Xiaomi Mi 8 Brings World’s First Android 3D Face Unlock and More

Xiaomi really impressed with their Xiaomi Mi 8 reveal, showing off a device that could be called “the iPhone X of Android.” The Mi 8 not only looks like an iPhone X with its notched screen but also brings another similar feature: the world’s first 3D face unlock on Android. And that’s not to mention Mi Meng, Xiaomi’s version of Apple Animojis. #mobilemagic

Xiaomi’s 2018 flagship is available in three different models: Mi 8 SE, Mi 8, and Mi 8 Explorer Edition.

The cheapest option, the SE Edition, brings a 5.88-inch AMOLED screen and is the first smartphone to use the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 budget chipset.

On the back, you’ll find a dual camera with 12 MP + 5 MP sensors and f/1.9 aperture, with plenty of AI enhancements: Bokeh mode, Portrait, HDR adjustment, panorama, business card recognition, and intelligent translation.

The front camera is a generous 20 MP shooter with automatic HDR and capable of slow motion and 4K video capture. All of this is powered by a 3,120 mAh battery and is available in 4 GB RAM / 64 GB storage or 6 GB RAM / 128 GB storage options.

The regular Xiaomi Mi 8 brings a much bigger, 6.21-inch full HD+ display, and the battery is slightly bigger as well – 3,400 mAh. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset. On the RAM front, it’s available in 6 GB or 8 GB options, with 64 GB / 128 GB / 256 GB storage variants.

The Mi 8 front camera is a 20 MP offering with f/2.0 aperture and all the beautification features Xiaomi does best. The dual rear camera combines two 12 MP sensors with 1.4-micron pixels, AI portraits, and AI scene detection. Underneath them, you’ll find a fingerprint sensor.

The star of Xiaomi’s lineup, though, is definitely the Mi 8 Explorer Edition. This gorgeous flagship comes with 3D face recognition AND an in-display fingerprint sensor. It also comes with a smaller battery than the regular or the SE version, one that offers 3,000 mAh.

As for the specs, the cameras and processor are the same as with the regular Mi 8 but the flagship comes with 8 GB of LPPDDR4X RAM and 128 GB of storage.

One of its features, the transparent back, looks to be really interesting, but people are already questioning it.

An HTC forum moderator claimed that the glass back merely reveals a sticker, but Xiaomi was quick to contradict him in a statement made to The Verge.

As for pricing, the budget Xiaomi Mi 8 SE edition starts at $280 while the Mi 8 Explorer Edition is priced at $580.