Remember the good old days of smartphones? Back when every phone wasn’t just a glass-and-metal brick designed by a committee. When manufacturers dared to be different and made phones as unique as their target audiences.
Those days seem increasingly distant now. However, some companies like Nothing are still trying to keep that spirit alive. Nothing made a splash in the smartphone market with a phone that was affordable, transparent (literally!), and refreshingly free of bloatware—a breath of fresh air in a market filled with predictable-looking phones.
Now, Moondrop, known for its high-fidelity audio equipment, has entered the smartphone scene with the MIAD 01. Not to anyone’s surprise, the MIAD 01 is a phone designed with one very specific user in mind: the audiophile who craves exceptional sound quality on the go. But what makes it special? Let’s take a closer look.
1. Dual DACs and Headphone Jacks
The MIAD 01’s defining characteristic is its unwavering commitment to high-fidelity audio. Unlike most modern smartphones that have ditched the headphone jack altogether, the MIAD 01 boasts not one, but two: a standard 3.5mm jack and a 4.4mm balanced jack.
The 3.5mm caters to casual listeners with standard headphones, while the 4.4mm caters to audiophiles who use balanced headphones, known for their superior signal separation and clearer sound.
But the real highlight of the phone is its dual Cirrus Logic MasterHiFi DAC chips. Digital-to-analog converters (DACs) translate digital audio signals into analog signals that headphones can use.
Most phones have a single, fairly basic DAC. But the MIAD 01 has dual high-fidelity DACs coupled with support for 32-bit audio processing which can significantly improve sound clarity and detail compared to phones with standard audio hardware.
Theoretically, 32-bit processing allows for a wider dynamic range, meaning the quietest and loudest parts of your music are captured with greater fidelity. It also potentially reduces noise levels, leading to a cleaner, more transparent listening experience.
2. Additional Audio Features
Moondrop doesn’t stop at dual DACs. The audio circuit boasts a 6-layer gold-sinking PCB designed to dissipate heat and minimize electrical interference. Then there’s an independent Low-Dropout Voltage Regulator (LDO) to ensure a clean and stable power supply for the audio components.
The phone also features a 100-level hardware DAC volume control. This allows for precise volume adjustments without compromising audio quality, a feature often missing in standard phone volume controls.
Audiophiles will also appreciate the ability to tinker with EQ settings through a dedicated app, allowing for granular control over the sound signature. However, the benefits of dual DACs and high-fidelity audio processing depend on the quality of the headphones or earphones you use. Lower-end audio products might not fully exploit the MIAD 01’s capabilities.
3. Mid-Range Specs
Outside the realm of audio, the MIAD 01 settles for a more conventional mid-range phone experience. It features a 6.7-inch 1080p OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a decent but not groundbreaking spec for the price point.
The phone is powered by a mid-range MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor sufficient for everyday tasks but unlikely to impress power users. The camera system consists of a 64MP main sensor and an 8MP ultrawide sensor, again falling within mid-range expectations. Moondrop themselves acknowledge that the camera is not a highlight of the phone quoting “It’s not good, but it works.”
The phone comes pre-installed with Android 13, free of bloatware and intrusive data collection. However, it lacks Google Mobile Services (GMS) certification out of the box, which means users will need to sideload essential apps like Gmail, Maps, and the Play Store.
Keeping all things powered is a 5000mAh battery that supports 33W USB-PD charging. The phone also has 5Gbps USB 3.1 connectivity.
Design-wise, the MIAD 01 is a thick boy that measures 9.15mm at its thinnest and weighs 202 grams. But Moondrop has managed to create a phone that looks unique with the raised bar on the top housing the camera module along with MIAD 01 branding with few orange accent patterns. The remaining half has a textured finish that also contributes to the look of the phone.
4. Price and Availability
The Moondrop MIAD 01 is priced at CNY 2499 (~ $349), placing it firmly in the mid-range segment. It is currently available for purchase through select e-commerce partners and authorized stores only in China. Details on its global availability have yet to be announced.
Also, here’s a quick recap of its specs:
| MIAD 01 Specs | |
| Display | 6.7 inches Curved AMOLED – 2460 x 1080 pixels – 120 Hz refresh rate – 1920 Hz high-frequency PWM dimming |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7050 – 2 x ARM Cortex-A78 @ 2.6 GHz – 6 x ARM Cortex-A55 @ 2 GHz – Mali-G68 MC4 graphics |
| RAM | 12GBLPDDR4x |
| Storage | 256GB UFS 3.1microSD card reader (up to 2TB) |
| Rear cameras | Dual – 64MP primary – 8MP wide-angle – LED Flash |
| Front camera | 32MP |
| Audio | – 3.5mm unbalanced + 4.4mm balanced jacks – Stereo speakers – Dual Cirrus Logic Master – HiFi DAC – 6-layer gold-plated audio circuit – 132 dB dynamic range – 117 dB signal-to-noise ratio |
| Ports | – 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C (5 Gbps) – 2 x audio jacks – 1 x microSD card reader |
| Connectivity | – WiFi – Bluetooth (SB/AAC/LDAC codecs supported) – NFC – 4G LTE / 5G |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Charging | 33W (wired) |
| Security | In-display optical fingerprint sensor |
| OS & Software | Android 13 (ships without Google Mobile Services, which users can install manually) |
| Weight | 202 grams |
5. Conclusion: In its own Niche
The MIAD 01 occupies a unique niche in the smartphone market. For audiophiles seeking an unparalleled mobile listening experience, its dual DACs and dual headphone jacks are undeniably appealing.
However, the phone’s mid-range processing power, potentially underwhelming camera system, and lack of pre-installed Google Mobile Services (GMS) could be dealbreakers for some. Additionally, as a new player in the smartphone space, Moondrop’s long-term software support capabilities are also uncertain.
We have already published our review of the Moondrop MIAD 01. You can watch it below:
