14 DAY TRIAL // In early December word surfaced that low-cost smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi might be gearing up to introduce its flagship device at CES 2015, a major tech conference which usually takes place in Las Vegas in January.
The device has been baptized the Mi5 by the rumor mill and most of its specs already leaked a while ago. Today we’re sharing with you what’s supposed to be the first image of Xiaomi’s upcoming flagship (as seen at Giz China).
Check out the face of the Mi5 (or Mi 4s for that matter)
And it looks down right scrumptious. The device could be either the Mi5 or Mi 4s, but at this point it doesn't really matter what its name will be. Just look at it!
The handset could easily be part of the phablet realm, as it looks pretty huge, probably sporting a 5.5-inch or 6-inch form factor.
It seems like with each generation Xiaomi is striving more towards beauty and aesthetical simplicity. The model depicted in the image certainly borrows a thing or two from the Xiaomi Mi 4, and as you can see, its bezels are practically nonexistent.
Even if this aspect will score major points with consumers in the physical attractiveness department, such a handset could prove to be extremely sensible to accidental drops.
But we shouldn't be all too worried, because case manufacturers will probably come up with accessories meant to safeguard this impressive handset from harm’s way.
As for specifications, the Xiaomi should boast QHD resolution (1440 x 2560 pixel resolution) and pack a Qualcomm 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 810 chipset with Adreno 430 graphics processing unit.
There’s also a high chance that the Mi5 will include an enhanced 20.7MP main camera with Sony Exmor sensor, while the front-facing photo snapper will probably be of the 5MP variety.
However, given that Qualcomm’s 64-bit octa-core chipset, the Snapdragon 810, might arrive on the market at a later date, Xiaomi’s upcoming flagship might end up taking advantage of Snapdragon 805 instead.
Xiaomi's flagship might make it out next month
Anyway, even if Xiaomi has not officially made an entry on the US market because, according to Asian sources, the company is having troubles expanding its business beyond the China’s borders, the handset maker will come to CES in order to unveil the Mi5 / Mi 4s.
If the announcement doesn't happen at CES 2015, then Xiaomi will probably bring the device out during MWC 2014 in Barcelona.
In related news, Xiaomi’s Redmi 1S is currently receiving Android 5.0.1 via an unofficial ROM, which the MIUI community has rated as being “excellent.”
