[Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite Real Life Review] bmoke:
I did get the phone, Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite, 4gb/64gb.. I do like it. First, I ordered it from a site called Banggood. I have done tons of transactions in the area of radio models, with this outfit. I have never failed to have an order delivered. It took about 18 calendar days. At the time, the price was $175. I added in $5 insurance, extra. I see where you can get them on Ebay, whatever.

The internal storage reports 49gb free, out of 64gb installed internal memory. That means 15gb was consumed as Android overhead. If you get a 32gb ram, then you will only have about 17gb actually available to you. In my case, the external sdcard will work to store and play all the music files and video files I could need.

It runs Android 8.1.1. Little or no bloatware. The old Nexus heated up real bad when GPS was on and tracking for a destination. This unit runs cold. It has a large battery. It lasts for days. Others claim at least 12 hours screen time. I figure they are correct.

You can root the phone. In this case, I have not. I did unlock the bootloader with some adb commands. There is a software called Magisk that works to root the phone. Of course, it thereafter involves personal and active input if you still want to receive OTA updates. I was always running handcrafted roms with the Nexus. I want to try and avoid the extra work required. Dialing back the attention I can give to the phone.

I swapped service with ST from the Nexus to the Xiaomi, with a direct call to the service number. Trying on-line got me into a dead end. The service call was effortless. I did send away for a new sim card for the phone. I purchased the sim card for $1 and had it shipped for free to the local Walmart store. If you have a ST service, the phone connects not via any hardcoded phone serial number. ST does not care. Each ST sim card has a serial number of it's own. When I tried to enter this number on-line, the activity hung. So, I called ST service and read the "old" pin number to them (it was security feature or requirement by ST), and then I read the new pin number. To be ready for that, I downloaded an app that reads the pin number of the ST sim.

That number is clearly shown on the sim packaging kit. Of, course, I lost that old material 5 years ago. The sim kit they sell or provide is a simple chip. It is constructed with three breakaway borders, so you can use this sim across 3 different sim sizes. The ST computer service swap was effective immediately. So, there was no interruption in service.

I stay in touch with the activity here on XDA for this phone at the link https://xdaforums.com/mi-a2-lite. I added a small 16gb sdcard. It works fine. The phone hooks up with a standard micro-usb cable. Transfer between my PC and the phone are without issue. It came with a European pulled power supply. I bought a US adapter on Ebay, I think for $2, with free shipping. I have it if I need it.

Sort of a simple review, that I thought I would throw out for use, for you or anyone else that might Google the phone.

Oh, dropped it one time, from table top height to the wood kitchen floor. It pancaked flat to the floor, screen side facing up, without obvious issues. Phew. The phone is shipped with a thin soft plastic case. Maybe the case absorbed some of the shock. I did order a new heavy case today, from Ali-Express for $2.99, with free shipping.

I did install a tempered glass screen saver. I ordered a set of 2 for about $5 total. First, the glass sits slightly above the surface of both the phone screen and the surrounding plastic case. It make the very edge of the screen protector slightly unprotected. The first screen had a very minor nick, so I replaced it. Now, the second screen has another very minor nick. You cannot see it. You can feel it if you glide you hand along the side of the phone. Lastly, I bought the first set of protectors and they come with a black border. The bottom left corner of the screen has a flashing icon led. If the screen protector is not Perfectly aligned, that led is obscured, to some degree, by that black border. It just needs attention. I order and received a second second of screen tempered glass protectors. This time, the whole tempered glass Clear.

If the phone had broken after I had earlier dropped it. I would have re-ordered a second phone, same make and model. Rear finger print scanner works like a charm, to open the screen. It works for me. I have Poweramp music player installed and drop music files onto the "external" sdcard memory. Works fine. I am not an active game player. It does play YouTube videos without issue.

Hope this helps.