Xiaomi, a Chinese electronics manufacturer, is currently the world's fourth largest smartphone maker. However, it has yet to make its move in the United States, until now.
Earlier this month, reports have purported that Xiaomi is considering the release of its handheld offerings in the US. A week later images and documents pertaining to a "Redmi 2 Pro" smartphone were found within the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) online file repository.
The uncovered documents lists the Redmi 2 Pro as a 4.7-inch handheld that is set to a 1,280 x 720 native resolution. The SoC is specified as a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410, the RAM at 2 GB, and the internal storage at 16 GB. The phone will be powered by a 2,200 mAh battery.
Moreover, the technical specifications also lists Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 4G LTE — bands 2,4 and 7 — for connectivity. US-based network carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon use bands 2 and 4.
Based on everything listed, it is likely that the Xiaomi Redmi 2 Pro is a rebranded Xiaomi Redmi 2 Prime, which lists the same processor, the same amount of RAM, the same storage space size and the same battery capacity. The only real difference between the two handhelds are the supported 4G LTE bands. Granted that it is the same phone, then it should be expected that the Redmi 2 Pro will have a dual-SIM slot, a microSD slot capable of supporting up to 32 GB, an 8 MP main shooter and a 2MP front-facing camera.
When it first hit the consumer market in August 2015, the Redmi 2 Prime was introduced at roughly $110, which should also be the same price range that the Redmi 2 Pro follows.
At this price range, anyone can pick up the phone. The real question is whether Xiaomi sells enough units in the United States to continue releasing its handhelds within the country.
Moreover, nothing is official yet. Xiaomi is yet to confirm that it is releasing handhelds to the U.S. and even with the FCC listing, the Chinese company can still pull out anytime. Hence, until it is officially announced, take everything you read here as speculation.
