As Android handsets get more popular across the world, inevitably they're going to pack in more features for lower and lower prices. It's been the nature of technology for quite a while, but Xiaomi is taking it to new heights with the Mi 4.
We Can Do It Better
On paper, it's a pretty impressive phone. It starts with a Snapdragon 801 2.5GHz quad-core processor, backed by 3GB of RAM; up to 64 GB of internal storage; a 13mp rear-facing camera and an 8mp selfie lens; and a 3,080 mAh battery. And, if that weren't enough, it's going old-school in its materials; the curved back of the phone is plastic and easily swapped out, while the frame incorporates good old-fashioned stainless steel. Oh, and it finally, finally has LTE, so you can actually use the network you're paying for.
Also, just to be weird, there's an IR blaster, possibly included because Xiaomi, in addition to making phones, also makes TVs.
We Can Do It Cheaper
Equally surprising is how much you're going to pay for this particular set of features: Just $320. It's largely a function of where Xiaomi is and how it puts its materials together. Being a Chinese company, this is actually pretty pricey in its home country. It's just that when you take it overseas, well, the yuan favors the dollar, thanks both to China's economy and the fact that they want to keep manufacturing our products.
Cheap And Cheerful?
The real question, of course, is how well it operates. We haven't got a sense of the software yet, and there's only so well a phone can work if the software isn't up to par. Still, this looks quite good, and if you can find one, it might be an excellent phone to pick up.
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