Xiaomi Mix 4 vs. Mi Mix 2: A Generational Leap?

Xiaomi's Mi Mix series has always been about pushing boundaries with innovative designs and cutting-edge technology. The Mi Mix 2 was a landmark phone, and the Mix 4 represents a significant evolution. But is the upgrade worth it? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Mix 4 is the clear winner, boasting vastly superior performance, charging speeds, and camera capabilities. However, the Mi Mix 2 remains a surprisingly capable device, especially for budget-conscious users seeking long battery life and a unique design. The Mix 4's price is a significant factor.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Mix 4 Xiaomi Mi Mix 2
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 421, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, August 102017, September. Released 2017, September
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 16Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), ceramic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 4), ceramic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 4), ceramic back, ceramic frame - 128/8 GB model
Dimensions162.6 x 75.4 x 8 mm (6.40 x 2.97 x 0.31 in)151.8 x 75.5 x 7.7 mm (5.98 x 2.97 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight225 g (7.94 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistant-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 4
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)5.99 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (HBM)IPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 540
OSAndroid 11, MIUI 12.5Android 7.1 (Nougat), planned upgrade to Android 10, MIUI 12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 3.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single20 MP, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm, under display12 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF, 4-axis OIS
Triple108 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/4.1, 120mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 12mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm-
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single20 MP, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm, under display5 MP, f/2.0
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
 Ultra Wideband (UWB) supportVirtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 15 min 50W wireless, 100% in 28 min18W wired, QC3
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Ion 3400 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsCeramic Black, Ceramic White, Shadow GrayBlack, White
Models2106118CMDE5
PriceAbout 660 EURAbout 410 EUR
SAR-0.39 W/kg (head)     1.77 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 65h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1287 (nominal), 3.19 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker- Voice 67dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 82dB
Performance- GeekBench: 6234 (v4.4) GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Mix 4

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging
  • Powerful Snapdragon 888+ chipset
  • Vibrant AMOLED display with 120Hz
  • Improved camera performance
  • 5G Connectivity

  • Higher price point
  • Potentially larger size and weight
  • No headphone jack

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2

  • Excellent battery life (65h endurance)
  • Compact and ergonomic design
  • Affordable price
  • Good sunlight visibility

  • Outdated Snapdragon 835 chipset
  • Slower charging speeds
  • Lower camera quality
  • IPS LCD display (less vibrant than AMOLED)

Display Comparison

The Mix 4 features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth scrolling. The Mi Mix 2 has a 5.99-inch IPS LCD display. While both have impressive contrast ratios (1287 nominal, 3.19 sunlight), the Mix 4's AMOLED technology provides a noticeably better viewing experience, especially in direct sunlight and with HDR content. The higher refresh rate on the Mix 4 also contributes to a more fluid user experience.

Camera Comparison

The Mix 4's camera system is a substantial upgrade. While specific specs are missing, the 888+ chipset enables advanced computational photography features and improved image processing. The Mi Mix 2's camera is decent for its time, but struggles in low-light conditions and lacks the dynamic range of the Mix 4. The Mix 4 likely offers better video recording capabilities as well.

Performance

The Snapdragon 888+ in the Mix 4 delivers a massive performance boost over the Mi Mix 2's Snapdragon 835. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Mix 4. The Mix 4's 5nm process also contributes to improved power efficiency despite the increased performance.

Battery Life

The Mi Mix 2 surprisingly holds its own with an endurance rating of 65 hours. However, the Mix 4's 120W wired charging and 50W wireless charging offer unparalleled convenience. While the Mi Mix 2's battery life is impressive, the Mix 4's charging speed allows for incredibly quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Mix 4 is ideal for power users, photography enthusiasts, and those who prioritize fast charging and the latest technology. The Mi Mix 2 is a good choice for users on a tighter budget who value long battery life and a compact design, and don't need the absolute latest features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xiaomi Mix 4 worth the upgrade from a Mi Mix 2?
If you prioritize performance, camera quality, and fast charging, then yes, the Mix 4 is a worthwhile upgrade. However, if you're on a tight budget and value long battery life, the Mi Mix 2 remains a viable option.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Mix 4 have a headphone jack?
No, the Xiaomi Mix 4 does not have a headphone jack. You'll need to use USB-C headphones or a dongle.