Xiaomi Mi A1 - Android Oreo Review

Xiaomi Mi A1 has Android One awesomeness packed inside!

Xiaomi has been getting better and better with its devices every year. We were already impressed with how impressive high end devices like Xiaomi Mi Max 2 were. Also, Xiaomi has been doing well in the lower-medium end price segment with devices like Mi Note 3 and Redmi Note 4. This year's devices are impressive upgrades over the previous year's, resulting in devices like Redmi Note 5,  5 Plus, 5 Pro, and the A1. A1 is distinct because of being a love child of Xiaomi and Google, being an Android One device, this phone has been made to target countries with lower per annum income, making it a truly perfect budget device. The Mi A1 boasting Google's stock firmware makes this device more desirable for the long run as the device will receive monthly updates. Plus the  promise of at least 2 major OS updates out of which one has already been rolled out in form of

We will review the Xiaomi Mi A1 Global Version, which although is not the latest device in the market, but its timely updates (thanks to stock Google) make it a device worthy of Android 8 Oreo review. So let's begin with Xiaomi MI A1's details.

Xiaomi Mi A1 Dimensions and Looks

 

Mi A1 is not a bad device at all when it comes to looks, the edges are slightly curved and the backside has a nice matt finish (accumulates fingerprints, though). Bezels are the only bad aspect which are a bit thick as compared to other devices in the market in the same price segment.

 

 

Mi A1's overall dimensions are H:155.4mm, W: 75.8mm and the device is 7.3mm thick. The weight of the device is 165 grams and gives a good feel when held, thanks to its aluminum frame. Although the device is quite slippery, so a case is recommended.

The device has a sim ejector tray on the upper left side which has a hybrid dual sim-memory card slot (memory card on sim 2 slot). On the upper right side, you will find volume adjustment button and the power button beneath it. On the bottom is a USB C port (THANK GOD!), speaker, audio jack, and microphone. One the top lies the IR blaster and a secondary microphone.

Xiaomi Mi A1 Display

 

The Xiaomi Mi A1 has a 5.5 inches LTPS IPS display which gives decent colors. The screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio, as other devices are now possessing a wider 18:9, but we think we'll get a long with this one too. The Mi A1 has a screen resolution of 1080x1920 pixels and has a ppi (pixels per inch) density of about 403, which gives a decent display and allows ease of use even in sunlight. We didn't have to increase the brightness to end point to read the contents in sunlight. The device has amazing viewing angles and perhaps one of the best that we have seen in a smartphone, thanks to its LTPS display. The screen is protected by Corning's Gorilla Glass 3 which means that it can tolerate a few scratches. Although that doesn't mean that you start throwing your phone around (dont think of it something as strong as Asahi's Dragontrail glass).

 

Xiaomi Mi A1 OS  & Interface

 

The Mi A1 comes with Android 7 Nougat out of the box, although an upgrade to Android 8 is available with monthly updates making the device secure. The interface is clean, pure stock android, thanks to Google On. The only Xiaomi Mi A1 apps other than Google's Stock apps are Mi Feedback and Mi Remote. Hence the interface is a treat for anyone who likes to keep things simple and bloatware free. Plus the monthly updates with bugfixes on Xiaomi Mi A1 Oreo Updates give the device smooth performance and decent battery life.

 

Xiaomi Mi A1 Processor

 

The Xiaomi Mi A1 is packed with Qualcomm's MSM 8953 Snapdragon 625 processor (could have been more dated like a 636), although the chipset is packed with a good punch of processing power with 8 processors clocked at 2.0 gigahertz, giving a smooth usage. The chipset comes with Adreno 506 for graphics which is enough for playing heavy 3D games.

 

Xiaomi Mi A1 Memory

 

The Mi A1 comes in 64 and 32 GB versions while both models are packed with 4 GB of RAM which is quite welcoming specially for the 32GB variant. The memory can be expanded via Mi A1's Hybrid sim slot by sacrificing the sim card in the second slot which allows up to 128GBs of extended storage.

 

Connectivity & Sensors

 

Mi A1 offers WIFI a/b/g/n/ac connectivity. Xiaomi Mi A1's Dual-band connectivity ensures WIFI connection on both 2.4ghz and 5 ghz WIFI networks and also allows WIFI direct and WIFI hotspot. It has Bluetooth 4.2.  GPS connects via A-GPS, Russia's GLONASS and the Chinese BDS. It has an IR blaster which can be used as a TV remote. Although the FM radio is missing. 

 The sensor department includes a somewhat neat fingerprint sensor which is quite responsive, gyroscope, proximity, accelerator and light sensors.

 

 Xiaomi Mi A1 Camera

Xiaomi Mi A1's Dual Camera setup gives an iPhone vibe from the back, to an extent that it often confuses my colleague to the point that he accidentally picks it up when his phone's bell goes off. he back has two 12MP sensors out of which one is used as a primary sensor (f/2.2, 26mm, 1.25 µm), while the other one is a telephoto lens (f/2.6, 50mm, 1 µm) which is used for portraits and in-depth photography shots. The phone allows 2x optical zoom and the default camera app has a number of features to play with. The front camera is a 5 MP shooter that takes decent photos (We're not selfie hoarders). The features include burst mode, manual mode, panorama, timer, and  HHT for night photographs. 

The colors are sharp and crisp, portrait mode works like a delight and is mostly accurate. Although the night photography is disappointing, as the images turn out soft and grainy.  

The back camera supports 4K video recording at 30FPS and 1080p at 60FPS. Although it lacks EIS out of the box which is pretty disappointing. The front camera records video at 1080p.Features include time-lapse and slow-mo videos. 

 

 

 

Xiaomi Mi A1 Battery Review and Charging

 

The Mi A1 has a 3080mAh built-in battery. The battery although seems underwhelming on paper, but the battery timing is pretty good for the size of it, thanks to Stock Google interface and applications. The Xiaomi Mi A1's battery lasts for up-to 20 hours with moderate use, so you can spend a day at the university or office and return home with 40-50% of battery left. The phone on heavy usage can get you through 7-8 hours with ease.

Xiaomi Mi A1's Charger is a 5V-2A charger. Absence of a fast charger and fast charging feature is absent despite of Mi A1 having a Snapdragon 625 SoC. This is a feature which has yet not been enabled (As of March 1/2018 update). Let's see if there's anything Xiaomi will do about it. The charging time is still pretty decent as the phone charges from 0 to 100% in 1:40-1:45 hours.

 

Xiaomi Mi A1 Accessories & Other Features 

 

Other features of Mi A1 include a builtin amplifier and DAC which gives loud music output and amazing video clarity. It also adjusts your sound output if you have a Xiaomi Earphone. The speaker, despite being the only one on the device is also impressively loud and clear, giving enough sound for an entire room. Mi A1 also has split-screen feature which allows you to run two apps on screen (if that app supports switch screen feature). 

The global edition box comes with the device, a 5V/2A charger, USB-C cable, user manuals, SIM ejector tool, a screen protector, and a microfiber cloth to keep things clean. 

 

Xiaomi Mi A1 Price

 

The Xiaomi Mi A1's price in India starts from INR 13,999. In Pakistan, price starts from PKR 25,999. While the Mi A1 is is available in the USA for about $210 (unlocked).

Verdict

Xiaomi Mi A1 is one of the best budget devices of 2018 along with Xiaomi Mi Note 5 Pro. If we were to compare Xiaomi Mi A1 vs Huawei Honor 7x, we would pick Mi A1 because of its durability, performance, and promised updates that will keep the device in a good touch for at least over a year. We have presented a detailed review of Xiaomi Mi A1's Oreo OS, Xiaomi MiA1's Specifications, Xiaomi Mi A1's Camera, Xiaomi Mi A1's Battery & Charging, Xiaomi Mi A1's Price and other specifications so that people can have an idea about the device, rest is for the people to decide their device needs and buy accordingly.