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Xiaomi’s Mi-Two launch event is kicking off and I’ve been digging up all the info, following along on various Chinese live blogs. To help celebrate 2 years of MIUI (a custom Android UI) the guys at Xiaomi are knocking down the price of the original Mi-One — the world’s first official MIUI phone — to a mere $200 (1,300 yuan). In a likewise classy move, those that have found themselves already purchasing the OG “Millet” phone within the last 2 weeks will be eligible for a $110 reimbursement direct from the guys at Xiaomi.
But that’s not all. Xiaomi also officially announced an upgraded version of the handset that put them on the map, unveiling the Mi-One S. This upgraded MIUI phone features largely similar specs to the original, just with a little more punch. The handset has been outfitted with upgraded 2nd generation 8MP back-illuminated sensors, and the addition of a front facing camera. The processor has also been enhanced, now clocked to 1.7GHz which Xiaomi assures us is “the fastest dual-core mobile phone on the market.” The Mi-One S will be sold for 1,500 yuan (roughly $235).
The big announcement came with the full fledged follow up to the original MIUI phone — the all new Mi-Two. Challenging international manufacturers like Samsung and HTC who have already introduced their high-end handsets for 2012, Xiaomi is saying “me too!” while upping the ante of what we can expect from a next-generation Android phone in terms of specs and pricing. The bread and butter of the Mi-Two is the equipped Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064) quad-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz with the new Adreno 320 GPU and utilizing the new 28nm manufacturing process. This is silicone at its finest, folks. Xiaomi took a minute to show off some benchmarks, crushing the competition in Quadrant, Linpack, and Vellamo benchmarks.
Other notable specs of the Mi-Two include:
- 4.3-inch 1280×720 IPS display
- 2GB RAM
- 16GB ROM (internal storage)
- 2,000 mAh battery with a 3,000 mAh available upgrade
- MHL port
- Bluetooth 4.0
The Mi-Two will also come with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and the latest version of the MIUI custom ROM pre-installed. Speaking of the all new MIUI, the launcher has been given a complete overhaul in this latest version. What can only be described as a 3D desktop, MIUI is introducing their all new “Free Launcher” that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen on Android. You’re going to want to watch the video on this one…
The best part? All of this can be had for around $315 (2,000 yuan) off-contract. I’ll let you take a second to pick your jaw up off the ground. No doubt, Chinese manufacturers like ZTE and those like HTC who are looking to enter into the Chinese market are shaking in their boots right now. My Chinese is a little rusty, so I’ll swing back once I can figure out availability on this thing. Anyone wishing this would come stateside?
[Xiaomi]
HOT DAYUM this phone’s specs are shmexy. Just wish it was at least 4.7″ though. But either way, those are some top notch specs for that crazy ass price. Sadly, this only works for AT&T and not T-Mobile, huh?
Good article, CC.
Yup, AT&T’s HSPA+ frequency bands. Wont work on T-Mo until they upgrade their 2G network to 3G/4G later this year..
perfect to use it with strait talk, that is one sexy phone, where can we get this phone once it becomes avelaible?
china
Negri electronics
Is there a way to change everything to English? Probably not, huh?
The phone currently comes with both English and Chinese functionality, although a very select portion of the English language pack still sports the Chinese strings. I’d say about 5% of the phone is untranslated, but for the most part, it doesn’t affect the usability of the software, and the hardware runs like a dream.
Which is when chris??! I’ve been dying for an update on this topic… could you do some digging and let me know?
It’s still being worked on. There’s places in LA you can travel where their 1900MHz has already been converted. It’s supposed to officially debut at the end of this year or early next. *fingers crossed*
Yea, too bad this phone does not have Pentaband HSPA+, otherwise it would be perfect for T-Mobile’s $50 unlimited everything plan!
We need to get this on sale over in the US. Can’t miss out on this like first Xiaomi device. lol
That wont happen, they are immune to Apple lawsuits in China but in the US they would be screwed.
Best Specs + Beautiful ROM = EPICness Redefined!
I want and I’m on ATT so even better :)
Luckyyyyyy
Can it be changed to English?
yes
Well that’s encouraging news… How would one go about doing this? Is it native feature in the MIUI ROM that will be preloaded (doubtful) or would you have to reflash with a different, English ROM? Also, anyone know how difficult it would be to get this to work on a GSM network in the US? Does that type of thing require a lot of fussing?
Theres an English option during setup ;)
as for US GSM carriers, the phone is not carrier locked. Just insert sim and power on
like the first MiOne phone won’t be released in Europa or the States, so sad. And import prices will be around 600$ like before.
and I think reservation starts today and first aviability will be 23. august
Woah time to import
Know any way to import to the States at this point?
I’m about to call my friend in China. Hopefully he can help me out.
Only if you can switch it it English…. Can it be done? Also, I wonder how much cost it would add to import it…
The phone comes with chinese and english as language options.
While that launcher screams annoying gimmick, i still LOVE this phone. Seriously, i want it so badly. <3
but… no SD card?
In a perfect world, all manufacturer skins would be this unique and interesting. And each phone would have the option to boot into the manufacturer skin or stock Google.
One can dream…
L2## (RAM I assume) is a whopping 2MB??
even i know that means L2 Cache, its obvious.
RAM is 2 GB. it says that in the article.
Ah OK.
This phone will make a good impact in the market if they can get it to export to all market.
oh really? i didn’t know that.
I could live with that!
I would translate it as “Freestyle Desktop” :P
Kind of reminds me of Microsoft Bob.
Its a rectangle. BLOCKED by apple.
Any availability in Aussie?
Not to sound as racists. But these Chinese guys are kicking ass.
How could that possibly be construed as racist?
why does China get all the good shiz >.>
MUST.HOLD.BACK.PROFANITIES….. Unreal that we have to pay $600 to $700 for a phone that even comes close to these specs. #FML What gives here???
Your paying a premium for the name. Its always been like this for any kind of product.
I hope the next nexus has similar hardware or at least close, I mean its not expensive if these dudes are able to sell it 315 off contract.
1. That phone sounds pretty awesome. Decent price, custom software, impressive specs.
2. That launcher looks pretty fr**king awesome. I’m not a fan of the MIUI look, but I’m gonna have to give this try when it gets released.
3. A CM or AOKP phone would be pretty sweet.
Holy crap… I want this
Looks awesome!
Hope it does have an SD slot though
this prove how decent hardware, good software and cheap price could deal a big blow to other lazy OEMS and also slow down fragmentation….
samsung, htc, lg and morotola should learn from xiaomi in how to support their phones and how many models its needed to release… instead of oversaturating a market with crappy bad supported device and complicated not easy updatable skins…
This phone has no chance in the USA. Because Apple will sue them for any frivolous pretext as Apple is scared to death that their customers discover that they have been ripped off since forever. BTW, where can I order one?
Why is it the Chinese get pretty coloured phones and we get black or white ones?
I miss the old nokias where there was a million different fascias for each phone!
How would I go about importing one of these in the UK and how much would it cost?
because people in the west prefers simple.
people in asia prefer more colors, just look at people when they dress