Xiaomi has launched the Mi 4c, its latest low-cost, high-spec smartphone that will make you question spending $500 on phones from HTC, LG, or Samsung in the future. The phone costs the equivalent of just $205 at its most basic, but for that, you get a device that comes very close to matching the OnePlus 2.
The 132 gram Mi 4c isn’t an all-metal phone, it has a slim 7.8mm polycarbonate unibody that comes in various cool pastel colors, from yellow to pink to blue. The screen measures 5-inches and has a 1080p resolution. Xiaomi says the displays come from several sources including LG and Sharp, and has excellent visibility in sunlight, a night reading mode, and a variable refresh rate for better power efficiency.
A Snapdragon 808 processor, which also powers hardware such as the LG G4, is inside the Mi 4c and in the basic model it’s accompanied by 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. Spend a little more and you get the premium version with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of memory. Apple charges $100 for a bump in storage space, but to get the 32GB Mi 4c, the cost is an extra $30.
The rear camera comes from Samsung or Sony, and has 13 megapixels, while the selfie camera has 5 megapixels. A USB Type-C reversible charging connector has been fitted, along with an interesting Edge Tap feature, where a light tap of the phone’s side will perform certain functions, such as activating the shutter release, or to go back a page in the browser. The spec list continues with 4G connectivity, dual-SIM card support, an IR blaster, and a 3080mAh battery.
Xiaomi will sell the Mi 4c in China, but hasn’t announced a release date yet.
CONTINUE TO PAGE TWO FOR ALL THE RUMORS LEADING UP TO THE XIAOMI MI4C’S OFFICIAL LAUNCH
Xiaomi is planning to launch yet another mid-range smartphone in China, and this phone looks like it will mimic the design of the India-exclusive Mi 4i. However, the Mi 4C — as it’s being called — is expected to boast higher-end specifications.
The Mi 4C, revealed by Xiaomi co-founder and president Bin Lin, will feature the same 5-inch full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixel) display as the Mi 4i. Xiaomi will hold an event on September 22, to establish all of the features coming to the Mi 4C, but most of its specs have already been revealed.
Internally, the Mi 4C will run on the hexa-core Snapdragon 808 processor, which is a much more powerful processor than the Snapdragon 615 that’s found in the Mi 4i. Two configurations will be available, including one with 2GB RAM and 16GB of storage, and another with 3GB RAM and 32GB of storage. The 16GB model will be available for $235, but Lin did not reveal a price for the higher-spec model.
Similar to the Mi 4i, the Mi 4C will feature a 13-megapixel rear and 5-megapixel front camera. Both devices will weigh 130g with the same dimensions. Dual-band 802.11 Wi-Fi ac and LTE will also be available on the Mi 4C.
The Mi 4C will be the first Xiaomi device to support USB Type-C, the new connector specification that OnePlus supports on its new phone and Apple uses on its new MacBook. The new USB standard can be plugged into your devices in any direction, much like the lightning port on the most recent iPhones. Huawei, LG, and a few other providers will support USB Type-C by the end of the year, with both Nexus devices reportedly utilizing the new port.
Android 5.1.1 Lollipop will be available pre-loaded with MIUI 7.0 on the Mi 4C.
Xiaomi is under a lot of pressure with its production line at the moment. The large amount of Redmi Note 2 sales is keeping the supply line busy. That might mean a small amount of Mi 4C units to start off, as Xiaomi prepares for even more sales.
It is not the first time Xiaomi has had to battle with a surplus orders. The company noted a 200 percent sales growth last year, the largest in the industry, but still managed to increase its production volume to match sales.
The Mi 4C will start shipping on October 3. Pre-orders are expected to go online on September 22, after the event is finished.
