Xiaomi has consistently delivered impressive smartphones at competitive prices. The Mi 6 and Mi 6c were both popular choices, but they offer distinct features and performance levels. This comparison will delve into their key differences to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi 6 generally wins due to its Snapdragon 835 chipset, faster charging (QC3), and slightly more mature software. While the Mi 6c boasts the unique Surge S2, the Mi 6's overall performance and features make it the stronger contender for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA & TD-SCDMA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 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 | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~428 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~428 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.15 inches, 73.1 cm2 | 5.15 inches, 73.1 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Xiaomi Surge S2 | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP12 | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 7.1 (Nougat), MIUI 9 | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), MIUI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF, OIS
Auxiliary lens | 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, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Ion, non-removable | Li-Po 3350 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, 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 6c
- Unique Surge S2 chipset
- Potentially more affordable
- Decent battery life
- Weaker performance than Mi 6
- Slower charging
- Less mature software
Xiaomi Mi 6
- Powerful Snapdragon 835 chipset
- Faster charging (QC3)
- More refined camera
- Better overall performance
- Potentially more expensive
- Older model
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a similar display with a contrast ratio of 1305:1 (nominal) and 3.767 in sunlight. However, the Mi 6 might have slightly better color accuracy due to its more mature panel technology. Resolution is likely similar, around 1080p.
Camera Comparison
While both offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Mi 6 likely has a more refined camera system due to Qualcomm's image processing capabilities and potentially better sensors. Expect better low-light performance and more consistent results from the Mi 6.
Performance
The Mi 6's Snapdragon 835 is significantly more powerful than the Mi 6c's Surge S2. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Mi 6. The Mi 6c's Surge S2 is interesting but doesn't match the Snapdragon's raw power.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 80h. However, the Mi 6's 18W QC3 charging offers significantly faster charging speeds compared to the Mi 6c's 10W wired charging.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Mi 6c is a good option for budget-conscious users who appreciate a unique chipset and don't require top-tier performance. The Xiaomi Mi 6 is ideal for those seeking a more powerful and feature-rich experience with faster charging and a proven chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Surge S2 chipset in the Mi 6c any good?
The Surge S2 is a unique chipset developed by Xiaomi, but it doesn't match the performance of the Snapdragon 835 found in the Mi 6. It's adequate for everyday tasks but struggles with demanding applications.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both phones have an impressive endurance rating of 80h, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage.
