Guangzhou Yunge Tianhong Electronic Technology Co., Ltd , http://www.e-cigaretteyfactory.com
Can a big screen phone really hold it? Millet Max2 standard version of the open box evaluation
Foreword
When I first got my hands on the first generation of the Xiaomi Max, I was excited to try something new. However, since I was used to using smaller phones at the time, the larger size took some getting used to. It felt bulky and awkward to carry around. Fast forward to the second generation, Xiaomi has come out with the Xiaomi Max 2. With its massive 5300mAh battery and a rear camera equipped with the Sony IMX386 sensor (the same as the Xiaomi 6), it certainly caught my attention. While I hesitated a bit due to the Snapdragon 625 processor and the large screen, I eventually decided to give it a shot. If it didn't work out, I could always return it.
Purchase Link:
[Buy Xiaomi Max 2 on JD.com](http://www.jd.com)
Unboxing
The packaging for the Xiaomi Max 2 is a departure from the first generation's "Big Screen Phone" design. Instead, it follows the minimalist white aesthetic seen in the Xiaomi 6, featuring a central orange Xiaomi logo. The back of the box still includes a sticker with product details and highlights. On the side of the box, it clearly states "Xiaomi Max 2," which is helpful for those unfamiliar with Xiaomi's lineup.
Opening the box, the phone's size is immediately apparent. It practically fills the entire box, making it seem even larger. The packaging includes a soft protective sponge above the phone, which feels more secure than the previous cardboard design.
Below the phone, you'll find the user manual, warranty card, charger, and data cable. Interestingly, there’s no protective case inside the box, likely due to the phone's positioning.
The charger and data cable ditch the traditional black design for a more elegant white finish. The charger's USB interface is accented with a gray ring, which adds a touch of freshness compared to the usual black. The charger supports up to 12V 1.5A, delivering 18W of fast charging.
The manual provides basic instructions for using the phone. It’s straightforward but lacks practical value. Note that the SIM ejector tool is tucked inside the manual—otherwise, a paperclip can be used as a substitute.
First Impressions
The first thing I noticed about the Xiaomi Max 2 was how large the screen is. Even with my relatively large palms, holding it one-handed proved difficult. The phone measures 174.1mm x 88.7mm x 7.6mm, making it roughly the same width as an iPad Air 2.
The top of the front face mirrors the first generation's symmetrical design, featuring the front camera, earpiece, and proximity sensor. Unlike before, the handset now doubles as a speaker, creating a stereo sound experience.
The bezels around the screen are narrower than on the first generation, which shows improvement in manufacturing processes. However, upon closer inspection, the bezels appear slightly wider than on the original Max. Overall, the screen-to-body ratio hasn’t improved significantly.
The 2.5D curved glass screen is not directly attached to the metal frame. Instead, a white plastic edge separates the screen from the body, a common design choice among modern smartphones.
The front retains the first generation’s design, without a fingerprint sensor. Beneath the screen, there are three traditional capacitive buttons: Menu, Home, and Back. Given the large screen, placing the fingerprint sensor below the display might have been a better choice.
On the top of the phone, you’ll find a 3.5mm headphone jack and an infrared blaster, though the overall layout isn’t perfectly symmetrical.
At the bottom, the phone features a symmetrical design with the USB Type-C port in the center. Surrounding the port are six tiny holes: two microphones on the left and a speaker on the right. When the speaker is active, only the right side emits sound. The exposed screws on either side of the charging port make it easier to disassemble the phone. The bottom design, combined with the curved edges, gives the phone an Apple-like aesthetic.
The volume and power buttons are on the right, and the SIM card tray is on the left. The tray is a hybrid dual-SIM/microSD slot, supporting Nano-SIM, Micro-SIM, and microSD cards.
The phone’s back sports a unibody metal design, offering a significant improvement over the first generation in terms of both appearance and feel. The antenna bands are discreetly hidden at the top and bottom, maintaining a uniform look. The fingerprint scanner is positioned centrally near the top, while the dual-tone flash and camera are located in the upper-left corner. The rear camera uses the same Sony IMX386 sensor as the Xiaomi 6 but lacks optical image stabilization.
Below the back is the Xiaomi logo, the sole branding element on the phone.
Display Quality
The screen resolution is 1920x1080 with a pixel density of 342 PPI, a contrast ratio of 1000:1, a 72% NTSC color gamut, and a brightness of 450 nits. Despite being a 1080p display, it doesn’t appear grainy on the 6.44-inch screen.
System Experience
Lock Screen & Home Screen
The phone runs MIUI 8, based on Android 7.1.1. The home screen icons are arranged in a 4x6 grid, with an option to switch to a 5x6 layout. The lock screen has evolved into a swipe-based unlock mechanism. Changing themes allows you to customize the unlock animation. Icons are simple and functional, with no major complaints.
System Specifications
The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor clocked at up to 2.0GHz, which is adequate for everyday tasks. The RAM is 4GB LPDDR3, and internal storage is 64GB EMMC 5.1, providing approximately 55.38GB of usable space.
RAM Usage
With 10 apps open, around 1.5GB of RAM remains available. Clearing all background apps leaves about 2GB free. For regular use—browsing the web, chatting on WeChat, shopping on Taobao—this is sufficient. As someone who doesn’t frequently play games or watch videos, I haven’t tested performance in these areas.
Signal Strength & Wi-Fi
In urban areas, the phone maintains decent signal strength. However, in suburban regions with weaker signals, the phone struggles noticeably, sometimes losing connection entirely. This is a step down from the Redmi Pro, which handles weak signals better. Similarly, Wi-Fi reception isn’t as strong as on the Redmi Pro. Next-door office Wi-Fi works fine on the Redmi Pro, but on the Xiaomi Max 2, the signal is often patchy, sometimes even failing to connect.
System Features
Garbage Cleanup
MIUI’s built-in security center does a decent job of cleaning up junk files. This eliminates the need for third-party cleaning apps, which are now standard across most smartphone brands.
App Promotion
Advertisements are pervasive throughout the system. During app updates, subtle prompts encourage software installations. If you don’t act quickly, the app may install itself, requiring manual removal. This issue has persisted for a long time. MIUI 8 offers no hope of improvement. We hope MIUI 9 addresses this problem more effectively.
Weather Forecast
The bundled weather app includes a 15-day trend forecast and real-time updates. While the predictions are sometimes accurate, they’re far from perfect and should be taken as a reference.
One-Handed Mode
Given the phone’s size, single-handed operation is impractical. However, one-handed mode is available in the settings. Users can select from three screen sizes: 4.5", 4.0", and 3.5". Once activated, swiping from the home button to the menu or back button triggers the mode. A smaller screen appears on either side of the display, enabling one-handed use. This feature is useful in specific situations.
Double-tap Wake-Up and Floating Ball
Both features were present in the first-generation Xiaomi Max. The double-tap wake-up function consistently failed for me, possibly due to the screen protector. The floating ball has been upgraded with an auto-hide feature in full-screen apps.
Charging & Battery Life
When using the included smart charger, a circled lightning icon appears in the upper-right corner of the screen during fast charging. With a regular charger, only a single lightning bolt is displayed.
Under heavy usage, the Xiaomi Max 2 lasted a day and two hours with 48% battery remaining. Under normal use, the battery easily lasts two days or more. In terms of power consumption, the system and screen are the biggest drains.
The phone supports fast charging 3.0+ parallel charging technology and can charge iPhones as well. From 51% charge, it reached 92% in just one hour, but fully charging from 0 takes over two hours.
Camera Performance
Outdoor photos in well-lit environments are sharp and detailed. However, low-light shots reveal noticeable noise when zoomed in. Many users accept this trade-off given the phone’s price point. The rear camera uses the Sony IMX386 sensor, which is a nice touch, but the f/2.2 aperture is inferior to the f/1.8 aperture on the Xiaomi 6.
Conclusion
The Xiaomi Max 2’s standout feature is undoubtedly its large screen, continuing the 6.44-inch display from the first generation. The 74.03% screen-to-body ratio leaves room for improvement, and initial use can be uncomfortable. Over time, you’ll adjust and find it hard to go back to smaller screens. The 5300mAh battery is impressive, offering extended battery life, particularly for heavy users.
The Snapdragon 625 processor is a limitation, though the rear camera’s Sony IMX386 sensor is a welcome addition. The lack of optical image stabilization and a smaller f/2.2 aperture compared to the f/1.8 on the Xiaomi 6 detracts from its appeal.
Both mobile signal and Wi-Fi performance are disappointing. Online reviews echo these concerns. In today’s market, Xiaomi’s mid-range phones sell for around 1999 yuan. Two years ago, 1999 yuan could buy flagship-level processors. As prices rise and manufacturers focus on profit margins, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to afford high-end Xiaomi phones at this price point in the future.