Xiaomi Mi 2 vs Mi 2S: Features and Upgrades

Xiaomi Mi 2 / Mi 2S

The Xiaomi Mi 2 and Xiaomi Mi 2S are flagship Android smartphones released by Xiaomi Inc., marking the brand’s breakthrough into the high-end smartphone market. The Mi 2 launched in August 2012, and its upgraded variant, the Mi 2S, followed in April 2013. Positioned as “high-performance flagship at a mid-range price”, these devices revolutionized the Chinese smartphone market with their top-tier hardware specifications and affordable pricing, establishing Xiaomi’s reputation as a disruptor in the industry. The Mi 2/2S became iconic for popularizing the “internet phone” model (online-only sales, flash sales) and laying the foundation for Xiaomi’s global expansion.

1. Key Specifications (Mi 2 vs. Mi 2S)

Category	Xiaomi Mi 2	Xiaomi Mi 2S
Display	4.3-inch IPS LCD; 1280×720 HD resolution (342 ppi); Corning Gorilla Glass 2; capacitive multi-touch (up to 10 fingers)	4.3-inch IPS LCD; 1280×720 HD resolution (342 ppi); Corning Gorilla Glass 2; identical to Mi 2
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 (4-core Krait 300, 1.5 GHz); Adreno 320 GPU; 2 GB LPDDR2 RAM	Two variants:- Standard: Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T (4-core Krait 300, 1.7 GHz); Adreno 320 GPU; 2 GB LPDDR2 RAM- Special Edition (16 GB): Same as standard; 32 GB edition upgraded to Snapdragon 600
Storage	16 GB / 32 GB internal storage; no microSD expansion	16 GB / 32 GB internal storage; no microSD expansion
Camera System	Rear: 8 MP CMOS sensor (f/2.0 aperture, autofocus, LED flash); 1080p video recording at 30 fpsFront: 2 MP sensor (f/2.2 aperture); 720p video recording	Rear:- 16 GB edition: 8 MP (same as Mi 2)- 32 GB edition: 13 MP CMOS sensor (f/2.2 aperture), improved low-light performance; 1080p video at 30 fpsFront: 2 MP (same as Mi 2)
Battery	2,000 mAh non-removable lithium-ion battery; up to 10 hours of talk time; 20 W fast charging support	2,000 mAh non-removable lithium-ion battery; identical to Mi 2
Operating System	Initially shipped with MIUI V4 (based on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich); upgradable to MIUI V5 (Android 4.1 Jelly Bean)	Initially shipped with MIUI V5 (based on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean); officially upgradable to MIUI 7 (Android 4.4 KitKat); unofficial custom ROMs support Android 7.0 Nougat
Connectivity	GSM/WCDMA; Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.0; NFC; GPS/GLONASS; micro-USB 2.0 port; 3.5 mm headphone jack	Identical to Mi 2
Design & Dimensions	Plastic unibody; rounded edges; dimensions: 126×62×10.2 mm; weight: 145 g; color options: Black, White	Identical design to Mi 2; same dimensions and weight; color options: Black, White
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, ambient light sensor	Identical to Mi 2

2. Core Features & Improvements (Mi 2S over Mi 2)

2.1 Performance Upgrade

The most significant upgrade of the Mi 2S was the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor (1.7 GHz) in place of the Mi 2’s Snapdragon S4 Pro (1.5 GHz). The Snapdragon 600 delivered a 20% faster CPU performance and 10% better GPU efficiency, enabling smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and improved gaming performance for titles like Asphalt 7: Heat and Temple Run 2.

2.2 Camera Enhancement (32 GB Edition Exclusive)

The 32 GB variant of the Mi 2S featured a 13 MP rear camera (up from 8 MP on the Mi 2 and 16 GB Mi 2S), with a larger sensor size and f/2.2 aperture. This upgrade significantly improved low-light photography, reduced image noise, and enhanced dynamic range for outdoor shots. The 13 MP camera also supported higher-resolution photo output (4128×3096 pixels) for better detail preservation.

2.3 Software Polishing

The Mi 2S launched with MIUI V5, which refined the user interface with a more intuitive design, improved battery management, and enhanced customization options (themes, widgets, font styles). MIUI V5 also introduced features like cloud sync, app lock, and spam call filtering—functionality that was rare for Android skins at the time.

3. Market Position & Reception

Target Audience: Tech enthusiasts, budget-conscious flagship seekers, and early adopters in China and emerging markets. The Mi 2/2S competed directly with high-end devices like the Samsung Galaxy S III and HTC One X, but at half the price (Mi 2 launched at ¥1,999 for 16 GB, Mi 2S at ¥1,999 for 16 GB / ¥2,299 for 32 GB).
Critical Reception: Praised for its flagship-level hardware, smooth performance, and MIUI’s user-friendly features; criticized for its plastic build quality, non-removable battery, and online-only flash sale model (which led to stock shortages and scalping).
Sales Performance: The Mi 2 sold over 10 million units globally, making it Xiaomi’s first mass-market flagship hit. The Mi 2S continued this success, with over 5 million units sold within 6 months of release, solidifying Xiaomi’s position as a top smartphone vendor in China.

4. Legacy & Discontinuation

The Mi 2/2S were discontinued in 2014 with the launch of the Xiaomi Mi 3, but their legacy as Xiaomi’s “breakthrough flagships” endures in the brand’s product philosophy of “high-quality, affordable technology”.

The Mi 2/2S marked Xiaomi’s transition from a niche brand to a mainstream competitor, proving that high-performance smartphones could be sold at affordable prices. The “internet phone” model pioneered by these devices was later adopted by other Chinese brands like Huawei Honor and Lenovo ZUK.

Official software support ended with MIUI 7 (Android 4.4 KitKat) in 2015, but the Mi 2/2S remained popular among custom ROM enthusiasts, who developed unofficial builds for newer Android versions (up to Android 7.0 Nougat).