After teasing both the phones for quite some time, Xiaomi has finally lifted the veil off the two new Android One phones. The Xiaomi Mi A2 and the Mi A2 Lite are the latest phones from the Chinese manufacturer. The company launched them at a ‘Global Launch Event’ in Madrid, Spain. Both the devices look…
After teasing both the phones for quite some time, Xiaomi has finally lifted the veil off the two new Android One phones. The Xiaomi Mi A2 and the Mi A2 Lite are the latest phones from the Chinese manufacturer. The company launched them at a ‘Global Launch Event’ in Madrid, Spain. Both the devices look great on paper, but they are priced differently owing to what’s powering them on the inside. Let’s take a look at what makes them different from each other.
Starting with the pricing, the Mi A2 has been launched in three variants. The 4GB RAM / 32GB storage model has been priced at EUR 249 (approx. Rs. 20,100), 4GB RAM/ 64GB storage model at EUR 279 (approx. Rs. 22,500), and the 6GB RAM/ 128GB storage model at EUR 349 (approx. Rs. 28,100).
On the contrary, the Mi A2 comes in two variants – 3GB RAM/ 32GB storage model at EUR 179 (approx. Rs. 14,400) and the 4GB RAM/ 64GB storage model at EUR 229 (approx. Rs. 18,400).
Concerning display and design, the Mi A2 follows the usual design without the notch on the top. It features a 5.99-inch display with FHD+ 2160×1080 pixels resolution, 18:9 aspect ratio, and 2.5D curved Gorilla Glass for protection. The Mi A2 Lite, on the other hand, comes with a 5.84-inch notched full-HD+ display at 1080×2280 pixels resolutions and 19:9 aspect ratio.
In the performance segment, the Mi A2 is powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 660 chipset clubbed with 3GB/4GB/6GB of RAM and 32GB/64GB/128GB storage options. The internal storage on the phone can be further expanded up to 256GB via microSD card. A 3010mAh battery completes the package with support for QuickCharge 3.0 that enables it to charge from zero to 50 percent in just 30 minutes. Connectivity options on the Mi A2 include 4G LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, Miracast, USB Type-C port, Bluetooth 5.0, and an IR emitter. It must be noted that the Mi A2 ditches the 3.5mm audio jack for the USB Type-C audio connectivity.
The Mi A2 Lite settles for the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor coupled 3GB/4GB of RAM and 32GB/64GB of storage options. The onboard storage on the Mi A2 Lite can also be further expanded up to 256GB via microSD card. It is backed by a 4000mAh battery and offers connectivity options like 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS/ A-GPS, Micro-USB, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Unlike the Mi A2, the Mi A2 does not include USB Type-C port.
On the software front, both the phones are a part of Google’s Android One program and run stock Android 8.1 Oreo. Besides, both the phones have rear-mounted fingerprint sensors.
For optics, the Mi A2 sports a 20MP ‘AI Selfie Camera’ with Soft-LED flash, Sony IMX486 sensor, and f/1.75 aperture. The front camera is also equipped with AI-assisted features such as Portrait Mode, AI Background Bokeh, and AI Smart Beauty 4.0. On the rear, there is a 12MP+20MP dual camera setup, wherein the primary lens bears Sony IMX486 sensor with f/1.75 aperture while the secondary sensor has Sony IMX376 sensor and f/1.75 aperture. Additionally, the rear camera setup has dual-tone LED flash and phase-detection autofocus (PDAF). It also supports Face Unlock features. The rear camera also supports AI-backed Portrait Mode.
The Mi A2 packs a 12MP+5MP dual camera set up at the rear with PDAF and AI Portrait Mode. There is a 5MP selfie snapper on the front with Portrait Mode that brings bokeh effect. It does not support the Face Unlock feature.
At the event, Xiaomi claimed that the Mi A2 Lite is an entry-level Android One smartphone aimed at the budget-conscious buyers. The Mi A2, on the other hand, has been put into the mid-range category with a better camera and processor than the Mi A2 Lite. It all boils down to how much money you are willing to spend on an Android One smartphone from Xiaomi.
As of now, we do not know much regarding when the Indian launch of the Mi A2 will happen. But Xiaomi did mention that India will get the device in the first phase of the global rollout. The Mi A2 Lite will also launch globally soon but Xiaomi confirmed that the device will not make its way to India. Stay tuned with us to get more information about it.
