Xiaomi Redmi 1S 4G/LTE: 4.7-inch IPS LCD, quad-core CPU, Android 4.4 KitKat

Not long after making their Redmi Note 4G official, Xiaomi is once again updating another one of their devices and adding it with LTE connectivity. Introducing the new Xiaomi Redmi 1S 4G/LTE…

Whereas the Redmi Note 4G replaced its original‘s MediaTek SoC with a Snapdragon chip, the Xiaomi Redmi 1S 4G/LTE has done the opposite. It now uses a MediaTek MT6582 processor instead of the Snapdragon 400 employed by the 3G-only Redmi 1S. Overall performance should still be the same, with the increased speed for data the only notable difference. But given the 4G antenna, this is now Xiaomi’s cheapest device with the fastest connectivity.

Xiaomi Redmi 1S 4G/LTE Specs

• Android 4.4 KitKat (MIUI v5)
• 4.7-inch IPS LCD (720×1280 HD), ~312ppi
• 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6582 processor
• Mali-400 MP2 GPU
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB internal storage
• microSD support up to 32GB
• 8-megapixel main camera, with autofocus and LED flash
• 1.6-megapixel front camera
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
• Single SIM
• 3G, 4G LTE
• Bluetooth 4.0
• GPS, A-GPS
• Dimensions: 137 x 69 x 9.9mm
• Weight: 158g
• Li-Po 2200mAh battery

To give you an inkling on the MediaTek MT6582’s capabilities, check out the Cherry Mobile Fuze and Flare S. Both come with the same processor as the Redmi 1S 4G/LTE. But, of course, pitting the Redmi 1S 4G/LTE against 3G-only smartphones is incomplete.

A better comparison would be with the MyPhone Rio LTE. Both are capable phones. If Xiaomi’s offering arrives in the Philippines with no significant increase in local price, however, the Rio LTE will be in trouble.

The Xiaomi Redmi 1S 4G will start selling in China come August 16 with a tantalizing price of just CNY 699—that’s around Php4,980 in today’s exchange. (The Rio LTE sells for Php6,499). There’s no word on a Philippine release yet.

[Source: MIUI Announcement, Specs]