Android had earlier made Android One devices available to developing and emerging markets that promised up to date software on a budget. The only downside was that the makers of those devices did not all come with the best hardware to power those devices. Fortunately, the project has been picking up pace again, thanks to Xiaomi with their new A1 smartphone.
While Android One devices have been successful in Turkey and Japan, India did not receive much attention from Google in recent years and with Xiaomi’s Mi A1, that will soon change. So far, Android One smartphones have been known to feature very limited specifications that fall mostly under the entry-level segment. The Mi A1 will most likely be the most advanced and powerful Android One smartphone to be created. The company had recently released a few images on its Twitter account that teased a flagship dual camera. Keeping with the tradition of Android One smartphones, it is value for money considering its specifications.
The smartphone will not only be the most powerful Android One phone, but will also be the first to feature dual-cameras. The phone, which is focused on the Indian market, will come with a 5.5-inch 1080p display, a metal body and its camera features a 12MP +12MP setup. The phone looks eerily similar to the iPhone 7 Plus’s design at the back and Xiaomi is not afraid to show that to its fans, as its Twitter account does mention the same. The inside of the phone is also impressive, offering a Snapdragon 625 processor that is known for its performance and battery efficiency. The phone also charges via USB-C and is powered by a 3,080mAh battery. The charger is a special 380V charger that is designed to handle India’s power fluctuations. On the outside, the phone looks just like the Mi 5X, but will work like a Pixel device.
Xiaomi had announced the device at an event held in Delhi. The phone will come with stock Android Nougat 7.1.2. With 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, users should have no problem with how the phone handles tasks. The phone will also feature fingerprint scanner. Seeing as it is a stock Android phone, Xiaomi will be removing its MIUI 9 interface for stock but will still retain the MIUI camera app.
Android Oreo is also promised as an update by the end of the year. The phone will also be one of the first to get Android P as well. The phone will come in Black, Gold or Pink colors and will cost just INR14,999 ($234) which is just $234. The smartphone will be made available in 37 countries all over the world and will start going on sale starting September 12 in both online and offline stores.
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