Xiaomi announced its first 5G-ready smartphone, Mi MIX 3 5G. To be available in select markets in May, Mi MIX 3 5G brings 5G wireless technology to Mi MIX 3, using the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform with the Snapdragon X50 modem for unleashing 5G experience.
In China, Mi 9 was also announced for other global markets. Mi 9 is Xiaomi’s latest flagship, featuring an AI triple camera, class-leading 20W wireless charging and unimaginable performance powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform.
Xiaomi set its sights on a 5G solution as early as in May 2016 by establishing a team to deep dive on 5G standards and to start exploratory research. As a participant of 5G trials organized by China Mobile, Xiaomi tested n78 signal connection in September 2018, and completed mmWave (millimeter wave) signal test one month later. By that time, only a handful of smartphone manufacturers in the world had successfully conducted such testings.
Xiaomi first developed numerous strategic 5G partnerships with key service providers across the globe, such as 3, Sunrise, TIM, Vodafone and many more. The next step was to make 5G devices available to consumers, and to achieve that Xiaomi had been working with some of these carriers since the early stages of Mi MIX 3 5G development.
With the official announcement of Mi MIX 3 5G, Xiaomi is now one of the first smartphone manufacturers to produce a 5G phone for commercial use.
Integrating the Qualcomm Snapdragon X50 5G modem, Mi MIX 3 5G can connect to sub-6GHz signal that has gigabit-class download speed. Besides, the phone is one of the earliest adopters of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 SoC.
Inside Mi MIX 3 is the newly crowned Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform, built using the latest 7nm process. The Qualcomm Kryo 485 CPU incorporates eight cores. Single core performance is up to 45% faster, a great leap from the previous generation. The Qualcomm Adreno 640 GPU see increased performance by 20% compared to the previous generation, and the fourth-generation Qualcomm AI Engine provides up to three times faster AI performance.
Xiaomi also developed a highly-advanced hybrid cooling system for Mi MIX 3 5G. The Rogers HeatSORB thermal material implements a phase change effect that captures heat generated by the device under demanding scenarios and delays temperature increases. Then, a passive heat pipe composed of six layers of graphite disperses heat at a speed three times faster than a typical dual graphite sheet.
Mi MIX 3 5G inherits the same 12MP AI dual camera from Mi MIX 3, which received a DxOMark photo score of 108, and features all the AI features, including 960 fps slow-motion video capabilities. For selfies, Mi MIX 3 5G offers a 24MP + 2MP dual camera setup, making great use of Sony’s IMX576 sensor to capture more detail. The camera is managed by the Qualcomm Spectra 380 ISP for a speedy and power efficient camera experience so you can get more shots per charge.
Mi MIX 3 5G uses Xiaomi’s patented magnetic slider.
The screen is a 6.39” 2340 x 1080 FHD+ Samsung AMOLED display with an aspect ratio of 19.5:9.
Mi MIX 3 5G will be available in May, with a starting price of €599, in Onyx Black and Sapphire Blue.
Mi 9 is Xiaomi’s first flagship with an AI triple camera, with the main camera utilizing 48-megapixel Sony IMX586 1/2″ sensor. Users can choose to shoot high-resolution 48-megapixel images, or in low-light conditions, take even clearer and brighter photos as Mi 9 will combine four pixels to one, resulting in very sensitive 1.6μm large pixels. The AI triple camera combination of the main camera, 16-megapixel ultra wide-angle camera, and a 12-megapixel telephoto camera gave Mi 9 a score of 107 by the DxOMark website, giving it the second highest score of all tested smartphones. In addition, a video score of 99 puts it at number one on DxOMark for video capture.
Mi 9 has an all-curved back cover design. The all-curved design is inspired by the works of architect Antoni Gaudi, and has been certified by The Gaudi Academia of Knowledge.
On the front, Mi 9 sports a 6.39-inch 19.5:9 Samsung AMOLED Dot Drop display. Under this display is a new and improved in-screen fingerprint sensor that unlocks the phone up to 25% faster than the previous generation.
Inside the Mi 9 is a 3300mAh battery, featuring a fast charging solution for both wired and wireless charging. This solution has received certification from German institution TUV Rheinland for quick charging.
The 27W wired charging supports Qualcomm’s QC4+ standard, and enables Mi 9 to charge to 70% in 30 minutes, and fully charge in 60 mins. When used with the new 20W version of Mi Wireless Charging Pad, Mi 9 can fully charge in 90 minutes.
Xiaomi also announced Mi LED Smart Bulb. Featuring 16 million colors and adjustable color temperature and brightness, users will be able to control the lights remotely with Mi Home app. Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa at the moment, Mi LED Smart Bulb will also support Apple Home Kit in Q2 2019.
