Xiaomi unveiled its first Android One smartphone, the Mi A1 about a month ago. This smartphones is now available in Kenya through Avechi for Ksh 26,000.
Android One is Google’s project whose aim is to bring smartphones with decent specifications to customers in the developing world. Smartphones in this program also come with stock Android with no custom Uis and bloatware. With Android One smartphones, Google partners with the device manufacturers to ensure they qualify to be part of the program.
As I mentioned above, the Xiaomi Mi A1 in Kenya is available or Ksh 26,000. This is not as cheap as I had expected it to be. The last Android One smartphone that we saw in Kenya was the Infinix Hot 2 back in 2015 that was available for Ksh 9,000. When you consider this price, you can see how expensive the Mi A1 is. Even with that said, I think this price is fair if you look at the specs of the Mi A1.
The one thing that got many people talking about this phone is the very fact that it is part of the Android One Program. Smartphones in this program come with stock Android and this means you get Android as Google intended it to be. Xiaomi smartphones are not known for having stock Android, they come with the company’s own custom UI, MIUI.
With the Mi A1, MIUI is out of the way as it paves way for stock Android. For the diehard Xiaomi fans, they will miss MIUI and some may not really like that. Even with that said, this may be a good strategy for the company to get its devices and name to consumers who may not have had the chance to own one before and who may have not liked them because of MIUI. Given that it comes with pure Android, it should get the latest updates and security patches earlier than most other smartphones.
Below is a look some of the specifications of the Xiaomi MI A1.
Display Size: 5.5 inches with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels
Processor: 2.0 GHz Octa-core Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625
RAM: 4 GB
Storage Space: 64 GB, can be expanded up to 128GB using a microSD card
GPU: Adreno 506
Android Version: Android 7.1.2 Nougat
Camera: Dual 12 MP Camera at the back with a 5MP front facing one
Battery: 3080 mAh removable battery
Also Read: Xiaomi Has Pushed Out MIUI 9 Global Beta To All Supported Devices