China Unicom version (WCDMA) Xiaomi Red Rice gets network license


After much speculation and a few leaked photos, we finally have some firm evidence that a WCDMA compatible Xiaomi Hongmi is on the way.

Xiaomi launched the low-cost Mediatek powered Hongmi a few months ago. Thanks to it’s high level hardware, MT6589T CPU, 1GB RAM, 4.7-inch display, Samsung camera, dual SIM and MIUI V5, it has sold extremely well, but only China Mobile customers have been able to enjoy the phone!

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xiaomi hongmi wcdma

Finally though Xiaomi have applied and received for the network license on a WCDMA version of the $130 Android phone which will work with China Unicom networks, but also will be compatible with many European 3G services.

Xiaomi still haven’t officially announced the phone, but with this latest evidence we can hope that it will go on sale very soon.

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12 Comments

  1. September 30, 2013

    A Xiaomi phone for just $130 and with international appeal is sure to be a winner.

  2. devast
    September 30, 2013

    I’d be happy, if the international resellers would charge sub $200 for it…

  3. Allanitomwesh
    October 1, 2013

    FINALLY!

  4. ozp
    October 1, 2013

    the price is about US$ 260 to the “international” customers.

    • Boyan
      October 2, 2013

      Where’s that? I see the TDCMA version for some 219 usd on the market, so anything higher would not make sense.

      • r0bert
        October 2, 2013

        Thera are also TDCMA veriosn which cost 160 usd so don`t know why WCDMA version should cost 260 usd? where have you got that information?

  5. Clamaran
    October 2, 2013

    It support wcdma 900mhz? There is information about it?

  6. Tudy
    October 2, 2013

    Does anybody know someone who is selling this phone with similar price like in China ($130)?

  7. October 3, 2013

    Is this the same as the Xiaomi White Rice reported here few weeks ago?

  8. rob h
    October 13, 2013

    Any further news on the wcdma redrice? All seems to have gone quiet…

    • October 13, 2013

      Sorry nothing yet

  9. Harland
    October 17, 2013

    On October 18, Xiaomi will open Hongmi sales again for 10,000 units. But the page at xiaomi.com/hongmi doesn’t say anything about WDCMA. I guess they’re taking their sweet time. Xiaomi likes to draw things out, they want to be Apple so badly.