standards expected from a flagship device. Bluetooth 5.0 LE ensures low power consumption and extended range, NFC enables mobile payments, and Wi-Fi operates across all common frequency bands with strong signal penetration.

Navigation is supported via GPS, A-GPS, and BDS, with rapid cold start times under 10 seconds. However, GLONASS satellites are not supported.

Some LTE bands, including Band 20, are limited, but during testing in various networks, the Mi6 demonstrated excellent reception and data transmission for voice and internet.

Summary

Advantages:

• Compact and ergonomic design.
• Multiple color options.
• High-quality dual-camera system.
• Modern, energy-efficient processor with long-term performance.
• Rich audio experience via speakers and USB Type-C headphones.

Disadvantages:

• Lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack.
• Fragile glass body.
• Slippery surface finish.
• Battery life shorter than some mid-range Xiaomi models.

The Xiaomi Mi6 is competitively priced at approximately $410 for the 64 GB version and $480 for the 128 GB variant, making it a strong contender against devices like the OnePlus 3T, ZTE Nubia Z17, Mi5s, and Samsung Galaxy S7. While some rivals may offer better battery life or camera performance, the Mi6 delivers a balanced package of power, design, and features tailored for discerning users.

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