Google’s committed to providing affordable and high-performance Android phones to developing markets which traditionally cannot afford expensive Android phones. Until now, the Android One phones launched have been less than exciting. They’ve also lacked some modern features like dual cameras or performance processors.
Now, today, Xiaomi and Google are launching the Mi A1 Android One phone for $234. While on the high end of the price scale, you’re getting a lot for the price. There’s a 5.5-inch 1080p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, a microSD slot, dual 12-megapixel cameras, a 5-megapixel selfie camera, a fingerprint sensor, and a 3,080 mAh battery.
Xiaomi’s comparing the dual-cameras on the back to the iPhone 7 Plus’ cameras. Besides the cameras, the Mi A1 and the iPhone 7 look scary similar with the only difference being the flash is on the other side of the camera and the finger print sensor is on the center back.
Android One has a new iPhone-esque flagship phone
Being an Android One phone, you’d only see the device in developing markets like India, but Xiaomi is launching the device in 40 markets. You’ll be able to buy the phone in parts of Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America, and parts of Asia.
The Mi A1 isn’t running Xiaomi’s MIUI. Instead, it’s unskinned Android. The phone will get Google’s Android 8.0 Oreo later this year, and Xiaomi claims the phone will be one of the first phones to get Android P. While Google hasn’t announced or outlined what Android P will include, we’ve already started hearing about the OS.
Hands down, the Mi A1 is the best Android One phone so far yet! Copying the iPhone for Xiaomi seems to have work for them, and for many customers in developing markets, the iPhone 7 Plus is far outside of their range.
Let me know what you think about the Xiaomi Mi A1! I’m a huge fan of the phone, even as there are other budget phones like the Honor 6X. I wish Google would release these phones in the United States, as a prepaid carrier phone.