WHY Buy a Chinese Phone?

The video investigates why someone would choose a Chinese phone, focusing on the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 and how it stacks up against other flagship devices. The reviewer highlights the Mi Mix 2’s design a nearly bezel–less, ceramic–back build that feels premium and stands out visually, while noting practical tradeoffs such as a glass back, absence of a headphone jack, and the hardware that keeps the price attractive compared with top-tier brands. On performance, the Mi Mix 2 is praised for its Snapdragon 845 processor, up to eight gigs of RAM, and up to 256 gigs of storage, which Linus argues places it in flagship territory for hundreds of dollars less than mainstream brands like Apple or Samsung. The video also compares camera performance with rivals, acknowledging that while the Mi Mix 2s can deliver impressive stills in ideal conditions, it struggles in low light and can introduce noise, with results that sometimes favor the Mi Mix 2s over some competitors but lag behind the best in class. In terms of software, the MIUI experience is a frequent sticking point; Linus points out bloat and usability quirks that hinder the daily experience, such as messaging and notification handling, app installation hurdles, and less intuitive multitasking compared with Google’s or OnePlus’s software philosophies. He also notes that while the hardware is compelling, the software experience is where Xiaomi most needs improvement, suggesting that Xiaomi could learn from OnePlus’s software approach. The overall takeaway is that the Mi Mix 2 offers strong hardware value and design, but the software experience and some user annoyances may prevent it from being the perfect daily driver, depending on the user’s tolerance for MIUI quirks and ecosystem differences.

Topics · smartphones · technology · reviews · consumer electronics