Tag: Xiaomi

Xiaomi Unveils a Pink Edition of Mi Note on its 5th Anniversary, Priced at Rs. 25,200

A while ago, we spoke of Xiaomi teasing a device made for women. Today, on its fifth anniversary, the Chinese smartphone brand ended all speculation and raised the curtains off the Mi Note Pink Edition. The handset is nothing but a regular Mi Note with a uniform pink coloured body. The device is launched at the price tag of 2,499 Yuan, which translates to around Rs. 25,200.

As aforementioned, the Pink Edition of Mi Note holds the same specifications and features. The handset touts a 5.7-inch full HD (1920×1080p) display and is fitted with a 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor along with Adreno 330 GPU. RAM of 3GB capacity runs the handset and the onboard storage space stands at 16GB. The pink variant features a 13MP rear camera and a 4MP selfie snapper.

On April 8, the limited Mi Note Pink Edition will go on sale in China. Interested customers need to hurry up as only 20,000 units have been manufactured. To compensate the slight bump in price, Xiaomi is offering customers a power bank of 5,000mAh, along with the smartphone.

Prior to this, the world’s third largest smartphone manufacturer released a Bamboo edition of Mi Note. The special edition had a bamboo back and came at a price of RMB 2,299. The handset is on sale in China.

March 31, 2015

Xiaomi Unveils the Redmi 2A, Its Cheapest Smartphone Yet

Xiaomi is celebrating its fifth year in business today. The Chinese electronics company has unveiled a bunch of new devices just for this occasion. One device that catches the eye immediately is the new Redmi 2A. Xiaomi has made its already low priced Redmi 2 even cheaper in this latest version.

Xiaomi Redmi 2A differs from its sibling, the Redmi 2 only in terms of its processor. The device is powered by a Leadcore L1860C quad-core Cortex A7 1.5GHz processor. Apart from that, it packs in the same specifications as the Redmi 2 including the 1 GB RAM and 8 GB of internal storage.

The handset is priced at RMB 599 (Rs.6000) which makes it slightly cheaper than the Redmi 2. It is not sure as of yet if the device will come to India, but buyers would have to consider if they want to pay Rs.1000 less for a new processor or get the Snapdragon powered Redmi 2. Well, it’s still good that they now have a choice, something that a consumer always appreciates.

Specs	Redmi 2
Display	4.7 inch, 1280×720 pixels 312 ppi
Processor	1.5GHz Quad-core Leadcore L1860C
RAM	1GB
Storage	8GB
Expandable Up to	32GB
Main Camera	8 MP
Front Camera	2 MP
Battery	2200mAh
Operating System	Android 4.4 KitKat with MIUI 6.0

March 31, 2015

Xiaomi to Bring Out a Sub-Rs. 5,000 Smartphone on April 8 : Report

Xiaomi is known as an electronics firm that offers premium handsets at a reasonable price range. Since long, rumour mill has suggested Xiaomi is planning to release an entry-level smartphone. The same device has now appeared online through a leaked image. The handset is expected to debut on April 8 and will cost 499 Yuan (approximately Rs. 5,000).

From what it appears from the first look of the upcoming phone, it seems to be a cheaper version of Redmi 2. Some reports have also surfaced that throw light on the inner details of the smartphone. According to Chinese blog Mydrives.com, the phone will sport a 4.7-inch (720x1280p) screen. A 1.6GHz Leadcore LC1860 quad core processor, along with 1GB of RAM. The device will run on Android 4.4 KitKat with MIUI skin on top.

Coming to its optics, an 8MP rear camera paired with a 2MP secondary shooter will sit on the device. The storage option includes 8GB of inbuilt space, which at this point of time is unknown if it would be expandable.

Until now, it is not known if the smartphone will make it to countries outside China, but some online publishers are claiming it may arrive in India by April 8. Few days back, Xiaomi teased a picture of a dress that had a NSSJ caption on top. The smartphone is stated to launch today at the occasion of the company’s fifth anniversary.

The launch event can take place anytime soon. We will keep you updated with information on the availability of the latest device as soon as something arrives. Keep checking back.

March 31, 2015

Xiaomi Announces Second Open Sale of Mi Pad in India

There is good news by Xiaomi for those who missed the chance to own a Mi Pad in the first open sale held on March 24. The Chinese electronics major is holding a second sale today through its exclusive online partner Flipkart, and just like the previous time, users are not required to register for the device. The tablet is on open sale and it’s available to buy 12 noon onwards today.

The Beijing-based firm spread the word about the sale via Facebook –

The Mi Pad is one superior tablet that has the specifications of a high-end device. It is affordably priced at Rs. 12,999. The Mi Pad is thin at 9.4mm and sports a 7.9-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2048×1536. The tablet is powered by a 2.2 GHz Nvidia Tegra K1 SoC ARM Cortex-A15 processor, 2GB RAM and 16GB inbuilt storage space. The Xiaomi tablet runs on Android 4.4 KitKat with MIUI skin on top. The device comes with an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, and has a powerful battery of 6700mAh.

Brief details about its specs are provided below:

SPECS	Xiaomi Mi Pad
Display	7.9-inch IPS326 PPI
Processor	2.2 GHz Nvidia Tegra K1 SoC ARM Cortex-A15
RAM	2GB
Internal Memory	16GB
Expandable up to	128GB
Camera	8MP rear, 5MP front
Battery	6700mAh
Operating System	Android 4.4 KitKat
Price	Rs. 12,999

March 30, 2015

Xiaomi Ties Up with The Mobile Store to Sell Smartphones in Retail Stores

Since the arrival of Xiaomi in India, the Chinese manufacturer has been selling phones through the exclusive online partner Flipkart. Now, the company is giving a boost to its business on the Indian soil. China’s largest smartphone maker has adopted the offline sales policy in the country and will retail its smartphones through the brick-and-mortar outlets of The Mobile Store.

The company head of India operations Manu Jain notified about the same with his statement –

This will be the first time we’re getting into offline trade in India. In China, about 20-30% of total sales come from telecom operators’ stores while the rest come from our online store – Mi.com

Now, one can walk into any of the 55 outlets of The Mobile Store in Delhi-NCR and own a Redmi handset. Meanwhile, the company has drawn out two models, Mi 4 and Redmi Note 4G for sale, and they can be grabbed at the price range of Rs. 19,999 and Rs. 9,999 respectively. The sale begins from Saturday, 28th March, onwards.

Xiaomi Mi 4

For the moment, only the national capital’s stores offer the devices, but The Mobile Store will soon make them available in its 300 stores across the nation. The stores will not only retail the phones but will also offer repair service, as announced by Himanshu Chakrawarti, Xiaomi Chief Executive.

Meanwhile, the company’s association with the e-commerce partner still exists, and all the Xiaomi products will be available on Flipkart as always. The Indian online retail channel appreciated Xiaomi’s step and said that the brands sold on Flipkart are always welcome to explore alternative channels.

Redmi Note

Over the past year, Xiaomi has undertaken rigorous efforts to establish itself in the Indian market. It is building up its Research and Development centre in Bangalore and has inaugurated its India-centric online store Mi.com in India. Anyone can order authentic Mi accessories like headphones, power bank and other products from there.

It is also estimated that the Chinese electronics brand can start its own smartphone store in India if the offline programme goes well. The company has received tremendous response in the country for offering impeccable devices at afforable rates. Lately, it launched its new budget superstar, Redmi Note 2, in India which is available via flash sale on Flipkart. We hope that the trial proposal gets a thumps up and we finally bid farewell to the entire flash sale shenanigans as they have become tiring now.

March 28, 2015
Xiaomi Teases A Women-Centric Product For Its Big Event on 31st March

Xiaomi embarked on a journey into the tech segment on March 31, 2010. The company has had a splendid time in the world of electronic equipments and the brand went bigger and bigger every passing year. On March 31 this year, the Chinese manufacturer will become five-year-old and it has some big plans to celebrate the fifth anniversary with its fans.

According to Gizmo China, Xiaomi is geared to release some products that are different from its present offerings. Xiaomi’s co-founder Lin Bin posted an image through the company’s official account on Weibo which suggest that the next product from Xiaomi would be women-centric.

As one can see, the teaser image comprises an outline of a dress with a feminine pink background. A text in block letters NSSJ in written on the top of the dress. The dress is enough a hint to inform users that the upcoming product would cater to females.

Apart from that, Xiaomi is shifting its focus from sleek construction and curvy edges to being more fashionable. As per a conversation between Bin Lin and a fashion group, it appears like Xiaomi is collaborating with the fashion group to bring out a gadget that is high on fashion.

Meanwhile, there is no information if Xiaomi will launch an all-new device or will just give a fashion angle to its already existing line of gadgets. But according to Times of India, it could launch a mid-range smartphone codenamed ‘Ferrari’. The handset appeared on the graphics benchmarking website GFXBench.

If the source is to be believed then the next device could be a 4.9-inch FHD device with 1.6GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 octa-core processor, Adreno 405 GPU and 2GB of RAM. The phone is said to pack 16GB of internal memory storage along with 12MP rear and a 5MP front-facing camera. The phone will run on Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box.

The best part is that users don’t have to wait for long. We are less than a week away for March 31 and buyers will get to know about the devices shortly at the forthcoming event.

March 26, 2015
Yu Teases Specifications of Project Caesar, Pits it Against Xiaomi Redmi 2

As the clock is ticking for the arrival time of Yu’s next smartphone ‘Project Caesar’, the Micromax subsidiary has released a promotional campaign to sustain the excitement of its potential customers. Yu is now teasing the forthcoming handset with a poster that gives away a few details about upcoming smartphone.

Looking at this image from Yu, one can make out that Project Caesar will be equipped with a 64-bit processor along with 2GB of RAM. Also, the on-board storage space on the device will be 16GB, as mentioned in the poster.

You will also notice that Yu has taken a dig at Xiaomi with the teaser. The home-grown company ridicules the specifications of the recently launched Redmi 2 and mocks Xiaomi with the caption “Read Mi Lips… The Future is Yu.”

Few days back, YU poked fun at Xiaomi with another poster that ridiculed Redmi phones for still running on KitKat OS. The company confirmed that its forthcoming device will feature Cyanogen OS 12 based on Android Lollipop.

Yu is slowly disseminating information about Project Caesar, but there’s still a lot to be known. The phone is confirmed to be launched in the month of April this year. Keep checking this space for more updates on Yu’s latest device.

March 25, 2015

Xiaomi Mi Pad to Go on Open Sale Today via Flipkart

When Xiaomi launched its first tablet in India on March 12 this year, everyone was was surprised at the low price of the device. The Mi Pad holds specifications of a top-end gadget and is pocket-friendly at Rs. 12,999. The budget blockbuster Mi Pad is now going on sale in India today at noon via online retail website Flipkart.

The company has ditched the flash sale model and potential customers can get their hands on Mi Pad without registration. There are no details about the number of units going up for sale.

Recalling the specs of the device, then Mi Pad is thin at 9.4mm and weighs a mere 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.

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.

Here’s a quick look at its specifications:

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 24, 2015

Windows 10 Arrives for Xiaomi Mi 4 ‘Power Users’, Images Spotted Online

It was only yesterday that Microsoft made an announcement about the summer release of Windows 10 in 190 countries around the world. It was not the only news announced by the software major, and Microsoft surprised everyone with the announcement of its exclusive partnership with Chinese smartphone brand Xiaomi. The multinational firm revealed the development of a Windows-based software (ROM) for Android devices that turn the Android run handsets into Windows phone, is underway.

Today, images of Xiaomi Mi 4 devices running on Windows have surfaced online. Since, Mi 4 is designed to run on Google’s Android platform, these fresh pictures speak of the Technical Preview of Windows 10 that Microsoft was talking about. The invention of a ROM that can swap the OS to Windows on Android devices is ground-breaking. However, it is uncertain how many of us would like to leave the cosmic Android arena to join the confined world of Windows on smartphones.

The new Windows 10 ROM doesn’t offer dual-boot feature and forces itself onto the installed device. Windows 10 then becomes the default OS of the smartphone. The basic idea behind the software is to give Android users an experience of Windows 10 user interface and apps.

The testing of Windows 10 ROM is limited to a selected group of Xiaomi Mi 4 users. Microsoft picked Xiaomi since it has a vast user base which provides constant feedback on their products. Microsoft aims to use Xiaomi’s already existing user base to receive suggestions by proving the latest version of Windows on their phones.

March 19, 2015
Xiaomi’s E-Store Goes Live in India, Sells Accessories But Not Smartphones

Till date, Xiaomi was dependent on its exclusive online partner Flipkart to sell its products in India, but not anymore. The Chinese electronics producer has finally opened an official Mi Store in India from where one can order products. The online store grasps the absolute authority Flipkart used to enjoy over the large chunk of Xiaomi followers in the country.

As stated by the firm, Xiaomi will only sell accessories in India and not smartphones. The exclusive rights to sell Mi handsets still remain with the e-commerce website. Meanwhile, potential customers can grab protective cases, earphones and power banks; the last one being out remains out as of now.

However, the company hasn’t turned down the fact that other products may appear on the online store in the future. This means that more products by Xiaomi like Yi camera and Mi Band (fitness tracker) arrive in the Indian market in coming months.

In three short years Xiaomi has established itself as a tech beast. The electronics enterprise conquered China few months back as the biggest smartphone vendor and lately, it defeated Apple and Samsung in India and became the biggest seller of 4G devices for January. Its smartphones have done a total sale of over a million since July last year, and considering its affordable price policy, Xiaomi seems to be breaking all records.

The organization came out with Note series in January and launched Mi Note and Mi Note Pro. The latest addition to the series is the Bamboo edition of Mi Note. It is also heard that another flagship called Mi Note Plus is next in line to release.

March 19, 2015
Xiaomi is India’s Biggest 4G Device Vendor for January, Knocks Down Apple and Samsung

The battle to become the top smartphone vendor is getting tougher and steamier. After conquering China’s smartphone market, Xiaomi has once again proved itself, but this time of India. According to a report by the market analysis firm CyberMedia Research (CMR), the Chinese electronics maker Xiaomi brought down the leaders Samsung and Apple, and emerged as the biggest 4G handset seller in India. The fresh records are of January this year.

According to the data released by the research firm for January, Xiaomi is ahead of the reputed smartphone manufacturers and holds a market share of 30.8 percent. Apple, Samsung, HTC, and Micromax follow respectively at 23.8 percent, 12.1 percent, 10 percent, and 8.3 percent. Few months back, another analysis firm reported Apple as the frontrunner of the fourth quarter of 2014. The Cupertino-based tech giant held the 45 percent market share, which was followed by HTC and Samsung.

These figures showcase the shipment of only 4G handsets in India. Samsung still leads the pack with 17.3 percent market share which includes feature phones, smartphones, 3G and 4G mobile phones. Lava, Microsoft, Micromax, Intex have comparatively lesser share with 11.9 percent, 10.3 percent, 9.7 percent and 8.5 percent respectively.

This outcome by CMR is a massive blow for the world’s largest smartphone vendors. Although, the numbers represent the sales figure of a month only, but it’s an indication that Samsung and Apple need to take Xiaomi as seriously as any other contender out there.

March 17, 2015
Details of Xiaomi Mi Note Plus Revealed

It’s safe to say, Xiaomi has been on a roll. It has unveiled several new smartphones in the market, which are undoubtedly remarkable and are gaining fame for being reasonable priced. The Chinese smartphone brand showcased a new smartphone line back in January called Mi Note, which comprises of Xiaomi Mi Note and Mi Note Pro. It appears like the firm has one more device in the Mi Note series to offer which is being worked on secretly.

A new premium device showed up on GeekBench that speaks of the high specifications of the forthcoming device. It also illustrated the benchmark scores of Mi Note Plus, along with Samsung Galaxy S6 and HTC One M9. According to the cross-platform processor benchmark, Xiaomi Mi Note Plus sports a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor and 4GB of RAM, just like the Mi Note Pro. The device will run on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop.

From the revelations, it is observed that the fundamental specifications of the Plus version of Mi Note are identical to Mi Note Pro. Also the GeekBench scores, the Mi Note Plus stood close to HTC One M9 with single-core score at 1282 and multi-core score at 3928. The Mi Note Plus, on the other hand, scored 1235 and 4039 in single-core and multi-core score respectively.

We doubt Xiaomi’s new offering will give th Galaxy S6 tough competition, but given the price range of the Galaxy S6, the Mi Note Plus is expected to attract more customers. Recently, Lin Bin, Co-Founder and President of Xiaomi also hinted that a special edition of Mi Note would be coming out soon. The fresh device is expected to release today. It is uncertain if Xiaomi is pointing to the Plus version as the special edition, but once the firm makes the announcement, things will come to light.

March 17, 2015
Report : Xiaomi is Building its First Smartwatch

Xiaomi smartphones have been well received world over. The company has expanded itself to various sections with Mi purifiers, power banks and pen drives. The Chinese electronics producer had not shown any inclination to smartwatches till now, but the rumour mill suggest another story. Xiaomi seems to have taken the recently launched Apple Watch as a challenge and according to a report, the China’s Apple is working furiously to gain a foothold in the smartwatch segment.

GSM Arena recently reported a few features of Xiaomi’s first smartwatch. According to the source, the Xiaomi smart watch will be clad in an elegant metal design and boast a circular dial. Also, it is said to equip a pulse wave velocity determiner that keeps a check on the stiffness of arteries. Overall, Xiaomi’s upcoming smartwatches will gauge your internal body activities all the time.

Xiaomi isn’t only known for its smartphones, the company recently unveiled a super affordable action camera.

For the time being, these are just reports and there’s no solid proof of its authenticity. Very scarce details are known about the watch, but from the little information, it can be said that Xiaomi is prepping to answer back to its competition. The company is renowned for providing superior specs at affordable prices like the new Mi Pad, Mi Note, and most recently, a super cheap action camera. It’s an easy conclusion, if the news turns out to be real, Xiaomi’s first smartwatch will be priced lesser than the other wearables in the market.

March 16, 2015

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

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

Tag: Xiaomi

Specs

Redmi 2

SPECS

Xiaomi Mi Pad

Specs

Redmi 2

Specs

Redmi 1S

Redmi 2