Xiaomi Mi A1 Is An Impressive Android One Phone That's Big On Specs, Low On Price

Xiaomi is a Chinese smartphone maker that has found some success in the U.S. and much greater fortune around the world with its smartphones. The next flagship device from Xiaomi is due to launch in the U.S. on September 11 and it is called the Mi Mix 2. But before that new flagship device launches, it has another new smartphone that debuted in India called the Mi A1 and it is a pure Android device lacking the Xiaomi MIUI software over the top.

Mi A1 buyers will get a smartphone running the entry-level Android One software platform. The thought of a non-Pixel device running nothing but Android is probably appealing to a lot of people out there in the market for a new smartphone.

Along with a pure Android One experience, the device is priced at around $230. Xiaomi plans to launch the smartphone globally with a few exceptions. Before you get too excited know that the U.S. and the UK aren't on the list of countries set to get the smartphone. Countries that will get the device include Indonesia, Vietnam, Russia, Poland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Ukraine and Mexico.

India is among the first of those countries to get the device and while it debuted today, it will be officially available on September 12 in that country. There's no word on when the other countries verified to be getting the Mi A1 will see the device launch. As for hardware, the smartphone sounds good for the relatively low price. It will sport a 5.5-inch screen and a 12MP dual lens rear camera with a wide angle and a telephoto lens giving you creative options. The dual lenses will give you the bokeh effect that many want in their camera.

This is one of the only cheaper smartphones that will give users the ability to do bokeh effect, which is normally found in high-end devices like the Galaxy Note 8and iPhone 7 Plus. The front camera is a 5MP unit. Rather than use the standard camera app in the Mi A1 Xiaomi did opt for its own camera software, we'll have to wait for some hands-on reviews to figure out if that is a bad thing.

Other hardware includes a Snapdragon 625, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage, and a 3080 mAh battery. Charging is via USB-C and the fingerprint scanner is on the back, in what is typically not a popular location. At least that fingerprint scanner is well down the back of the device away from the camera lenses. Xiaomi will offer the smartphone in black, gold, and rose gold colors.