Just days before its global release, iPhone 6S receives a challenge from the Chinese market. Electronics manufacturer Xiaomi just launched a handset that is available only in China.
It is not the first time Xiaomi designed phones for a specific country. Currently the fourth smartphone producer worldwide, the company released Mi 4c, an upgraded version of the Indian-destined Mi 4i.
At the launch of the Mi 4c, Xiaomi stated that it takes steps to become a mobile data provider as well. The launch of the Mi Mobile in China will mean a partnership with China Mobile and China Unicom, the biggest data providers of the country. As the SIM cards released by Mi Mobile are bound to use already existing infrastructure, the deal seems to be a profitable one.
A pleasant surprise comes from the price-hardware combo, which places the phone high on a value-for-money scale.
On one hand, the processor is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808, identical with the one used in G4, the flagship of LG's smartphone division. On the other, Mi 4c supports Type-C USB. Other standard specs are the 5-inch 1,080 x 1,920-pixel full-HD display and the 3,080 mAh battery. Users can choose the basic phone, with 2GB RAM and storage space of only 16GB, or opt for the improved model, with 3GB RAM and 32GB.
The 16GB model is $204, while the 32GB Mi 4c sells for the price of $235. For comparison, buyers of a 16GB iPhone 6S will be set back a full $830, four times as much. Both smartphones will be in stores on Sept. 23, as the Chinese company wants to counter iPhone 6S' launch on Friday.
The 13-megapixel camera features the same technologies as the one on iPhone 6 or Galaxy S6, assuring that faster autofocus takes place. A micro-USB Type-C converter gives Xiaomi's clients a significantly quicker recharge speed and an input slot. The prospective clients of Mi 4c can choose between five cover colors: white, grey, pink, yellow and blue.
In 2014, China was the second biggest iPhone client, after the U.S. This year, the competitive price and higher-than-standard qualities of the Mi 4c might convince Chinese customers to choose the local brand instead.
