Xiaomi Launches the Mi 4
by Joshua Ho on July 22, 2014 5:14 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Android
- Mobile
- Xiaomi
Today, Xiaomi announces the next version of their flagship smartphone, the Mi 4. Much like the OnePlus One, this device is effectively a high end device at a mid-range price. For the most part, this device is very much like the OnePlus One, although there are some crucial differences. The display is smaller, at 5 inches diagonal it makes for a device that is easier to use with one hand. The front facing camera is eight megapixels rather than five, and both cameras have a wider f/1.8 aperture. As always, a full list of specs can be seen below.
| Xiaomi Mi 4 | |
| SoC | MSM8974AC 2.45 GHz Snapdragon 801 |
| RAM/NAND | 3 GB LPDDR3, 16/64GB NAND |
| Display | 5" 1080p IPS LCD by JDI/Sharp |
| Network | 2G / 3G / 4G LTE (Qualcomm MDM9x25 UE Category 4 LTE) |
| Dimensions | 139.2 x 67.5 x 8.9mm, 149 grams |
| Camera | 13MP rear camera, 1.12 µm pixels, 1/3.06" CMOS size Sony IMX 214, F/1.8. 8MP F/1.8 FFC 1/4" |
| Battery | 3080 mAh (11.704 Whr) |
| OS | MIUI v5 |
| Connectivity | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac + BT 4.0, USB2.0, GPS/GNSS, MHL, DLNA, NFC |
| SIM Size | MicroSIM |
While some details are lacking (namely, dimensions) it's generally clear that this phone is designed to try and be the best phone of the Snapdragon 801 generation. The use of even wider apertures will help with light collection but there is potential for increased aberration as a result, which would be important to evaluate. The display is also said to be 84% NTSC, which would correspond to about 128% of the sRGB colorspace, so it'll be important to see whether or not there's an accurate sRGB calibration in this device.
This time around, Xiaomi seems to be trying to improve the in hand feel of their devices, by using a stainless steel band around the phone for improved feel. The back cover is still plastic, but Xiaomi is introducing swappable back covers with different materials and colors to try and alleviate the issue. This definitely seems to be a move inspired by the StyleSwap covers that OnePlus is releasing for the One. The covers can be seen below.
Keeping with tradition, the Mi 4 will be priced extremely competitively. The 16GB version will sell for the equivalent price of 320 USD, and the 64GB variant for 400 USD. There's no word on availability for other coutnries, but the phone will be available for pre-order in China on July 29th.
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xSSei - Tuesday, July 22, 2014 - link
Dimensions are 139.2 x 68.5 x 8.9mm (from Xiaomi website)xSSei - Tuesday, July 22, 2014 - link
Also, some additions/corrections:- Battery is 3000 mAh
- OS is still being advertised to be MIUI V5
- WiFi is dual band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), and has GLONASS/A-GPS
Initial release will only include TDD-LTE with FDD-LTE version released around the end of the year.
craighamilton - Saturday, December 6, 2014 - link
There are a number of higher rated phones, I recommend seeing http://www.topreport.org/phones/ among others.darkich - Tuesday, July 22, 2014 - link
Waterproof?neothe0ne - Tuesday, July 22, 2014 - link
MIUI v5 is awful. If they're not ready to release MIUI v6 please bring back MIUI v4.North01 - Tuesday, July 22, 2014 - link
The Snapdragon 801 is rather disappointing. Not much of an upgrade over the MSM8274AB inside of Xiaomi's Mi 3.soccerballtux - Wednesday, July 23, 2014 - link
what are they supposed to do? that's about as high end as mobile processors get these days.ecuador - Tuesday, July 22, 2014 - link
So, how about actually reviewing the Mi 4 when it comes out? I mean you review all the phones that everybody else reviews, but anything that is not mainstream is absent. E.g. the Nokia N9 back when it was released looked like it came from the future compared to my iphone (according to my wife, when I first showed it to her - after using it myself I thought it was a fitting description), but was there a review? No. The Xiaomi Mi 3 was hailed as the best phone you could get by far at its price range. Was there a review? No.wffurr - Wednesday, July 23, 2014 - link
5" devices are easier to use "in the hand" now? Ergh. I am not sure I like the 4.7" screen on my Moto X more than the 4.3" I had on my RAZR i.Fergy - Friday, July 25, 2014 - link
Agreed.