Today, at its annual product launch in Beijing, China, darling mobile maker Xiaomi revealed its sexiest, fastest smartphone to date – the Mi 4. The 5-inch speedster was also complemented with an unexpected device – the Mi Band fitness tracker.
The Mi 4 final specs differs slightly from rumoured sources, packing a 2.5Ghz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset with 3GB RAM, 16/64GB built in storage, a superbright 5-inch Full HD IPS display, 13MP rear camera with f/1.8 aperture, 8MP front camera, UMTS & TDD-LTE support and a large 3,080mAh battery.
Xiaomi claims its latest baby is the fastest smartphone in the world.
As with all Xiaomi products, the Mi 4 is priced to kill at RMB 1999 (approx. RM1,099) for the 16GB and RMB 2,499 (approx. RM1,299) for the 64GB variant.
Xiaomi’s party of tricks doesn’t end there. There’s also its highly-acclaimed MIUI Android layer that offers incredible customisations, features and UI tweaks.
The latest MIUI release, will be branded MIUI V6.5, and will be available on 16 August 2014.
Xiaomi touts the Mi 4’s amazing attention to detail, its stainless steel frame a result of 40 different processes and 193 steps.
The Mi 4 does look good, although it will be hard to deny its striking resemblance to the old iPhone 4/4s, minus the glass front and back. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery as they say as the “Apple of China” delivers possibly its most impressive phone to date.
A surprise announcement was the Mi Band – a fitness monitor and sleep tracker (they hid it so well, it might as well have been Apple). The Mi Band has changeable wrap-around straps and the tracking module itself made from aluminium.
It’s water resistant up to IP67 specifications with a 30-day standby time. Aside from monitoring your activity and sleep cycle, it can also unlock you Mi Phone without a password.
How much? An unbelievable RMB79 (approx. RM49).
Xiaomi is said to be ramping up production of the Mi 4 to 1 million units in China, with China Unicom to get exclusivity in August above other telcos first.
The 4G LTE version will come in September.
Malaysia, understandably will have to wait a little longer for this ‘latest and greatest’ from Xiaomi.
