Xiaomi Mi 6: How many inches of screen does the flagship of 2017 and why it matters

Xiaomi Mi 6 remains one of the most talked about smartphones of the brand, despite the fact that it was released back in April 2017, this device was a real milestone for the company — the first flagship with a glass case, dual main camera and Snapdragon 835 processor, which at that time was the top solution from Qualcomm. But today we are interested in another aspect: how many inches of the screen Xiaomi Mi 6 and how its characteristics affect the experience in 2026.

If you're planning to buy a Mi 6 b/d or just interested in Xiaomi's smartphone history, this material will help you understand the nuances of its display. We'll not only answer the diagonal question, but also analyze the resolution, pixel density, matrix type and compare them with modern standards. Spoiler: despite the age, the screen of this smartphone can still surprise!

The official screen characteristics of Xiaomi Mi 6: diagonal and not only

So, the big question is, how many inches does the Xiaomi Mi 6 have? According to the manufacturer's official specifications, the display diagonal is 5.15 inches. This is the classic size for the flagships of 2016-2017, when compactness was still valued higher than frameless screens. For comparison, modern smartphones rarely fall below 6.1, and many models reach 6.7"-6.8 ".

But diagonal isn't the only important parameter. Here are the full specs of the Mi 6 screen:

• 📏 Diagonal: 5.15 inches (~13.08 cm)
• 🔍 Permission: 1920 × 1080 pixels (Full) HD)
• 📊 Pixel density (PPI): ~428
• 🎨 Type of matrix: AMOLED (Samsung)
• 🔄 Aspect ratio: 16:9
• 🌈 Color coverage: 94.4% NTSC (according to Xiaomi)
• 💡 Brightness: up to 600 nits (maximum)

Especially stands out. AMOLED-matrix -- at the time of release, it was a rare solution for mid-range smartphones. AMOLED It has become the standard for flagships, but in 2017, its presence in the Mi 6 was a serious competitive advantage over many devices on the market. IPS.

Comparison with 2017 competitors: who offered more?

To see how relevant the 5.15-inch screen was in 2017, compare it to other flagships of the period, and the chart below shows the key models with their diagonals and resolutions:

As you can see from the table, the Mi 6 took an intermediate position: its screen is larger than the iPhone 7, but smaller than the Galaxy S8 or OnePlus 5. While Full HD resolution was the best choice – it provided a clear picture without excessive load on the processor, which is important for performance and autonomy.

⚠️ If you’re used to modern smartphones with a diagonal of 6.5” and above, the 5.15-inch screen may seem too small.

AMOLED vs IPS: Why the Mi 6 screen still looks good

One of the key advantages of Xiaomi Mi 6 is the use of the AMOLED-Samsung's matrix. What are its advantages over IPS, which was used by most of the smartphones of the time?

• 🖤 Deep black: pixels in AMOLED They are completely turned off, creating the perfect black (in the black). IPS black).
• 🌈 Wideer color gamut: coverage 94.4% NTSC Provides a rich and rich color.
• ⚡ Energy Efficiency: When Displaying Dark Themes AMOLED consumes less energy than IPS.
• 👁️ Contrast: y AMOLED It is almost infinite (1:∞), then IPS usually 1000:1–1500:1.

Of course, AMOLED has its downsides, such as the risk of pixel burnout when static elements (such as navigation bars) are displayed for long periods of time. However, Xiaomi has implemented a protection against this in the Mi 6: the system automatically shifts static elements by several pixels to prevent burnout.

Another nuance is color calibration. The Mi 6 has a rich profile by default, but in the screen settings (Settings → Display → Color Mode), you can choose a more natural option or even adjust the temperature manually.

Pixel Density (PPI): How sharp is the image?

The pixel density (PPI) shows how many pixels fit on one inch of the screen. The higher the PPI, the smoother and more detailed the picture looks. The Xiaomi Mi 6 has a ~428 PPI.

For comparison:

• 📱 iPhone 13 (2021): ~460 PPI
• 📱 Samsung Galaxy S22 (2022): ~425 PPI
• 📱 OnePlus 10 Pro (2022): ~525 PPI

As you can see, 428 PPI is a very good result even by modern standards, and on such a screen, individual pixels are indistinguishable to the naked eye (at a normal viewing distance of ~30 cm), which means that the text, photos and videos on the Mi 6 look clear, without “pixelation”.

⚠️ Note: If you use the Mi 6 to read small text (for example, in books or documents), you may find that the font seems too small. → Special opportunities → Type size).

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To reduce eye strain with prolonged use, turn on the read mode in Settings → Display → Read mode. It filters blue light and makes the colors warmer.

16:9 aspect ratio: pros and cons in 2026

The Xiaomi Mi 6 uses the classic 16:9 aspect ratio that was the standard for movies and videos before the era of “extended” screens. Today, most smartphones have a ratio of 19.5:9, 20:9 or even 21:9, which allows you to place more content on the screen.

What is the risk for Mi 6 owners?

• ✅ Pluses:
• 🎬 Perfect for watching 16:9 video (YouTube, movies) - no black stripes.
• 🎮 Convenient for games where the interface is designed for a standard ratio.
• 👌 Compact: Smartphone is easy to hold with one hand.
• ❌ Cons:
• 📱 Modern apps (e.g. Instagram, TikTok) are optimized for “long” screens – content will be cropped or displayed with fields.
• 🔄 Less room for multitasking (for example, a split screen works less conveniently).

If you watch YouTube videos often or play mobile games, 16:9 may even be an advantage, but for social media and instant messengers, it already seems outdated.

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The 16:9 aspect ratio makes the Mi 6 an ideal choice for media consumption (movies, TV shows), but less convenient for modern social networks and multitasking.

Visibility and brightness in the sun: a weak spot?

The Xiaomi Mi 6's screen brightness is 600 nits, which sounds good on paper, but in practice, many users say that visibility in the sun is poor. Why?

The point is, AMOLED-Even though the screens are very contrasting, they often lose. IPS In addition, the Mi 6 does not have a special brightness mode (like the Samsung Galaxy with Outdoor Mode).

How do you improve visibility?

Turn on automatic brightness adjustment in Settings → Display → Autobrightness

Turn off the screen toning (blue filter) during the daytime

Use dark themes – they are better read in bright lights on AMOLED

Cover the screen with your hand from direct sunlight

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If you're outdoors a lot, consider buying an anti-reflective glass or a visor case. AMOLED-The screens may decline – this is a normal process of aging matrix.

Should you buy the Xiaomi Mi 6 in 2026 in terms of screen?

If you think of the Xiaomi Mi 6 as a budget option or a backup smartphone, its screen can be both a plus and a minus.

• ✅ Screen-plus:
• 🔹 AMOLED-matrix with deep black and saturated colors.
• 🔹 High pixel density (428) PPI) — clear-cut.
• 🔹 Compact size (5.15) – comfortable for one hand.
• 🔹 Full HD-resolution is sufficient for most tasks.
• ❌ Screen cons:
• 🔸 Low visibility in the sun (maximum 600 nits).
• 🔸 Obsolete aspect ratio 16:9.
• 🔸 The risk of burnout AMOLED long-term.
• 🔸 No high refresh rate (standard 60 Hz).

If you need a smartphone to watch videos, read and do basic tasks, the Mi 6 may still be a good choice, but if you're used to 90Hz/120Hz screens or use social media a lot, it's going to look outdated.

The price of a used Xiaomi Mi 6 in 2026 usually ranges from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles (depending on condition), for which you get a flagship processor of 2017, a good screen and a dual camera, but be prepared for outdated software (official updates have long ceased) and average autonomy.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the screen Xiaomi Mi 6