The Xiaomi Mi 6 and Mi 6 Plus were formidable flagships in their time, offering premium features at competitive prices. But which one truly comes out on top? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you decide which phone is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Mi 6 Plus offers a slightly larger display and potentially better multitasking due to its increased RAM. However, the Mi 6 boasts QC3 fast charging and a very similar overall experience. It's a close call, with the Mi 6 often considered the better value due to its slightly lower price and QC3.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2017, April. Released 2017, April |
| Status | Cancelled | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | - | 145.2 x 70.5 x 7.5 mm (5.72 x 2.78 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 168 g / 182 g (Ceramic) (5.93 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | To be confirmed | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~428 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 | 5.15 inches, 73.1 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 540 | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), MIUI 8 | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), MIUI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF, 4-axis OIS
12 MP, f/2.6, 52mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, AF, 2x optical zoom |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF, 4-axis OIS
12 MP, f/2.6, 52mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, AF, 2x optical zoom | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3350 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Gray, Gold, Rose Gold | Ceramic Black, Black, Blue, White |
| Models | - | MCE16 |
| Price | - | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.41 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.3dB / Crosstalk -90.9dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 80h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1305:1 (nominal), 3.767 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 84dB
|
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 6719 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Mi 6 Plus
- Slightly larger display
- Potentially better multitasking (6GB RAM)
- Premium build quality
- Slower charging (18W)
- Potentially higher price
- No significant performance advantage over Mi 6
Xiaomi Mi 6
- QC3 Fast Charging
- Excellent battery life (80h endurance)
- Slightly more affordable
- Compact size
- Smaller display compared to Plus
- Potentially less RAM (4GB option)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5.15-inch display, but the Mi 6 Plus has a slightly larger footprint. Both offer excellent contrast ratios (1305:1 nominal, 3.767 in sunlight), providing vibrant and clear visuals. The Mi 6 Plus's slightly larger size might be preferable for media consumption, but the difference is minimal.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature dual-lens rear cameras, delivering impressive image quality for their time. While specific camera specs are not detailed, both are capable of capturing detailed photos and videos. Low-light performance is generally good, but not exceptional. The Mi 6's camera software might have slightly better optimization.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Snapdragon 835 chipset and Octa-core CPU, ensuring smooth performance for most tasks. The Mi 6 Plus often came with 6GB of RAM compared to the Mi 6's 4GB or 6GB, potentially offering a slight edge in multitasking and handling demanding apps. However, real-world performance differences are likely to be subtle.
Battery Life
The Mi 6 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 80 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. While the Mi 6 Plus's battery capacity isn't explicitly stated, it's likely comparable. The Mi 6's QC3 fast charging provides a significant advantage over the Mi 6 Plus's 18W wired charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Mi 6 Plus is ideal for users who prioritize a larger screen and potentially smoother multitasking. The Xiaomi Mi 6 is a great choice for those seeking a well-rounded flagship experience with fast charging and a slightly more budget-friendly price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mi 6 Plus worth the extra money?
It depends on your priorities. If you value a slightly larger screen and potentially smoother multitasking, the Mi 6 Plus might be worth it. However, the Mi 6 offers excellent value with QC3 charging and a similar overall experience.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Xiaomi Mi 6 has a documented endurance rating of 80 hours, suggesting superior battery life. While the Mi 6 Plus's battery is likely comparable, the Mi 6's efficiency gives it the edge.
