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Xiaomi Mi MIX official: 6.4-inch ceramic monster with high-end specs and a 91.3% screen-to-body ratio

By Ben Reid

Updated: Oct 25, 2016, 9:09 AM

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Android Xiaomi

Xiaomi has just taken the wraps off a gargantuan 6.4-inch phablet with a 91.3 percent screen-to-body ratio

Following the launch of the Mi Note 2, Xiaomi has thrown in a massive surprise in every sense of the word with a 6.4-inch device comprised of ceramic. The handset, designed in collaboration with French designer Philippe Starck, offers an almost completely edge-to-edge finish that been two years in the design and what's more, it'll be available from next month.

Xiaomi has been quietly chipping away at the big guns of the market like Apple and Samsung for a number of years. But the Mi MIX makes a statement that suggests Xiaomi is not quite content with playing in the shadows, and wants to take the game to the industry leaders.

The Mi MIX includes a Snapdragon 821 SoC clocked at 2.35 GHz, 4 GB LPDDR4 RAM and 128 GB storage. There's also a Pro model touting the same chipset, 6 gigs of RAM, 256 GB storage and an 18k gold trim around the rear fingerprint sensor and camera.

Many have asked for a 'true' edge-to-edge phablet, and boy, has xiaomi delivered

The Mi MIX includes a 4400 mAh battery under the hood which, whilst large, is seemingly necessary given the sheer size of the device's footprint. Said battery gets Quick Charge 3.0 support and like the Mi Note 2, the Mi MIX duo includes support for 192 kHz / 24-bit audio.

As is the case with the Mi Note 2, the Mi MIX duo includes NFC support and USB Type-C connectivity. As for the measurements, both models are 158.8 mm x 81.9 mm x 7.9 mm, and weigh 209 grams.

You may be wondering: how do I put this slab of ceramic to my ear and make calls? A nifty piece of tech described as 'cantilever piezoelectric ceramic acoustic technology' takes place of the regular earpiece. In layman's terms, this new implementation beams vibrations right through the glass, so you can listen to a call without the traditional gap for a speaker. This, friends, is what you call innovation.

The Mi MIX also touts an ultrasonic proximity sensor beneath the display, as opposed to the usual infrared sensor. In short, the device will still know to dim the display when it's being held up against your face.

The Xiaomi Mi MIX is quite unlike anything seen in the smartphone industry before now

As well as being 6.4 inches in diameter -- comfortably larger than the display any other high-end phablet we could care to name -- the panel offers a 1080 x 2040 resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio for viewing. There's a software-based Quick Ball feature for ease-of-navigation, which automatically hides when not in use.

The main camera is a 16-megapixel offering complete with PDAF. As we mentioned earlier, the rear shooter is also accompanied by a circular fingerprint sensor. The front-facing camera is not located in a traditional spot thanks to the display; the 5-megapixel selfie shooter is placed near the bottom, where a very lonely slice of bezel is retained.

unlike the global mi note 2, there's no mention of an int'l version of the mi mix

The 4 GB / 128 GB model will cost 3499 Yuan ($517) while the Pro variant with 6 GB RAM, 256 GB storage and gold trim will retail for 3999 Yuan ($590). It will be available to the Chinese market from November 4th, and will ship with a leather case in tow. Registrations have already begun, and we suspect this device will pique the interest of quite a few consumers.

Where the Mi Note 2 will offer a global edition that paves the way for an eventual launch in Europe, the United States and other locations, Xiaomi has given no indication that the Mi MIX will do likewise. If you're particularly keen on the device and don't live in China, you'll probably be able to score yourself a unit online when it becomes available. But once you consider the import fees on a device that will retail for $500-$600 anyway, you'll be paying a significant premium for the privilege.

The Xiaomi Mi MIX has definitely gotten us out of our chairs, but what do you make of it? Have a peek through the gallery below and be sure to share your first impressions in the comments.

source: Xiaomi

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Ben Reid is known for his extensive coverage of mobile technology updates, product launches, and detailed reviews of the latest smartphones, helping tech enthusiasts stay ahead with timely and accurate information.