Xiaomi launches new smartphone-Mi A1 with Google

NEW DELHI: Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi said that it has launched its new smartphone-Mi A1 in collaboration with Google, the first device to run on the evolved Android One program.

With 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage, Mi A1 will be available nationwide starting 12 September via Mi.com and Flipkart at 12:00 noon. It will also be available at all Mi Home stores at Rs 14,999 in India, Mi Preferred Partner stores and Large Format Retail partner stores.

The device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor based on the 14nm manufacturing process, as well as a 3080mAh battery.

At a launch event, it was announced that Mi A1 would be available in India and also in more than 40 markets around the world including Indonesia, Vietnam, Russia, Poland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Ukraine, and Mexico. Local pricing in these markets will be available at a later date.

Xiaomi Senior Vice President Wang Xiang said: “Mi A1 is a strategic device in our global expansion, marking a milestone on our quest to bring innovation to everyone. From the beginning Xiaomi has been all about choice, and we are delighted to offer users a new way to experience the power of Xiaomi.”

Wang noted that this is a logical extension of Xiaomi’s long and fruitful partnership with Google. “Google has been a great partner, and given our strong collaboration, we thought their idea to launch a Xiaomi smartphone on Android One would be a great opportunity to give our users a different user experience. I’m truly excited about what this partnership will bring to our users across the world!”

"By taking this next step with Android One, we are excited to be working with partners around the world to bring high quality Android device experiences to more consumers,” said Jamie Rosenberg, Google’s VP of Business & Operations, Android & Google Play.

“Mi A1 marries excellence in device design with a simple and pure Android experience, the best of Google built in, and a commitment to future software and security updates. We're thrilled to welcome Xiaomi and the Mi A1 to the Android One family," he added.

As an Android One smartphone, Mi A1 comes with the Google services built-in as default, such as free unlimited high quality storage from Google Photos.

Available in Black, Gold and Rose Gold, Mi A1 has an attractive full-metal body design that measures just 7.3mm in thickness, with discreet separation lines for a seamless look and rounded edges for great hand feel. It also comes with a rear fingerprint sensor.