Xiaomi Mi4i Vs Asus ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML): Which Android Smartphone is Best?

| Updated: Friday, April 24, 2015, 15:13 [IST]

The battle for the "next-generation" handset is heating up with better performance from mid range devices. The latest ambitious handset is the Android Lollipop-based Xiaomi Mi4i, which will go head-to-head with the Asus ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML).

Asus ZenFone 2 In Pictures

Xiaomi Mi4i Vs Asus ZenFone 2: Which Android Smartphone is Best?

The Mi4i, launched by Xiaomi on Thursday, costs about Rs. 12,999, and is close to match up with Asus' ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML).

They both have more or less same specifications. But which one should you buy.

Here's a spec comparison:

Xiaomi Mi4i Vs Asus ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML): Design and Dimensions

Both phones feel great. Which one is better? They all use top-notch plastic chassis, but at the end it's largely up to a case of personal preference.

The ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML) is slightly heavier when compared to the Mi4i. The former handset is 10.9mm thick, whereas the Mi4i is only 7.8mm thick. In terms of weight, the ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML) weighs in at 170 grams versus the Mi4i's 130grams.

Xiaomi Mi4i Vs Asus ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML): Display

Sorry Asus, Xiaomi has a fantastic 5-inch (441ppi) Full HD screen. Plus, the Mi4i also features "Sunlight display" which improves its legibility when outdoors.

In comparison, the Zenfone 2 has a 5.5-inch 720p display with a pixel density of 267ppi.

Xiaomi Mi4i Vs Asus ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML): Processor

The Xiaomi Mi 4i is powered by a second-generation 1.7GHz Snapdragon 615 octa-core (1.1GHz quad-core + 1.7GHz quad-core) 64-bit processor, while the Zenfone 2 (ZE550ML) offers a 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z3580 quad-core chipset. Both devices come stuffed with 2GB of RAM.

Xiaomi Mi4i Vs Asus ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML): Storage and Connectivity

The devices share the same amount of storage: 16GB of integrated storage. However, the ZenFone 2 offers an additional 64GB of storage via an external microSD card slot.

Both the handsets have dual-SIM and LTE support. The major difference between the two devices is that the ZenFone 2 he dual-active DSDA feature. The Mi4i, on the other hand, has the dual stand-by feature.

Xiaomi Mi4i Vs Asus ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML): Camera

They both have 13-megapixel cameras on the back, alongside a 5-megapixel front-facing shooter.

The Xiaomi Mi 4i actually comes with a CMOS sensor, 5-element lens, f/2.0 aperture, and dual-tone flash. The rear-facing camera on the ZenFone 2 too comes with 5-element lens, f/2.0 aperture, and dual-LED real tone flash.

On the front side, the Mi4i comes with f/1.8 aperture and an 80 degrees wide angle lens. In the meanwhile, the Zenfone 2 comes with f/2.0 aperture and 85 degrees wide angle lens.

Xiaomi Mi4i Vs Asus ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML): Software

Both the two phones primarily offer skinned UI on top of Android. Apparently, the Mi4i is the first Xiaomi smartphone ever to run on Android 5.0 Lollipop-based MIUI 6. Not just that, Xiaomi's custom ROM now supports six Indian languages including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

What's more, the Chinese handset manufacturer also brings in a new feature called the Visual IVR. Basically this feature ou manage IVR menus without listening to them.

On the other hand, the Zenfone 2 (ZE550ML) uses its own ZenUI on top of the Android 5.0 Lollipop mobile OS.

Xiaomi Mi4i Vs Asus ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML): Battery

The Mi4i easily wins this round with a 3,120mAh battery, while owners of the Asus ZenFone 2 have to make do with 3,000mAh battery.

Xiaomi Mi4i Vs Asus ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML): Price and Shipping

Asus' ZenFone 2 lineup starts at about Rs. 12,999 and goes up to Rs. 23,999 for the top-end model. The Mi 4i is priced at Rs 12,999, when it launches on April 30 on Flipkart.

Xiaomi Mi4i Vs Asus ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML): Early Verdict

Both devices are drastically improved over at other Android-based in the current price segment. The screen, the design and even the camera have all been improved significantly on the Asus ZenFone 2.

Xiaomi too has made many changes to the Mi4i, especially when it comes to the camera part. Unfortunately, the Mi4i doesn't support an external SD card slot, which could draw harsh criticism from the mainstream critics.