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Walter Anthony

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Apr 7, 2014
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I'm trying to due some research on the Mi2S in concerns to the 16g v. 32g. All I can really find is talk about the camera difference.

I'm going to buy one soon and was just wondering if I really need the 32g. I don't believe that I'm a "power user" the most I'll be doing is taking pictures, storing music, email, and perhaps the occasional gaming session.

What are your thoughts? Am i just being cheap or is the 16g good enough?
 
I'm trying to due some research on the Mi2S in concerns to the 16g v. 32g. All I can really find is talk about the camera difference.

I'm going to buy one soon and was just wondering if I really need the 32g. I don't believe that I'm a "power user" the most I'll be doing is taking pictures, storing music, email, and perhaps the occasional gaming session.

What are your thoughts? Am i just being cheap or is the 16g good enough?
it's good enough but the storage is like 9/10 gb of free space. So if the differenc in priceisn't that great i go for 32gb
 
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I'm seeing the 16g for $267 + tax & 32g is $352. Not a huge difference, but after you factor in shipping it raises the overall cost.

Like I said though I could just be being a cheapskate about. I'll probably need the space for all my music.
 
For what it is worth, I replaced the 13mp camera in my 32gb mi2s with a 8mp module from a 16gb mi2s. It's low light performance is much better.

The camera issue has been the only thing that I have came across in terms of differences, but I think with the amount of music that I will want to store the 32g might be the wiser choice.
 
For what it is worth, I replaced the 13mp camera in my 32gb mi2s with a 8mp module from a 16gb mi2s. It's low light performance is much better.

how did you do this? I know the 16GB has F2.0 camera, vs the F2.2 in the 32GB. I'd be interested to see if there really is a big difference... and also how hard it is to do the hardware replacement :)
 
These is a very nice review in German on YouTube comparing the mi2s variants. The section comparing the cameras clearly shows the low light superiority of the 8mp camera module. It's not primarily due to the aperture difference but mainly due to the fact that packing less megapixels on the same surface means the individual pixels can be larger, allowing each pixel to catch more light. Replacing the module is very simple as it attaches to the main board via a flat cable.
 
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If you plan to "store" music, then capacity is never enough. 16Gb is not the net amount of memory at your disposal and this figure is getting too little for storage these days.
 
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These is a very nice review in German on YouTube comparing the mi2s variants. The section comparing the cameras clearly shows the low light superiority of the 8mp camera module. It's not primarily due to the aperture difference but mainly due to the fact that packing less megapixels on the same surface means the individual pixels can be larger, allowing each pixel to catch more light. Replacing the module is very simple as it attaches to the main board via a flat cable.
ultrapixel is the way?
 
If you plan to "store" music, then capacity is never enough. 16Gb is not the net amount of memory at your disposal and this figure is getting too little for storage these days.

Your totally right, I just was thinking if I was going to pay almost $400 for the mi2s 32g I should just get the 3, but I don't know how I feel about the design of the 3. I figured the Mi2s was a great starter phone, and it appears that Xiaomi might change the design some what with the Mi3s. Basically I just have to stop being cheap.
 
Your totally right, I just was thinking if I was going to pay almost $400 for the mi2s 32g I should just get the 3, but I don't know how I feel about the design of the 3. I figured the Mi2s was a great starter phone, and it appears that Xiaomi might change the design some what with the Mi3s. Basically I just have to stop being cheap.

It's all about the size. MI2S is not a starter phone in my opinion, it's the second most powerful android phone in this size, with Sony Z1 Compact being the first. Mi3 is bigger, with bigger screen and I believe it's aiming to a different target group. Mi2S is the perfect combination of size,performance and price for me. If you think that you can handle Mi3's size, than you should also consider it as an option.
 
It's all about the size. MI2S is not a starter phone in my opinion, it's the second most powerful android phone in this size, with Sony Z1 Compact being the first. Mi3 is bigger, with bigger screen and I believe it's aiming to a different target group. Mi2S is the perfect combination of size,performance and price for me. If you think that you can handle Mi3's size, than you should also consider it as an option.

I shouldn't have said "starter phone" it will just be my first from outside the U.S. market. I'm with you on the size and performance of the Mi2, it seems to a perfect fit.
 
Then the only thing that you have to consider is if you can actually live with a 4.3" display. I know many guys that bought Z1 compact because of its power, but then got dissappointed by its "small" screen. My previous phone was galaxy S3 and eventually I couldn't stand its bulk. Mi2S is a phone of great quality and, if you really think about it, it's not that cheap.
 
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Then the only thing that you have to consider is if you can actually live with a 4.3" display. I know many guys that bought Z1 compact because of its power, but then got dissappointed by its "small" screen. My previous phone was galaxy S3 and eventually I couldn't stand its bulk. Mi2S is a phone of great quality and, if you really think about it, it's not that cheap.

I'm used to a smaller phone, so I think that it will fit me well. I initially was going to jump right into the Mi3, but after watching one particular video it just seemed to look so large, but I thought I was going to lose something in the way of processor speed with the Mi2. After doing some research I don't think I'll be missing anything, like you said it's quit powerful and I can't wait to get my hands on it.

And in no way was I trying to say that it was cheap. I'm the one with the cheapskate mindset.
 
And in no way was I trying to say that it was cheap. I'm the one with the cheapskate mindset.

That makes two of us, I do not like paying more that it's worth. Right now there are many phones with better specs and lower price, but none of them is small enough, so we have to pay a little more to get this great size/performance ratio.
 
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That makes two of us, I do not like paying more that it's worth.

I agree, now the only step left is determining what site to buy from. The more reputable sites seem to be a little more expensive, but it's probably wise to pay a little more for a trust worthy site.
 
Thanks, there are so many to choose from. I was going to go with spellmall or geekbuying, but I will definitely check these two out.
Ive bought a M1S and M2A on merimobiles. The M2S 32GB is only 320$ there!
http://www.merimobiles.com/xiaomi-m2s-quadcore-smartphone_p/meri8462.htm

Ibuygou offers the phone for 330$
http://www.ibuygou.com/p-original_x...capacitive_touchscreen_gps_wifi-4647-usd.html

But I've had good experience with my phones from merimobiles, only when I send my M2A for repair it took really long, but I guess that is normal when sending phones to China! It took 5 weeks to arrive, I got it back after 8 weeks(total).

I bought my M2S on eBay btw. I love paypal protection. If you do a good search you can get it for 330$ incl. shipment. Maybe even cheaper when you bid on a new M2S (Thats what I did)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Xiaomi-MI2s...1290558055?pt=Cell_Phones&hash=item2a35c26267
 
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Thanks for the links RobinHood! I've only had bad luck with Ebay, so I think I'll go with merimobiles as that works out to a nice price even after shipping. Ibuygou seems to have all the accessories though.

I can't wait to get the phone!! there is so much customization that can be done especially with MIUI.
 
Question, there is an option to have a root firmware install. Should I trust them to do this, or is this something that I could just do on my own?
Don't pay them for that. Root firmware is built into the development firmware version of miui which you can flash for free.

Also if your looking for a plan since were both in the us. Go with att go phone plan. Sign up for the go phone unlimited $35 or $50 plan which is meant for dumb phones. You can get unlimited data and use as much as you want. Att things it's a dumb phone. I personally used over 20gb. I heard of people using over 100 before.
Sent from my LG-E975 using Tapatalk
 
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Thanks for the links RobinHood! I've only had bad luck with Ebay, so I think I'll go with merimobiles as that works out to a nice price even after shipping. Ibuygou seems to have all the accessories though.

I can't wait to get the phone!! there is so much customization that can be done especially with MIUI.
Like said above, do not pay for root, Miui international rom and Wiui both are rooted out of the box. Plus, if if you want to get the most out of your phone install the latest AOSP by Ivan:
http://xiaomi.eu/community/threads/aosp-4-4-kitkat-rom-aosp-by-ivan.22682/
So you can enjoy the KitKat goodies. If you want your phone to be customizable like Miui you can always use Xposed Framework. I made a guide on how to do this, see here:
Flash it with CWM (see: http://xiaomi.eu/community/threads/2014-03-23-clockworkmod-recovery-6-0-4-7.19686/ )
After flash, CWM asks if you want to flash new boot, you dont want that, you want to keep CWM(and root) I guess.

Then I install Apex Launcher and set it up the way I like it.

I install Google Keyboard found here(So I have my own language when typing):
http://d-h.st/hSX

Then I use Xposed Framework:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1574401

With Xposed Framework I use Gravity box to get back CM functionality, lots of things are there, just search for "Gravity box" in Xposed apps download selection.

I USED intelli3g, but with Quicktiles settings I dont need it as I can switch easily between 2g and 3g.
But you can use intelli3g, another Xposed Module, to let my phone automaticly switch to 2G when in
standby which saves a lot of battery, when you unlock the screen it automaticly switches on to 3G...
there is a lot of other options. Just look at it:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.voidvapps.intelli3g
Here is a thread about this app:
http://xiaomi.eu/community/threads/battery-saving-automaticly-switch-2g-2g-3g.23334/

Also:

Some tip I got from, I believe it was Paulrlzz, if you want theme support like in CM use this.
XDA XthemeEngine

And here is how to port CM themes to this Xthemer:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2504371

That is pretty much all you need to know ;) Also read the threads I mentioned because if you have questions, a lot of them will be answered already. And you may always express your thankfulness with the like button :p ---->

Edit:
I also use xPrivacy for Xposed, which is a way to set up APP permissions very strict.
 
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Don't pay them for that. Root firmware is built into the development firmware version of miui which you can flash for free.

Also if your looking for a plan since were both in the us. Go with att go phone plan. Sign up for the go phone unlimited $35 or $50 plan which is meant for dumb phones.

I was looking at these plans and none of them say 2g or 3g except for the most expensive one, isn't that going to mean that I can't access their 2g & 3g network if I go the cheaper route?
Also, they said that I would have to go into the local store to get the phone setup, is that going to cause any issues when they see my Xiaomi instead of the familiar brands?
 
Like said above, do not pay for root, Miui international rom and Wiui both are rooted out of the box. Plus, if if you want to get the most out of your phone install the latest AOSP by Ivan:
http://xiaomi.eu/community/threads/aosp-4-4-kitkat-rom-aosp-by-ivan.22682/
So you can enjoy the KitKat goodies. If you want your phone to be customizable like Miui you can always use Xposed Framework. I made a guide on how to do this, see here:


That is pretty much all you need to know ;) Also read the threads I mentioned because if you have questions, a lot of them will be answered already. And you may always express your thankfulness with the like button :p ---->

Edit:
I also use xPrivacy for Xposed, which is a way to set up APP permissions very strict.

Thank you for the thread links.

And likes have been passed out:D Thanks to all that have responded back.