Xiaomi has Finally launched the Mi4 in India. The Mi4 comes in at Rs. 19,999 in India with 16 GB storage which is sadly, not expandable. You get a 5-inch 1080p IPS display with Corning Gorilla OGS glass, 2.5 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor with 3 GB RAM running the updated MIUI 6 based on Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Let's talk about the Xiaomi Mi4 in a bit more detail after the hands-on video.
Hands-on Video
Build
The Xiaomi Mi4 comes with a metallic frame. On the left you have the SIM card slot and at the top you have the audio jack and an infrared port.
On the right you have both the power lock/unlock button as well as the volume rocker. They are sturdy, offer great feedback. The sides of the metal frame are chamfered, adding an elegance to the device previously not seen on other Xiaomi offerings.
The bottom part of the metallic frame houses the micro USB port and the single speaker.
Coming to the front you have a 5-inch 1080p IPS display clad in Corning's Concore OGS glass for protection against scratches and accidental drops.
There are three capacitive buttons just below the display which are backlit. But the order of the capacitive buttons is a bit different, you have the recent key or the app switcher on the left and the back button on the right which does make things a bit confusing when you pick up the phone for the first time.
You also have the 8 MP Sony camera in the front for selfies, proximity and light sensors can also be found here alongwith the primary microphone for calls just below the front chin. Even though the Xiaomi Mi4 houses a sizeable 5-inch display, it is quite easy to use in one hand.
Moving to the back you have another Sony camera IMX214, this time with a 13 MP resolution. Moreover, thanks to the Snapdragon 801 chipset, the Mi4 can record in 4K as well. Coming back to the build, the back is made entirely out of poly-carbonate with an intricate woven pattern. Its glossy but doesn't attract fingerprints.
It has a slight bulge in the center, which makes it ideal to hold in your palms and the flat chamfered sides make sure, the phone does not slip. There's a LED flash accompanying the camera alongwith a secondary noise-cancellation microphone. The back is removable, but the 3080 mAh batter stays tucked in.
Overall, the Xiaomi Mi4 has excellent build quality easily rivaling that of the iPhone 5s and the HTC One M8. The design even though is inspired, but the workmanship is pure class. Xiaomi also went in through the process of explaining how a slab of steel became the metal frame of the Mi4. Overall, the attention to build quality and usability is greatly appreciated.
There was an assortment of back-covers and flip covers on display as well which will hit in a few days after the Xiaomi Mi4 becomes available.
First Impressions
At Rs. 19,999 there are certainly other options available in the market. If you can get your hands on the OnePlus One you will be getting a better smartphone with expandable storage and there are several other offerings from Lenovo and Huawei in this segment. So, would the Xiaomi Mi4 be my pick among smartphones available in this price segment?
Well, no. But that's for just one reason, storage on the Mi4 is not expandable. With just 16 GB of storage out of which about 12 GB is available to the user, you really can't play games on this device not store a lot of images or shoot videos at 4K. You will be running out of space before you know it. If the Mi4 would have launched with 64 GB storage and a higher price tag, surely it would have taken the crown from the larger OnePlus One simply because the Mi4 is better built and usability.
Availability
The Xiaomi Mi4 will be available exclusively through Flipkart starting February 10th, again through flash sales, registrations for which have already begun starting 6 PM today.
Flipkart First customers again get the edge here with 2500 quickest registrants will get the Mi4 added to their carts come the flash sale on Feb 10.
