The Xiaomi Mi 2S, a pioneer in its time, faces off against the Samsung Galaxy Note8, a powerhouse of modern smartphone technology. This comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and overall value to determine which device holds up best in a modern context. Prepare for a battle of generations!
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Note8 decisively wins this comparison. While the Mi 2S was impressive for its era, the Note8's superior processing power, vastly improved camera, stunning display, and exceptional battery life make it the clear victor. It's a testament to how far smartphone technology has advanced.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, April. Released 2013, April | 2017, August 23. Released 2017, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 126 x 62 x 10.2 mm (4.96 x 2.44 x 0.40 in) | 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 145 g (5.11 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~342 ppi density) | 1440 x 2960 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~521 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~65.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 101.1 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, HDR10 |
| | - | 3D Touch (home button only)
Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Mongoose M2 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) - EMEAOcta-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) - USA & China |
| Chipset | Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon S4 Pro | Exynos 8895 (10 nm) - EMEAQualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) - USA & China |
| GPU | Adreno 320 | Mali-G71 MP20 - EMEAAdreno 540 - USA & China |
| OS | Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.4 (KitKat), MIUI 5 | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, AF, OIS, 2x optical zoom |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 (16 GB version)
13 MP, f/2.2, AF (32 GB version) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 720p@90fps, HDR | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@240fps, stereo sound rec., HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.22µm, AF
2 MP (dedicated iris scanner camera) |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 32-bit/384kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Iris scanner, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | - | Samsung DeX (desktop experience support)
ANT+
Bixby natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired, QC2
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | Up to 45 h | Up to 74 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 450 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 15 h (3G) | Up to 22 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black/white, black/blue, black/yellow, black/green, black/pink | Midnight Black, Maple Gold, Orchid Gray, Deep Sea Blue, Star Pink |
| Models | - | SM-N950F, SM-N950U, SM-N9500, SM-N950U1, SM-N950N, SM-N950W, SC-01K, SM-N950FD |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 500 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.61 W/kg (head) 0.56 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.17 W/kg (head) 1.29 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.5dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 89h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.148(sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 67dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 71dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 201065 (v7)
GeekBench: 6784 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -92.5dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 89h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.148(sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 67dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 71dB |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 201065 (v7)
GeekBench: 6784 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Mi 2S
- Pioneering Android experience
- Compact size
- Relatively affordable (historically)
- Outdated processor
- Low-resolution display
- Basic camera
- Limited app compatibility
Samsung Galaxy Note8
- Powerful performance
- Excellent camera
- Stunning display
- Long battery life
- Premium design
- Expensive (originally)
- Large size
- Potential for stylus breakage (S Pen)
Display Comparison
The Note8 boasts a significantly superior display. Its AMOLED panel offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles, far surpassing the Mi 2S's IPS LCD. The Note8's contrast ratio, while nominally 'infinite,' delivers exceptional sunlight readability, a feature the Mi 2S lacks.
Camera Comparison
The Note8's camera system is far more advanced. It offers superior image quality, better low-light performance, and more features like optical image stabilization (OIS). The Mi 2S's camera is adequate for basic photography but falls short in comparison.
Performance
The Note8's Exynos 8895 or Snapdragon 835 chipset (depending on region) is a massive leap over the Mi 2S's Snapdragon S4 Pro. The Note8's octa-core processor and 10nm manufacturing process provide significantly faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking. The Mi 2S, while capable for its time, struggles with modern apps and demanding games.
Battery Life
The Note8's endurance rating of 89h is exceptional, indicating a significantly longer battery life than the Mi 2S. While the Mi 2S offered decent battery performance for its time, the Note8's larger battery and more efficient processor provide a substantial advantage.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Xiaomi Mi 2S? Primarily collectors or those interested in experiencing early Android smartphones. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Note8? Anyone seeking a premium smartphone experience with a great camera, powerful performance, and long-lasting battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xiaomi Mi 2S still usable in 2024?
While technically usable, the Mi 2S's outdated hardware and software limit its functionality. App compatibility and performance are significant issues.
❓ What was the Mi 2S known for?
The Mi 2S was notable for its compact design and being one of Xiaomi's early successful smartphones, popularizing the brand globally.
❓ Does the Note8 support 5G?
No, the Note8 does not support 5G. It was released before 5G technology became widespread.
