While the whole world is focusing on Xiaomi’s big reveal of Mi Mix 2 on September 11, a day before Apple unravels its new iPhones, Xiaomi has in fact, launched a new device that will make budget conscious users happy.
Announced at a global event in India, the Mi A1 is Xiaomi’s first smartphone to sport a dual camera sensor for the Indian market and most importantly, is the first Android One device. For the uninitiated, Android One is Google’s goal to connect the “next billion” with affordable smartphones and latest Android OS.
Mi A1 sets to do the same at a price of Rs. 14,999 that gives consumers the ease of use of stock Android UI with few customisations from Xiaomi like the camera app, and pre-installed apps like Mi Remote and Feedback.
On the hardware side, the Mi A1 is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 625 processor based on 14nm FinFET process technology, 4GB RAM, 64GB of storage. It has a 5.5-inch Full HD display, USB Type-C charging, VoLTE support, 3080mAh battery, rear fingerprint sensor, IR Blaster, and a dedicated headphone amplifier for improved sound.
The cameras at the back sport a 12 megapixel wide-angle sensor along with 12 megapixel 50mm telephoto for bokeh shots and 2X optical zoom, and a front-facing 5 megapixel camera for selfies.
Design-wise, the Mi A1 is one of the slimmest devices from Xiaomi at 7.3mm that comes with rounded edges, discreet separation lines and a 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass that blends nicely with the metal unibody.
India will be one of the first countries to get the Android One-powered Mi A1 with the phone going on sale on Mi.com, Flipkart and Mi Home stores from September 12.
It will be available in black and gold colours initially with rose gold option coming in the next few weeks.