Xiaomi Mi 6 leak hints at Mi Note 2-like design with dual-edge … – BGR India

Home &gt News &gt Xiaomi Mi 6 leak hints at Mi Note 2-like design with dual-edge curved display

The Xiaomi Mi Note 2, launched earlier this year, features a dual-edge curved display and boasts a ice cream design.

There have been enough rumors about Xiaomi’s upcoming flagship smartphone, the Mi 6. Successor to the Mi 5, the Mi 6 is expected to be launched in three variants differentiated by the processor it is powered with. But when it comes to its appearance, the fresh rumors suggest that the smartphone will in fact look like a smaller version of the Mi Note 2, which was launched in October.

The Mi Note 2, which is the successor to the Mi Note launched last year, has among its highlights a 3D ice cream design along with top-of-the-line hardware. It comes with a dual-edge curved display, akin to the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. Now, a Chinese tipster on Weibo has revealed that the Mi 6 will look like the Mi Note 2, albeit slightly smaller in size. The Mi Note 2 features a 5.7-inch dual-edge flexible OLED display, while the Mi 6 has been long speculated to come with a 2.5 D curved display. However, there have been no details about the exact dimension of the screen and whether it will be a curved edge display. Nonetheless, a Mi Note 2-like design gives us a fair idea about how the Mi 6 would look like. Its predecessor, the Mi 5, featured a 5.15-inch full HD display. One can expect the Mi 6 to take forth the same display size albeit in a dual-edge curve design.

If rumors are to be believed, the Mi 6 will be available in three color variants of black, white, and blue. Recent reports suggested that Xiaomi will opt for a dual-tone design with a metal back for the Mi 6. In line with earlier rumors, the Mi 6 will house Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 835 processor which comes with support for Quick Charge 4.0. The newest charging capability is expected to offer up to five hours of juice in just five minutes of charging. It is also likely that the Mi 6 will be a USB Type-C based smartphone. Given the use of Qualcomm’s latest chipset, the smartphone could further boast a 4K display and get a bump in RAM. There have been reports about the use of up to 6GB of RAM. the ALSO READ: Xiaomi Mi 6 rumored to be launched in three chipset variants

Among other speculations, the Mi 6 is expected to come with a physical home button which would double up as a fingerprint sensor. As per the latest rumors, the Mi 6 will come in two storage variants of 128GB and 256GB. On the software front, the Mi 6 is expected to run Android 7.0 Nougat or Android 7.1 Nougat update with MIUI 9 OS layered above. In terms of photography, it is expected to come with a 16-megapixel rear shooter with 4K video recording capabilities and dual-tone LED flash, along with a 4-megapixel front-facing camera for selfies. The smartphone could come with a 3,000 mAh battery.

One of the most interesting bits here is the launch of the Xiaomi Mi 6. Earlier it was speculated that it will be launched in April, but recent reports suggest an early launch on the February 14, coinciding with Valentine’s Day. However, yet another rumor this week has hinted at a launch date of February 6. Although it makes sense for Xiaomi to unveil its latest flagship at the upcoming CES 2017 event, where it will be making its debut, one needs to take the rumors with a pinch of salt to any official invites are sent across. the ALSO READ: Xiaomi Mi 6, now rumored to launch on February 6; here’s everything we know so far

Xiaomi Mi 6 leak hints at Mi Note 2-like design with dual-edge curved display – BGR India

Home &gt News &gt Xiaomi Mi 6 leak hints at Mi Note 2-like design with dual-edge curved display

The Xiaomi Mi Note 2, launched earlier this year, features a dual-edge curved display and boasts a ice cream design.

There have been enough rumors about Xiaomi’s upcoming flagship smartphone, the Mi 6. Successor to the Mi 5, the Mi 6 is expected to be launched in three variants differentiated by the processor it is powered with. But when it comes to its appearance, the fresh rumors suggest that the smartphone will in fact look like a smaller version of the Mi Note 2, which was launched in October.

The Mi Note 2, which is the successor to the Mi Note launched last year, has among its highlights a 3D ice cream design along with top-of-the-line hardware. It comes with a dual-edge curved display, akin to the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. Now, a Chinese tipster on Weibo has revealed that the Mi 6 will look like the Mi Note 2, albeit slightly smaller in size. The Mi Note 2 features a 5.7-inch dual-edge flexible OLED display, while the Mi 6 has been long speculated to come with a 2.5 D curved display. However, there have been no details about the exact dimension of the screen and whether it will be a curved edge display. Nonetheless, a Mi Note 2-like design gives us a fair idea about how the Mi 6 would look like. Its predecessor, the Mi 5, featured a 5.15-inch full HD display. One can expect the Mi 6 to take forth the same display size albeit in a dual-edge curve design.

If rumors are to be believed, the Mi 6 will be available in three color variants of black, white, and blue. Recent reports suggested that Xiaomi will opt for a dual-tone design with a metal back for the Mi 6. In line with earlier rumors, the Mi 6 will house Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 835 processor which comes with support for Quick Charge 4.0. The newest charging capability is expected to offer up to five hours of juice in just five minutes of charging. It is also likely that the Mi 6 will be a USB Type-C based smartphone. Given the use of Qualcomm’s latest chipset, the smartphone could further boast a 4K display and get a bump in RAM. There have been reports about the use of up to 6GB of RAM. the ALSO READ: Xiaomi Mi 6 rumored to be launched in three chipset variants

Among other speculations, the Mi 6 is expected to come with a physical home button which would double up as a fingerprint sensor. As per the latest rumors, the Mi 6 will come in two storage variants of 128GB and 256GB. On the software front, the Mi 6 is expected to run Android 7.0 Nougat or Android 7.1 Nougat update with MIUI 9 OS layered above. In terms of photography, it is expected to come with a 16-megapixel rear shooter with 4K video recording capabilities and dual-tone LED flash, along with a 4-megapixel front-facing camera for selfies. The smartphone could come with a 3,000 mAh battery.

One of the most interesting bits here is the launch of the Xiaomi Mi 6. Earlier it was speculated that it will be launched in April, but recent reports suggest an early launch on the February 14, coinciding with Valentine’s Day. However, yet another rumor this week has hinted at a launch date of February 6. Although it makes sense for Xiaomi to unveil its latest flagship at the upcoming CES 2017 event, where it will be making its debut, one needs to take the rumors with a pinch of salt to any official invites are sent across. the ALSO READ: Xiaomi Mi 6, now rumored to launch on February 6; here’s everything we know so far

Xiaomi Mi 6 to look like smaller version of Mi Note 2, new rumor says … – GSMArena.com

The Xiaomi Mi 6 might only been the subject of a handful of rumors and leaks so far, but thanks to a leak back in October this year, we at least got to see what it may look like:

However, if a new rumor out of China is to go by, the handset may actually look like the Chinese company’s Mi Note 2 smartphone, although a bit smaller in size.

Moving on, the new rumor – which is said to come from a renowned Chinese tipster – also says that the device will be powered by Snapdragon 835 SoC and made official in February 2017, which is thankfully inline with what we’ve previously heard.

Further, the tipster also reveals that the device will have 128GB and 256GB storage options, and black, white, and blue color options. Like the leak from October, there’s no way to confirm whether or not what the new rumor has revealed is correct. So, take all this with a pinch of salt.

Via

Xiaomi Mi 6 to look like smaller version of Mi Note 2, new rumor says – GSMArena.com

The Xiaomi Mi 6 might only been the subject of a handful of rumors and leaks so far, but thanks to a leak back in October this year, we at least got to see what it may look like:

However, if a new rumor out of China is to go by, the handset may actually look like the Chinese company’s Mi Note 2 smartphone, although a bit smaller in size.

Moving on, the new rumor – which is said to come from a renowned Chinese tipster – also says that the device will be powered by Snapdragon 835 SoC and made official in February 2017, which is thankfully inline with what we’ve previously heard.

Further, the tipster also reveals that the device will have 128GB and 256GB storage options, and black, white, and blue color options. Like the leak from October, there’s no way to confirm whether or not what the new rumor has revealed is correct. So, take all this with a pinch of salt.

Via

Xiaomi Mi Note 2 vs Huawei Mate 9: Best Of the Specs At Highly Affordable Prices … – Mobile & Apps

The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 and Huawei Mate 9 are awesome smartphones that provide all the required features of a smartphone user needs today. The smartphones are affordable too! ( Topes de Gama/YouTube )

The Huawei Mate 9 and the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 are two amazing smartphones from Chinese manufacturers and both the handsets victims of the incredible specs and features at very affordable prices. Choosing between the two could be difficult without a comparison between the two.

In terms of design, the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 has glass and aluminum as its main body and accents materials. It weighs 166g much less than the Huawei Mate 9′s 190g weight, which is also made exclusively of metal and that makes it more resistant. The Mate 9 sports a 5.9-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen with a screen resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and has EMUI 5.0. The Mi Note 2 has a 5.7-inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with similar resolution and MIUI 8.0.

The Huawei Mate 9 runs on Android 7.0 Nougat and is powered by a Hisilicon Kirin 960 chipset and Mali-G71 MP8 GPU. The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow but has a quality Snapdragon 821 processor and Adreno 530 GPU. It has a 64GB variant with 4GB of RAM and 128GB variant with a 6GB of RAM and no microSD card slot. The Huawei Mate 9 comes with 64GB of internal storage, expandable up to 256GB via microSD slot, and 4GB of RAM.

In terms of camera, the Huawei Mate 9 has dual 20 MP + 12 MP rear camera with f/2.2, OIS, 2x zoom, Leica optics, phase detection & laser autofocus and dual-LED (dual tone) flash. The rear cameras are capable of recording 2160p videos at 30fps. It has an 8MP selfie camera with f/1.9 and 1080p recording capability. The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 also has an 8MP selfie camera with f/2.0 and auto focus.

The Mi Note 2′s primary camera is 22.5 MP with f/2.0, the EIS (gyro), phase detection autofocus and dual-LED (dual tone) flash. It’s capable of recording 2160p and 1080p videos at 30fps. For the Xiaomi Mi Note 2, the fingerprint scanner is the front-mounted whereas the Huawei Mate 9 has a rear-mounted scanner. Both Mate 9 and Mi Note 2 have fast-charging capability though the latter has the Quick Charge 3.0.

The Huawei Mate 9 and the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 come with awesome battery power. The Huawei handset sports a non-removable Li-Po 4,000 mAh battery, while the Mi Note 2 has a non-removable Li-Ion 4,070 mAh battery, reviews-GSMArena. Color options are more for the Mate 9 smartphone. Both the smartphones are also priced similarly with the Mi Note 2 starting at $ 650 and Mate 9 at $ 687.

© 2015 – 2016Mobile & Apps, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Xiaomi Mi Note 2 vs Huawei Mate 9: Which Chinese Smartphone Is Better? – iTech Post

Tech

Two Chinese smartphones namely the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 and the Huawei Mate 9 are in strong competition against each other’s specs and features.<br /> (Photo : Xiaomitore/YouTube]

The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 and the Huawei Mate 9 are two of the most incredible Chinese smartphones that you can buy right now, given the fact that both flagships excelled its philosophy of offering excellent performance at a low price. If you are interested in having one but unsure which to buy, the comparison below will guide you in selecting the most ideal model suitable for your needs.

Xiaomi Mi Note 2 Vs Huawei Mate 9: Design

The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 offers a Fingerprint scanner in the front, and glass and aluminum as its main body and accents materials. Also, this incredible mobile device has Android (6.0), MIUI 8 UI on the operating system, and its dimensions are 6.15 x 3.04 x 0.30 inches (156.2 x 77.3 x 7.6 mm), with a weight of 166 g. It comes in black and silver colors so you can roll with style.

On the other hand, the Huawei Mate 9 also has a Fingerprint scanner, and is made exclusively with metal, which makes it more resistant. Another important difference between both phones is that this one has Android (7.0), EMUI 5.0 UI on the operating system and its dimensions are 6.18 x 3.11 x 0.31 inches (156.9 x 78.9 x 7.9 mm), with a weight of 190 g, which might be a detail in which the Xiaomi Mi Note of 2 wins, since customers like lighter phones. However, the Huawei Mate 9 offers more variety in the colors, since you can find it as brown, gray, white, silver or even gold.

Xiaomi Mi Note 2 Vs Huawei Mate 9: Camera

The Xiaomi Note 2 offers a primary Dual LED camera of 22.5 MP, with phase detection auto focus, face detection, flash, panorama and HDR. Its sensor size is 1/2.6″, and its software features includes digital zoom, geo tagging, digital image stabilization and face detection. Also, the Xiaomi Note 2 is equipped with an 8MP front-facing camera with autofocus.

On the other hand, the Huawei Mate 9 has primary Dual LED camera of 20 MP with laser autofocus, flash, phase detection, 2x zoom and Leica Optics. This camera has manual focus, self-timer, face detection, geo-tagging and digital zoom as software features. Also, just as the Xiaomi Note 2, this incredible smartphone is also equipped with an 8MP front-facing camera with autofocus.

This field is absolutely conquered by the Huawei Mate 9, given the fact that its camera offers more options and quality to the customers since the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 is a non-performer.

Xiaomi Mi Note 2 Vs Huawei Mate 9: Display

The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 has a 5-7-inch display of 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution, with OLED technology and an incredible 74.26 percent of screen-to-body ratio. Its pixel density is 386 ppi, and it offers amazing features such as a proximity sensor and a light sensor that turns this phone into a must-have.

On the other hand, the Huawei Mate 9 has a 5.9-inch display of 1080 x1920 pixels resolution with IPS LCD technology and an outstanding 77.39 percent screen-to-body radio. Also, this mobile device offers a 373 ppi pixel density and the same features as the Xiaomi Mi Note 2.

Although both smartphones are extremely similar in this feature, there is a notable difference between the two. For example, the Huawei Mate 9 has a bigger display -which could be an important point if you like big phones, while the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 offers the OLED technology, which is more popular than the IPS LCD.

Xiaomi Mi Note 2 Vs Huawei Mate 9: Hardware And Battery

The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 MSM8996 Pro system chip with a Quad-core, 2350 MHz, Cryogenic, 64-bit processor and 6GB of RAM with 128 GB on built-in storage. Also, this mobile device has a replaceable battery of 4070mAh capacity, which means that you can change it for a fresher one wherever you feel is not working as usual.

The Huawei Mate has a HiSilicon Kirin 960 system chip with an Octa-core, 2400 MHz, ARM Cortex-A73 and ARM Cortex-A53, 64-bit processor, Mali-G71 MP8 graphic processor, 4GB of RAM and 64 GB. This mobile device has a microSD, microSDHC and microSDXC up to 256 GB on the storage expansion, and a non-removable battery of 4000 mAh capacity.

Xiaomi Mi Note 2 Vs Huawei Mate 9: Price And Other Features

The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 has great sensors that include barometer, gyroscope, compass, hall and accelerometer, with haptic feedback notifications and a USB Type-C (reversible) connection with USB charging. This phone is priced at $ 650, and even when is not exactly Xiomis cheap, is still a good price when comparing it with other important flagships.

By its party, the Huawei Mate 9 has the same sensors and notifications, and you can buy it at $ 687. In conclusion, were talking about two incredible Chinese smartphones that offers great specs and features and a price that even when is not exactly those that customers were used to, the Huawei Mate 9 and the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 are not only a cheaper alternative, but also great mobile devices that are great for any kind of user.

TAG tech, Xiaomi Mi Note 2, Xiaomi, Mi, Note 2, mi, Note, 2, Huawei Mate 9, Huawei, Mate 9, mate, 9

© 2016 ITECHPOST, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Xiaomi Mi Note 2 Review – Tech Featured

the Xiaomi company has unveiled the new product Xiaomi Mi Note 2, a strong competitor for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. In this article, I will tell you something about it. And the content involves four parts, including screen, camera, battery and specifications.

Dual Curved-Edge OLED Display

The dual curved-edge screen is the highlight of the Xiaomi Mi Note 2, and this is the same design of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. This 5.7-inch flexible OLED display brings not only nice visual enjoyment but also a wider field of vision. Ultra-thin flexible OLED display features 77.2% screen-to-body ratio, 110% NTSC color gamut and 100,000: 1 contrast ratio. And it even can be read under the sun.

Moreover, the 3D glass curves seamlessly on the left and right widening the field of vision. With the flexible substrate of the OLED display, it can fit in the bends of 3D curved glass. 7-series aluminum metal frame connect’s the front and back covered ice cream, which shows the symmetrical aesthetic.

22.56 MP High-Resolution Camera

The Mi Note 2 is configured with a high-resolution 22.56 MPback camera, which comes with the IMX318 Exmor RSTM stacked image sensor. And it features PDAF phase detection, contrast autofocus and 32s long exposure shots. Dedicated 3-axis gyroscope brings high-speed jitter detection and compensation in real time.

Moreover, it comes with an 8MP front camera with Beautify 3.0 technology, meeting the need of those who like to take selfies in their daily life. And the autofocus function brings an excellent shooting feeling.

4070mAh High-Capacity Battery

It is powered by a huge capacity 4070mAh Lithium-Polymer battery, and it supports the QC3.0 fast charge technology.

Xiaomi Mi Note 2 Specifications

Brand: Xiaomi

Model: Mi Note 2

Device Type: Android Smartphone

CPU: Quad-Core Dual cluster Regulator 2×2.35 GHz + 2×2.0 GHz

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821

GPU: Qualcomm Adreno 530

Camera: 22.56 Megapixels with Dual LED and AF Rear Camera | 8 Megapixel Front camera

Memory: RAM – 4GB/6GB | ROM 64GB/128GB External Memory not Supported

Display: Screen size 5.7 inches OLED QHD (1080×1920 Pixels)

Battery: Non-Removable 4,070 mAh Lithium-Polymer

SIM: Dual SIM (Nano + Nano)

Sensors: Proximity Sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient Light, Fingerprint, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall

Color: Black, Silver

Operating System: Android 6.0 Marshmallow with MIUI V8

Dimensions: 156.2 x 77.3 x 7.6 mm

Weight: 166 Grams

Summary

This new product Xiaomi Mi Note 2 has an outstanding appearance design. It has three versions, including 64GB of storage, 128GB storage and the Global edition. If you like it, you can have a try!

Curved-Screen Phone Showdown: Galaxy S7 Edge Vs. Huawei … – Forbes

Huawei Mate 9 Pro (left); the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 (middle); Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge (right). Photos: Ben His

When Samsung implemented the dual-curved sides to its Galaxy line of phones in 2015, most tech reviewers had the same reaction: the curves look really cool, but doesn’t add any functionality … in fact making the phone harder to use.

And while that’s still somewhat true today, it’s safe to say the “cool factor” has won over. Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7, before the fire, garnered many “best designed/looking phone ever” praises for its complete symmetrical build (curved front and back), and Chinese phonemakers have since followed suit with their own version of the dual-curved display. Even Apple is jumping on board, as all signs point to the iPhone 8 having a curved display.

Personally, I’ve been won over. I think a curved display along with a curved back make a phone feel very comfortable in the hand, to the point that when I go back to bulky, blocky phones like the Huawei P9 or iPhone SEE, I find the edge digging uncomfortably into my palms. Since the Note 7 is no more, Samsung’s S7 Edge has taken back the flagship crown from the South Korean giant. But how does the originator of the trend fare against two Chinese up-and-comers, each of which have clearly ceilings design cues from Samsung? Well, I have all three phones on me, so it’s time for a showdown.

Let’s get this out of the way: it’s uncanny how much the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 and Huawei Mate 9 Pro resemble Samsung’s Galaxy line of phones. Huawei has even moved its circular fingerprint sensor on the back of the phone (which has been a stable in Huawei phone for years) to the bottom-front of the device, and making it an oval home button to boot (just like on the Galaxy phones). I have no idea why Huawei is doing this, considering it’s a tech titan in its own right, and one which has crafted its own identity in the past year.

But there are obvious differences between the three hardware. Huawei’s curves aren’t as drastic as on the S7 Edge or Mi Note 2, and its metal build in the back gives it a very hefty, solid feel. In my opinion, the Mate 9 Pro feels the most premium. But as far as true symmetrical feel — the Mi Note 2 wins because it is built almost exactly like a Note 7, where the front and back curves meet perfectly in the middle. The Mate 9 Pro and S7 Edge both have backs that don’t curve as much as the displays, so the point at which the two sides meet is not exactly center.

The S7 Edge (left); Mate 9 Pro (center) and Mi Note 2 (right).

All three devices use the AMOLED display tech, but the Mi Note 2′s resolution is “only” 1080p compared to the other two phones’ quad HD (2,560 x 1,440). But, if you’ve read my stuff, you already know that I don’t think the human eye can tell the difference from the two on mobile displays (during standard use, anyway — VR is another story). Each company has its own preferences on how to calibrate the colors, so it really comes down to preference. I think I prefer the Mate 9 Pro’s display the most of the three. Its maximum brightness level beats both the S7 Edge and Mi Note 2, and the colors aren’t as a as on Samsung’s phones. Still, the difference is minuscule, as all three curved AMOLED screen look very pleasing to the eye.

As for the internals, the Mate to the 9 Pros’ Kirin 960 is hands-down the fastest chip in the world, and the benchmarks back it up: on Geekbench, the Mate 9 Pro scored a 1920/5659 on single-/multi-core tests. While the S7 Edge and Mi Note 2 respectively scored 1806/4155 and 1569/3795. As for real world use, the Mi Note 2 and Mate 9 Pro both operate buttery smooth, unlike the S7 Edge, which has hiccups here and there because Samsung’s TouchWiz software is so bloated and ugly.

Moving on the cameras, the S7 Edge is still probably the best camera overall, but the Mate 9 Pro comes close — and the latter’s dual-lens can pull off more trick photos. The Mi Note 2 suffers here, as its camera is average at best. You can’t really tell the difference in daytime shots though, the differences in photo quality turn up when the lights are off.

S7 Edge (left); Mate 9 Pro (middle); Mi Note 2 (right).

S7 Edge.

Mate 9 Pro.

Mi Note 2.

S7 Edge, shot in a dark room.

Mate 9 Pro, shot in a dark room.

Mi Note 2, shot in a dark room.

As mentioned earlier, the Mate 9 Pro doesn’t even bother to implement features that take advantage of the curves on the screen, and I don’t have a problem with it at all. The so-called “Edge Panel” on the S7 Edge is mostly pointless, offering “shortcuts” to actions that could be activated the normal way in the same amount of time anyway. Also, the combo of Huawei’s palm rejection software plus the Mate 9 Pro’s more subtle curves means the phone is more usable one-handed than that S7 Edge. On Samsung’s phone, the erroneous palm touches to the edge of the screen is quite common. The problem is not as bad on the Mi Note 2, but still enough that I had to avoid putting apps in the lower-left most corner of the phone (hold the phone with my left hand). On the Mate 9, no such problems exist.

Notice the meaty party of my palm tend to touch the edge of the screen when I hold the phone one-handed. This results in a lot of erroneous touches on the S7 Edge, but not on the Mate 9 Pro.

I haven’t used the Mate 9 Pro long enough yet to give a final opinion (the review will come next week), but so far, Huawei’s latest is looking like a powerhouse. But, at $ 750, it’s also priced at the Apple/Samsung territory. Xiaomi’s Mi Note 2, meanwhile, only costs around $ 500. Regardless, the dual-curved-screen phones are here to stay.

Curved-Screen Phone Showdown: Galaxy S7 Edge Vs. Huawei Mate 9 Pro Vs. Xiaomi Mi Note 2 – Forbes

Huawei Mate 9 Pro (left); the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 (middle); Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge (right). Photos: Ben His

When Samsung implemented the dual-curved sides to its Galaxy line of phones in 2015, most tech reviewers had the same reaction: the curves look really cool, but doesn’t add any functionality … in fact making the phone harder to use.

And while that’s still somewhat true today, it’s safe to say the “cool factor” has won over. Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7, before the fire, garnered many “best designed/looking phone ever” praises for its complete symmetrical build (curved front and back), and Chinese phonemakers have since followed suit with their own version of the dual-curved display. Even Apple is jumping on board, as all signs point to the iPhone 8 having a curved display.

Personally, I’ve been won over. I think a curved display along with a curved back make a phone feel very comfortable in the hand, to the point that when I go back to bulky, blocky phones like the Huawei P9 or iPhone SEE, I find the edge digging uncomfortably into my palms. Since the Note 7 is no more, Samsung’s S7 Edge has taken back the flagship crown from the South Korean giant. But how does the originator of the trend fare against two Chinese up-and-comers, each of which have clearly ceilings design cues from Samsung? Well, I have all three phones on me, so it’s time for a showdown.

Let’s get this out of the way: it’s uncanny how much the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 and Huawei Mate 9 Pro resemble Samsung’s Galaxy line of phones. Huawei has even moved its circular fingerprint sensor on the back of the phone (which has been a stable in Huawei phone for years) to the bottom-front of the device, and making it an oval home button to boot (just like on the Galaxy phones). I have no idea why Huawei is doing this, considering it’s a tech titan in its own right, and one which has crafted its own identity in the past year.

But there are obvious differences between the three hardware. Huawei’s curves aren’t as drastic as on the S7 Edge or Mi Note 2, and its metal build in the back gives it a very hefty, solid feel. In my opinion, the Mate 9 Pro feels the most premium. But as far as true symmetrical feel — the Mi Note 2 wins because it is built almost exactly like a Note 7, where the front and back curves meet perfectly in the middle. The Mate 9 Pro and S7 Edge both have backs that don’t curve as much as the displays, so the point at which the two sides meet is not exactly center.

The S7 Edge (left); Mate 9 Pro (center) and Mi Note 2 (right).

All three devices use the AMOLED display tech, but the Mi Note 2′s resolution is “only” 1080p compared to the other two phones’ quad HD (2,560 x 1,440). But, if you’ve read my stuff, you already know that I don’t think the human eye can tell the difference from the two on mobile displays (during standard use, anyway — VR is another story). Each company has its own preferences on how to calibrate the colors, so it really comes down to preference. I think I prefer the Mate 9 Pro’s display the most of the three. Its maximum brightness level beats both the S7 Edge and Mi Note 2, and the colors aren’t as a as on Samsung’s phones. Still, the difference is minuscule, as all three curved AMOLED screen look very pleasing to the eye.

As for the internals, the Mate to the 9 Pros’ Kirin 960 is hands-down the fastest chip in the world, and the benchmarks back it up: on Geekbench, the Mate 9 Pro scored a 1920/5659 on single-/multi-core tests. While the S7 Edge and Mi Note 2 respectively scored 1806/4155 and 1569/3795. As for real world use, the Mi Note 2 and Mate 9 Pro both operate buttery smooth, unlike the S7 Edge, which has hiccups here and there because Samsung’s TouchWiz software is so bloated and ugly.

Moving on the cameras, the S7 Edge is still probably the best camera overall, but the Mate 9 Pro comes close — and the latter’s dual-lens can pull off more trick photos. The Mi Note 2 suffers here, as its camera is average at best. You can’t really tell the difference in daytime shots though, the differences in photo quality turn up when the lights are off.

S7 Edge (left); Mate 9 Pro (middle); Mi Note 2 (right).

S7 Edge.

Mate 9 Pro.

Mi Note 2.

S7 Edge, shot in a dark room.

Mate 9 Pro, shot in a dark room.

Mi Note 2, shot in a dark room.

As mentioned earlier, the Mate 9 Pro doesn’t even bother to implement features that take advantage of the curves on the screen, and I don’t have a problem with it at all. The so-called “Edge Panel” on the S7 Edge is mostly pointless, offering “shortcuts” to actions that could be activated the normal way in the same amount of time anyway. Also, the combo of Huawei’s palm rejection software plus the Mate 9 Pro’s more subtle curves means the phone is more usable one-handed than that S7 Edge. On Samsung’s phone, the erroneous palm touches to the edge of the screen is quite common. The problem is not as bad on the Mi Note 2, but still enough that I had to avoid putting apps in the lower-left most corner of the phone (hold the phone with my left hand). On the Mate 9, no such problems exist.

Notice the meaty party of my palm tend to touch the edge of the screen when I hold the phone one-handed. This results in a lot of erroneous touches on the S7 Edge, but not on the Mate 9 Pro.

I haven’t used the Mate 9 Pro long enough yet to give a final opinion (the review will come next week), but so far, Huawei’s latest is looking like a powerhouse. But, at $ 750, it’s also priced at the Apple/Samsung territory. Xiaomi’s Mi Note 2, meanwhile, only costs around $ 500. Regardless, the dual-curved-screen phones are here to stay.

Curved-Screen Phone Showdown: Galaxy S7 Edge Vs. Huawei Mate 9 Pro Vs … – Forbes

Huawei Mate 9 Pro (left); the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 (middle); Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge (right). Photos: Ben His

When Samsung implemented the dual-curved sides to its Galaxy line of phones in 2015, most tech reviewers had the same reaction: the curves look really cool, but doesn’t add any functionality … in fact making the phone harder to use.

And while that’s still somewhat true today, it’s safe to say the “cool factor” has won over. Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7, before the fire, garnered many “best designed/looking phone ever” praises for its complete symmetrical build (curved front and back), and Chinese phonemakers have since followed suit with their own version of the dual-curved display. Even Apple is jumping on board, as all signs point to the iPhone 8 having a curved display.

Personally, I’ve been won over. I think a curved display along with a curved back make a phone feel very comfortable in the hand, to the point that when I go back to bulky, blocky phones like the Huawei P9 or iPhone SEE, I find the edge digging uncomfortably into my palms. Since the Note 7 is no more, Samsung’s S7 Edge has taken back the flagship crown from the South Korean giant. But how does the originator of the trend fare against two Chinese up-and-comers, each of which have clearly ceilings design cues from Samsung? Well, I have all three phones on me, so it’s time for a showdown.

Let’s get this out of the way: it’s uncanny how much the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 and Huawei Mate 9 Pro resemble Samsung’s Galaxy line of phones. Huawei has even moved its circular fingerprint sensor on the back of the phone (which has been a stable in Huawei phone for years) to the bottom-front of the device, and making it an oval home button to boot (just like on the Galaxy phones). I have no idea why Huawei is doing this, considering it’s a tech titan in its own right, and one which has crafted its own identity in the past year.

But there are obvious differences between the three hardware. Huawei’s curves aren’t as drastic as on the S7 Edge or Mi Note 2, and its metal build in the back gives it a very hefty, solid feel. In my opinion, the Mate 9 Pro feels the most premium. But as far as true symmetrical feel — the Mi Note 2 wins because it is built almost exactly like a Note 7, where the front and back curves meet perfectly in the middle. The Mate 9 Pro and S7 Edge both have backs that don’t curve as much as the displays, so the point at which the two sides meet is not exactly center.

The S7 Edge (left); Mate 9 Pro (center) and Mi Note 2 (right).

All three devices use the AMOLED display tech, but the Mi Note 2′s resolution is “only” 1080p compared to the other two phones’ quad HD (2,560 x 1,440). But, if you’ve read my stuff, you already know that I don’t think the human eye can tell the difference from the two on mobile displays (during standard use, anyway — VR is another story). Each company has its own preferences on how to calibrate the colors, so it really comes down to preference. I think I prefer the Mate 9 Pro’s display the most of the three. Its maximum brightness level beats both the S7 Edge and Mi Note 2, and the colors aren’t as a as on Samsung’s phones. Still, the difference is minuscule, as all three curved AMOLED screen look very pleasing to the eye.

As for the internals, the Mate to the 9 Pros’ Kirin 960 is hands-down the fastest chip in the world, and the benchmarks back it up: on Geekbench, the Mate 9 Pro scored a 1920/5659 on single-/multi-core tests. While the S7 Edge and Mi Note 2 respectively scored 1806/4155 and 1569/3795. As for real world use, the Mi Note 2 and Mate 9 Pro both operate buttery smooth, unlike the S7 Edge, which has hiccups here and there because Samsung’s TouchWiz software is so bloated and ugly.

Moving on the cameras, the S7 Edge is still probably the best camera overall, but the Mate 9 Pro comes close — and the latter’s dual-lens can pull off more trick photos. The Mi Note 2 suffers here, as its camera is average at best. You can’t really tell the difference in daytime shots though, the differences in photo quality turn up when the lights are off.

S7 Edge (left); Mate 9 Pro (middle); Mi Note 2 (right).

S7 Edge.

Mate 9 Pro.

Mi Note 2.

S7 Edge, shot in a dark room.

Mate 9 Pro, shot in a dark room.

Mi Note 2, shot in a dark room.

As mentioned earlier, the Mate 9 Pro doesn’t even bother to implement features that take advantage of the curves on the screen, and I don’t have a problem with it at all. The so-called “Edge Panel” on the S7 Edge is mostly pointless, offering “shortcuts” to actions that could be activated the normal way in the same amount of time anyway. Also, the combo of Huawei’s palm rejection software plus the Mate 9 Pro’s more subtle curves means the phone is more usable one-handed than that S7 Edge. On Samsung’s phone, the erroneous palm touches to the edge of the screen is quite common. The problem is not as bad on the Mi Note 2, but still enough that I had to avoid putting apps in the lower-left most corner of the phone (hold the phone with my left hand). On the Mate 9, no such problems exist.

Notice the meaty party of my palm tend to touch the edge of the screen when I hold the phone one-handed. This results in a lot of erroneous touches on the S7 Edge, but not on the Mate 9 Pro.

I haven’t used the Mate 9 Pro long enough yet to give a final opinion (the review will come next week), but so far, Huawei’s latest is looking like a powerhouse. But, at $ 750, it’s also priced at the Apple/Samsung territory. Xiaomi’s Mi Note 2, meanwhile, only costs around $ 500. Regardless, the dual-curved-screen phones are here to stay.