Xiaomi’s Pocophone F1 won’t be official for another several days. But apparently, the phone rumored to be the most affordable Qualcomm Snapdragon 845-based device on the market (yes, cheaper than the Xiaomi Mi 8!) has already landed in the hands of at least one tech website for review.
This, according to Android Authority, is the first and flagship product from Pocophone, the Xiaomi sub-brand established to rival OnePlus and Honor at the top. The intention behind the creation of the company has been made clear.
READ ALSO: Honor Play storage doubled with no change in price
In a statement, head of product Jai Mani said that Pocophone is “all about making a powerful smartphone with the technologies that truly matter.” He added that his company set out to “build something to buck the trend” of expensive smartphones that sell above the $1,000 (P50,000+) threshold.
Thanks for all the love! Many friends asked me questions about this new project I mentioned yesterday, here’s my answer: @IndiaPOCO @GlobalPOCOPHONE pic.twitter.com/MK9MZUz0Zy
— Jai Mani (@jaimani) August 10, 2018
Pocophone head of product Jai Mani’s statement
And maybe he isn’t wrong. The Pocophone F1 seems to crafted to deliver the fastest smartphone experience at the lowest price we’ve ever seen. It’s powered by a Snapdragon 845 processor with 6GB RAM and 64GB of expandable memory, and runs Xiaomi’s MIUI 9.6 software on top of Android 8.1 Oreo.
The specs are identical to the base model of the Xiaomi Mi 8 we have now, and this phone feels every bit as quick and responsive as anything we’ve used in the past.
SEE ALSO: Huawei Nova 3 vs. Xiaomi Mi 8: Hardware, camera, gaming comparison
The two-camera setup on the back comprises 12 and 5 megapixels, while the camera on the front carries 20 megapixels. The battery supports fast charging and has a 4,000mAh capacity. It is said to last a long time between charges.
Xiaomi Pocophone F1 (more at Android Authority)
The only compromise seems to be the generous use of plastic on the body of the Pocophone F1, which is supposedly less solid and more fault-prone in the hand than other high-end devices.
A smartphone mostly made of plastic isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Just look at the HTC One X, for instance. It had a plastic exterior but looked and felt like a premium product through and through.
READ ALSO: Xiaomi Mi A2, Mi A2 Lite land in the Philippines at lower prices
The bezels around the F1’s 6-inch, 18:9 notched LCD also look rather fat for something that’s meant to be a flagship offering. Hopefully, the quality of the screen makes up for those unflattering borders.
Pocophone F1 pricing and availability
Of course, one of the biggest questions still pertains to price. How much will the Pocophone F1 cost at retail? There are reports claiming it might go for as low as €380 euros (roughly P23,093 or $432).
As to how you can purchase it, the Pocophone F1 should also be available where Xiaomi devices are currently being sold, but we won’t discount the possibility of the phone hitting Indian stores first. We’ll know for sure on August 22 when it officially launches.
Pocophone F1 specs
- 6-inch LCD display, 2,246 x 1,080 resolution (18:9)
- Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor
- 6GB RAM
- 64GB expandable memory
- Dual 12- and 5-megapixel rear cameras with LED flash
- 20-megapixel front camera
- Fingerprint reader (rear-mounted)
- 4,000mAh battery
- MIUI 9.6 based on Android 8.1 Oreo
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