How Xiaomi's new phones crush the iPhone 7

[Spreadsheet Ranger]

Johannesburg - Chinese electronics manufacturer Xiaomi – with the launch of its new smartphones - has gone almost the same route as Apple’s new iPhones.

 

The company on Tuesday, much like Apple, announced the launch of its new flagship device the Mi 5S along with the new dual camera device the Mi 5S Plus.

 

Similar to the Huawei P9’s dual camera, Xiaomi’s Mi 5S Plus features two cameras, one of which is a monochrome for capturing black and white photos and enhancing detail in colour images.

 

The two new devices from Xiaomi trump almost all specifications of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, expect the selfie camera. 

 

While the processor in the Android devices - Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 821 - is the best chipset available for Android, it is still debatable when compared to Apple’s new A10 Fusion.

 

In terms of screen size, both the Mi 5S and Mi 5S Plus are larger than the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

 

Battery sizes are also larger in the Xiaomi devices, while still dependable on optimisation of how the device is manufactured – the devices’ batteries are significantly larger than Apple’s. This is likely to work in favour of the Mi 5S and Mi 5S Plus in terms of usage. 

 

As of recent, Xiaomi have introduced a range of cheaper devices to South Africa – set to create a new benchmark of cheaper devices with high-end features. 

 

Xiaomi devices, which are currently available, already feature specifications comparable to pricier devices at lower costs.

 

While there is no word of availability or pricing of the Mi 5S and Mi 5S Plus in South Africa yet, it is likely the Mobile in Africa (MIA) Group will bring the devices to the country - with a headphone jack.

 

[Bandit]

But most importantly...the MIUI interface!

[Spreadsheet Ranger]

Holy smokes! -> http://en.miui.com/zt/miui8/index.html

 

What will this phone cost on pre-paid?

[DieWerner]

Actually looks like a great phone, and for much cheaper than name-brand phones!

 

As per your other thread, I also can no longer find the Orange store, looks like the website has gone rogue. This site looks like a decent alternative:

http://www.zeekonline.co.za/products/xiaomi-mi-5-32gb-lte-dual-sim-white

https://www.zasttra.com/products/xiaomi-mi5-smart-phone-32gb-network-4g-5-15-inch-miui-7-0-snapdragon-820-quad-core-1-8ghz-ram-3gbwhite (slightly cheaper, and free delivery in ZA)

 

Edit: Orange store is back: http://store.orange.com/za/mobile-phones/sim-free-phones/ , but it doesn't have the Xiaomi

[Spreadsheet Ranger]

The Orange store pulled a fast one I almost thought I was going crazy.

 

I want to cancel my vodacom contract and then get this phone it has a much bigger battery than my S6 so I think it would be worth while.

[Bandit]

The Orange store pulled a fast one I almost thought I was going crazy.

 

I want to cancel my vodacom contract and then get this phone it has a much bigger battery than my S6 so I think it would be worth while.

 

Or..get the phone, sell the S6, wait out your contract and move over to one of the Top UP contracts with no phone (which means, depending on which one you take, you can end up paying R258pm but get R3xx pm airtime which you can use for phone calls and buy data with).

 

That's what I did. Never getting a contract with "minutes" or data ever again.

[Spreadsheet Ranger]

That is a good point! What would one be able to get for a Samsung S6? It is scatchless has a screen protector clearview cover plus a UAG folio cover plus wireless charger.

 

R6 000?

[DieWerner]

For the first time ever (probably), Takealot is legitimately cheaper on one of its products than other places:

http://www.takealot.com/xiaomi-mi-5-32gb-lte-white/PLID41518184 for R7899

[Bandit]

That is a good point! What would one be able to get for a Samsung S6? It is scatchless has a screen protector clearview cover plus a UAG folio cover plus wireless charger.

 

R6 000?

 

No idea... check gumtree/olx and match the price there

[Bandit]

For the first time ever (probably), Takealot is legitimately cheaper on one of its products than other places:

http://www.takealot.com/xiaomi-mi-5-32gb-lte-white/PLID41518184 for R7899

 

That is tempting.... MUST. RESIST.

[DieWerner]

For the first time ever (probably), Takealot is legitimately cheaper on one of its products than other places:

http://www.takealot.com/xiaomi-mi-5-32gb-lte-white/PLID41518184 for R7899

 

That is tempting.... MUST. RESIST.

 

Did you ever end up buying it????

With all this Black friday crap going on, I'm now actually really considering it from geekbuying.com:

with free shipping (registered airmail 15-30 business days) it's $294.21... or R4151.

or add $21.27 for courier, R4451

[Bandit]

I did not. Got a Huawei P9 Lite instead.