Xiaomi's new phone is great - you still can't have it

Just like every other Xiaomi product released thus far, the Mi 4i will not be coming to the United States. Instead, this device has been revealed in India, and will bring the same "sell high quality smart devices cheap" tactic Xiaomi is employing in China. They'll sell a lot of phones. They won't be selling any phones to you. Working with presentation aesthetics we've only otherwise seen used to such effect by Apple, this new Mi phone will have to remain a dream to you reading this article from the USA.

The Indian Rupee is at a bit of a low, at the moment, when compared to the US dollar. Not that it's changed one massive amount over the past several years, but it is going down. As such, even the low Rs. 12,999 cost of the newest Mi phone is extra-low converted to US dollars.

Consider this – for $205 dollars, off-contract, the Mi 4i works with the following specifications:

Software: MIUI 6 UI based on Android 5.0 Lollipop

Display: 5-inch 1920 x 1080 (1080p) display with Sharp/JDI hardware

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 615

Data: 4G Dual SIM (dual standby)

Camera: 13-megapixel with Sony/Samsung hardware

Battery: 3,120mAh

That processor is a 2nd-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon 615, coming with 64-bit processing power. That's 4G connectivity – twice over. That's a 13-megapixel camera with hardware from some of the biggest hitters in the camera business.

Five different color options are coming with this device, complete with what Xiaomi describes as "Anti-grease coating." Sounds gross, but more than likely has a pretty awesome effect on the device's look long-term.

But again – don't expect this device to be popping up inside the States any time soon.

This is all part of Xiaomi's long-term plan to take over the world with their own brand of Android, piece by piece, until their inevitable USA move comes.

Just as soon as they get that whole "everyone else owns all the patents" problem out of the way.

VIA: Xiaomi