Ever since CES 2014, we have been waiting as Chinese companies claim they have plans to expand their market availability. One of those companies is Xiaomi, and we may be seeing their plans take action with their new Redmi Note. Xiaomi Vice President, Hugo Barra has confirmed that the Redmi Note will not only be available in China, but other markets as well.
Hugo Barra used to be a Googler, but now he is the Vice President of Xiaomi, and he definitely has plans for the company. Barra has given some major details behind the companies new device, the Redmi Note, including where the device will be available. Here is what we know so far, other than China, the device will be available in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan in May 2014, as well as other markets. Those “other markets” were left unnamed at this point, as well as the exact date, all we know is “very soon thereafter.”
Barra also priced the Redmi Note at $129 for the lower end model. This model will have 1GB RAM and a quad-core 1.4 Ghz CPU. The other version will be priced at $159 and pack a 1.7 Ghz CPU with 2GB of RAM. The specs that are the same for both models are a 5.5-inch IPS display. The cameras will be a 13MP rear facing camera and a 5MP front facing camera. They will be dual SIM and have microSD support. Though the device will be launching with Android Jelly Bean instead of KitKat.
With some markets unknown, it will be exciting to pay attention to what Xiaomi does with this device. It is more than likely that we won’t see this device in the US, but it is a step in the right direction. Later down the road we hope to see more Chinese OEMs building a backing in the US. More OEMs means more competition and options, it would be a win win for consumers. What do you think about the prospect of Chinese OEMs making their way to the US one step at a time? Will this create excitement for when they finally make it here, or will this hurt them in the long run?