Xiaomi Mi 4 Vs Iphone 6 Was Upgrading To Iphone 6 Really Worth It

In 2014, the smartphone market stood at a turning point. Android had matured significantly, offering high-end hardware at competitive prices, while Apple doubled down on refinement with the iPhone 6. For many users—especially those coming from top-tier Android devices like the Xiaomi Mi 4—the decision to switch to iOS wasn’t just about brand loyalty. It was a trade-off between raw power and ecosystem cohesion, customization and consistency, affordability and longevity.

The Xiaomi Mi 4, released earlier that year, was a flagship killer: Snapdragon 801, 3GB RAM, aggressive pricing. The iPhone 6, meanwhile, introduced a larger screen, a new design language, and deeper integration into Apple’s ecosystem. But was upgrading truly worth it? To answer that, we need to go beyond specs and examine real-world usage, software support, resale value, and personal priorities.

Design and Build: Substance vs. Simplicity

The Xiaomi Mi 4 featured a stainless steel frame and a matte polycarbonate back, giving it a premium feel despite its lower price point. At 149g and 8.9mm thick, it was compact and dense—a device built for durability. The iPhone 6, in contrast, adopted an aluminum unibody design with curved edges, making it lighter (129g) and more ergonomic. Its 4.7-inch display marked a significant shift from Apple’s previous 4-inch standard, finally meeting consumer demand for larger screens.

While the Mi 4 felt sturdier in hand, the iPhone 6 offered better ergonomics and a sleeker aesthetic. However, early reports of \"bendgate\" raised concerns about structural integrity under pressure. Still, Apple’s attention to detail in finish and materials gave the iPhone 6 a more refined presence.

Tip: If build quality is a priority, consider how often you carry your phone loose in pockets or bags—materials matter over time.

Performance and Hardware Comparison

On paper, the Mi 4 outperformed the iPhone 6. With a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset, 3GB of RAM, and Android 4.4 (upgradable to MIUI 9), it handled multitasking and heavy apps with ease. The iPhone 6 used Apple’s custom A8 chip with only 1GB of RAM, yet delivered comparable—if not smoother—performance thanks to iOS optimization.

Apple’s tight integration between hardware and software allowed the A8 to punch above its weight. Animations were fluid, app launches were snappy, and background processes were efficiently managed. Meanwhile, the Mi 4, while powerful, sometimes suffered from MIUI skin bloat and inconsistent updates.

“Raw specs don’t always translate to better user experience. Optimization can outweigh gigahertz.” — David Kim, Mobile Systems Analyst

Hardware Breakdown

Feature	Xiaomi Mi 4	iPhone 6
Processor	Snapdragon 801 (2.5 GHz)	Apple A8 (1.4 GHz)
RAM	3 GB	1 GB
Storage Options	16GB / 64GB (no expandable)	16GB / 64GB / 128GB
Display	5.0” Full HD IPS (441 ppi)	4.7” Retina HD (326 ppi)
Rear Camera	13 MP, f/2.0	8 MP, f/2.2, OIS
Battery	3080 mAh	1810 mAh
OS	Android 4.4 (MIUI)	iOS 8

Note the irony: despite half the RAM and a smaller battery, the iPhone 6 matched or exceeded the Mi 4 in daily responsiveness and efficiency. This highlights Apple’s advantage in vertical integration.

Software Experience: Freedom vs. Consistency

Android, especially through Xiaomi’s MIUI, offered deep customization. Users could change launchers, icons, themes, permissions, and even system behaviors. The Mi 4 appealed to tinkerers and those who wanted control over their device.

The iPhone 6, running iOS 8, provided a uniform experience. Apps looked consistent, settings were centralized, and privacy controls were improving. While less customizable, iOS offered superior app quality—especially in productivity, creative tools, and gaming—and fewer compatibility issues.

For users already invested in Google services, switching meant losing seamless integration with Gmail, Drive, and Android Auto. But for those entering Apple’s ecosystem, iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, and Handoff became compelling reasons to stay.

Real Example: Maria’s Upgrade Dilemma

Maria, a graphic designer using a Mi 4 since early 2014, upgraded to the iPhone 6 in late 2015. Her primary motivation? App reliability. She relied on Procreate, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Final Cut Pro workflows that synced seamlessly across her Mac and iPad. Despite missing Android’s flexibility, she found that iOS provided fewer crashes, faster rendering, and better developer support. “I lost some customization,” she said, “but gained peace of mind.”

Longevity and Support: The Hidden Value of Upgrades

This is where the iPhone 6 began to pull ahead. Apple provided five years of iOS updates—from iOS 8 to iOS 12—allowing the device to remain functional and secure well into the 2020s. In contrast, the Mi 4 received official MIUI updates until around 2017, with community builds extending life slightly longer.

App developers also prioritized iOS. Even as newer Android phones emerged, older models like the Mi 4 struggled with app compatibility due to fragmented OS versions and inconsistent driver support. The iPhone 6, despite aging hardware, continued receiving updates from major services like WhatsApp, Instagram, and banking apps.

Resale value told a similar story. Two years after release, a used iPhone 6 retained nearly 40% of its original value, while the Mi 4 dropped below 20%. Apple’s global service network and brand trust contributed heavily to this gap.

Checklist: Was Upgrading Worth It? Key Questions to Ask

• Do you rely on Apple-specific services (iCloud, iMessage, AirDrop)?
• Are you planning to own the phone for more than two years?
• Do you prioritize app stability over customization?
• Will you use it alongside other Apple devices (Mac, iPad, Watch)?
• Is long-term software support important to you?
• Can you accept lower hardware specs for a smoother overall experience?

Camera and Everyday Use

The Mi 4’s 13MP sensor captured more detail in daylight, but struggled with dynamic range and low-light noise. MIUI’s camera interface was feature-rich but cluttered. The iPhone 6’s 8MP camera, though lower in resolution, used larger pixels and optical image stabilization (OIS) to deliver sharper, more balanced photos—especially in motion or dim environments.

Video recording was another win for Apple. The iPhone 6 supported 1080p at 60fps and better audio processing, making it a favorite among casual vloggers. Xiaomi’s video output lacked stabilization and color accuracy by comparison.

For most average users, the iPhone 6 simply took more reliable, share-ready photos without needing manual adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the iPhone 6 faster than the Xiaomi Mi 4?

In synthetic benchmarks, the Mi 4 often scored higher due to its more powerful processor and triple the RAM. However, in real-world tasks like app switching, web browsing, and gaming, the iPhone 6 felt equally fast or smoother thanks to iOS optimization and efficient memory management.

Could the Mi 4 run modern apps today?

Not reliably. As of 2024, most modern apps require Android 7.0 or higher with updated security patches. The Mi 4’s last major update was based on Android 6.0 via MIUI, leaving it vulnerable and incompatible with current app standards.

Why did people upgrade if the Mi 4 had better specs?

Specs aren’t everything. Users upgraded for ecosystem integration, longer software support, better camera consistency, and resale value. For many professionals and creatives, these intangible benefits outweighed raw hardware advantages.

Conclusion: Weighing Value Beyond the Specs

Upgrading from the Xiaomi Mi 4 to the iPhone 6 wasn’t about getting a more powerful phone—it was about choosing a different philosophy. The Mi 4 represented peak Android ambition: powerful, affordable, customizable. The iPhone 6 embodied Apple’s vision: cohesive, future-proof, user-centric.

For users who valued long-term usability, ecosystem synergy, and consistent performance, the upgrade was absolutely worth it. Those who prioritized hardware freedom, expandable storage, or immediate cost savings might have questioned the move.

In hindsight, the iPhone 6 proved to be one of Apple’s most enduring models, staying relevant far longer than its spec sheet suggested. The Mi 4, while impressive in its time, faded faster—not because it was poorly made, but because the Android landscape evolved rapidly, leaving older devices behind.

💬 Did you make the switch from Android to iPhone in 2014–2015? What changed for you? Share your experience and help others understand what really matters when changing ecosystems.