Mi Play Xiaomi: A full review of the device and its capabilities

The Mi Play is one of the most unusual devices in Xiaomi’s lineup, and it often raises questions among users.This smartphone, released in late 2018, combines a budget price, game design and custom technical solutions. Many still confuse it with the Black Shark series gaming devices or regular Redmi smartphones, but the Mi Play occupies a special niche.

In this article, we will go into detail about what the Mi Play is, who it is designed for, what its strengths and weaknesses are, and how to properly configure and update it. If you are considering buying this device or have already become a owner, here you will find answers to all the key questions.

What is Mi Play: A Brief History and Positioning

The Mi Play was announced by Xiaomi in December 2018 as a budget smartphone with a focus on gaming capabilities. its name ("Play") hints at an entertainment focus, but in fact it is not a full-fledged gaming phone, but rather a hybrid between a regular smartphone and a device for gamers.

The main feature of the Mi Play is the use of the MediaTek Helio processor. P35, It was unusual for Xiaomi at the time (most of the company's devices were powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon), which made the device cheaper, but also raised questions about its performance.

The smartphone was positioned as:

• 🎮 Budget solution for mobile games (support for popular projects such as: PUBG Mobile on Medium Settings).
• 📱 Universal smartphone for everyday tasks with a focus on multimedia.
• 💰 Affordable alternative to flagships with game design (colored body options, button highlighting).

Interestingly, the Mi Play became one of the last Xiaomi smartphones released under the Mi brand before the full transition to Redmi and the new model. POCO budgetary.

Technical characteristics of Mi Play: what is under the hood

Let's take a closer look at the Mi Play's stuffing, and it'll help us understand what the device is capable of and whether it's worth buying in 2026.

Features of MediaTek Helio platform P35:

• ⚡ Support for CorePilot technologies to optimize gaming performance.
• 🎧 Built-in audio chip for improved sound (important for gamers).
• 📡 Module 4G LTE Cat-7 (up to 300 Mbit/s per reception).
• 🔋 Power efficiency at Snapdragon 625 level, but with better graphics (PowerVR) GE8320).

The main disadvantage of the processor is the lack of support for Vulkan API, It's a limiting feature of some modern games. P35 The performance of the Snapdragon 660, which was put in the Redmi Note 7 of the same period.

💡

If you plan to play heavy games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile on the Mi Play, prepare to reduce graphics settings to a minimum. For casual games like Clash Royale or Brawl Stars, there is enough performance with a margin.

Design and Ergonomics: What to Look for

The Mi Play stands out from other Xiaomi smartphones of the time due to its striking game design. The body is made of glossy plastic with a gradient color - there are variants of "Dream Blue" (blue-purple gradient) and classic black. The rear panel has a characteristic "game" pattern with diagonal lines, resembling the texture of carbon fiber.

Key design elements:

• 📏 Compact dimensions: 147.8 × 71.9 × 7.8 mm, weight 150 d (in hand comfortably placed).
• 🔘 Power button with RGB-lighting (you can adjust the color in the settings).
• 🔊 Double dynamics (lower dynamics) + colloquial) for stereo in games.
• 📶 Antenna lines are hidden under plastic, there are no protruding elements.

On the other hand, the glossy back panel is quickly covered with fingerprints, and the plastic case seems less premium compared to metal or glass smartphones of the same price segment (for example, the Redmi Note 7).

Location of elements:

• 📸 Double camera vertically in the upper left corner (does not interfere with the holding of the device).
• 🔋 Connector. USB Type-C and 3.5mm audio jack at the bottom (comfortable for gamers using wired headphones).
• 📶 Slot for two nano-SIMs + microSD (hybrid, second) SIM memory-card).

Software: MIUI and the possibility of customization

Mi Play from the box worked MIUI 10 based on Android 8.1 Oreo. later the device received an update to MIUI 12, but without switching to new versions of Android (the last available is Android 9 Pie via custom firmware).This is one of the main disadvantages of the smartphone: official support for updates ended in 2021.

Features of the software on Mi Play:

• 🎮 Game Turbo mode to optimize performance in games (disables background processes, blocks notifications).
• 🔒 Ability to unlock the bootloader for custom firmware installation (for example, LineageOS).
• 📱 Navigation gestures support (you can turn off classic buttons).
• 🔋 Battery option with detailed statistics of energy consumption by application.

Due to the outdated version of Android, some modern applications (such as banking or games with high security requirements) may not work correctly or at all.

• ❌ Android 10+ (Dark theme at the system level, improved permissions for applications).
• ❌ Google Play Protect the latest versions.
• ❌ Certain functions MIUI 13/14 (For example, improved multitasking).

💡

If you are critically important to current security updates, consider installing custom firmware based on Android 10+ (For example, Pixel Experience or Havoc-OS).

The process of unlocking the loader and firmware:

1. Get permission to unlock through the official Xiaomi website.
2. Install the Mi Unlock Tool and connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode.
3. After unlocking, please TWRP Recovery and custom firmware.

Performance in games and everyday tasks

Despite its gaming positioning, the Mi Play is not a top-end gaming smartphone, but can be described as “sufficient for medium loads.”

Games:

• 🎮 PUBG Mobile: Medium settings, 30 FPS (During long-term play, there may be delays).
• 🎮 Call of Duty: Mobile: Low Settings, 40 FPS (Average leads to lags).
• 🎮 Genshin Impact: Minimum settings, 30 FPS (hull-heat).
• 🎮 Free Fire or Mobile Legends: High Settings, 60 FPS (steady-work).

Everyday challenges:

• 📱 Multitasking: up to 5-6 applications in the background (with more - reboot).
• 📸 Photo processing: Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile work without delay.
• 🎥 Video editing: CapCut will cope with projects before 1080p, But the render will take a long time.
• 🌐 Browsing: Chrome or Firefox open up to 10 tabs without hanging.

Performance tests (synthetic benchmark results):

The main problem with long loads is overheating. 30-40 minutes of intense play, the processor temperature can reach 60-65°C, which leads to trottling (automatic productivity decline). Solves the problem:

• 🧊 Use of a cooling cover or fan stand.
• 🔋 Limitation FPS In the game settings (for example, 30 instead of 60).
• 📉 Closing background applications before playing.

💡

To reduce heat, turn off in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — tap 7 times) the "Do not turn off the screen while charging" option, which will reduce the load on the processor.

Camera: Opportunities and Limitations

The Mi Play camera is built on a standard for public sector 2018 module: the main sensor 12 MP (pixel size 1.25 μm) with phase autofocus and an auxiliary 2 MP for background blur. Front camera - 8 MP with support for portrait mode.

The camera's pros:

• 📸 Good daylight detailing (due to high resolution of the main module).
• 🌄 Acceptable color reproduction in mode HDR (Not over-exercise with saturation).
• 👤 Successful background blur in portrait mode (for its time).
• 🎥 Stabilization of video at the level 1080p@30fps (smoothly).

Cons of the camera:

• 🌙 Light sensitivity in the dark (noise, even when it is light) ISO 1600).
• 🔍 No optical zoom (only digital, which greatly spoils quality).
• 📹 No support. 4K-Video (maximum - Full) HD).
• 🤳 Selfie camera blurs details in low light.

Examples of settings for the best pictures:

• 📷 In camera settings → Include further "Improving" HDR" more natural flowers.
• 🌅 For night shooting, use the "Hand" mode with shutter speed 1-2 seconds (needs tripod).
• 👥 In portrait mode, reduce the blur intensity to 70% for a more natural effect.

For comparison: the camera Mi Play loses even budget smartphones 2020+ However, for social networks and everyday shots, it is enough to have the capabilities of the Redmi Note 9 with 48 MP main module.

Battery and autonomy: how long the charge lasts

The Mi Play battery has a capacity of 3,000 mAh, which is the average for smartphones in 2018. P35 The autonomy of the device leaves much to be desired, especially when using actively.

Results of the autonomy tests:

Ways to extend the working time:

• 🔋 Enable Battery mode in the settings and select the Charge Savings profile.
• 📵 Turn off background activity for unnecessary apps (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start).
• 🔍 Reduce the waiting time before turning off the screen to 15 seconds.
• 📶 Switch to the switch. 3G, if 4G No need (saving up to 20% of charge).

The smartphone supports fast charging Quick Charge 3.0 (18 watts), but the kit comes with a regular adapter for 10 watts. Full charging takes:

• ⚡ With standard RMS: ~2 hours 10 minutes.
• ⚡ Quick Charge 3.0: ~1 hour 20 minutes.

💡

If autonomy is critical, consider buying powerbank with capacity. 10 000 That's enough. 3-4 Full-charge Mi Play.

Comparison with competitors: should you buy in 2026?

At the time of its release (2018), the Mi Play cost about 15,000 rubles in Russia, making it an attractive offer in the budget segment. However, today (2026) it can be found on the secondary market for 5,000-8000 rubles. Should I buy it now? Let's compare with the alternatives.

Who will be the Mi Play in 2026?

• 🎮 Gamers on a budget (for light games like Brawl Stars or Clash of Clans).
• 📱 Those looking for a compact smartphone (5.84 vs 6.5"+ modern-model).
• 💰 Buyers who need a backup phone for minimal money.
• 🛠️ Enthusiasts who are ready to sew custom ROM life-extension.

Who doesn't?

• 📸 Those who want high-quality photos (even budget smartphones 2022)+ better-filmed).
• 🔋 For users who are interested in a long charge (3000 mAh is not enough by modern standards).
• 📲 Fans of multitasking (4 GB of RAM is not enough for simultaneous work 10+ applications).
• 🔒 Those who value current security updates (official support long gone).

💡

If you like the design of the Mi Play, but need a more modern filling, pay attention to the design of the Mi Play. POCO X3 NFC (2020 – It has a similar gaming style, but the Snapdragon processor 732G 120Hz screen.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Mi Play