Xiaomi Could Launch 2 Android One Devices In India
On September 5th, 2017, Xiaomi launched the Mi A1 in India. It was the first-ever Xiaomi smartphone to run stock Android OS and so far, it is the only one. On 25th April, Xiaomi launched the Mi 6X in China, which is highly anticipated to succeed the Mi A1 in India. That is mainly due to the fact that the Mi A1 was nothing but a rebranded Mi 5X. Hence, a similar move is expected from Xiaomi this year as well. However, it appears that Xiaomi might be planning something else for its stock Android loving Indian consumers. New firmware files obtained by XDA Developers reveal that the company might launch two Android One smartphones in India.
Xiaomi Mi A1
Along with a Mi series Android One device, Xiaomi is expected to launch a Redmi smartphone running stock Android OS as well. CEO of Xiaomi, Lei Jun hinted at this possibility last week:
Yes, we plan to have more Android One devices. Some of our users in India seem to like stock Android, and we are willing to bring in more devices with Android One including the Redmi series.
Now, the the firmware files of a device codenamed “daisy-sprout” were accessed. It is worth noting that the “sprout” was the codename for the first generation Android One devices. This Redmi Android One smartphone will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset, the same SoC found in the Xiaomi Mi A1. However, considering this will be a Redmi device, it will be marketed as a budget smartphone.
This is all the more interesting considering the Redmi S2 will soon launch in China. It is extremely likely that the Redmi S2 might be rebranded as an Android One device for India. If true, we can expect this Redmi Android One smartphone to be launched under Rs 10,000 in India.
Mi 6X
The next set of files retrieved are of a device codenamed “jasmine_sprout.” The codename of the Mi A1 was “tissot_sprout” where “sprout” signifies Android One. According to the report, the Mi A1 successor will be based on the recently launched Mi 6X but, whether it will be a rebranded Mi 6X or not can not be confirmed right now.
Certain similarities between the mystery ‘Mi’ series Android One device and Mi 6X have been found. For starters, the “jasmine_sprout” will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset, the same chipset found in the Mi 6X. Also, the Mi 6X and the Android One smartphone will have the same front-facing 20MP Sony IMX376 sensor.
These files certainly point towards a Xiaomi strategy that wants to build on the success of the Mi A1 in India. It does make sense for Xiaomi to launch a more affordable Android One device considering how price sensitive the Indian market is. Having two solid offerings under Rs 10000 and Rs 15000 running stock Android OS could be a game changer for the Chinese smartphone maker.
