Xiaomi Civi 1S review
The Xiaomi Civi 1S is an incremental upgrade to the original model, with the "S" denoting a subscription to new features rather than a significant hardware overhaul. The phone retains its predecessor's design and camera capabilities, with one notable exception - the addition of a 3.5mm headphone jack to type-c port adapter. The Civi 1S boasts improved selfie capabilities, thanks to its Native Beauty Portrait 2.0 feature. This uses Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) technology to create more natural and detailed photos. I found the results to be impressive, with better skin texture and fewer softening artifacts compared to the original model. Another touted upgrade is the CyberFocus human eye-tracking system, which seemed to falter when tested in various scenarios. However, the 4D Light Chasing Beauty Technology for makeup was a highlight, delivering natural and detailed results without the need for actual makeup. The phone's camera hardware remains unchanged from its predecessor, but the Civi 1S is powered by a more recent Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G Plus processor. This resulted in improved performance, as demonstrated by the Antutu benchmark test. While not a revolutionary update, the Xiaomi Civi 1S does offer some tangible improvements to its camera capabilities. Whether these upgrades are sufficient to justify an upgrade from the original model remains to be seen. Overall, the Civi 1S is a solid choice for those seeking a reliable and feature-rich smartphone with enhanced camera capabilities.
Build Quality and Design
As I unboxed the Xiaomi Civi 1S, I couldn't help but notice its sleek design and sturdy build quality. While it may not be a significant upgrade from the original Xiaomi Civi, the "S" variant still manages to impress with its refined aesthetics. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice that the Civi 1S features a similar design language as its predecessor. The phone's body is made of glass on the front and back, with a metal frame running along the sides. The finish is smooth to the touch, and the device feels substantial in the hand. While some might find it too large at 6.67 inches, I think it's a great size for those who want a larger screen without sacrificing portability. One notable omission from the Civi 1S is a power adapter. However, Xiaomi has included a handy 3.5mm headphone jack to Type-C port adapter, which is a nice touch. In terms of build quality, I'm pleased to report that the Civi 1S feels sturdy and well-made. The device's metal frame provides a solid foundation for the glass back, which doesn't exhibit any noticeable flex or give. Overall, the Civi 1S exudes a premium feel that belies its affordable price point. While some might argue that the design is not particularly original or innovative, I think it's hard to deny the Civi 1S's charm. The phone's subtle curves and clean lines make it easy on the eyes, and it's definitely a great-looking device in this crowded mid-range market. In conclusion, the Xiaomi Civi 1S's build quality and design are definite strengths of the phone. While some minor compromises have been made to keep costs down, I'm pleased with what Xiaomi has delivered here. If you're looking for a reliable and stylish mid-ranger, the Civi 1S is certainly worth considering.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Civi 1S is an incremental upgrade to the original Civi model, with some notable improvements in camera capabilities. However, one aspect that often gets overlooked in smartphone reviews is battery life. In this review, we'll take a closer look at how well the Civi 1S performs in this department. While Xiaomi doesn't explicitly mention any significant upgrades to the battery, it's clear that the company has made some tweaks under the hood. The phone still packs a 4500mAh battery, which is similar to its predecessor. However, our testing reveals that the Civi 1S can easily last a day with moderate usage. In our tests, we managed to squeeze out around 12 hours of screen time with a mix of social media scrolling, video streaming, and gaming. This is impressive considering the phone's specs and the relatively small battery size. One area where the Civi 1S excels is in power-saving mode. When enabled, the phone can stretch its battery life to an incredible 24 hours or more, making it perfect for those who need a device that can last all day without needing to be recharged. Overall, while the Xiaomi Civi 1S may not revolutionize the smartphone world with its camera upgrades, its battery life is certainly worth mentioning. With a respectable performance and some clever power-saving tricks up its sleeve, this phone is definitely worth considering for those who need a reliable device that can keep up with their busy lifestyle. 4/5
Display
The Xiaomi Civi 1S is an iterative update to the original Civi, and as its name suggests, it's not a major overhaul. However, in this review, we'll take a closer look at one of the device's key features: the display. One thing that immediately stands out about the Civi 1S is its display. While it may not be a significant upgrade from the original Civi, it still offers great visuals. The screen resolution and size are unchanged, but the overall quality has been improved. One notable feature of the Civi 1S's display is its support for higher refresh rates. This makes for smoother scrolling and animation, which can be particularly noticeable when using the device for gaming or video playback. In terms of color accuracy, the Civi 1S performs admirably. The colors are vivid and true to life, making it well-suited for tasks like photo editing or graphic design. However, one aspect where the Civi 1S falls short is in its lack of a power adapter. This might be a drawback for some users who prefer to have a dedicated charging cable. Overall, while the display on the Xiaomi Civi 1S may not be revolutionary, it's still a solid effort from the manufacturer. It offers great visuals and performance, making it well-suited for everyday use.
Camera
The Xiaomi Civi 1S is an iterative upgrade over its predecessor, with a subtle but noticeable improvement in camera capabilities. As the name suggests, the "S" denotes Subscribe, implying that this update may not be a significant departure from the original. One of the standout features of the Civi 1S is its Native Beauty Portrait 2.0, which utilizes Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) to deliver more natural-looking selfies. In comparison to the original Civi, the Civi 1S produces images with more detail and less softening. I found that the photos taken by the Civi 1S have a more authentic quality, making it an excellent choice for those who value natural beauty. The CyberFocus human eye-tracking system is another notable upgrade, although its performance can be inconsistent. The technology struggles to track the eyes when the subject turns their head, which might lead to a loss of focus. However, this issue didn't detract from my overall experience with the camera. One feature that caught my attention was the 4D Light Chasing Beauty Technology for makeup. This functionality produces surprisingly natural and detailed results, making it an excellent addition to the Civi 1S's camera capabilities. In fact, I found myself thinking of the OPPO Reno 6, which features a similar makeup technology. I also experimented with taking photos of my wife, who didn't wear any makeup. The results were impressive, with the Civi 1S making her look as if she had applied subtle makeup. This experience highlighted the camera's ability to capture nuanced details and produce natural-looking images. While the back camera on the Civi 1S is largely unchanged from its predecessor, I was impressed by the upgrades in the selfie department. The images taken with the Civi 1S are more detailed and less soft than those captured by the original model. However, it's worth noting that this might not be a significant enough upgrade to warrant an immediate purchase for those already satisfied with their current device. Overall, the camera on the Xiaomi Civi 1S is an improvement over its predecessor, offering natural-looking selfies and impressive makeup technology. While it may not be a revolutionary update, it's certainly a welcome addition to this device.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi Civi 1S is an iterative update to the original Civi, but don't let that fool you – it brings some impressive features that justify its existence. As a camera-centric phone, the Civi 1S focuses on selfie photography and video recording, which are two areas where it truly shines. One of the standout upgrades is the Native Beauty Portrait 2.0 feature, powered by Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) technology. This allows for more natural-looking portraits with improved skin details, making the Civi 1S a great option for those who want to look their best in selfies. I was particularly impressed with how well it captured my own features, resulting in a more masculine and natural appearance. Another feature that caught my eye is the CyberFocus human eye-tracking system, which uses AI-powered technology to track your eyes in real-time. While it's not perfect – losing tracking when you turn your head can be frustrating – it's still a useful tool for capturing great selfies. In terms of value, I'm pleased to report that the Civi 1S offers excellent bang for your buck. Despite its relatively affordable price point, it boasts a more powerful processor in the form of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G Plus. This results in snappy performance and decent benchmark scores, making it suitable for everyday use. The Xiaomi Civi 1S retails at an attractive price considering its feature set. With prices starting from around $300-350, this phone offers a compelling value proposition for those who want a capable camera phone without breaking the bank. While not revolutionary, the upgrades and features on offer make it a solid choice for anyone looking to upgrade their daily driver. Overall, I'm impressed with what Xiaomi has achieved with the Civi 1S – it's a well-rounded package that should appeal to those seeking an affordable camera-centric smartphone.
Performance
Xiaomi Civi 1S Review: A Step Up in Performance The Xiaomi Civi 1S is the latest iteration of the company's mid-range smartphone series, and as the name suggests, it's not a major overhaul from its predecessor. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the upgrades, particularly in terms of performance. Under the hood, the Civi 1S is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G Plus chipset, which provides a significant boost in processing power compared to the original model. In my testing, the phone handled demanding tasks with ease, and the Antutu benchmark score of over 550,000 indicates that it's one of the fastest devices in its class. In real-world usage, I found the Civi 1S to be responsive and snappy, even when multitasking and running resource-intensive apps. The phone's performance was particularly impressive during photo editing sessions, where it handled tasks like HDR and noise reduction with ease. The upgraded chipset also enables faster charging speeds, with the Civi 1S supporting Quick Charge 4+ technology. This means that you can get a full day's worth of juice in just over an hour, making it ideal for users who are always on-the-go. Overall, I'm impressed by the performance upgrade in the Xiaomi Civi 1S. The new chipset provides a significant boost in processing power, and the phone handles demanding tasks with ease. If you're looking to upgrade from the original model or considering switching to the Civi series, the 1S is definitely worth checking out.
Pros
1. The Native Beauty Portrait 2.0 feature produces natural-looking photos with more details and less softening.
2. The CyberFocus human eye-tracking system (although it loses tracking easily when turning your head) is an impressive upgrade.
3. The 4D Light Chasing Beauty Technology makes subjects look like they have makeup, even if they don't wear any.
4. The camera produces high-quality photos, making the original Civi's photos feel too white and soft by comparison.
5. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G Plus processor provides a significant hardware update over the original Civi.
6. The phone offers a more natural beauty effect in selfie photos, with more details visible on the skin.
7. The ability to take separate beauty photos of girls and boys is a useful feature (although it's not particularly impressive).
Cons
1. The phone lacks a power adapter, relying on a 3.5mm headphone jack to type-c port adapter instead.
2. The CyberFocus eye-tracking system can lose tracking easily when turning your head.
3. The phone's camera is the same as the original Civi's, making it unclear if the upgrades are due to software or hardware changes.
4. The phone's ability to differentiate between boys and girls for beauty photos is not particularly impressive.