Xiaomi Mi A1 is a mid-range smartphone price segment, with balanced characteristics, attractive design and dual camera. According to the manufacturer, this device is direct iPhone competitor 7 Plus, but for much less money. The announcement of this model took place in September 2017.
Appearance and ergonomics
When creating the Xiaomi Mi A1, Chinese designers were clearly inspired by the appearance Apple products. This is clearly evidenced by the implementation of the rear part of the aluminum case. Thus, the antenna strips are located almost at the very edges. The block with the camera is in the upper corner. At the same time, the edges of the body are neatly rounded. Brushed aluminum leaves no unnecessary marks. The fingerprint scanner is located on the back of the device, but is high enough to be easily reached with one hand.
Front of the device big screen, under which there are three touch buttons for navigation. At the top end there is an infrared sensor that allows you to control a variety of home appliances using your phone. The device fits quite comfortably in the palm of your hand. Available colors: gold, pink and black. Dimensions: height - 155 mm, thickness - 7.3 mm, width - 76 mm, weight - 165 g.
Display
Mi A1 has a large 5.5-inch IPS IGZO display. Its resolution is 1920 by 1080 pixels with a pixels per inch of 403 ppi. On top it is covered with 2.5D glass, which protects the matrix from damage. As for brightness, it can be adjusted independently or automatically. The display recognizes up to 10 touches simultaneously.
It should be noted that there are excellent viewing angles with minimal distortion even at a strong angle. The device has a high-quality oleophobic coating, so your fingers glide over the surface with ease. The overall color scheme goes into cool shades, but no one forbids manually adjust this parameter. The color rendition itself is as close as possible to natural shades.
Hardware and performance
Inside the Mi A1 smartphone there is an eight-core Snapdragon 625 processor operating at a frequency of up to 2000 MHz. This 64-bit chip is implemented using 14nm technology. Graphics are handled by the Adreno 506 3D accelerator with support for OpenGL ES 3.2. The device is equipped with 4 GB random access memory, and there is also 64 GB of built-in storage. There is a possibility of expansion internal memory using MicroSD cards up to 128 GB, with installation of applications.
It is worth noting that Xiaomi Mi A1 was developed using the Android One program. Therefore, specialists from the Chinese company and Google worked on the smartphone, and together they created this device. Its important feature was operating system Android 7.1. This platform does not provide additional add-ons or shells, as it is completely bare. At the same time, the interface does not slow down, everything functions smoothly and stably. In the synthetic AnTuTu test, the gadget scores about 63,000 points, which confirms its status as a “strong average”. The smartphone handles games quite well, with the exception of “heavy” projects with complex effects. In this case, you can simply lower the graphics quality to ensure a comfortable frames per second.
Communication and sound
On the bottom edge of Xiaomi Mi A1 there is a multimedia speaker. It produces quite loud and clear sound. If you listen to music through high-quality headphones, the sound will pleasantly surprise you with its richness and elaboration of frequencies. With the help of the speaker, you can hear your interlocutor perfectly in a variety of situations. The device supports Bluetooth 4.2, as well as two Nano-SIM. This model works reliably in LTE networks, but there is no NFC here.
Camera
The main camera in Mi A1 is dual. We are talking about two 12-megapixel modules, but with different aperture ratios (main - 2.2, secondary - 2.6). If you take pictures during the day, you get very detailed and clear pictures with natural color rendition. As for evening time, the quality of photographs, of course, drops; unnecessary blur appears, but the natural color scheme is preserved. There is also 2x optical zoom. You can also create a blurred background without special effort. You can record video in 4K resolution. For self-portraits, there is a front-facing 5-megapixel camera with aperture ratio 2.0 and an image enhancement mode.
conclusions
The Mi A1 smartphone seems to be a very successful attempt by Xiaomi to provide users with standard Android without all the extras. The buyer of this device can count on regular updates over the air, high-quality photos and excellent performance. This is a bright representative of the middle class, which can be purchased at a price of 14,000 rubles.
Pros:
- Fast operating system - “pure” Android.
- High quality dual camera.
- Bright and large display.
- Practical and modern design.
- Abundance of RAM and built-in memory.
Minuses:
- NFC module is missing.
- “Heavy” games can slow down.
Specifications Xiaomi Mi A1
| General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Model | Xiaomi Mi A1 |
| Date of announcement and start of sales | September 2017 / September 2017 |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 155.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm. |
| Weight | 165 g. |
| Available colors | black, gold, rose gold |
| operating system | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat) |
| Connection | |
| Number and type of SIM cards | two, Nano-SIM, dual stand-by |
| Communication standard in 2G networks | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| Communication standard in 3G networks | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Communication standard in 4G networks | LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 20(800), 38(2600), 40(2300) |
| Carrier Compatibility | MTS, Beeline, Megafon, Tele2, Yota |
| Data transfer | |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| GPS | yes, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| NFC | No |
| Infrared port | There is |
| Platform | |
| CPU | Octa-core Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 |
| Inner memory | 64 GB |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Ports and connectors | |
| USB | 2.0, Type-C 1.0 reversible connector |
| 3.5mm jack | There is |
| Memory card slot | microSD, up to 128 GB |
| Display | |
| Display type | LTPS IPS LCD capacitive, 16M colors |
| Screen size | 5.5 inches (~70.1% of the front surface of the device) |
| Display protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Camera | |
| Main camera | dual 12 MP (f/2.2, 26mm, 1.25 µm) + 12 MP (f/2.6, 50mm, 1 µm), 2x optical zoom, autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash |
| Functionality of the main camera | Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, HDR, panorama |
| Video recording | 2160p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Front-camera | 5 MP, 1080p |
| Sensors | |
| Illuminance | There is |
| Approximations | There is |
| Gyroscope | There is |
| Compass | No |
| Hall | There is |
| Accelerometer | There is |
| Barometer | No |
| Fingerprint scanner | There is |
| Battery | |
| Battery type and capacity | Li-Ion 3080 mAh |
| Battery mount | non-removable |
| Equipment | |
| Standard kit | Mi A1: 1 USB cable: 1 SIM tray eject clip: 1 User manual: 1 Warranty card: 1 Charger: 1 |
Prices
Video reviews
Only now has it gained unprecedented popularity, despite the fact that the company has been offering the best hardware at the most affordable prices for years in a row. But, for those who are not in the know, it’s worth saying: today the brand has gained official status in Russia, which means that prices for the manufacturer’s gadgets will sooner or later approach the prices of A-brands. And yet, the manufacturer still pleases fans of budget products with relatively affordable solutions. Great example - Xiaomi Mi A1 smartphone, which is a good modern smartphone with a stylish design and has a dual-module camera and at the same time is sold at a relatively affordable price for such parameters.
Apple again?
Company representatives praised the new product with all their might, emphasizing its ergonomic and stylish design. Meanwhile, in the outlines Xiaomi Mi A1 we are looking at the same phone Apple iPhone 7 Plus, which, although not an exact copy, is definitely borrowed. This is all due to the shape of the front panel, the proportions of the case, the size of the display, and similarly made plastic inserts located on the metal cover. Even a two-module camera will mislead an inexperienced user: it seems that this was the intention. Perhaps the only nuance is the fingerprint scanner, which is located not in the home key, but on the back.
As already noted, this is not a complete copy, but the quality of execution is at a high level. Only in the hands of experienced reviewers will a catch be discovered, indicating that this is not an Apple product: the camera protrusion is framed by a mediocre plastic insert. And the joint between the glass is not so smooth, but these are minor things. As a result, for a relatively low price you can get a decent smartphone based on Apple’s flagships. In addition, here we are talking about black, gold and pink. Be that as it may, we figured out the design, but what about the filling?
Technical component
In terms of filling, this is not a self-sufficient device. Xiaomi Mi A1 is essentially the same Xiaomi Mi 5X, which was presented in the summer. But the advantages include a clean operating system, similar to that used in gadgets for the developing world. In total, the technical advantages include:
- 5.5-display with full-screen display made using LTPS technology;
- Economical Snapdragon 625;
- 4 GB RAM;
- Two-module sensor;
- Pure Android One.
It is noteworthy that in addition to Android 7.1.2 Nougat, an update to Android 8 will also be available, if, of course, you believe the manufacturer.
Hello, dear readers! Xiaomi has prepared a complete Xiaomi review Mi A1, the long-awaited smartphone running . You will learn about the Mi A1 package, see its unboxing, get acquainted with the characteristics, camera, operating system and performance.
Thanks to our assistant from India, who received the new Xiaomi Mi A1 and took high-quality photos of an excellent camera phone from Xiaomi.
Xiaomi Mi A1 review – contents:
Useful materials on the topic:
This time, the box proudly boasts the inscription “Made In India” and a new formula for excellence - Xiaomi meets Android One. The back side is decorated with the Mi logo, which is placed in the center of the snow-white box.
You can definitely fall in love with this smartphone at first sight!
Equipment
This is what a complete unboxing of a smartphone looks like.
The Xiaomi Mi A1 comes with a basic package. In a beautiful white box with the “Android One” logo, the buyer will find:
- Charger (power supply and cable type USB Type-C.
- A special paperclip (SIM eject tool) that helps remove the SIM card slot. A MicroSD memory card can also be inserted into this slot.
- Instructions and warranty card.
Although the Xiaomi Mi A1's equipment is minimal, the box contains everything you need for an excellent budget smartphone. 
Design
The first impression is that the Xiaomi Mi A1 looks similar to the previous Mi 5X model.
Seamless design, bright picture, a perfect flagship dual camera, dual-color 2-LED flash and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor.
The metal body of Xiaomi Mi A1 is made of anodized aluminum and does not leave fingerprints and sits very comfortably in the hand.
On the back panel we see Mi and Android One logos. This perfectly describes the future concept: “Made by Xiaomi, Powered by Google.”
Ergonomics
All controls are conveniently located:
- on the left is a tray for a memory card and SIM card, or two Nano-SIM cards (Dual Sim card);
- on the right is a volume rocker (you can also add other functions to it);
- on top – a Jack 3.5mm headphone jack, an infrared sensor (IR sensor) or in other words an IR port with which you can control household appliances, and a microphone with a noise reduction sensor;
- At the bottom there is a USB Type-C connector and an external speaker.
Let's look at the front side of the smartphone. At the top is a 5-megapixel front-camera, proximity and light sensors, as well as a voice speaker in the middle.
Below, under the display, there are three touch buttons: “call up menu”, “home” and “back”. Each of these buttons can be customized for any other function, such as a quick photo.
The fingerprint scanner itself is located on the rear panel. Although many Mi fans like it when it is located on the front, as it increases the speed of unlocking the smartphone.
Also, there is a high-quality dual camera at the back.
Dimensions
Xiaomi Mi A1 has comfortable dimensions, as it is a standard 5.5-inch smartphone, small in thickness - only 7.3 millimeters, and optimal in weight - 165 grams. If you compare the Mi A1 externally with the iPhone 7 Plus, it will be slightly smaller, literally by a couple of millimeters.
Dimensions Mi A1: 155.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm
Display
The model has a large and colorful screen with a diagonal of 5.5 inches and a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels (Full HD). To protect the display, 2.5D glass is used, which has a protective class - Gorilla Glass 4.
For its money, the smartphone will show an excellent picture, despite the average brightness parameters and viewing angles that are not as large as those of the iPhone.
Performance
This budget smartphone, by Xiaomi standards, was equipped with a proven 8-core Snapdragon processor 625 with a frequency of 2 GHz. The process itself was actively praised at the presentation, but judging by the reviews in the Mi community, devices on it work really well.
The Mi A1's memory is also excellent: 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage, this is enough to solve most tasks.
Responsible for graphics processing GPU Adreno 506, so most of the currently popular games, such as Asphalt 9, Beach Buggy Racing or Modern Combat 5, will perform well.
The only drawback that we noticed is the heating of the Xiaomi Mi A1. As the company’s engineers explained: “This phenomenon occurs because the company does not implement its own thermoregulation algorithms, but uses stock Android.”
operating system
There will be no software in this smartphone, since the Mi A1 does not come with the usual MiUI graphical shell. There are only three pre-installed applications from MiUI: Mi store, camera and Mi Remote - an IR remote control with which you can control household appliances with infrared sensors at home.
A1 runs on (pure Android) latest version 7.1.2. This allows its owners to receive quick updates to new versions from Google.
Sound
In this new product, Xiaomi took care of music lovers and music geeks by installing a dedicated 10-volt audio amplifier. Thanks to this, music lovers can use even expensive studio headphones to listen to music. The quality of the music will exceed all expectations.
- Read more about that.
Camera and photo quality
Xiaomi's dual camera or, as they also say, “dual camera” (the technology itself is called “flagship dual camera”) is the highlight of the smartphone!
The characteristics of this camera, judging by the presentation, are impressive, so Xiaomi will conduct a separate full review for it.
According to the developers, such a camera is capable of taking high-quality photographs at the level SLR cameras or completely replace budget models.
Main camera modules:
- 12MP 50mm telephoto module with f/2.2 aperture;
- 12MP 26mm wide-angle module with f/2.6 aperture.
Mi A1 becomes an excellent camera phone from Xiaomi. As practice shows, in order to take the highest quality photos, you need good sunlight, so it’s better to take photos during the day. In low light, the camera is not yet ideal.
Battery
Xiaomi Mi A1 has a battery with a capacity of 3080 mAh. This battery will last for a whole day of smartphone operation.
If you use the power saving mode in Xiaomi, this will increase the operating time by another 40%.
You will need to charge your smartphone via the USB Type-C port. But, unfortunately, this model does not have support for Xiaomi fast charging - Quick Charge technology.
Specifications
| Date anon sa | September 5, 2017 |
| Frame | All metal Corning Gorilla Glass 2.5D glass 1155.4 x 75.8 x 7.3mm |
| Display | IPS LCD 5.5 inches FullHD 1920 x 1080 403PPI 70.1% display to body ratio Always On Display |
| OS | Android Nougat 7.1.2 |
| Memory | 4GB RAM 64GB of internal memory with support for SD cards up to 128GB (hybrid slot) |
| Cameras | 12MP 26mm (telephoto), f/2.2, phase detection autofocus, pixel size - 1.25µm, 2x zoom, LED flash, portrait shooting 12MP 50mm (wide angle), f/2.6 front camera - 5MP |
| Sound | dedicated amplifier 3.5mm audio jack |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 625 8×2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 Adreno 506 |
| Sensors | fingerprint scanner on the back cover gyroscope accelerometer proximity sensor IR port |
| Battery | non-removable Li-Ion 3080mAh no fast charging support |
Video: Xiaomi Mi A1 review
We have selected for you best videos with reviews of Xiaomi Mi A1 on Youtube at the moment.
Xiaomi Mi A1 Android One Smartphone Unboxing & Overview
Great review on English language by Geekyranjit. The guy speaks clearly and is in no hurry, so I recommend watching it even for those with average knowledge of English.
Mi A1 Gaming Review, Benchmarks & Heating Test
The following review is from an Indian who plays productive games on the Mi A1, cheerfully comments on this and measures the heating temperature of the smartphone with an infrared thermometer.
Android One India Unboxing
A video for polyglots from the famous Indian review master Hinglish Wala. The general meaning is clear, even without knowledge of Hindi. High quality picture, spinners in the background and a robot figure create a pleasant impression.
Russian-language review
Latest Mi A1 reviews from users
In connection with the official release in Russia, we decided to add fresh videos of a live review of the Xiaomi Mi A1 for our readers.
Video from Luchkov
Review of Xiaomi Mi A1 on pure Android: should I buy it or not?
Video from Andro-news
Video from Droider
Unboxing Xiaomi Mi A1 on the channel “Droider.RU”: Pure Android for 17 thousand rubles.
Video from VTNT
Unpacking the global version of Mi A1, which the author, Vladimir Tishevsky, bought in the Ukrainian store “Hello” for 6974 hryvnia (about 15210 rubles). Good fresh review from October 2. There is a comparison of Mi A1 with Samsung Galaxy S8 and Xiaomi Mi 5s.
By reading our Xiaomi Mi A1 review, watching live photos and proprietary videos, you can get a detailed impression of the new Xiaomi smartphone.
conclusions
Xiaomi Mi A1 – wonderful budget smartphone on Android One with premium specifications. It is perfect for those users who were unable to get used to the MiUI shell after switching to Xiaomi.
The estimated price in October is from 15 to 17 thousand rubles.
Pros:
- good performance and price ratio;
- dual camera with the ability to control depth of field;
- stock android interface;
- high speed of updating to the new version of Android;
- non-staining anodized aluminum body.
Minuses:
- absence NFC module;
- noise in photos in low light;
- no support for Quick Charge technology;
- there is no familiar MiUi shell.
Xiaomi Mi A1 in its characteristics is almost no different from Mi5X, and in appearance it is very similar to iPhone 7. It has good multimedia capabilities, nice appearance and great cameras. However, its main advantage is the presence of pure Android on the gadget.
Price: 10,990 RUB
Colors: Black/Gold/Pink
Parameters of Xiaomi Mi A1
| Number of SIM cards: | 2 |
| Diagonal: | 5.5 |
| Image Size: | 1920×1080 |
| Pixels per inch (PPI): | 403 |
| Rear camera: | 12+12 (double) |
| Flash: | led flash |
| Max. video resolution: | 1920×1080 |
| CPU: | Snapdragon 625 (MSM8953) |
| Number of processor cores: | 8 |
| Video processor: | Adreno 506 @650MHz GPU |
| Built-in memory capacity: | 32 |
| RAM capacity: | 4 GB. |
| Memory card slot: | yes, up to 128 GB (combined with a slot for a second SIM card) |
| Battery capacity: | 3080 (mAh) |
| Charging connector type: | USB type C |
| Android Version: | 6.0 |
Appearance and ergonomics
The smartphone has an all-metal non-removable body. For antennas, grooves are cut out along both the upper and lower edges, covered with plastic. The surface is matte, traces of touch are invisible and can be easily removed. The ends are smooth, rounded and well polished. At the top, close to the left edge, there is a two-light bright flash, and next to it is a camera block with two lenses. It protrudes noticeably from the body. The fingerprint scanner is installed in the middle of the body just below the dual camera. On sale you can find devices with 3 body colors: pink, gold and black. The front surface of the first two is white, while the front side of the latter is black.
The device has good dimensions for a 5.5-inch gadget. With 165 grams of weight, the width is 76mm and the height is 155mm. Thickness is only 7.3 mm. On the front, most of the surface is given over to the screen. The side frames are narrow - 3.5 mm, at the top and bottom they are approximately 18 mm. There are no inscriptions on the front. There are three touch keys under the screen: home, back and menu, they are backlit. On top is the earpiece and front camera. Next to them is an infrared sensor for controlling home appliances and an LED indicator for notification of missed events. The assembly of the device is good, there are no backlashes. Weight is evenly distributed throughout the body. The metal pleasantly cools the skin and glides. At the same time, it does not seem massive and is easy to hold.
Display
The screen is made using LTPS IPS technology. The display is covered with 2.5D Gorilla Glass. Pixel density: 403 per inch with a resolution of 19201080. Its physical dimensions are 68121 mm with a diagonal of 5.5 inches. Multi-touch supports up to 10 touches simultaneously. Thanks to the built-in light sensor, the brightness of the screen can be adjusted according to automatic mode. If desired, you can set your own values.
The screen does not have an air gap between the layers, so the device has good anti-glare characteristics. The screen has a grease-repellent coating. The brightness is high, allowing you to use the device even outdoors in good weather. The color temperature is close to natural (6500 Kelvin). Colors are saturated, tonal distortion is minimal even at large tilt angles.
Hardware and performance
The device runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 platform. 64-bit processor with 8 cores. The Adreno 506 graphics processor is built-in. The device has 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB or 32 GB of internal memory, depending on the modification. It can be expanded with a micro SD card.
The device runs on pure Android. This is the result of collaboration between Xiaomi Corporation and Google. It was produced within Android programs One. Out of the box, the smartphone comes with the Android 7.1 operating system, but now you can update the device to version 8.1. The phone contains standard applications Android, but with several proprietary applications from Xiaomi.
The interface is not overloaded and looks nice. The menu works quickly, there are not even any microfreezes. In the AnTuTu test, the gadget scores 63285 points, and in GeekBench it shows a result of 869/4045 points, depending on the testing mechanism. The graphics system also copes well with its task. In 3DMark Ice Storm Sling it is 457 points, and in GFXBenchmark T-Rex FPS is 21.
As a result: even games filled with 3D graphics run on this device. In some cases, FPS may drop, but even with lower graphics settings you can play comfortably. The battery charge lasts for 5 hours of non-stop gaming.
Communication and sound
The device supports 2G, 3G and 4G networks. Signal reception is good. The device supports two nano-SIM cards. Built-in Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi (works in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands), GPS and FM radio. There is no NFC module here. The main speaker is located at the bottom end of the gadget: the sound is natural, loud, without extraneous noise. The speaker is also of good quality, the interlocutor can be heard well. The device, for better sound in headphones, is equipped with a Dirac HD Sound amplifier. Thanks to it, even in simple headphones the sound is rich and detailed.
Camera
Main cameras: color, have a resolution of 12 MP. One for portraits, the other for landscapes, with aperture values of f/2.6 f/2.2. They can work both in pairs and separately. To work with cameras, there is a built-in program from Xiaomi with advanced, manual parameters (exposure, photo effects, slow motion).
The picture quality is good during the daytime. Noise reduction works well, even with macro photography details are not blurred. There is autofocus and 2x optical zoom. At night, noise appears, but the tones remain natural. Video recording is carried out in 4K resolution with stereo sound.
Front camera 5 MP, without flash, with recognition of faces and age of people in the frame. Photo retouching is enabled by default.
Buy smartphone Xiaomi Mi A1 64GB
In the official Xiaomi store in Russia
The price for devices starts from 10,990 rubles for the version with 64 GB. The gadget has no competitors in this price range. Xiaomi Mi A1 is a successful combination of quality at a relatively low price.
The Xiaomi Mi A1 smartphone has been on sale in Russia for two months now. The model is notable for the fact that it was developed in conjunction with Google as part of the Android One program and comes with a clean Android system 7.1.2 Nougat without any shells from the manufacturer and unnecessary applications. Google promises that Android smartphones One will always receive the latest system updates.
It is precisely the belonging to the Android One family that distinguishes the Xiaomi Mi A1 from the model, which comes with the proprietary MIUI shell and is not officially sold in Russia.
Characteristics
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Display | 5.5 inches, FHD (1920 × 1080), LTPS, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Platform | Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953 processor, Adreno 506 graphics accelerator |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Built-in memory | 64 GB, ability to install memory cards up to 128 GB |
| Cameras | Main - 12 + 12 MP; front - 5 MP |
| Connection | Two nano-SIM slots; 2G: GSM 850 / 900 / 1 800 / 1 900; 3G: 850 / 900 / 1,900 / 2,100; 4G: Band 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 |
| Wireless interfaces | Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, GLONASS |
| Expansion slots | USB Type-C, 3.5 mm audio jack |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, gyroscope, fingerprint scanner, Hall sensor, infrared sensor |
| operating system | Android 7.1.2 Nougat |
| Battery | 3,080 mAh (non-removable) |
| Dimensions | 155.4 × 75.8 × 7.3 mm |
| Weight | 165 g |
Design
The Xiaomi Mi A1 is said to be similar to the iPhone 7 Plus. However, these two devices have in common only a horizontally located dual camera.
We reviewed a matte black Xiaomi Mi A1. This is a very nice device that pleases the eye. Thin, metallic, with slightly rounded edges, the smartphone is pleasant to hold in your hands.
Screen
Xiaomi Mi A1 has a 5.5-inch LTPS display with Full HD resolution. The brightness range is wide, as are the viewing angles. Color rendition is restrained, the temperature tends to the cold part of the spectrum: white fades slightly into blue.
The device comes with a clean Android version, so there are no reading modes or utilities for adjusting color temperature here. The screen is protected by impact-resistant Gorilla Glass 3.
Performance
Xiaomi Mi A1 works flawlessly: Android flies, applications do not slow down, assistant Google Assistant responds quickly and searches for the necessary information on the Internet.
The smartphone can handle almost all games. But the most sophisticated ones will have to sacrifice graphics quality. Let's say in World of Tanks Blitz you will get 60 FPS on medium settings, but in Modern Strike Online even on high.
Xiaomi Mi A1 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset, a mid-price processor from the end of 2016. It features eight Cortex-A53 cores clocked at up to 2 GHz and an Adrero 506 GPU.
In AnTuTu testing, the Xiaomi Mi A1 smartphone scores 60 thousand points, typical for its category, and in 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited - 13 thousand points. The processor heats up insignificantly and throttling does not occur. Performance remains stable.
The amount of RAM is 4 GB, built-in memory is 64 GB. It is possible to use a card microSD memory to increase ROM.
The resources of Xiaomi Mi A1 will be enough for at least another two years, even for those who like to play.
Cameras
Xiaomi Mi A1 is called a clone of the iPhone 7 Plus because of its dual camera with 2x optical zoom and portrait mode. However, no one will equip a mid-price smartphone with flagship cameras and technologies. What is installed in it?
The main camera is a 12-megapixel OmniVision OV12A10 module with a 1.25 micron pixel and a wide-angle lens with f/2.2 aperture. There is no optical stabilization, phase detection autofocus.
During daylight hours outside, long shots work well. However, in all other cases nice photos rarely happen. The camera is very picky about lighting. Tiny aperture optics mean you'll be forced to shoot at slow shutter speeds and end up with poor-quality images. The noise breaks all records, and the lens catches glare from light sources so brilliantly that it’s as if you weren’t holding it in your hands. modern smartphone, but an ancient “folding bed”. Photos indoors come out dark and out of focus.
Autofocus is slow and inaccurate. Even in static scenes, the camera suffers from back focus. You can forget about shooting fast moving objects and macro photography. However, let's hope that this will be fixed in future firmware.
The second camera is equipped with a 12-megapixel OmniVision OV13880 module with a 1.1 micron pixel and an f/2.6 aperture lens. It is only suitable for taking portraits, but only outdoors and only in good lighting.
Portrait mode in Xiaomi Mi A1 is implemented well. The smartphone software separates the subject from the background, simulating the bokeh effect. It turns out beautifully, but with complex contours the algorithm may make mistakes.
But the front camera pleased me. Although there is a 5-megapixel module installed here, the pictures are bright and sharp. There is an “Improve” mode that removes skin imperfections, bags under the eyes and other signs of aging and fatigue. Sharpness, of course, suffers from it.
It is curious that Xiaomi Mi A1 can recognize the gender and age of a person in the frame. Gender, as a rule, is determined correctly, but age varies depending on the lighting and shadows on the face. Either you are 40 years old, or 19 - anything can happen.
Sound
The Xiaomi Mi A1 has a 3.5mm audio jack and a 10W amplifier that supports high-impedance headphones (up to 600 ohms). The manufacturer promises powerful and deep sound. The Xiaomi Mi A1 really sounds powerful, but in the headphones you can hear hissing from the amplifier, which can be tolerated on the subway or train, but at home, when you listen to music at minimum volume, is unlikely.
As for the external speaker, it is excellent. The sound is loud, clear, and even has low frequencies.
Safety
Xiaomi Mi A1 is equipped with a fingerprint scanner. This is the only biometric authentication mechanism. You can add multiple fingerprints and then unlock your smartphone with one touch of the scanner.
Connection
Xiaomi Mi A1 can install two nano-SIM cards. However, the tray here is combined, so you have to choose between a memory card or a second SIM card. The device, officially supplied to Russia, supports the LTE band Band 20, so there should be no problems with the Internet.
The smartphone also supports dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, GLONASS and BEIDOU. But for complete happiness, NFC is still not enough.
A nice bonus is the infrared port, which allows you to use your smartphone as a remote control for consumer electronics.
Autonomy
The smartphone is equipped with a 3,080 mAh battery. This is enough for the Xiaomi Mi A1 to work in mixed mode for a day and a half. However, games drain battery quickly. If you seriously load your smartphone, it won’t last until the end of the day.
The device is charged via the USB Type-C port.
Conclusion
The advantages of Xiaomi Mi A1 are price, high performance, stylish appearance and a clean version of Android. However, the camera is frustrating. It is suitable for shooting portraits and daytime landscapes, but nothing else. We can only hope that the camera will be corrected in future firmware.
If you want a powerful mid-ranger in an all-metal body with a pure version of Android, but the quality of the pictures is not particularly important to you, take a closer look at the Xiaomi Mi A1.
In the official Xiaomi store, the smartphone can be purchased for 18,990 rubles.
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