12/31/2023 0 Comments Ars technica imazing review![]() ![]() Xiaomi is frequently compared to Apple, but its business model is completely different. Even after the 50-percent markup, it still feels worth it compared to an unlocked Galaxy S5. Xiaomi normally sells its devices to consumers directly, but we had to go through an importer, which ended up costing $480. That makes getting a Mi4 into the US a little more complicated and expensive. Xiaomi doesn't do business in America, and it can never seem to make enough devices to meet demand. Xiaomi even managed to out-spec-sheet Samsung's Galaxy S5 with more RAM (3GB vs 2GB) and a bigger battery (3080mAh vs 2800 mAh). A Galaxy S5 costs $700 unlocked, but the MSRP on a Mi4 is only about $320 (1999 Yuan). Everything that is here is here for a reason it works. It has a quad core 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801, 3GB of RAM, 16 or 64GB (!) of internal storage, a 3080mAh battery, and best of all, no silly gimmicks. On the inside, everything in the Mi4 is top shelf. It can be flashed to more than a hundred different devices, including Xiaomi rivals like Samsung, HTC, Motorola, and LG. It pushes out OTA updates every single Friday, and, just like CyanogenMod, MIUI is available for download. ![]() While many OEM skins are heavy and feel like they slow the phone down, MIUI is actually faster and smoother than stock Android. Lots of other OEMs skin Android-it's not an original idea-but again, Xiaomi's strength is in its execution. A steel frame with chamfered edges, thin bezels, and impeccable construction make this the best Android hardware we've seen all year.įor the OS, Xiaomi uses a skinned version of Android called "MIUI" (pronounced me-you-eye). So yes, the front of the Mi4 (pronounced mee-four) is basically a big iPhone, but it's also built like an iPhone. A lot of things the company does are not unique, but Xiaomi does a fantastic job of whatever it puts its mind to. Xiaomi's greatest strength is its execution. Why-and how-is this startup beating the biggest companies in the world? To discover Xiaomi's secrets and to investigate the state of Android in China, we imported the company's brand new flagship: say hello to the Xiaomi Mi4. It expects to triple that number this year. The company was only founded in 2010, but it sold 18.7 million smartphones in 2013. China is the world's largest smartphone market, and the #1 OEM in China isn't Samsung or Apple- it's Xiaomi. We often hear stories about the "Apple of China" and how existing OEMs should be worried, but it's rare to get a look at any actual devices from the company. Xiaomi (pronounced SHAO-mee) is a complete mystery in the West. RBG notification LED, IrLED, NFC, removable back plate $320 unlocked in China, $480 through importer Ron Amadeo reader comments 292 Specs at a glance: Xiaomi Mi4ĭual Band 802.11b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS
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