7 Snapdragon 821 phones you can buy right now!


Here are 7 of the most powerful Snapdragon 821 Chinese phones that you can buy right now!

The Chinese smartphone industry has been fast to jump at the chance of using the Snapdragon 821 chipset from Qualcomm, and already there are 7 phones you can buy with the enhanced SoC.

Below are 7 phones that you can buy right now with the beastly Snapdragon 821 processor. Take a look at what’s available and let us know which you would choose in the comments below!

Xiaomi mi5s

Xiaomi Mi5S

If you’re not a fan of Xiaomi then you aren’t really going to enjoy this list as most of the phones mentioned are from the Beijing-based phone maker1

The Xiaomi Mi5S is the update on the Xiaomi Mi5 which launched earlier this year. Obviously one of the updates is the switch in processor to a faster Snapdragon 821 SoC, but there are other changes too.

The Mi5S has a new fingerprint scanner and a new metal rear panel too that many people prefer over the original.

Spec highlights include MIUI version 8 (based on Android 6.0), a 5.15-inch FHD display, 3GB RAM, 64GB internal memory, fingerprint scanner and Type C USB. The phone also has an impressive 4 axis OIS system on the rear camera.

Xiaomi Mi5s Plus Mi 5sXiaomi Mi5S Plus

Another Xiaomi phone (there are a lot of them with the SD821) is the Xiaomi Mi5S Plus. As the Mi5S has a 5.15-inch display it would be fair to assume the Mi5S Plus has a large panel and it does at 5.7-inches.

The Xiaomi Mi5S plus also has double the RAM (6GB RAM) and double the internal memory (128GB). It’s not only in these areas where the phone has double either as the Mi5S gets a dual 13 mega-pixel rear camera design. Other features induce a rear fingerprint scanner, and NFC.

smartisan m1 m1lSmartisan M1

Smartisan manages to get quite a lot of attention in China, but it’s not all that well known internationally. The Smartisan M1 is the latest flagship phone from the Chinese based phone manufacturer, and like the Mi5s features a 5.15-inch display and Snapdragon 821 chipset.

Spec highlights on the Smartisan M1 include a fingerprint scanner, HIFI audio, 4GB RAM, 32GB memory and 23 megapixel rear camera.

mi-mix_04-970x647-cXiaomi Mi Mix

Perhaps the most talked about phone of the past few months is the Xiaomi Mi Mix. This is a concept phone that Xiaomi decided to go ahead and launch in limited numbers. The Mi Mix boasts a huge 6.4-inch 2K display and swanky 18k gold ring around the rear 16 mega-pixel camera.

The Xiaomi Mi Mix obviously runs a Snapdragon 821 chipset, up to 6GB RAM, 5 megapixel front camera, rear fingerprint scanner, NFC and 4400mAh battery.

leEco le pro 3LeEco Le Pro 3

The 5.5-inch LeEco Le Pro 3 might look like other LeEco (and LeTV) phones from the past, but this 5.5-inch device is the first from the phone maker that runs the powerful Snapdragon 821.

LeECo has also aged to squeeze in a 4070mAh battery, rear fingerprint scanner, 16 megapixel rear camera, and 8 megapixel front. LeEco made the Pro 3 in gold, silver and rose gold.

Xiaomi Mi Note 2 specifications: OLED displayXiaomi Mi Note 2

We loved the original Xiaomi Mi Note, it was the first Xiaomi that oozed beauty and great build, it also wasn’t a bad performer either! The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 builds on the original phones design and looks by combining the rear curve to a curved display like that of the Vivo Xplay 6 and Samsung S7 models.

The Mi Note 2 comes with a 5.7-inch display, Snapdragon 821 SoC, 8 megapixel front camera, and 23 megapixel rear sensor. Memory options start at 4GB RAM + 64GB internal memory to 6GB RAM to 128GB storage.

oneplus-3t-specs1OnePlus 3T

Last but not least is the OnePlus 3T, a phone only announced a few days ago but one that looks very familiar to smartphone fans around the world. The 3T takes the body and majority of its specs from the original OP3 but gets an upgraded Snapdragon 821 chipset.

The 5.5-inch phone also has 6GB RAM, fingerprint scanner, 16 megapixel main camera, DASH fast charging and all alloy body.

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

Previous Xiaomi Mi 5s and Mi 5s Plus deals: It's a nice time to get one of these
Next Xiaomi Mi Mix Nano leaks again, shows some specs

52 Comments

  1. MattD
    November 17, 2016

    Pro 3 for battery and price/performance ratio, mi5s plus for everything else. I wouldn’t even consider the other phones, for various reasons

    • balcobomber25
      November 17, 2016

      Maxpower has the Pro 3, he hasn’t been impressed with the battery.

      • MattD
        November 18, 2016

        Oh, hi balco! Haven’t seen you around in a while!
        However, don’t know what’s up with the original rom, but with the modded one they say it’s pretty good, although there’s still space for improvements

        • balcobomber25
          November 21, 2016

          Ive been busy these past few months, but i am enjoying the S3.

        • MaxPower
          November 27, 2016

          What ROM? I’d like to try it

          • MattD
            November 29, 2016

            I was talking about the grossoshop rom, made by BB72 (if you ever read anything about letv’s modding, you’d surely have heard about him and cuoco92, they’re the main italian modders). BB72 made some kind of deal with the reseller, so he works on a modded eui without chinese bloatware and with otas too. Don’t know if it actually support US bands though, you can check on xda I think

            • MaxPower
              November 29, 2016

              I remember cuoco92 of androidiani while looking for a rom for the Nubia Z7 mini.
              I’m tempted on trying it, but I’m afraid I’m going to lose Android Pay functionality.

            • MattD
              November 30, 2016

              There’s a thread on androidiani with BB72 taking feedbacks and answering everyone’s doubts, you could ask him about it!

            • MaxPower
              November 30, 2016

              Thanks

      • MaxPower
        November 27, 2016

        I’m starting to use Greenify because I couldn’t get through a whole day.
        The RN3 used to last almost 2 days.

        From the good side it charges extremely fast, the fastest I’ve seen.

        • balcobomber25
          November 28, 2016

          I haven’t been having too many issues with the S3 battery, I can easily get a full day sometimes 1.5-2 depending on usage.

  2. Jh1
    November 17, 2016

    I don’t believe the Mi5s has the 4 axis ois listed in the article. The original Mi5 did, but it was dropped when they released the Mi5s.

  3. Luis Martinez
    November 17, 2016

    I really want that Vivo xplay 6 even though it’s not SD821

    • yukikaze kai
      November 11, 2017

      vivo xplay6 just sd820 bro

      • poptart
        November 11, 2017

        Yes. It is very well optimized

  4. MattD
    November 17, 2016

    Pro 3 for battery and price/performance ratio, mi5s plus for everything else. I wouldn’t even consider the other phones, for various reasons

    • balcobomber25
      November 18, 2016

      Maxpower has the Pro 3, he hasn’t been impressed with the battery.

    • MattD
      November 18, 2016

      Oh, hi balco! Haven’t seen you around in a while!
      However, don’t know what’s up with the original rom, but with the modded one they say it’s pretty good, although there’s still space for improvements

    • balcobomber25
      November 21, 2016

      Ive been busy these past few months, but i am enjoying the S3.

    • MaxPower
      November 28, 2016

      I’m starting to use Greenify because I couldn’t get through a whole day.
      The RN3 used to last almost 2 days.

      From the good side it charges extremely fast, the fastest I’ve seen.

    • MaxPower
      November 28, 2016

      What ROM? I’d like to try it

    • balcobomber25
      November 28, 2016

      I haven’t been having too many issues with the S3 battery, I can easily get a full day sometimes 1.5-2 depending on usage.

    • MattD
      November 29, 2016

      I was talking about the grossoshop rom, made by BB72 (if you ever read anything about letv’s modding, you’d surely have heard about him and cuoco92, they’re the main italian modders). BB72 made some kind of deal with the reseller, so he works on a modded eui without chinese bloatware and with otas too. Don’t know if it actually support US bands though, you can check on xda I think

    • MaxPower
      November 29, 2016

      I remember cuoco92 of androidiani while looking for a rom for the Nubia Z7 mini.
      I’m tempted on trying it, but I’m afraid I’m going to lose Android Pay functionality.

    • MattD
      November 30, 2016

      There’s a thread on androidiani with BB72 taking feedbacks and answering everyone’s doubts, you could ask him about it!

    • MaxPower
      November 30, 2016

      Thanks

  5. Step666
    November 17, 2016

    ‘Phones you can buy just now’
    The Mi Mix? Really?

    I’m trying to buy one and it’s proving difficult.

    • Ibrahim Bahakim
      November 18, 2016

      No, I am trying to buy one that is super cheap <=this is what you should write. If you want to get the expensive one you can find it EVERYWHERE!

      • Step666
        November 18, 2016

        No, I’m trying to buy the more expensive model, I’m just not willing to compromise on buyer protection, which is why I’m only willing to buy from a reputable site that accepts PayPal.
        So far, no such site I’ve found that meets those criteria has any stock or much of an idea when they’ll get some.

        • Ibrahim Bahakim
          November 18, 2016

          Gearbest, Geekbuying, Everbuying and so many more accept PayPal and they offer this model..

          • Step666
            November 18, 2016

            Gearbest are quoting mid-December for when they MIGHT have stock, GeekBuying I have a pre-order with and they can’t give me a date for when they’ll have stock and Everbuying don’t sell it.

            As for the other site you linked to, I’ve never heard of them so wouldn’t be inclined to take the risk.
            But just because they’re charging an arm and a leg doesn’t mean they actually have stock – plenty of people have pre-ordered the Mi Mix and are being extorted for more money with no guarantee when the stock will be available.

            • Ibrahim Bahakim
              November 18, 2016

              Yeah but to say the true I actually tried TVC-mall one time. I ordered a camera “Yi M1 dual lenses” and 3 different types of smart watch and some models of projectors. All was perfect and shipped in 2 days even though my order was 10 projectors and 20watches and 1 camera! They are trustworthy, but not at 1.2K US.. Dude I won’t throw all that money on a mobile sold at 600-800US at other websites haha

        • Ibrahim Bahakim
          November 18, 2016

          There found you a website which I used to get the Xiaomi Yi M1 from. I paid using PayPal. The phone is only 1.2K US tho.
          GOodluck XD
          https://www.tvc-mall.com/details/xiaomi-mi-mix-quad-core-4g-6-4-inch-smartphone-6-256gb-support-wireless-charging-black-sku26010308a.html
          This is cheap as fuck dude.

  6. Jh1
    November 18, 2016

    I don’t believe the Mi5s has the 4 axis ois listed in the article. The original Mi5 did, but it was dropped when they released the Mi5s.

  7. Luis Martinez
    November 18, 2016

    I really want that Vivo xplay 6 even though it’s not SD821

    • yukikaze kai
      November 11, 2017

      vivo xplay6 just sd820 bro

    • poptart
      November 11, 2017

      Yes. It is very well optimized

  8. Step666
    November 18, 2016

    ‘Phones you can buy just now’
    The Mi Mix? Really?

    I’m trying to buy one and it’s proving difficult.

    • Ibrahim Bahakim
      November 18, 2016

      No, I am trying to buy one that is super cheap <=this is what you should write. If you want to get the expensive one you can find it EVERYWHERE!

    • Step666
      November 18, 2016

      No, I’m trying to buy the more expensive model, I’m just not willing to compromise on buyer protection, which is why I’m only willing to buy from a reputable site that accepts PayPal.
      So far, no such site I’ve found that meets those criteria has any stock or much of an idea when they’ll get some.

    • Ibrahim Bahakim
      November 18, 2016

      Gearbest, Geekbuying, Everbuying and so many more accept PayPal and they offer this model..

    • Ibrahim Bahakim
      November 18, 2016

      There found you a website which I used to get the Xiaomi Yi M1 from. I paid using PayPal. The phone is only 1.2K US tho.
      GOodluck XD
      https://www.tvc-mall.com/details/xiaomi-mi-mix-quad-core-4g-6-4-inch-smartphone-6-256gb-support-wireless-charging-black-sku26010308a.html
      This is cheap as fuck dude.

    • Step666
      November 18, 2016

      Gearbest are quoting mid-December for when they MIGHT have stock, GeekBuying I have a pre-order with and they can’t give me a date for when they’ll have stock and Everbuying don’t sell it.

      As for the other site you linked to, I’ve never heard of them so wouldn’t be inclined to take the risk.
      But just because they’re charging an arm and a leg doesn’t mean they actually have stock – plenty of people have pre-ordered the Mi Mix and are being extorted for more money with no guarantee when the stock will be available.

    • Ibrahim Bahakim
      November 18, 2016

      Yeah but to say the true I actually tried TVC-mall one time. I ordered a camera “Yi M1 dual lenses” and 3 different types of smart watch and some models of projectors. All was perfect and shipped in 2 days even though my order was 10 projectors and 20watches and 1 camera! They are trustworthy, but not at 1.2K US.. Dude I won’t throw all that money on a mobile sold at 600-800US at other websites haha

  9. Simon
    November 18, 2016

    Will there be a 2nd Generation ZTE Axon 7 or will it be called the Axon 8 ?

  10. November 18, 2016

    Who would buy the Smartisan M1?? Same size display as the Xiaomi Mi5 but waaay more expensive, larger (146 mm long vs 143) also wider, heavier, no thanks.

    • goodwill
      November 18, 2016

      I think you are underestimating Smartisan and I don’t blame you, cause they don’t sell Smartisan outside of China. The software optimisation in general and camera software (M1 & M1L) are much better than of Xiaomi’s latest flagships. They are a premium brand in China. The build and image quality it produces is on par that of iPhones 7 and the Sam S7 (Not joking). But Xiaomi is still good for the price you are paying, a value buy.

  11. November 18, 2016

    The big turn off of the Le Eco Le Pro 3, for me, is its weight – 175 grams, same as Axon 7. I go for holding comfort when using a phone to read ebooks for an hour or so at a time, hence why the 129 gram Xiaomi Mi5 is my favourite phone all-time. OK it’s smaller but if I was looking for a 5.5 inch phone, I’d go for one under 160 grams max like the Oneplus 3T, a reasonable 158 grams.

  12. Guest
    November 18, 2016

    Will there be a 2nd Generation ZTE Axon 7 or will it be called the Axon 8 ?

  13. Moose
    November 18, 2016

    Who would buy the Smartisan M1?? Same size display as the Xiaomi Mi5 but waaay more expensive, larger (146 mm long vs 143) also wider, heavier, no thanks.

    • goodwill
      November 18, 2016

      I think you are underestimating Smartisan and I don’t blame you, cause they don’t sell Smartisan outside of China. The software optimisation in general and camera software (M1 & M1L) are much better than of Xiaomi’s latest flagships. They are a premium brand in China. The build and image quality it produces is on par that of iPhones 7 and the Sam S7 (Not joking). But Xiaomi is still good for the price you are paying, a value buy.

  14. Moose
    November 18, 2016

    The big turn off of the Le Eco Le Pro 3, for me, is its weight – 175 grams, same as Axon 7. I go for holding comfort when using a phone to read ebooks for an hour or so at a time, hence why the 129 gram Xiaomi Mi5 is my favourite phone all-time. OK it’s smaller but if I was looking for a 5.5 inch phone, I’d go for one under 160 grams max like the Oneplus 3T, a reasonable 158 grams.