Mystery Xiaomi ‘Red Rice’ appears again could be a quad-core MT6589 phone!


Various reports, leaked photos and purported specifications of the next Xiaomi phone have been appearing for a few weeks now, but the latest details claim the new phone could use a Mediatek MT6589 processor!

Known by the Chinese media as the ‘Red rice” (hong mi) the new Xiaomi phone has been seen a number of times, and has even received the official go ahead by the MIIT here in China (similar to the FCC). So we know the phone is real, and the photo here matches the designs we have seen on the network license, so what’s under the skin?

If the various claims are true, then this new Xiaomi phone will be an entry level model to replace the ageing Xiaomi M1s, and could be launched as the Xiaomi Mi2A. What’s surprising about the new phone is that it is purported to have a 4.7-inch display (larger than the flagship Xiaomi Mi2) and will be available in two models with the cheaper version using a quad-core Mediatek MT6589 processor!

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xiaomi red rice full

All current Xiaomi phones run chips from Qualcomm, with the M1s using a 1.7Ghz dual-core Qualcomm chip. If Xiaomi decide to go for the MT6589 processor it will likely be clocked at 1.2Ghz, and could bring dual-sim support to the new phone! A more expensive version of the Hong Mi is also expected which will run an unnamed quad-core chip running at 1.5Ghz.

Pricing of the MT6589 model could be as low as 1299 Yuan ($208), however getting hold of one could prove to be extremely difficult!

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5 Comments

  1. Freeje
    March 4, 2013

    My Xiaomi phone kept rebooting for unknown reasons. Battery indicator says it’s fully charged when in fact only 80% charged giving me the impression that the battery chip is at fault. Not a problem of the software (MIUI) installed. I’ve searched in forums for solutions but didn’t find any. In my search I’ve found out that I’m not the only one with the same problem. Even in Chinese forums. One poster even tried to have it fixed by an authorised service center but to no avail. It leads me to the conclusion that Chinese phone manufacturers are still quite behind their foreign peers in terms of quality.

    Bought an S3 and never had these problems. It will be quite awhile before I’ll buy a local phone. Looking for one with a bigger screen and there are 6 inch ones launched or announced by Umeox and Huawei. They look tempting but because of my experience with Chinese phones I might just buy a Note II instead.

  2. Tweetypeety
    March 4, 2013

    I had a S3, always problems with it bought a Mi2 and never had any problems with it. Dude you are one of 7 million buyers, of course Samsung has also problems with their phones. Come on this has nothing to do with this news.

    • Freeje
      March 4, 2013

      My point is dude, that you don’t get any after sales service buying these Chinese made phones even in China. These local companies are not up to the level yet of foreign brands in terms of service and support. I’ve had an early problem with my S3 and I was able to get it fixed but not with the Xiaomi. Here in China, once past 15 days and something goes wrong with your phone then you’re dead. Once they tell you that they can’t fix it you’re on your own. Go to the Chinese forums to see what I mean but I guess you can’t read Chinese. You’re better off buying a new one.

      You buy a relatively cheaper phone then you take the chance that you won’t get it fixed when something goes wrong with it. I’ve bought a number of Chinese phones before and yes the quality of the phones are getting better but that is not all that you consider when you part with your money. I’ve learned my lesson and I won’t buy another Chinese phone until they get the after sales service right.

  3. slixs
    March 4, 2013

    guys i really love your websites and want to thank you for providing me with this information but i want to know of a trusted website that i might be able to buy these phones such as jiayu or xiaomi and would they be suitable worldwide use (i live in the UK)

  4. CdRIP
    March 6, 2013

    By a Lenovo than. Very goodquality control. I see by the posts Samsung is in pAnick…That’ s good….