New Xiaomi phone swaps own interface for Google’s in push to boost global sales
The Mi A1 smartphone will be the first not to use the Chinese company’s own operating system, and will go on sale in 40 markets worldwide, but not in mainland China
Xiaomi has teamed up with Google to launch a dual-camera smartphone running on Android One as the Chinese smartphone maker tries to step up its presence in fast-growing international markets such as India, Indonesia and Russia.
The company unveiled the Mi A1 smartphone at an event in the Indian capital of New Delhi on Tuesday.
In using Android One, an interface almost identical to Google’s standard Android operating system, the device becomes the first Xiaomi smartphone that does not run its proprietary MIUI interface, which has faced criticism for its similarities to Apple's operating system iOS.
“We recognise that some of our users prefer a different flavour of Android,” said Donovan Sung, Xiaomi Global’s director of product management and marketing.
“With the Mi A1, we are offering a unique experience of combining hardware with a stock Android, bringing a pure Android pairing.”
The device will be available in 40 markets, including Hong Kong, where it will be priced at HK$1,799 (US$230) and will be on sale from Thursday.
Xiaomi’s home market in mainland China is noticeably missing from the list, likely because of China’s blocking of all Google services in the mainland. However, Chinese users keen to buy a phone with the same specifications but running MIUI can turn to the 1,499 yuan (US$229) Mi 5X, which was launched in July in China.