Here are the highlights from Xiaomi’s global launch event.
Xiaomi’s Mi A2 launch event in Madrid, Spain has concluded. Watch this space for full details of the new phones.
Xiaomi also introduced its robot builder device along with the new Mi A2 phones.
Here’s an overview of the new Xiaomi phones.
Xiaomi Mi A2 will be available in India very soon. The company is unlikely to launch the more affordable variant Mi A 2 Lite in India.
The base model of Mi A2 Lite is priced at 179 Euros, ₹14,000 approximately. The 4GB + 64GB model is priced at 229 Euros, ₹18,000 approximately.
Mi A2 Lite is one of the few phones to come with Snapdragon 625 processor. It is powered by a 4,000mAh battery.
On the back it has a 12-megapixel sensor and 5-megapixel sensor. The camera comes with AI portrait mode, PDAF and other usual Xiaomi modes.
Mi A2 Lite comes with a similar design as Mi A2. It features a 5.84-inch display with 19:9 aspect ratio. It has a fingerprint sensor on the back.
Xiaomi Mi A2 base model will be available for 249 Euros, ₹20,000 approximately. The 6GB + 128GB model will be available for 349 Euros, ₹28,000 approximately.
Xiaomi Mi A2 is one of the few devices to come with Qualcomm’s top-end Snapdragon 660 processor.
Google says Xiaomi Mi A2 will be one of the first devices to get the Android P. The update will be rolled out later this year. Google’s Android P brings a range of new features such as battery optimisation, notification snooze, and more. Also read: Android P Beta: Compatible smartphones, how to download, and top features
Google’s AI-driven Lens will also be available on Mi A2. The Lens platform allows users to look up information about a device by just pointing the camera at it. The phone also comes with unlimited photo storage on the cloud through Google Photos.
Xiaomi Mi A2 will be available in Black, Blue and Rose Gold colour options.
Xiaomi Mi A2 comes with an AI selfie camera. The front-camera resolution: 20-megapixel, Sony IMX376 sensor, f/2.2 aperture, 2um Super Pixel, low-light enhancement, AI portrait selfies, semantic segmentation and HDR.
Mi A2 is able to detect the edges in a portrait shot much better than other phones, claims Xiaomi. The mode is based on Artificial Intelligence. The camera can detect depth even in low-light conditions and even with lights in the background.
Mi A2 is said to deliver better photos in low-light conditions. The dual-camera has been optimised according to react different light conditions, and automatically enhances quality in low-light.
Xiaomi Mi A2 comes with an AI-based dual-camera featuring 20-megapixel Sony IMX376 sensor and f/1.75 aperture, and 12-megapixel Sony IMX486 sensor. Full camera specifications: 12-megapixel + 20-megapixel sensors, large f/1,75 aperture, 4-in-1 2um Super Pixel
Mi A2 is quite slim at 7.3mm. Xiaomi says it’s slimmer than Samsung A8 which is 8.4mm thick
Xiaomi Mi A2 unveiled with a new design -- arc design, slimmer profile, and USB Type-C port.
Xiaomi says Mi A1 was one of the top selling phones in 2017.
Google says it is looking forward to collaborate with Xiaomi to work on Android One phones. Xiaomi says Mi A1 was well received by the media with some even calling it the best phone in the segment.
Xiaomi Mi A2 will succeed the last year’s Mi A1 smartphone. Xiaomi Mi A1 was also Google’s launch pad to revamp Android One programme. Mi A1 is available in India at a starting price of ₹13,999.
Xiaomi claims it registered a rapid growth in the European market despite being at the number four position. The company has opened stores in France and aims to tap more markets within Europe. Xiaomi already has a large presence in India.
Xiaomi says it is the fastest growing internet company in the world and had a successful run in 2017. According to a recent IDC report, Xiaomi is among the top smartphone companies in the world. In Europe, Xiaomi is at the number four position.
Mi A2 will be the first major product launch after Xiaomi debuted on Hong Kong stock exchange. Wang Xiang claims Xiaomi had the largest tech IPO ever after Ali Baba.
Wang Xiang says Xiaomi is a technology company which is focused on building an ecosystem of tech products, including Internet of Things.
The official launch event begins. Xiaomi’s Wang Xiang takes the stage. The event kicks off with a brief introduction of Xiaomi.
The event is expected to begin shortly.
Xiaomi has over the years focused on China and India markets. The Mi A2 launch event in Madrid, Spain hints at the company’s efforts to tap the international market. OnePlus, which also focused on India and China markets, is also having a similar approach, and launched its OnePlus 6 in London.
Mi A1 is the only smartphone from Xiaomi to offer stock Android experience. Other Xiaomi phones come with a custom MIUI ROM. Stock Android means the phone has pure Google software experience whereas a custom ROM brings a range of customisations, such as new app animations, interface and added functionality.
According to the teasers online, Xiaomi’s latest Mi A2 will come with a dual-camera setup on the back. It may be recalled that Xiaomi Mi A1 was known for its high quality camera, and was also among the few affordable phones to offer a two camera setup on the back. The latest version is expected to come with major bump in megapixels and overall resolution.
Xiaomi is expected to launch a stripped down version of its Mi A2 smartphone. The phone will have the same Android One experience but will have smaller screen and lesser processor. Xiaomi hasn’t yet revealed whether the Lite model will be available in India.
Android One is Google’s initiative for select smartphones to deliver the latest Android experience with no or minimum customisation from the OEM. With Xiaomi Mi A1, Google changed its strategy for Android One to offer the platform for more and wider range of smartphones that are not necessarily priced under ₹10,000. Android One promises latest Android updates and security patches from Google.