The Xiaomi Mi 7 (never officially released) was expected to feature a Snapdragon 845 processor and 6GB of RAM, and Geekbench listings from early 2018 showed single-core scores around 2,400 and multi-core scores around 8,900. These numbers were typical for Snapdragon 845 devices of that era, placing the Mi 7 in the same performance tier as the OnePlus 6 and Samsung Galaxy S9. The phone was ultimately canceled as Xiaomi shifted focus to the Mi 8, but its leaked specs and benchmarks remain a frequent search topic.
Background: The Mi 7 and Why It Was Never Released
Xiaomi announced the Mi 6 in April 2017, and the natural successor, the Mi 7, was widely expected to launch in early 2018. Leaks and regulatory filings pointed to a device with a Snapdragon 845, 6GB or 8GB of RAM, a notched display, and a dual camera setup. However, in May 2018, Xiaomi skipped the Mi 7 entirely and launched the Mi 8, which featured the same Snapdragon 845 and 6GB RAM but added a larger 6.21-inch OLED screen and a more refined design. The company never gave an official reason for skipping the number 7, but it is widely believed that the Mi 7 was scrapped to align with the company’s 8th anniversary and to avoid competing with the Mi 8’s more advanced features.
Geekbench Scores: What They Mean
Geekbench is a cross-platform benchmark that measures CPU performance. The single-core score reflects how well a device handles one task, while the multi-core score measures performance across all cores. For the Snapdragon 845, which has 8 cores (4x Cortex-A75 and 4x Cortex-A55), typical Geekbench 4 scores were:
- Single-core: 2,300–2,500
- Multi-core: 8,500–9,000
The leaked Mi 7 scores (around 2,400 single, 8,900 multi) were in line with these figures, indicating that the device would have been competitive with other 2018 flagships. For comparison, the Snapdragon 835 (in the Mi 6) scored about 1,900 single and 6,500 multi, so the 845 represented a significant performance jump.
How to Check Your Own Device’s Geekbench Score
If you own a phone with a Snapdragon 845 (like the Mi 8, OnePlus 6, or Galaxy S9), you can run Geekbench yourself to see how it compares:
- Download the Geekbench app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Open the app and tap the “Run CPU Benchmark” button.
- Wait for the test to complete (usually 1-2 minutes).
- Note the single-core and multi-core scores.
- Compare your results to the leaked Mi 7 scores or to other devices in Geekbench’s online database.
Keep in mind that background apps, temperature, and battery level can affect scores, so run the test with no other apps open and the device at room temperature for the most accurate result.
Common Questions About the Mi 7’s Specs
One common misconception is that the Mi 7 was actually released under a different name. In reality, the Mi 8 is not a rebranded Mi 7; it was a new design with a larger screen and better cameras. Another question is whether the Mi 7 would have had a headphone jack—leaks suggested it would, but the Mi 8 did not, so this remains uncertain. Finally, some people wonder if the Mi 7’s 6GB RAM was enough for 2018; it was, as most apps used less than 4GB, and 6GB allowed for smooth multitasking.
Comparison: Mi 7 vs. Mi 8 vs. Mi 6
To understand where the Mi 7 would have fit, here’s a quick comparison of the three phones:
- Mi 6 (2017): Snapdragon 835, 4/6GB RAM, 5.15-inch LCD, dual 12MP cameras, 3350mAh battery.
- Mi 7 (expected): Snapdragon 845, 6/8GB RAM, 5.65-inch OLED (rumored), dual 16MP cameras (rumored), 3200mAh battery (rumored).
- Mi 8 (2018): Snapdragon 845, 6/8GB RAM, 6.21-inch OLED, dual 12MP cameras, 3400mAh battery.
The Mi 7 would have been a smaller, more compact alternative to the Mi 8, similar to how the Mi 6 was smaller than the Mi 8. Its Geekbench scores would have been nearly identical to the Mi 8, since they shared the same chipset.
Cost and Availability Considerations
Since the Mi 7 was never sold, there is no official price. However, the Mi 6 launched at around 2,499 CNY (about $360 at the time), and the Mi 8 launched at 2,699 CNY (about $420). If the Mi 7 had been released, it would likely have been priced between those two figures, around 2,500–2,600 CNY. Today, you can find used Mi 6 or Mi 8 devices for much less, but the Mi 7 itself is only available as a prototype or engineering sample, which are not recommended for daily use due to lack of software support and potential hardware issues.
Safety and Practicality of Buying a Prototype
If you come across a “Mi 7” for sale, be extremely cautious. These are likely pre-production units that may have bugs, missing features, or even hardware defects. They may not support all network bands, and Xiaomi never released official software updates for them. Using such a device as a daily driver is risky—it could overheat, have poor battery life, or fail to boot. For any serious use, it’s better to buy a released phone like the Mi 8 or a newer model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Xiaomi Mi 7 ever get released?
No, the Xiaomi Mi 7 was never officially released. Xiaomi skipped it and launched the Mi 8 in May 2018, which had similar specs but a larger display and improved cameras.
What were the Geekbench scores for the Mi 7?
Leaked Geekbench 4 scores from early 2018 showed a single-core score of about 2,400 and a multi-core score of about 8,900, which is typical for the Snapdragon 845.
How much RAM did the Mi 7 have?
Leaks indicated 6GB of RAM as the base option, with a possible 8GB variant. The 6GB version was the one seen in Geekbench listings.
Is the Mi 7 the same as the Mi 8?
No, they are different phones. The Mi 8 has a larger 6.21-inch OLED screen, a bigger battery, and a different camera setup. The Mi 7 was expected to be a smaller device.
Can I still buy a Mi 7 today?
Only as a non-functional prototype or engineering sample, which is not recommended. These units lack software support and may have hardware issues, so it’s safer to buy a released Xiaomi phone.
Why did Xiaomi skip the number 7?
The company never gave an official reason, but it’s widely believed they skipped it to align with the Mi 8’s launch during Xiaomi’s 8th anniversary year, and to avoid confusion with the Mi 8’s more advanced features.
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