Xiaomi Mi 1 and Mi 1S: A Budget Flagship Revolution

Xiaomi Mi 1 / Mi 1S

Product Overview

The Xiaomi Mi 1 (codenamed M1) is the first smartphone released by Xiaomi Inc., launched in August 2011, marking the brand’s official entry into the global smartphone market. Positioned as a “high-performance, low-cost” flagship killer, it disrupted the industry with flagship-level hardware specs at half the price of mainstream competitors like Samsung and Apple. The Xiaomi Mi 1S is its upgraded variant, unveiled in July 2012, featuring a faster processor, improved camera, and enhanced connectivity while retaining the Mi 1’s core design and affordability. Both models were pivotal in establishing Xiaomi’s “fan-centric” business model and laid the foundation for the brand’s rapid rise in China and emerging markets.

Key Hardware Specifications (Mi 1 vs. Mi 1S)

Component	Xiaomi Mi 1 (2011)	Xiaomi Mi 1S (2012)
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 MSM8260 (45nm); dual-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A8; Adreno 220 GPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 MSM8260 (45nm); dual-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A8; Adreno 220 GPU
Display	4.0-inch IPS LCD; 480×854 pixels (FWVGA, 245 ppi); 16M colors; capacitive multi-touch (up to 5 points); Gorilla Glass 1 protection	Same as Mi 1
Memory & Storage	1GB LPDDR2 RAM; 4GB/8GB internal storage (eMMC 4.3); microSD card slot (expandable up to 32GB)	Same as Mi 1
Camera System	Rear Camera: 8 MP BSI CMOS sensor; f/2.4 aperture; autofocus; LED flash; 720p HD video recording (30 fps)Front Camera: 2 MP sensor; f/2.8 aperture; VGA video recording	Rear Camera: 8 MP BSI CMOS sensor; f/2.4 aperture; improved low-light performance; autofocus; LED flash; 720p HD video recordingFront Camera: 2 MP sensor with 1080p HD video recording (upgrade from VGA)
Battery & Charging	1930 mAh removable Li-Ion battery; standby time: up to 450 hours; talk time: up to 12 hours (2G); 5V/1A Micro-USB charging (no fast charging)	Same as Mi 1
Network & Connectivity	GSM 850/900/1800/1900; WCDMA 900/2100; Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz); Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR; GPS/GLONASS; Micro-USB 2.0; 3.5 mm headphone jack	Same as Mi 1 + Bluetooth 4.0 (upgrade from 2.1)
Form Factor & Design	Plastic unibody; dimensions: 125×63×11.9 mm; weight: 149 g; color options: Black (front) + White/Orange/Blue (battery cover)	Same as Mi 1
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, digital compass	Same as Mi 1
Operating System	Initially shipped with MIUI V1 (based on Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread); upgradable to MIUI V4 (Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich)	Initially shipped with MIUI V4 (based on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich); upgradable to MIUI V5 (Android 4.1 Jelly Bean)

Core Features & User Experience

1. Flagship Killer Value Proposition

At launch, the Xiaomi Mi 1 was priced at ¥1,999 (≈$310) for the 8GB variant—far lower than competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S2 (¥4,000+) and iPhone 4 (¥4,999+), while offering comparable dual-core performance and 1GB RAM (a rarity for mid-range phones in 2011). The Mi 1S retained the ¥1,999 price tag despite hardware upgrades, solidifying Xiaomi’s reputation for high value.

2. MIUI Custom ROM: A Defining Software Feature

The Mi 1 series ran on MIUI (Xiaomi User Interface), a heavily customized Android skin tailored to Chinese users’ preferences:

Intuitive, iOS-like grid interface with customizable themes, icons, and fonts.
Enhanced call management (call recording, blacklist, dual-SIM support for regional variants).
Deep integration with Xiaomi’s ecosystem (cloud sync, Mi Cloud backup, Mi Store).
Active community support: Xiaomi encouraged user feedback to iterate MIUI updates weekly, fostering a loyal “Mi Fan” community.

3. Hardware Upgrades in Mi 1S

The Mi 1S refined the Mi 1’s formula with three key improvements:

1.7 GHz Processor: A 13% CPU speed boost improved app loading times and gaming performance (e.g., smoother gameplay in Angry Birds Space and Temple Run).
1080p Front Camera: Enabled high-definition video calls, a premium feature for 2012 mid-range phones.
Bluetooth 4.0: Reduced power consumption for wireless audio and faster data transfer with compatible devices.

4. Build & Usability

The Mi 1/1S featured a compact 4-inch display (ideal for one-handed use in 2011–2012) and swappable colored battery covers, catering to young users seeking personalization. The removable battery and expandable storage addressed user pain points that flagship phones (e.g., iPhone 4) ignored at the time.

Market Impact & Legacy

Industry Disruption: The Mi 1 redefined the “budget flagship” category, forcing competitors to lower prices for high-spec smartphones in China. It popularized the “online-only” sales model (Xiaomi sold phones exclusively via its website initially), reducing distribution costs and passing savings to consumers.
Brand Establishment: The Mi 1/1S sold over 1.5 million units combined, building a massive “Mi Fan” community that became the backbone of Xiaomi’s subsequent success. The brand expanded from smartphones to smart home devices (e.g., Mi Router, Mi Power Bank) in the following years.
MIUI Ecosystem Foundation: The MIUI skin’s popularity drove user retention—many Mi 1 users upgraded to later Xiaomi models for consistent software experience. MIUI has since evolved into a global Android skin with over 600 million monthly active users.
Global Expansion Blueprint: The Mi 1’s success in China laid the groundwork for Xiaomi’s entry into India (2014) and other emerging markets, where budget flagships remain a core product category.

Discontinuation & Post-Support Status

Today, the Mi 1/1S are regarded as landmark devices in Xiaomi’s history, symbolizing the brand’s “born for fever” (technology enthusiast) roots.

Xiaomi discontinued the Mi 1 in 2012 after the Mi 1S launch, and the Mi 1S was phased out in 2013 with the release of the Xiaomi Mi 2.

Official MIUI updates ended in 2014 with MIUI V5 (Android 4.1). However, third-party developers have ported custom ROMs (e.g., LineageOS) to extend the devices’ lifespan for retro tech enthusiasts.