Xiaomi Mi 5 Mini price, release date, specs, features

Xiaomi Mi 5 Mini price and release date

Reports on the design of the Xiaomi Mi 5 Mini remind us of the Mi 2, which Xiaomi presented in 2012. The Mi 2 went on the market for around US$280 and we could expect the same from the Mi 5 Mini. This would also be in line with the flagship Xiaomi Mi 5, which sells for around US$499. You would expect a smaller version to have a price less than its flagship model. 

Rumors of the 4.3-inch Mi 5 indicate that we could see a release date as early as June 2016. If this is true then expect to see the device unveiled within a month or so. This follows a similar progression of device announcements and releases by Xiaomi. 

Xiaomi Mi 5 Mini specs

According to the serial leakers at GizChina, Xiaomi developed its new compact device with high-end hardware. These sources report a smaller version of the Mi 5 with the same Snapdragon 820 chipset that powers Xiaomi's flagship Mi 5. This is one of the fastest processors to hit the market in 2016.

The device could be backed by 3 GB RAM, the same as the standard version of the Mi 5 but 1 GB lower than the Mi 5 Pro, the high-end version of the Mi 5 series. Just like the standard Mi 5, the Mi 5 Mini is rumored to have 32 GB of internal storage. This is twice the internal memory of the standard iPhone SE. 

Reports indicate the Xiaomi Mi 5 Mini will have an 720p HD display. This is an area that the smaller version could deviate from the bigger version of the Mi 5, which has a 1080p (427 ppi) HD display. We were impressed with Xiaomi's display in the standard Mi 5 so we can expect similar quality from its slightly different Mini display.

Xiaomi Mi 5 Mini features

The Xiaomi Mi 5 had loads of features that blew us out of the water, and because speculations indicate the Xiaomi Mi 5 Mini could be similar we are hoping some of those could make it into the new device.

While we were initially impressed with Xiaomi's presentation of its camera system at MWC but when we received the device we were a bit disappointed. The Mini is reported to have the same 13 MP camera system as the standard version and we can expect a similar experience.

One powerful feature of the standard Mi 5 camera is the image stabilizer. It uses four rotational axles to keep the camera stable instead of just two found in most devices. This ensures the camera takes clear pictures when there is movement and we hope it comes in the Mi 5 Mini. The Mi 5 also takes quality video, something we hope for in the Mi 5 Mini as well. 

Another thing we can only dream about for the Mi 5 Mini is the ceramic back found on the Mi 5 Pro. This is an incredible design feature that was well-received. Bringing the Mi 5 Pro body to the Mi 5 Mini would ensure the company receives a lot of interest in its new compact smartphone. 

What do you hope to see with the Xiaomi Mi 5 Mini? Let us know in the comments.