Xiaomi Mi 6 Review: Performance Meets Affordability

Xiaomi Mi 6

Overview

The Xiaomi Mi 6 is a flagship smartphone released by Xiaomi on April 19, 2017, as the successor to the Xiaomi Mi 5s. Positioned as the brand’s premium offering for the mid-2017 market, it targeted tech enthusiasts and power users with a sleek dual-glass design, flagship-grade hardware, and a competitive price point—core traits that defined Xiaomi’s “high-quality, cost-effective” flagship DNA. The Mi 6 ran on Android 7.1.1 Nougat with Xiaomi’s MIUI 8 skin at launch, and it received major OS updates up to Android 9.0 Pie, with subsequent security patches. It remains a iconic device among Xiaomi fans for its balanced performance and durable build, often hailed as one of Xiaomi’s most polished flagship models.

Key Technical Specifications

Category	Details
Display	5.15-inch Super AMOLED; 1920×1080 (Full HD) resolution; 428 ppi; 1500:1 contrast ratio; Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protection
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (10nm manufacturing process); octa-core (4×2.45GHz Kryo 280 Gold + 4×1.9GHz Kryo 280 Silver); Adreno 540 GPU
Memory & Storage	RAM: 6GB LPDDR4X (no 4GB variant); Storage: 64GB/128GB/256GB UFS 2.1 (non-expandable)
Camera System	Rear Dual Camera:- 12MP wide-angle sensor (f/1.8 aperture, 1.25μm pixels, OIS, Dual Pixel autofocus)- 12MP telephoto sensor (f/2.6 aperture, 2× optical zoom, portrait mode support)Front Camera: 8MP (f/2.0 aperture, 1.12μm pixels, beauty mode)
Battery & Charging	3350mAh non-removable lithium-ion battery; 18W Quick Charge 3.0 wired fast charging (USB Type-C port); no wireless charging
Connectivity	4G LTE Cat.12 (download) / Cat.13 (upload); Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band); Bluetooth 5.0; NFC (supports Mi Pay and Google Pay); GPS/GLONASS/Beidou; IR blaster (for remote control)
Design & Durability	Dual-sided Corning Gorilla Glass 4 with a 7000-series aluminum alloy frame; IP67 water and dust resistance (unofficial, but widely tested to meet the standard); Dimensions: 145.17×70.49×7.45mm; Weight: 168g
Biometrics	Front-mounted fingerprint sensor (capacitive, 0.2s unlock speed); face recognition (software-based, less secure)
Audio & Extras	Single bottom-firing speaker; 3.5mm headphone jack (last Xiaomi flagship to include this port until later models); MIUI features (App Vault, Second Space, Game Turbo)

Core Features & Innovations

1. Premium Dual-Glass Design

The Xiaomi Mi 6 abandoned the metal unibody of its predecessor and adopted a dual-glass + aluminum frame structure, which was rare among flagship phones at the time. The front and back panels used Gorilla Glass 4, with a curved edge design for improved ergonomics and grip. Available in three color variants—Ceramic Black, Silver, and Blue—the Mi 6 had a minimalist aesthetic that stood out in the crowded 2017 flagship market. The ceramic version (limited edition) featured a harder, more scratch-resistant ceramic back, becoming a sought-after collectible for Xiaomi enthusiasts.

2. Flagship Snapdragon 835 Performance

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835—the first 10nm mobile chipset—the Mi 6 delivered exceptional performance and energy efficiency. The octa-core CPU and Adreno 540 GPU handled heavy tasks like 4K video editing, high-frame-rate gaming (e.g., PUBG Mobile at high settings), and multitasking with ease. Benchmark scores (e.g., AnTuTu v7: ~180,000) placed it among the top-performing smartphones of 2017, competing with flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Google Pixel 2.

3. Versatile Dual-Camera System

The Mi 6’s rear dual-camera setup was a major upgrade over the Mi 5s, focusing on versatility and image quality:

2× Optical Zoom: The telephoto sensor enabled lossless zoom for distant subjects, while the wide-angle sensor captured sharp, detailed photos in good light.
Portrait Mode: The dual sensors worked together to create natural background blur (bokeh) for portrait shots, with adjustable aperture effects (f/1.8 to f/16) for creative control.
Low-Light Performance: The wide-angle sensor’s large 1.25μm pixels and f/1.8 aperture improved low-light photography, though it lacked dedicated night mode software (a feature added later via MIUI updates).

4. Practical User-Centric Features

The Mi 6 retained several fan-favorite features that were being phased out by other brands:

3.5mm Headphone Jack: A key selling point for audiophiles who preferred wired headphones over Bluetooth alternatives.
IR Blaster: Allowed users to control TVs, air conditioners, and other home appliances via the MIUI remote control app.
Dual-SIM + Full Netcom Support: Compatible with all major 4G networks globally, making it a popular choice for international travelers.

Market Reception & Legacy

The Xiaomi Mi 6 was a commercial and critical success, selling out quickly in multiple markets upon release. Tech reviewers praised its balanced performance, premium design, and competitive pricing (starting at ~$350 for the 6GB/64GB variant), with many calling it the “best value flagship of 2017”.

Its legacy in Xiaomi’s product lineup is notable for two reasons:

End of an Era for the 3.5mm Jack: It was the last Xiaomi flagship to include a 3.5mm headphone jack until the Mi 11 Ultra (2021), marking the brand’s transition to a more streamlined, port-less design.
Benchmark for Flagship Reliability: The Mi 6’s Snapdragon 835 chip and optimized MIUI software ensured long-term usability, with many users still using the device as a secondary phone years after its release.