Let me start by saying this: if you're an audiophile who's tired of juggling a smartphone AND a dedicated music player, the MOONDROP MIAD01 feels like someone read your mind. That 4.4mm balanced output? Pure eargasm when paired with my Campfire Audio Andromedas. The soundstage opens up like a Broadway theater compared to dongle life.

But here's the reality check - that gorgeous 6.7" OLED screen comes at a cost. After three weeks of use, I've had the UI freeze mid-playlist more times than I'd like. And that "33W fast charging"? My OnePlus charges twice as fast. You're definitely trading some smartphone conveniences for that stellar audio hardware.

The 5000mAh battery is a bright spot though - I got through a cross-country flight blasting FLAC files with juice to spare. Just don't expect iPhone-level standby time when actually using it as a phone. Pro tip: disable 5G unless you need it - makes a huge difference in battery drain.

About those negative reviews? Partially valid. The software quirks are real (Google Play sideloading voids warranty, which is absurd), but when this thing sings through good IEMs... oh man. It makes my $300 dongle DACs sound compressed in comparison.

Final verdict? If you want one device that does both phone and hi-res audio decently (but not perfectly), this is unique. But if you demand polished software, get a regular phone + dedicated DAP/DAC combo instead.