The first Xiaomi phone to run full Android could be about to get an upgrade. We investigate the Mi A2 release date, price and specification rumours.
The Mi 5X impressed when it was announced last summer, but it was the Mi A1 that really stole our hearts ( both reviewed here). In essence the same phone as the Mi 5X but running Android One rather than MIUI, it came preinstalled with Google services and was a much better fit for UK users than all other Xiaomi phones before it.
Now a photo has popped up on SlashLeaks (via a TENAA listing) that could well be the successor to those two phones. Is this the Mi 6X/Mi A2?
The listing gives away some core specs, including a 5.99in screen, 2910mAh battery and 158.88×75.54×7.3mm chassis. That’s an upgrade from the 5.5in screen on the Mi A1/Mi 5X, but the other specs are very similar. The Mi A1/Mi 5X measures 155.4×75.8×7.3mm and has a 3080mAh battery.
The images that accompany the listing show another dual-camera, though this time lined up in a vertical rather than horizontal array in the top left corner, and a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.
It appears there is also an 18:9 display, which would make sense given the disproportional increase in screen size compared to the body size. There’s no notch in sight, you’ll be pleased to learn.
The Xiaomi Mi 5X was announced on 26 July 2017, with the Mi A1 following on 5 September. This means it’s most likely the Mi 6X shown in the pictures, though both should look the same.
We would assume a roughly annual release date, so we could see the Mi A2 in late Q2/early Q3.
Both Mi A1 and Mi 5X have an RRP of 14,999 Rs, which is roughly £164/US$230. Expect Xiaomi to keep the pricing fairly constant, though you will need to factor in import duty (20 percent) if you plan to ship one of these devices from the likes of GearBest. Even so, you’re looking at a circa-£200 smartphone.
We’ll bring you more rumours as we hear them.
Read next: Best new phones coming in 2018
Follow Marie Black on Twitter.
