Category: Xiaomi

OnePlus 6 Vs Xiaomi Mi 8: Top Notch Flagships

If 2017 was all about that dual-camera setup, then 2018 is about that notch. Before MWC 2018, many expected this year’s smartphones to focus on AI and machine learning. However, the iPhone X set the trend of the notch in motion. The OnePlus 6 and Xiaomi Mi 8 are two 2018 flagship devices that have implemented the notch but, in two completely different ways.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 has a wider notch but, it also houses all the tech required for 3D facial recognition. After the iPhone X, the Mi 8 is the first smartphone to feature 3D facial recognition technology, similar to Apple’s Face ID. The OnePlus 6, on the other hand, features a narrower notch which helps the company reduce the size of the bezels and incorporate a bigger display without really increasing the overall footprint of the smartphone.

In a lot of ways, the Xiaomi Mi 8 and OnePlus 6 are similar. Both the devices use an AMOLED display with FullHD+ resolution and run on the latest Snapdragon 845 chipset. Even in terms of pricing, both the devices are much more affordable when compared to the likes of Galaxy S9, HTC U12+ or the iPhone X. The Mi 8 starts at a price of CNY 2,699 (Rs 28400 approx.) while the OnePlus 6 in China starts at a price of CNY 3199 (Rs 33800 approx.). In India, while the OnePlus 6 retails for Rs 34999 (base model), the Mi 8 might never launch.

The Xiaomi Mi 8, design-wise, takes a lot of inspiration from the iPhone X. The presence of a wide notch like the iPhone X and the vertically placed dual camera setup is very similar to Apple’s current flagship. The Mi 8, however, fails to replicate one of the most impressive design features of the iPhone X. The iPhone X doesn’t have a chin, while the Mi 8 has a chin very similar to the OnePlus 6.

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Both the Mi 8 and OnePlus 6 also feature a dual-camera setup on the back. The Mi 8 has a primary 12MP RGB sensor with an f/1.8 aperture coupled with a 12MP telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture and 1-micron pixel size. The notch houses a 20MP AI camera with an f/2.0 aperture. Just like the iPhone X, it also has a portrait lighting feature and Xiaomi’s own take on the animojis.

The OnePlus 6 has a 16MP Sony IMX 519 sensor and a 20MP Sony IMX 376K sensor. Both are RGB sensors and have an f/1.7 aperture with OIS, another first for a OnePlus device. The cameras also record 4K videos at 60fps which is a great feature for content creators. To the front of the smartphone is a 16MP Sony IMX 371 sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and EIS which records 1080P videos.

Let’s compare the specifications of the two smartphones!

Specifications

Specs	OnePlus 6	Xiaomi Mi 8
Price	Starting Rs 34999 (India)	Starting CNY 2,699 (Rs 28400 approx.)
Display	6.28 inch Optic AMOLED	6.21 inch Super AMOLED
Resolution	2280 x 1080 px 402 ppi	2248 x 1080 px 402 ppi
Battery	3300 mAh Dash Charge	3400 mAh QuickCharge 3.0
Chipset	Snapdragon 845	Snapdragon 845
RAM	6GB/8GB	6GB
Storage	64GB/128GB/256GB	64GB/128GB/256GB
Primary Camera	16MP Sony IMX 519 20MP Sony IMX 376K f/1.7 OIS	12MP RGB f/1.8 4-axis OIS 12MP Telephoto f/2.4
Primary Camera Video	4K @ 60fps 1080P @ 240fps	4K @ 60fps 1080P @ 240fps
Secondary Camera	16MP Sony IMX 371 f/2.0 EIS	20MP f/2.0 Animojis
OS	Andrpoid 8.1 Oreo OxygenOS	Android 8 Oreo MIUI 9.5
Add-Ons	Fingerprint Sensor Face Unlock (not secure) 3.5mm headphone jack	3D Face Unlock Fingerprint Sensor Dual GPS

June 15, 2018

Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro To Launch In Late-2018

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is one of the most popular budget smartphones in India right now. The fact that it first launched in India before any other country made it an even sweeter deal for many users. With the success of this Pro device, Xiaomi appears to be already working on a new smartphone with this moniker and could launch it in late-2018. Apart from the Redmi 6 Pro, the existence of the Mi Max 3 and Mi Pad 4 has also been confirmed.

A new report claims that references to all the three devices were found on the Mi China website. This means that these smartphones will launch in China before anywhere else in the world. While the Redmi Note 5 Pro was an India-first device, it seems unlikely that Xiaomi will continue this trend.

Recently, a Xiaomi smartphone with a notched display was leaked on TENNA. While it was initially expected to the Redmi 6 Plus, it now appears to be the Redmi 6 Pro. Xiaomi recently launched the Redmi 6 and 6A while there were no traces of a Redmi 6 Plus being launched in the near future. While the design is plausible, we hope Xiaomi fixes the colour of the bezels and notch and go with a black colour instead.

Must Read: Xiaomi Mi A2 Running On Snapdragon 660 Spotted On Geekbench

The Redmi 6 Pro could have a 5.84 inch display with a 2280 x 1080 px resolution. This translates into a 19:9 aspect ratio which is common for smartphones with a notch.

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The listing mentions that the device will run on an octa-core 2.0GHz processor which could well be the Snapdragon 660 SoC. The Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro is expected to be available in three configurations, 2GB RAM/16GB storage, 3GB RAM/32GB storage, and 4GB RAM/64GB storage. Like the Redmi Note 5 Pro, the 6 Pro is also expected to offer expandable storage via microSD card.

On the back of the smartphone will be a dual-camera setup. The listing mentions a 12MP primary sensor and 5MP secondary sensor. This is the exact configuration found on the Redmi Note 5 Pro. Xiaomi would probably improve the quality of the sensors and add a few software features as well. Powering the Redmi 6 Pro will be a 4000 mAh battery. Hopefully, with the 6 Pro, we will see the inclusion of a USB Type C port.

Mi Max 2

The Mi Max 3 has been in the news for quite a while now. Xiaomi is one of the few companies that still makes phablets. The Mi Max 3 will succeed the Mi Max 2 and is expected to launch in July. Just like the recently launched Mi 8 SE, the Mi Max 3 is expected to run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 chipset. This could be coupled with 6GB of RAM and up to 64GB of onboard storage.

The Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 will be one of the few exciting Android-running tablets to launch in 2018. Xiaomi has not given up on tablets yet and the Mi Pad 4 could launch soon as well. Recent leaks suggest the Mi Pad 4 will run on Snapdragon 660 chipset and sport an 18:9 aspect ratio. If true, this will be a headline-grabber as well since no other tablets with this aspect ratio have launched so far.

The list of smartphones that Xiaomi could launch is exciting. At the end of the day, these are leaks and a lot can happen by the time these smartphones are launched.

June 15, 2018

Honor 7A Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5: The Best Under Rs 10000?

Xiaomi has been on a roll since the turn of the year. The company has constantly launched either a budget or a flagship device in China and other markets like India. Honor, as well, has launched a few impressive budget smartphones in India in the past few months. The Honor 7X was a great device and so was the Honor 9 Lite. The company recently launched the Honor 7A and Honor 7C in India.

The Honor 7A is the more affordable of the two and is priced at Rs 8999 (3GB RAM) in India. The Xiaomi Redmi 5, even though starts at a price of Rs 7999, is priced at Rs 8999 for the 3GB RAM variant. While the Honor 7A is available via Flipkart and HiHonor.com, the Redmi 5 retails via Amazon and Mi.com Both the smartphones, unlike some of their more expensive counterparts, are readily available and users don’t have to wait for flash sales.

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While both the smartphones sport an 18:9 aspect ratio, the bezels are thicker on both the devices compared to some premium devices. However, a screen-to-body ratio of over 75% for both the smartphones is a respectable number. The Honor 7A sports a 5.7 inch IPS LCD display with a 1440 x 720 px and a 2.5 D curved glass for protection. The Redmi 5 also has a 5.7 inch IPS LCD 1440 x 720 px display.

The main differentiating factor between the two smartphones is on the back. The Redmi 5 has a 12MP camera at the back with 1.25-micron pixel size and an f/2.2 aperture. The Honor 7A, on the other hand, has a dual-camera setup with a 13MP RGB sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. The main sensor helps the smartphone to capture the picture and the secondary sensor adds the depth effect. While the Honor 7A is priced only Rs 1000 higher than the Redmi 5, it does offer better camera specifications thanks to the presence of a dual-camera setup. To the front of the Redmi 5 is a 5MP camera while the Honor 7A has an 8MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and an LED flash.

The Redmi 5 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 chipset while the Honor 7A runs on the Snapdragon 430 SoC. The Honor 7A is only available in one variant with 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage while the Redmi 5 has 2GB, 3GB or 4GB of RAM, and 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage. Both the smartphones offer storage expandability, although the Honor 7A has a dedicated microSD card slot while the Redmi 5 has a hybrid microSD card slot. The fingerprint sensor is placed on the back of both the devices.

Let’s now compare the specifications of both the smartphones. For a level playing field, we’re comparing the 3GB RAM model of the Redmi 5 with the Honor 7A since both the smartphones are priced exactly the same.

Specs

Specifications	Honor 7A	Redmi 5
Price	Rs 8999 (3GB RAM)	Rs 8999 (3GB RAM)
Display	5.7 inch IPS LCD	5.7 inch IPS LCD
Resolution	1440 x 720 px 18:9 aspect ratio	1440 x 720 px 18:9 aspect ratio
Primary Camera	13MP RBG sensor 2MP depth sensor	12MP f/2.2
Primary Camera Video	1080P @ 30fps	1080P @ 30fps
Secondary Camera	8MP f/2.0	5MP f/2.0
Chipset	Snapdragon 430	Snapdragon 450
Processor	Octa-core 4 x 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 4 x 1.1 GHz Cortex A53	Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53
RAM	3GB	3GB
Storage	32GB Dedicated microSD card slot	32GB Hybrid microSD card slot
Battery	3000 mAh	3300 mAh
Add-Ons	Fingerprint sensor Face Unlock	Fingerprint sensor Face Unlock

June 14, 2018

Xiaomi Redmi 6, Redmi 6A Running On MediaTek Chipsets Launched

Xiaomi has launched two new budget smartphones in China today. The Xiaomi Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A succeed the Redmi 5 and Redmi 5A which were launched in 2017. The Redmi 5 and Redmi 5A both have been launched in India at different times but, it’s unlikely that Xiaomi would launch the new budget devices in India. The Redmi 6A is priced at CNY 599 (Rs 6,500 approx.). The Redmi 6, on the other hand, will retail for CNY 799 (Rs 8,500 approx.) for the base model, and the higher end variant will cost CNY 999 (Rs 10,500 approx.).

Both the Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A sport a 5.54 inch IPS display with a 1440 x 720 px resolution. It was rumoured that Xiaomi would launch a Redmi device with a notch but, that turned out to be a hoax. The smartphones have an 18:9 aspect ratio and it’ll be tough to find going forward that will have the age-old 16:9 aspect ratio.

Under the hood, the Redmi 6 runs on the MediaTek Helio P22 chipset. The smartphone will be available in two configurations – one with 3GB and 32GB onboard storage and the other with 4GB RAM and 64GB onboard storage. The storage will be expandable up to 256GB via microSD card. The Redmi 6A, on the other hand, runs on the MediaTek Helio A22 SoC. The device will only be available in one variant with 2GB RAM and 16GB onboard storage.

Powering both the smartphones is a 3000 mAh battery which charges via a Micro USB port. The fingerprint sensor is placed on the back of the Redmi 6 while the Redmi 6A misses out on one. For convenience, Xiaomi has also added Face Unlock, which is not as secure, but, is an easier way to unlock your phone.

Another differentiating factor between the two smartphones in optics. To the back of the Redmi 6 is a 12MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture paired with a 5MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. The Redmi 6A, meanwhile, has a single 13MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. Both the devices feature a 5MP front-facing camera with an f/2.2 aperture.

The Xiaomi Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A are another entrants to China’s ever-growing budget segment. It seems unlikely that these devices will launch elsewhere.

June 12, 2018
Xiaomi Mi A2 Running On Snapdragon 660 Spotted On Geekbench

Xiaomi has recently launched the Redmi Y2 in India at a starting price of Rs 9999. While the company’s Redmi lineup in 2018 has been confusing, Xiaomi has not launched a Mi-branded smartphone in India yet. Many expect the Xiaomi Mi A2 to be the first Mi-branded device to launch in India. A new Geekbench listing reveals a few details about the Mi A2, which will essentially be a rebranded Mi 6X which was launched in China on April 25th.

According to the listing, the Xiaomi Mi A2 will run on the Snapdragon 660 chipset. This the same chipset that powers the Mi 6X as well. The variant in the listing has 4GB of RAM but, Xiaomi is expected to launch the 6GB RAM model in India as well. There are also chances that the company will only launch one variant of the Mi A2 in India. The Mi A2 scores 1,630 in single-core test and 4,657 in multi-core test.

Since the Mi A2 will be an Android One version of the Mi 6X, it will run Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. The Mi A1 was fairly quick to receive the Android 8 Oreo update. The company rolled out an update on December 31st, 2017. However, it was riddled with many bugs and the company had to pull the plug on the software update. The Mi A1 now runs on Android 8 Oreo which is stable and should receive an update to Android P as well.

The Mi A2 could also miss out on a headphone jack. The Mi 6X launched in China does not have a headphone jack which means the Mi A2 would also skip it, considering they’re both the same smartphones. This could be a deal-breaker for many consumers in India as there aren’t many affordable Bluetooth headphones available here. iGyaan did, however, cover top five Bluetooth headphones in India which should help out the people who want to the Mi A2.

Mi 6X

The launch of the Xiaomi Mi A2 is inevitable. The company would want to build on the success of the Mi A1 instead of abandoning the lineup after just one generation. The moniker it’ll go with is something only time will tell.

June 8, 2018
Unboxing The Xiaomi Redmi Y2
Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Y2 in India at an event in New Delhi today. The smartphone succeeds the Redmi Y1 which was launched in late-2017 along with the Redmi Y1 Lite. The Redmi Y2 is a part of Xiaomi’s selfie-centric lineup of budget smartphones. At a starting price of Rs 9999, the Redmi Y2 will go on sale on 12th June via offline retailers. The 4GB RAM variant is priced at Rs 12999.

[section label=”Unboxing”]

Inside The Box Of Xiaomi Redmi Y2
- Xiaomi Redmi Y2
- Documentation
- Sim Ejector Tool
- Wall Charger
- Micro USB Charger
[section label=”Initial Impressions”]

The Redmi Y2 takes a lot of design cues from other Xiaomi smartphones launched in 2018. It has the same vertically place dual-camera setup found on the Mi MIX 2s and Redmi Note 5 Pro. The design is also familiar along with a circular fingerprint sensor placed on the back of the smartphone. The horizontal lines on the top and bottom of the device give it a distinct look compared to devices like the Redmi Note 5 Pro or Redmi Note 5.

The Xiaomi Redmi Y2 has a 5.99 inch IPS LCD display with a 1440 x 720 px resolution. This translates into an 18:9 aspect ratio which has become the norm for even budget smartphones.

Under the hood, the Redmi Y2 runs on the Snapdragon 625 chipset, a tried and tested SoC for Xiaomi. That chipset is coupled with either 3GB or 4GB of RAM along with either 32GB or 64GB of storage which is expandable via a microSD card. Powering the device is a 3080 mAh battery, which will charge via a micro USB port.

To the back of the smartphone is a 12MP primary sensor with an f/2.2 aperture along with a 5MP depth sensor. To the front is a 16MP AI-powered camera which is capable of clicking portrait mode selfies using just the software. There is also a front-facing LED flash for better low-light images which has a 4500K brightness.

The Xiaomi Redmi Y2 at a price of Rs 9999 will make sense for people whose primary function is to take a lot of photos. The front-facing camera is the device’s highlight and the company believes this is what differentiates the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Y2 users. How the smartphone does against devices like the Honor 9 Lite and Redmi Note 5, only time will tell.
June 7, 2018
Xiaomi Redmi Y2 Launched In India Starting Rs 9999

Xiaomi has launched yet another budget smartphone in the Indian market. This time around, it is a part of Xiaomi’s selfie-centric Redmi Y lineup. The Xiaomi Redmi Y2 succeeds the Redmi Y1 which was launched in late-2017 along with the Redmi Y1 Lite. The Redmi Y1 Lite won’t see a successor right now. The Redmi Y2 will retail for Rs 9999 for the base model with 3GB of RAM. It goes on sale via offline retailers on June 12th.

The Xiaomi Redmi Y2 is targeted at the selfie-loving consumers in India. At a price of Rs 9999, the smartphone has an identical price as the Redmi Note 5 which offers a FullHD+ display and the same chipset.

The Redmi Y2 takes a lot of design cues from other Xiaomi smartphones launched in 2018. It has the same vertically place dual-camera setup found on the Mi MIX 2s and Redmi Note 5 Pro. The circular fingerprint sensor is also placed on the back of the smartphone.

The Xiaomi Redmi Y2 has a 5.99 inch IPS LCD display with a 1440 x 720 px resolution. This translates into an 18:9 aspect ratio which has become the norm for even budget smartphones.

Under the hood, the Redmi Y2 runs on the Snapdragon 625 chipset, a tried and tested SoC for Xiaomi. That chipset is coupled with either 3GB or 4GB of RAM along with either 32GB or 64GB of storage which is expandable via a microSD card. Powering the device is a 3080 mAh battery, which will charge via a micro USB port.

The Xiaomi Redmi Y2 runs Android 8 Oreo out of the box with MIUI 9 on top. With MIUI 9.5, the Redmi Y2 will have features like Face Unlock and gestures for navigation. Xiaomi’s implementation of gestures has been impressive and they feel quite natural compared to other Android OEMs implementation of the same.

To the back of the smartphone is a 12MP primary sensor with an f/2.2 aperture along with a 5MP depth sensor. To the front is a 16MP AI-powered camera which is capable of clicking portrait mode selfies using just the software. There is also a front-facing LED flash for better low-light images which has a 4500K brightness.

The Xiaomi Redmi Y2 has a peculiar price. Xiaomi believes that there are people who would prefer the Redmi Y2’s camera capabilities over the Redmi Note 5’s bigger battery and better display. One thing in favour of the Redmi Y2 is its accessibility. Since it will be available offline, people won’t have to wait for flash sales in order to purchase it.

June 7, 2018
Xiaomi Redmi 6, Redmi 6A To Launch On June 12th

Xiaomi has built its smartphone brand around affordable devices with great specifications. The company’s sub-brand, Redmi has launched some stellar smartphones in India over the past couple of months. The Redmi Note 4 is still Xiaomi’s most successful smartphone in India. While Redmi prepares to launch a new smartphone in India on June 7th, an event in China on June 12th will unveil the company’s new Redmi 6 series of smartphones.

An official poster released by Xiaomi on its Weibo page reveals that a June 12th launch event is scheduled. The poster has a large ‘6’ in the background hinting at the launch of the Redmi 6 series of smartphones. The Redmi 6 will be accompanied by the Redmi 6A and possibly, the Redmi 6 Plus/Pro. Specifications of the Redmi 6 and 6A were recently leaked on TENNA.

The Redmi 6 appeared in live images sporting a rather peculiar design. The leaked images reveal that the Redmi 6 will have a notch very similar to the Huawei P20 Pro. This design differs from the Mi 8, which is expected to have a bigger notch, similar to the iPhone X. One thing that sticks out like a sore thumb in the images is the white colour of the bezels. Not many people would be pleased with this colour combination. A white coloured notch also means that users don’t have an option to hide it via software.

Redmi 6

According to the listing on TENNA, the notched smartphone will bear the model numbers 1805D1SC, M1805D1SE, and M1805D1ST. Different model numbers represent the different variants the smartphone will launch in since rarely a smartphone launches in only one variant. The device will have a 5.84 inch display with a 2280 x 1080 px resolution which translates into a 19:9 aspect ratio. The smartphone, which could be named the Redmi 6, is expected to run on a 2GHz octa-core CPU that could either by a Snapdragon 625 or a Snapdragon 660.

Must Read: Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 Vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro

The specifications of the Redmi 6A were leaked via TENNA recently as well. According to the listing, there are three model numbers of the Redmi 6A, the M1804C3CT and the M1804C3DT/M1804C3DC. The only difference being that the M1804C3CT has a single 8MP camera, while the M1804C3DT/M1804C3DC have dual cameras, possibly a 12MP+8MP setup.

The rest of the specifications are identical for all the model numbers. The Xiaomi Redmi 6A will have a 5.45 inch display with a 1440 x 720 px resolution.

The Xiaomi Redmi 6A will likely run on the Snapdragon 625 chipset with 2GB/3GB/4GB of RAM. The storage variants could be 16GB/32GB/64GB with an option to expand the storage via a microSD card. The fingerprint sensor, as visible in the images, will be placed on the back of the device in a central position.

Must Read: Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Vs Realme 1

To the front of the smartphone will be a 5MP camera. The back of the device will either house an 8MP sensor or a combination of a 12MP and 8MP sensors. The type of sensors that will be used is not clear as of now. Powering the Xiaomi Redmi 6A will be a 3000 mAh battery which will charge via a micro USB port (this is an educated guess considering we haven’t moved on to USB C ports on budget devices yet). Out of the box, it will run Android 8.1 Oreo with MIUI 9.5 on top. This means the smartphone is likely to come with gesture support as well.

The Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A might be China-exclusive as the company only recently launched the Redmi 5 in India. With a lot of budget Xiaomi smartphones in India, it will be interesting to see if the company finally launches a Mi flagship device in India. The Xiaomi Mi 8 is priced competitively in China and should the company launch it at a similar price in India, the Mi 8 could give the OnePlus 6 a run for its money.

June 6, 2018
Xiaomi Mi A2 Running On Snapdragon 660 To Launch In India Soon

Xiaomi has launched a few interesting smartphones in 2018 so far. The Redmi Note 5 Pro continues to be one of the most sought-after budget devices in India as the Redmi Note 5 has also found its audience. On June 7th, the company will launch another Redmi smartphone in India, a week after unveiling the flagship device, Mi 8 in China. One smartphone that everyone is looking forward to, is the Xiaomi Mi A2, the successor to the very popular Mi A1. After months of speculations, it appears that the Mi A2 does exist and should launch in India soon.

Xiaomi Mi A1

A new report claims to have “confirmation from an inside source regarding the existence of the Xiaomi Mi A2.” The report claims that the Mi A2 will be a rebranded Mi 6X which launched in April in China. The Mi A2 will first launch in Taiwan along with the Mi 8 and then make its way to the Indian market. This means that Xiaomi might be planning to stick to the September timeframe since the Mi A1 was also launched in the month of September in 2017.

Must Read: Xiaomi Mi 8 Officially Launched With 3D Face Unlock

The Xiaomi Mi A1 was also just a rebranded Mi 5X so, this information is not surprising. This information does solidify the argument that the Mi A1 will see a successor in India. With the Mi A1 being so popular, a follow-up was anticipated but, nothing can be said for sure. The Xiaomi Mi 6X has impressive specifications and should be a worthy successor to the Mi A1, provided it has better camera performance.

Mi 6X

The Xiaomi Mi 6X has a 5.99 inch IPS LCD display with a 2160 x 1080 px resolution. This is the same display found on the Redmi Note 5 Pro in India and the size of the bezels is also identical.

Under the hood, the Xiaomi Mi 6X runs on the Snapdragon 660 chipset, coupled with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB of onboard storage which won’t be expandable. The fingerprint sensor is placed on the back of the smartphone which has been the case with almost every Xiaomi smartphone.

Must Read: Top Tech: 10 Products By Xiaomi Not Easily Available In India

Powering the smartphone 3010 mAh battery. Interestingly, the smartphone supports QuickCharge 3.0 which means it also has a USB type C port, something that a lot of Xiaomi fans wanted on the Redmi Note 5 Pro. Out of the box, the Mi 6X will run on Android 8 Oreo with MIUI 9.5 on top.

Out of the two cameras on the back, the main sensor is a 20MP Sony IMX486 with an f/1.75 aperture and 2-micron pixel size. The secondary sensor is 12MP Sony IMX486 telephoto lens with an f/1.75 aperture and 1.25-micron pixel size. The AI is used to identify over 206 scenes in the camera app which includes food mode, text, greenery, sky, beach, snow, cats, dogs and many more. Once a scene is detected, the camera automatically tweaks its settings for, in theory, a better image. On the front of the Mi 6X is a 20MP Sony IMX376 sensor with soft light LED flash.

As we said before, the Mi 6Xor the Xiaomi Mi A2 appears to be a worthy successor to the Mi A1. Whether these specifications will translate into real-world performance is yet to be seen.

June 6, 2018
Top Tech: 10 Products By Xiaomi Not Easily Available In India

For anyone who has followed the new in recent years knows about Xiaomi. The Chinese tech giant has been highly successful in India thanks to its budget smartphones. While India mostly witnesses Xiaomi’s smartphone prowess, the company has a much more diverse portfolio in its native country. One look at the Xiaomi China website and you’ll know all the crazy consumer products the company offers in China. From smart scooters to smart shoes, Xiaomi pretty much has it all. Gearbest, an international e-commerce website sells a lot of Xiaomi products and we have a list of top ten Xiaomi products that are not easily available in India!

Xiaomi Candle Light

This smart light from Xiaomi has a minimalistic design and a few smart features. The cylindrical shape of the light allows it to be compatible with all sorts of setups in a room or an office. The transparent top can be rotated to increase or decrease the brightness of the light. In case the light is away from a user, the light can be connected to the Mi Home app and the settings can be changed remotely using the app.

Buy The Xiaomi Candle Light Here

Mitu Robot Kit

For everyone wondering what a robot is doing on this list, read on. This is Mitu Robot Kit by Xiaomi that can be connected to your phone and controlled. The blocks can be used to make all sorts of robots and then indulge in either robot fights or just some fun playing around a with a robot you built yourself!

Buy The Mitu Robot Kit Here

Xiaomi Induction Cooker

Xiaomi’s product portfolio is diverse indeed! The Xiaomi Induction Cooker is meant to give the user granular level of control over the heat that cooks the food. It has 99 different fire levels to precisely control the cooking temperature. The cooker can even be controlled using Mi Home app, making it even easier for users to control the cooking time and temperature remotely.

Buy The Xiaomi Induction Cooker

Amazfit Bip

Smartwatches have very quickly become the tech accessory to own in today’s world. A smartwatch allows users to track their fitness and even access mobile notifications without really searching for their smartphones all the time. While the Apple Watch Series 3 even has cellular feature now, it is also very pricey. The Amazfit Bip is a smartwatch that does a lot of things correctly. It has a heart rate sensor to give users an accurate data of their fitness and health. It connects to your smartphone using the Mi-Fit app which helps users access their notifications using the watch.

Buy The Amazfit Bip Here

Mi Band With ECG

The US$ 128 Mi Band does a lot more than your average fitness band. While smartwatches are useful, not everyone prefers the feel of a watch. That gap is filled by fitness bands that are light and relatively more affordable. The Mi Band with ECG, as suggested by the name, has the ability to measure the ECG of a user. This can be very helpful for users who have to constantly keep a track of it due to the health reasons.

Buy The Mi Band With ECG Here

Smart Coffee Tumbler

It’s all about smart products and touch screens everywhere. Xiaomi makes a tumbler that incorporates both! The tumbler has a display on top to keep a track of the temperature of whatever it is that you’re drinking. The tumbler looks good with a leather band and is made of stainless steel.

Buy The Smart Coffee Tumbler Here

Xiaomi Electric Shaver

The Chinese tech giant even makes grooming products and that is not even surprising anymore. The electric shaver from Xiaomi is made of stainless steel and has a 360-degree cutting movement. Interestingly, the shaver charges via a USB C port (not even available in most smartphones these days) and can last for up to 30 days.

Buy The Electric Shaver Here

Multi-Port Charger

Multi-port USB chargers are the need of the hour for most users these days. With a lot of consumers owning more than one mobile device, it becomes imperative to use multi-port chargers. However, the only thing worse than no charger is a slow charger. Xiaomi’s 5-port USB charger fixes that by providing QC 3.0 charging speeds along with a USB C port as well.

Buy The Multi-Port Charger Here

Smart Plug

A lot of people in India are adopting the smart home technology. Smart plugs are affordable, convenient and an easy step into the world of smart home. The Xiaomi Smart Plug connects to a user’s Mi Home app and lets users remote switch on or off the plug. Users can even set timers, which can come in handy to people who still fear that they’ll overcharge their smartphones or other mobile devices.

Buy The Xiaomi Smart Plug Here

Car Inverter

These car inverters from Xiaomi convert the lighter socket into a charging hub for all sorts of devices. While car chargers only allow for phones to be charged (via USB), these car inverters do much more. They have a socket to charge anything with a plug, like a laptop. This can come in handy for users who work a lot on the go and don’t necessarily drive themselves around town.

Buy The Car Inverter Here/Buy The Alternate Car Inverter Here

June 1, 2018
Xiaomi Mi 8 SE Running On Snapdragon 710 Officially Launched

Xiaomi launched the Mi 8 to celebrate its 8th anniversary at an event in China. At the same event, the company also unveiled a special edition of the Mi 8, the Xiaomi Mi 8 SE. Up until a few days ago, there was hardly any chatter of Xiaomi launching two version of the Mi 8. However, the leaks started pouring just few days before the launch and the company confirmed all the rumours at its May 31st launch.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 SE resembles the nomenclature Apple went with when it launched smaller version of a flagship iPhone. Apple launched the iPhone SE and just like the iPhone SE, the Mi 8 SE is a smaller version of the flagship Mi 8. This hardly comes as a surprise as Xiaomi has historically taken “inspiration” from Apple in terms of design, nomenclature and software as well. Shades of iOS are still are evident in MIUI.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 SE is priced at CNY 1,799 (Rs 19000 approx.) for the 4GB RAM variant and CNY 1999 (Rs 21000) for the 6GB RAM variant. The design of the Mi 8 SE remains similar to the Mi 8. It has a big notch on the display, similar to the iPhone X and a vertically placed dual-camera setup on the back. The notch on the Mi 8 SE is disappointing to say the least. Unlike the Mi 8, the SE does not have the technology for 3D facial recognition. This means that the company could have done away with the notch for this ‘Special Edition’ variant.

The Mi 8 SE has a 5.88 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2248 x 1080 px resolution. The aspect ratio is 18.7:9, which is the same as the Mi 8. The Mi 8 SE retains the glass back panel and the aluminium frame, which means that even though it has downgraded hardware, the design and build quality is as good as the flagship Mi 8.

Under the hood, the smartphone runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 chipset. It is worth noting that the Xiaomi Mi 8 SE is the first-ever smartphone to be powered by Qualcomm’s new mid-range chipset. The Mi 8 SE will be available in two variants, one with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage and the other one with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage. Powering the smartphone will be a 3120 mAh battery with QuickCharge 3.0.

To the back of the smartphone is a 12MP RGB sensor with an f/1.9 aperture mated with a 5MP depth sensor with an f/2.0 aperture. To the front is a 20MP camera with a 2-micron pixel size and and f/2.0 aperture. Just like the Mi 8, the Mi 8 SE also has AI features like scene detection for better photography in the auto mode.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 SE has a great price and design. It is to be seen, however, how the Snapdragon 710 performs in the real world since no other smartphone has been launched with this SoC before. Will it make its way to other countries like India? Only time will tell. c

May 31, 2018
Xiaomi Mi 8 Officially Launched With 3D Face Unlock

Xiaomi hosted its 8th anniversary launch event in China and unveiled a plethora of devices. The most anticipated device to launch at the event was the Xiaomi Mi 8. For weeks there were rumours about the Mi 8 being the first Android smartphone to launch with a Face ID-like facial recognition system and even feature an in-display fingerprint sensor. All these rumours were put to rest by Xiaomi and the Mi 8 looks like the best iPhone X recreation yet.

The Mi 8 will be available in three variants in China. The 6GB RAM/64GB storage is priced at CNY2,699 (Rs 28400 approx.), the 6GB RAM/128GB storage model will cost CNY2,999 (Rs 315000) and the priciest version will retail for CNY 3299 (Rs 34700 approx.) with the same RAM and 256GB storage. It goes on sale in China on June 5th via its official online and offline stores.

The Mi 8 is Xiaomi’s first smartphone to sport a notch, a trend slowly becoming the norm. The Mi 8’s notch, however, should not disappoint a lot of people since it solves a purpose, just like the iPhone X’s notch does. As we have been speculating for weeks, the Mi 8 is indeed the first Android smartphone to feature 3D facial recognition which means Xiaomi had to incorporate more sensors than usual in the notch.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 is also the first smartphone with Dual GPS technology. The dual GPS technology doesn’t use the L1 frequency like other smartphones. It instead uses the L5 frequency usually used by the aeronautical industry. According to Xiaomi, the dual-frequency GPS detects the location more accurately by eliminating radio disturbances from buildings. It also reduces signal delays, making navigation faster.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 has a 6.21 inch Super AMOLED display (by Samsung) with a 2248 x 1080 px resolution. The unusual resolution is a result of an 18.7:9 aspect ratio. Xiaomi, like OnePlus, has stuck to a FullHD+ resolution instead of a QuadHD+ resolution found in devices like the Galaxy S9.

Under the hood, the smartphone runs on the Snapdragon 845 chipset with 6GB of RAM coupled with 64GB/128GB/256GB of onboard storage. The onboard storage will not be expandable, which has been the case for flagship Xiaomi devices for a while. The fingeprint sensor is placed on the back of smartphones, giving users an option to choose between Face Unlock and a fingerprint sensor.

Powering the smartphone will be a 3400 mAh battery which charges via USB C port. Despite the glass back, the Xiaomi Mi 8 does not have wireless charging. Out of the box, the Mi 8 will run Android 8.1 Oreo with the new MIUI 10 on top. MIUI 10 was also announced at the same event and comes with Xiaomi’s own Xiao Ai smart assistant, similar to Google Assistant and Siri.

The vertically-placed dual-camera setup is also reminiscent of the iPhone X. However, Xiaomi appears to have adopted the design for its 2018 lineup of smartphones. To the back is a primary 12MP RGB sensor with an f/1.8 aperture coupled with a 12MP telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture and 1-micron pixel size. The notch houses a 20MP AI camera with an f/2.0 aperture. Just like the iPhone X, it also has a portrait lighting feature and Xiaomi’s own take on the animojis.

The company went a step further and launched a special edition Mi 8 as well. The Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition has an in-display fingerprint sensor which the company claims is faster than Vivo’s. It is also the first-ever smartphone with a pressure sensitive fingerprint sensor. The specifications remain the same as the Mi 8 but, the rear-facing fingerprint sensor disappears. The back of the device has a transparent glass that gives a peek to the internals of the device.

The Mi 8 Explorer Edition is priced at CNY3,799 (Rs 40000 approx.) and will be available in the 6GB RAM/128GB storage variant only.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 has a big notch like the iPhone X and follows an industry-wide trend. However, the notch has a reason to exist as it is the first-ever Android smartphone to feature 3D facial recognition technology. With it being a world-first, we expect the company to launch it in other major markets like India. There are no details about it yet and we shall keep you posted on any developments regarding the matter.

May 31, 2018
Xiaomi Redmi 6A Specifications Leaked On TENNA

Xiaomi will launch the Mi 8, Mi 8 SE and the Mi band 3 on May 31st, celebrating its eight-year anniversary. While the Mi 8 has become one of the most anticipated smartphones of 2018, the company has not lost sight on its budget smartphones. The company became famous in the first place for launching quality budget smartphones. A new budget device from the company that appears to be in the pipeline is the Xiaomi Redmi 6A.

The specifications of the Redmi 6A were leaked via TENNA which means it is on its final stages and should be launched soon. According to the listing, there are three model numbers of the Redmi 6A, the M1804C3CT and the M1804C3DT/M1804C3DC. The only difference being that the M1804C3CT has a single 8MP camera, while the M1804C3DT/M1804C3DC have dual cameras, possibly a 12MP+8MP setup.

The rest of the specifications are identical for all the model numbers. The Xiaomi Redmi 6A will have a 5.45 inch display with a 1440 x 720 px resolution.

The Xiaomi Redmi 6A will likely run on the Snapdragon 625 chipset with 2GB/3GB/4GB of RAM. The storage variants could be 16GB/32GB/64GB with an option to expand the storage via a microSD card. The fingerprint sensor, as visible in the images, will be placed on the back of the device in a central position.

Must Read: Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Vs Realme 1

To the front of the smartphone will be a 5MP camera. The back of the device will either house an 8MP sensor or a combination of a 12MP and 8MP sensors. The type of sensors that will be used is not clear as of now. Powering the Xiaomi Redmi 6A will be a 3000 mAh battery which will charge via a micro USB port (this is an educated guess considering we haven’t moved on to USB C ports on budget devices yet). Out of the box, it will run Android 8.1 Oreo with MIUI 9.5 on top. This means the smartphone is likely to come with gesture support as well.

The Redmi 6A could launch sometime in June, a few days after the company launches the Mi 8. Whether it’ll make its way to the Indian shores is yet to be seen.

May 30, 2018
Xiaomi Mi 8 SE To Launch Along With Mi 8 On May 31st

Xiaomi has completed 8 years and the company will commemorate the milestone at its May 31st event. Succeeding the Mi 6 won’t be Mi 7 but it will indeed be the Xiaomi Mi 8. Rumours and multiple leaks suggest that the Mi 8 will be the first Android smartphone to incorporate iPhone X’s Face ID-like 3D facial recognition system. However, the Mi 8 might not be the only smartphone Xiaomi launches on May 31st as a new leak has revealed the existence of the Xiaomi Mi 8 SE.

The resemblance of Mi 8 SE’s nomenclature with the iPhone SE is uncanny. Xiaomi is known for taking “inspiration” from Apple in the past. Shades of iOS are visible in MIUI as well and Apple’s design has been a source of inspiration of Xiaomi as well. Even the Mi 8 is expected to have a notch design very similar to the iPhone X.

Must Read: Apple iPhone SE 2 Renders Leaked Again With iPhone X Style Notch

The Mi 8 SE has been spotted on Xiaomi’s online mall (Mi Mall) along with the Mi 8. Rumours of the Mi 8 SE aren’t new and what ‘SE’ stands for is still a mystery. Considering the theme of the launch event, it might as well be the Mi 8 Special Edition (SE) which could be a limited edition device with Gold accents and a ceramic back. The Mi 8 is expected to have a glass back and feature wireless charging as well. However, it is also entirely possible that the Mi 8 SE will be like the iPhone SE and sport a smaller display while maintaining the other key design elements.

Mi 8

Must Read: Xiaomi Mi 8 To Cost Around Rs 30000

It will also be interesting to see if the Mi 8 SE will sport a notch and have the same 3D facial recognition system as the Mi 8. Other rumours have suggested that the Mi 8 will have an in-display fingerprint sensor. The Mi 8 SE might get rid of the notch and Face ID and instead feature an in-display fingerprint sensor which would sort of justify the ‘SE’ tag as well. All the speculations are short-lived as the event is just a couple of days away. Stay tuned for all the updates about the Xiaomi May 31st launch event.

May 29, 2018
Xiaomi Mi Band 3 Price Leaked Ahead Of Its May 31st Launch

Xiaomi will host a launch event on May 31st in Beijing, China. The company will launch the Mi 8 and the Mi Band 3 at the event to commemorate Xiaomi’s 8 years. The Chinese smartphone maker is expected to launch the first-ever Android smartphone with Face ID-like 3D facial recognition system. However, the Mi Band 3 is also a very important for the company as Xiaomi prides itself on being more than just a smartphone brand.

The Mi Band 3 will succeed the Mi Band 2 and has been in the news ever since the CEO of Xiaomi was pictured wearing it. Lei Jun, CEO of Xiaomi confirmed that the Mi Band 3 will indeed launch on May 31st and now, a leaked image has revealed the pricing details of the soon to be launched wearable. The image appears to be an official listing of the band and has a price tag of CNY 169, which translates to about Rs 1780. For context, the Mi Band 2 is priced at Rs 1799 in India right now. The Mi Band 3 could launch at a price of Rs 1999 in India.

Must Read: Lenovo Z5 Will Be The Truly Bezel-Less Smartphone Everyone Wants

The next iteration of Xiaomi’s successful Mi Band series is expected to sport a display similar to its predecessor. There are rumours that the display will have a 2.5D curved glass on top. The Mi Band 3 could also get rid of the physical button and introduce gestures for navigation. Apart from that, the Mi Band 3 is expected to be IP67 rated for water and dust resistance and also have support for Bluetooth 4.2 and NFC.

Lei Jun also said Xiaomi has been testing the Band 3 for two-three months, and found it to be far better than the company’s previous two Mi Bands. The May 31st event will see Xiaomi launch a plethora of products. The Mi Band 3 will have a hard time gaining everyone’s attention as the Mi 8 is expected to be the headline-grabber.

May 29, 2018