Category: Xiaomi

Hands on | This is the Xiaomi Redmi 2

Xiaomi is back with another device, the Redmi 2, and it can be a blockbuster amongst the budget smartphones already in the market. The new device is more mature than its predecessor, Redmi 1s, and comes with much-required advancements such as better battery, a front camera and processor, and also an upgraded OS.

From the overall look of the phone, the Redmi 2 may remind you of the earlier version. It has the same 4.7-inch screen, but with a (1280x720p resolution) display with 312 ppi pixel density. A coating of AGC Dragontrail glass is at the top of the screen to give it protection from scratches.

The phone is considerably lighter than the Redmi 1S and feels good in hand. The rounded edges along with a soft touch back gives a subtle feel to the device and offers a comfortable grip.

The processor has been tweaked to 1.2 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 410 with an enhanced Adreno 306 GPU. It comes with 1GB RAM and 8GB in-built memory capacity. The company provides an expandable card slot that makes the device capable of storing up to 32GB of data.

The rear shooter stands at 8MP while the front comes with a 2MP camera. The Redmi 2 gets its juice from the 2200mAh battery.

Redmi 2 is a dual-SIM phone that runs on Android 4.4 KitKat with the company’s MIUI 6.0 on top. The MIUI features various features like over 5,000 themes, smart filters for cameras, Flashlight, and much more.

Like the other devices, Xiaomi is opting for a flash sale model for this device as well. Registration for the same have already started. Priced at Rs. 6,999, the device will be available on March 24. There are only two colour options accessible in India for now – white and black grey. The company promises, more colours will come later.

The detailed specs sheet of Redmi 2:

Specs	Redmi 2
Display	4.7 inch, 1280×720 pixels 312 ppi
Processor	1.2 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 410
RAM	1GB
Storage	8GB
Expandable Up to	32GB
Battery	2200mAh
Operating System	Android 4.4 KitKat with MIUI 6.0
Price	Rs. 6,999

Have a look at the hands-on video below:

March 13, 2015

Xiaomi Redmi 2 Vs Moto E (Gen 2) : Newly Arrived Budget Smartphones Battle it Out

Xiaomi has launched the Redmi 2 (4G) in India, and it is a mere upgrade over its predecessor, the Redmi 1S. But even with the slight bump in the specs, the device is still unconquerable in its segment. The device that comes closest in competing with the Redmi 2 is the Moto E (Gen 2). So let’s take a look at how the two budget badasses fare against each other.

Specs	Xiaomi Redmi 2 4G	Motorola Moto E (Gen 2)
Display	4.7 inch 720 x 1280 pixels	4.5 inch 540 x 960 pixels
CPU	1.2 GHz, Quad-core, Snapdragon 410	1.2 GHz, Quad-core, Snapdragon 200
RAM	1 GB	1 GB
Main Camera	8 MP	5 MP
Front Camera	2 MP	0.3 MP
Internal Storage	8 GB	8 GB
External Storage	32 GB	32 GB
Battery	2200 mAh	2390 mAh
Operating System	MIUI 6.0, based on Android 4.4.4 Kitkat	Android 5.0 Lollipop
Price	Rs. 6999	Rs. 6999

The Redmi 2 definitely holds a lead in the specs sheet with its HD display and superior camera offering. The 4G ready Redmi 2 is priced the same as the 3G variant of the Moto E which would help it to attract the potential customers towards itself. The Moto E, on the other hand, can use its updated operating system and the bigger display in comparison to its predessesor to attract the buyers to itself.

The Redmi 2 also requires the troublesome effort of waiting for the flash sale whereas, the Moto E (Gen 2) is available right now for purchase which might work in Motorola’s favour.

March 12, 2015

Redmi 2 Vs Redmi 1s : What is the Real Difference?

Today, Xiaomi expanded its smartphone lineup in India with the launch of the new Redmi 2, the successor of Redmi 1s. Along with that, the firm brought to India its first tablet, the Mi Pad.

Now, shifting the attention back to the new smartphone, the Redmi 2 is another pocket-friendly device by the Chinese electronics brand. From the overall look, the Redmi 2 may look familiar with its predecessor, but its specifications are what makes it stand apart. With a revamped processor, front camera, GPU, battery, RAM, and many more things, the phone stands above the other devices in the same price bracket.

Have a look at the major tweaks done on the new phone:

Specs	Redmi 1S	Redmi 2
Display	4.7 inches 720×1280 pixels 312 ppi	4.7 inches 720×1280 pixels 312 ppi
Processor	1.6 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 400	1.2 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 410
GPU	Adreno 305	Adreno 306
RAM	1GB	1GB
In-Build Meory	8GB	8GB
Expandable Up to	32GB	32GB
Rear Camera	8MP	8MP
Front Camera	1.6MP	2MP
Operating System	Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with MIUI 5.0	Android 4.4 KitKat with MIUI 6.0
Battery	2000mAh	2200mAh
Price	Rs. 5,999	Rs. 6,999

Registration for the handsets will start today at 6pm and the phone will be available on March 24 through flash sale model.

March 12, 2015

Xiaomi Launches the Mi Pad, its First Tablet in India For Rs. 12,999

Xiaomi’s launch event today wasn’t just about its new budget device, the Redmi 2. The Chinese electronics giant left the audience awestruck with the introduction of its first tablet in India, the Mi Pad. Priced at Rs. 12,999, the tablet is a direct opponent of Google’s Nexus 9.

At 9.4mm, the Mi Pad is thin and weighs just 360g. It sports a 7.9-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2048×1536 and a pixel density of 326 PPI. Corning Glass 3 protects the screen from accidental drops. The tablet is powered by 2.2 GHz Nvidia Tegra K1 SoC ARM Cortex-A15 processor paired with 2GB of LPDDR3 RAM. The MI Pad offers 16GB of in-built storage space which can be expanded up to 128GB via MicroSD card. The Xiaomi tablet runs on Android 4.4 KitKat with MIUI skin on top.

The optics of the device are great for its price. It sports an 8MP rear camera with Sony BSI sensor for full-HD resolution videos, along with a 5MP front snapper at the top of the display for selfies and video chats. The table is juiced up by a 6700mAh battery that keeps the device running all day long. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.

The Xiaomi Mi Pad will be available for purchase on March 24 and there will be no flash sale for this device. Potential customers can buy the gadget through e-commerce website Flipkart. The Mi Pad comes in six colour options – Black, White, Red, Blue, Green and Yellow. So if you want a tablet with unique theaming options coupled with colorful exteriors, the Mi Pad can be a great option for you.

Specs	Mi Pad
Display	7.9-inch IPS326 PPI
Processor	2.2 GHz Nvidia Tegra K1 SoC ARM Cortex-A15
RAM	2GB
Inbuilt Memory	16GB
Expandable Up to	128GB
Rear Camera	8MP
Front Camera	5MP
Operating Stystem	Android 4.4 KitKat
Battery	6700mAh
Price	Rs. 12,999

March 12, 2015

Xiaomi Redmi 2 Launched in India, Priced to Compete With Moto E (Gen 2)

Chinese smartphone brand Xiaomi, has today launched the new Redmi 2, a successor to the popular Redmi 1S. The smartphone packs some amazing specifications and is a budget superhero with a price tag of Rs. 6,999.

The Redmi 2 sports a 4.7 inch (720×1280 ppi) resolution display just like its predecessor. The device runs on MIUI 6 based on Android 4.4 KitKat. Powered by a 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 410 processor, the handset comes with 1 GB RAM. the phone has 8GB of internal memory storage, which is expandable up to 32GB.

On the camera front, the device sports an 8 MP rear snapper on the back and a 2 MP selfie shooter on the front. The phone gets its juice from the 2200mAh battery.

The company is holding the first flash sale on 24^th of this month and registrations for the sale begins today from 6pm onwards. Xiaomi hasn’t introduced the coloured variants and the device will be available only in white and grey colour options in India.

Just like last year, the Redmi 2 is directed towards capturing the Motorola’s budget market. Xiaomi has priced the new device at par with the new Moto E(Gen 2). The arrival of the Redmi 2 has raised the stakes in the brutal affordable smartphone landscape and poses a serious challenge to its competition.

March 12, 2015
Xiaomi Officially Confirms, Redmi 2 is Arriving in India on March 12

Every time you think the Xiaomi mania has cooled down, the Chinese smartphone powerhouse drops a new product in the market that restarts the waiting line. Xiaomi is expected to launch the successor to its budget superhero, Redmi 1S in India. The company has sent out the invitation to the launch event of a new device scheduled on March 12, 2015.

The device is named Redmi 2 and was launched at CES this year. The device has a 4.7 inch 720p HD display like its predecessor and is now protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 2. The device runs on MIUI 6 which is based on Android 4.4 Kitkat.

Redmi 2 is powered by a 1.2 GHz, Snapdragon 410 processor. In some markets it is available in two variants, one with 8 GB memory and 1 GB RAM whereas the other variant flaunts 16 GB internal memory and 2 GB RAM. It is not sure of yet if Xiaomi will be bringing both the variants in the Indian market, but the options do sound great.

On the camera front, the device still sports an 8 MP camera on the back while the front camera is updated to 2 MP. The battery also gets bigger at 2200 mAh.

It is an exciting device and considering the success of the Redmi 1S, you can expect the handset to find a lot of takers. The pricing of the device would be essential in taking on the competition as the market has many contenders in the budget segment such as the Lenovo A6000 and the Moto E (Gen 2).

We’ll get you hands-on and full review of Xiaomi’s latest offering for India soon, keep checking back with iGyaan for more.

March 11, 2015

Xiaomi Redmi 2 Expected to Arrive in India this Week

Xiaomi is apparently prepping the launch of its Redmi 2 smartphone in India with the expected launch date as March 12. The device is being teased through an online contest which allows interested customers to win priority passes to purchase it without the hassle of going through flash sales. The contest is a puzzle of sorts asking people to find hidden keywords inside it. Check out the image below:

It seems a lot of Facebook users have already cracked the code with words such as Snapdragon, wideangle, expandable and matte. Which suggests that the device may be the Redmi 2. Essentially because the Redmi 2 runs on a Snapdragon 410 chipset and also supports quick charging functionality. In addition, it also features expandable storage and a 28mm wide-angle lens with f/2.2 aperture on its rear camera.

iGyaan spoke to the Xiaomi’s spokesperson, who refused to confirm the arrival of the handset. We do hope the cyberspace isn’t jumping to quick conclusions. We’ll have to wait for a few more days for an official confirmation.

The contest is still open and interested users can head over to the company’s official website or Facebook page for more details. We can expect the Redmi Note 2 to be priced somewhere around Rs. 7,000.

Check out the key specs below:

Display	4.7-inch IPS LCD, 720p HD
OS	Android 4.4.4 KitKat
Processor	1.2GHz quad core Snapdragon 410
RAM	1GB with Adreno 306 GPU
Memory	16GB storage (expandable up to 32GB)
Camera	8MP rear, 2MP front
Battery	2200mAh

March 9, 2015

Xiaomi Announces GoPro-Like YiCamera, Priced at a Mere $64

After dethroning Samsung as China’s top smartphone company, it seems Xiaomi is now eyeing the world of cameras. Xiaomi’s latest offering is the YiCamera, which looks like a GoPro HERO, but costs less than half its price.

The YiCamera, is going to be available for roughly Rs 3,964 ($64). As of now, the device is limited only to China, and can be bought via the official MI website. Features of this camera include a 16 MP Sony Exmor R CMOS image sensor with f/2.8 aperture, built-in Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity and capability to record videos at 1080 p along with 60 fps. Additionally, it is waterproof and supports adjustable time-lapse shooting and 155 degrees paranoma mode.

Though it seems that Xiaomi has made this device for more of indoor use than outdoor. It does not offer a rugged exterior casing like the GoPro and includes accessories like a selfie stick and a harness to strap the device to your pets.

The YiCamera is available on the company’s official Mi site and will go on flash sale in China. Its availability in India and other regions has been confirmed for later this year.

March 2, 2015
Xiaomi Drops the Flash Sale Model, 16GB Mi 4 Now Available Without Registration

Yesterday, Xiaomi made a declaration that Mi4 devices with 16GB inbuilt memory space will go on sale in India through the e-commerce website Flipkart. The sale will be registration-free and a person interest doesn’t need to make a prior booking to buy the device. On the other hand, the 64GB variant will still be available via flash sale only and registrations for the same commenced on Tuesday.

The Chinese producer made an official statement on Facebook and Twitter saying –

Registration has started! You can register now to buy your Mi 4 64GB at 2pm IST, March 3rd. Tell everyone!! Also, Mi 4 16GB will be available on Flipkart from Feb 26th – No registration required!

Throwing some light on its specification, the Mi4 features a 5-inch full-HD display and a 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor. Running on Android 4.4 KitKat, the handset has company’s MIUI 6 on top. A 13MP rear shooter and a massive 8MP snapper comes paired with the device.

The gizmo is laudable at a price of Rs. 19,999 for 16GB. It got an excellent response in the first and the second flash sales. For those who are going for the 64GB model, it is priced a bit higher at Rs. 23,999.

Click here to buy now:

February 26, 2015
Xiaomi Sues Website For Illegally Selling Its Products

Chinese handset maker, Xiaomi, will be taking legal action against websites who are selling its phones illegally in India and infringing on the company’s trademark. The issue came into prominence when Ericsson alleged that Xiaomi was selling it’s products illegally through third party websites. The company is going through a patent dispute with equipment maker Ericsson.

Ericsson had alleged earlier this month that Xiaomi was selling Mediatek chipset powered smartphones through the site Xiaomishop.com. Ericcson claimed is it as a violation of the interim order of the Delhi High Court that allowed the company to sell only Qualcomm chipset based smartphones. Xiaomi, in turn, told the court that the site was not an authorised seller of its products.

[quote text_size=”small” author=”Manu Jain” author_title=”Head of India Operations at Xiaomi”]

They’re infringing on trademarks and they’re making the world believe that it’s a genuine Xiaomi site, which it is not. The products sold on these websites are not meant for India and are sold at significantly higher price points. We have written to them multiple times, and we will be taking legal action against them.

[/quote]

Jain added that though Xiaomishop.com site is not functional anymore, the company will still proceed with legal action against it and four to five other sites, which were selling Xiaomi products illegally.

As of now, the only authorized Xiaomi sellers in India are Flipkart and Airtel. Xiaomi is also in talks with manufacturing partners Foxconn and Inventec to set up a proper manufacturing base in India following the Indian law. India is the company’s second-largest base after China.

February 21, 2015
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G Recieves OTA MIUI 6 Update in India

During the Mi 4 launch event in India last month, Xiaomi India had confirmed that all the Xiaomi smartphones released in India will be receiving the MIUI 6 update in the coming weeks.

Xiaomi’s 2013 flagship phone, the Mi 3, received the MIUI 6 update in January. Now its the turn of the Redmi Note 4G to receive the latest MIUI update. According to user reports, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G has started receiving the MIUI 6 v6.3.5.0 update over-the-air in India and Taiwan, a few days after the first week of February, as promised by the company.

According to TheNextDigit, the MIUI 6 update for the Redmi Note 4G is available for download and is about 577MB in size. This update primarily fixes bugs for the lagging in the camera and music playback issue, plus other performance improvements including enhanced notifications, better security functions, improved email app, upgraded notifications shade and UI improvements.

Considering the fact that Xiaomi is rolling out the MIUI 6 update based on Android KitKat, the Android 5.0 Lollipop update may take some more time to reach the handsets. Redmi 1S and Redmi Note 3G are set to receive the update in early March.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G, priced at Rs. 9,999, is available via a flash sale model for online sales of the smartphone in India, and via an offline sales model through exclusive Airtel stores.

February 18, 2015
IDC : Xiaomi Takes Samsung’s Top Spot as China’s Biggest Smartphone Vendor in 2014

Samsung was leading the race of the biggest smartphone vendor race in China. But it was before Xiaomi stepped into the battle ground. The five-year-old Chinese smartphone producer has now dethroned Samsung from the top spot and has become the leader of China’s smartphone market, as per a report by research firm IDC.

According to the firm, Xiaomi showed a splendid 150 percent year-on-year unit growth in the fourth quarter of 2014, which was followed by Apple at 99.7 percent. Samsung was at the fifth place with a declined smartphone shipment numbers at -49.9 percent after Huawei and Lenovo.

The news in not at all astonishing as IDC and Strategy Analytics dubbed Xiaomi as the biggest smartphone vendor of China in the third quarter last year in August. They also confirmed that Xiaomi is the third-largest smartphone vendor in the world.

A total of 420.7 million smartphones were shipped to China in 2014. The IDC’s analysts say that Xiaomi has gained success due to the flash sale strategy and low prices.

Samsung is going through a rough patch since the past few months. After losing the world’s leading smartphone vendor position from Apple, its situation became more critical after Indian-grown Micromax snatched another accolade from the South Korean electronics producer. Samsung continues to launch more phones with low specs and high prices, which are failing dramatically to impress the potential customers.

February 17, 2015
Xiaomi Prepares to Step into the US market

Chinese electronics manufacturer Xiaomi is slowly trying to take over the world. The company is currently preparing to build a concrete ground for itself in the US market. The Vice President of Xiaomi, yesterday said in a meeting that the company intends to inaugurate an online marketplace Mi.com in the US in the coming months. He also made it clear that the on-sale products will not be smartphones, but other accessories like headphones, smart wristbands, etc.

Barra commented in the press meet –

The amount of effort required to bring those products to the market is an incredible amount of work. We’re accelerating our entering by bringing simpler products.

Barra gave the reason for not bringing out smartphones and tablets in the US saying that there are hardware certification, software testing, infrastructure, and other similar logistical challenges. He said that the company will start trading with those products that don’t have regulatory challenges.

Xiaomi said that they were about to secure a manufacturing partner in Brazil, which will help the company avoid tariffs on imported electronics.

The five-year-old company is doing tremendously well. It kicked off with smartphones and expanded its reach to different segments with Mi Purifiers, power banks, wristbands, etc. It has become one of the biggest smartphone makers in the world in a short span of time. With its first step in the US, if the Xiaomi plays its cards right, it may lead the game soon.

February 13, 2015
Xiaomi Mi 4 64 GB Variant is Coming to India on 24th February

Xiaomi recently launched its last flagship, the Mi4 in India. As with all the other Xiaomi launches, it was embraced warmly by the fans of the company. One major complaint with the device was the lack of expandable storage on the device and the lack of a 64 GB variant in the market. Heeding to the complaint Xiaomi will be launching a 64 GB variant of the Mi 4 on the 24th of February.

On their Facebook page, the company has announced that the 64 GB variant of Xiaomi Mi 4 will be available for a price of Rs.23,999.

Post by Mi India.

The Mi 4 features 5-inch Full HD Display. It is powered by a 2.5 Snapdragon 801 processor along with 3 RAM. The handset sports a 13 MP camera on the back and an 8 MP selfie snapper on the front. It gets its juice from 3080 mAh battery and runs on the latest MIUI 6. With this device, Xiaomi will be directly competing against the OnePlus One in India.

February 9, 2015
Xiaomi Allowed To Sell Devices Till March 18 Despite Ericsson Complaint

Late last year telecom equipment maker, Ericsson filed a complaint in Delhi High Court that Xioami was violating their patents. This complaint had led to a temporary ban on the Chinese smartphone maker. The ban was later lifted, and Xiaomi was allowed to import and sell their devices in the country till the 5th of February with the condition that these devices only have Qualcomm processors. Now Ericsson is alleging that Xiaomi is violating by selling non-Qualcomm devices through a website.

The lawyers for Ericsson claimed that Xiaomi was selling its non-Qualcomm devices through a website called www.xiaomishop.com. The website at present seems to have been taken down.

Responding to the complaint, Xiaomi’s lawyer said that the company has no stake in the website, and someone else was misusing their name. He also added that the company was complying with the court order, and this is a case of third party sale where Xiaomi has no control.

There was also good news for Xiaomi as a single judge allowed the company to further sell their devices till March 18. The company would have to deposit Rs.100 per imported device to the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court.

Xiaomi is currently selling its last flagship, the Mi4 in India and the extension of the sale period would be a good news for the company’s consumers. The next sale will be held on February 10th where the Mi4 and the Redmi Note 4G will go on sale.

February 7, 2015