This is it. The next Xiaomi smartphone launch in the Philippines is just around the corner.
Xiaomi — through Grimalkin, its exclusive distributor in the country — has announced that its next big blockbuster is coming soon. Unfortunately, there’s no mention of the device just yet. The image that accompanied the post does not reveal anything as well.
Mi Philippines’ teaser posted just today, April 21
However, Xiaomi executives exclusively told us at Revü a couple of weeks ago that the global version of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 will be released in the Philippines in May at the latest. So our money is on the said Redmi phone.
READ ALSO: Xiaomi’s Philippine flagship store now open. Here’s a price list of what you can buy there
In case you didn’t know, the device was first launched in India in February as the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro. Another variant was unveiled in China in March, but the word “Pro” was dropped from the name — and that’s the international model, the one that’s arriving on our shores.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (Global/Chinese version) vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro (Indian version): Specs and price comparison
There are two smartphones that we hope will go on sale in the Philippines. On our wish list are the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S and the Xiaomi-backed Black Shark gaming phone.
SEE ALSO: Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S launched, ties with iPhone X in camera test
Launched on March 27, the Mi MIX 2S is the company’s first device to use a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor. It’s the first in the MIX lineup to get an OLED screen and the first to support wireless charging. More importantly — at least for those who care about camera benchmarks — the handset landed on the fifth spot on DxOMark. It’s currently tied with its lookalike, the Apple iPhone X, and the Huawei Mate 10 Pro.
Top 5 smartphone cameras on DxoMark as of end-March 27, 2018
Pricing for the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S starts at ¥3,299 (around P27,326 or $524).
Black Shark, on the other hand, is its entry to the mobile-gaming category. It’s given an X-shaped design to reduce wireless interference and improve handling when holding the unit sideways. A liquid-cooling system is built into the assembly to keep the unit running in tip-top operating condition for longer periods without throttling. And there’s a Bluetooth controller accessory that snaps onto its back.
READ ALSO: Xiaomi-Black Shark gaming phone has low price, impressive specs
The base model costs ¥2,999 (P24,841 or $476), while the variant with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of memory sells for ¥3,499 (P28,983 or $556). It’s unofficially being sold in the Philippines for around those prices. Not bad, but it’s still better to get the device from official sources for warranty purposes.
How about you? What’s your guess, and which Xiaomi smartphones are on your wish list? Sound off in the comments.
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