Xiaomi’s history is inextricably linked to its MIUI branded shell, which has shaped the user experience of millions of owners around the world for years. However, in 2017, a landmark event that changed the perception of the brand in the Western segment of the market.It was then, on September 5, that the Xiaomi Mi A1, the first in the manufacturer’s line to run Android One, was introduced, a bold experiment that allowed the company to enter markets where users were skeptical about heavy custom interfaces.
Many still confuse this model with the regular versions of Redmi, but it was the global version of the Mi A1 that got the "clean" operating system out of the box. It was not just a rebranding, but a strategic partnership with Google, designed to demonstrate the capabilities of iron without software add-ons. The device was based on the then popular Redmi Note 5X, but the software part was completely rewritten by Google engineers with the support of the vendor.
The uniqueness of the situation was that Xiaomi was one of the first major manufacturers to take this step in the mass segment. Before that, the Android One program was the lot of budget devices with very weak hardware. The appearance of the Mi A1 with a Snapdragon 625 processor and dual camera marked the transition of the program to the middle price class, which was a response to the requests of the audience who wanted to get the experience of Google Pixel for much less money.
The context of the emergence and strategy of Google
By the time the Xiaomi Mi A1 was released, the market was saturated with heavy-shell devices that often braked even on high-powered hardware. Google initiated the Android One project for the second time (the first version was a failure) to give users a guarantee of quick updates and no pre-installed garbage. Xiaomi perfectly fits into this concept thanks to its ability to create quality “iron” at an affordable price.
The collaboration was built on a strict separation of responsibilities: Xiaomi was responsible for design, build and hardware platform, and Google took over software optimization and certification, avoiding the typical MIUI delays in security patches, and for the Chinese giant, it was a way to legalize its presence in the US and Europe, where trust in custom firmware was low.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to install Android One firmware on the usual global versions of Xiaomi (s) MIUI) This requires unlocking the bootloader and may result in a warranty loss or wide-angle camera inoperability.
Importantly, the Mi A1 was a test bed, and the success of the model allowed the launch of a series of A-models, including the Mi A2 and Mi A3. However, the first pancake was not a lump, but the reference device of its time, and users gained access to Google Play Protect, unlimited storage of photos in original quality and the integration of all Google services at the system level.
Why Xiaomi has abandoned Android One?
Specifications and differences from the Redmi Note 5X
Visually and technically, the Xiaomi Mi A1 almost completely replicated the characteristics of the Chinese Redmi Note 5X. However, as usual, the devil was in the details of the implementation. The basis of the device was the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset, made on a 14-nm process technology, which ensured excellent energy efficiency, although it did not give record performance in heavy games.
The main difference was the camera, where the Redmi used a standard software algorithm, the Mi A1 introduced support for Google Camera technology at the system level, and the dual module (12 MP + 12 MP) with optical zoom worked significantly more stable thanks to Google optimizations, which allowed for portraits with natural background blur, which was rare for the mid-range segment in 2017.
| Characteristics | Xiaomi Mi A1 (Android One) | Redmi Note 5X (MIUI China) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 7.1 (Clean) | Android 6.0 + MIUI 8 | Clean versus shell interface |
| Processor | Snapdragon 625 | Snapdragon 625 | Same thing. |
| Camera (main) | 12 MP + 12 MP (Zoom) | 12 MP + 12 MP | Different processing software |
| NFC | No (in the global version) | No. | Absent in both |
| Headphone jack | 3.5 mm | 3.5 mm | There are both. |
The display of the device was IPS-diagonal 5.5 inch and full resolution HD (1920×1080). The pixel density was 401 It's important to mention that the screen was protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which increased scratch resistance, and at the time, it was considered the de facto standard for mid-range and high-end devices.
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When buying a used Xiaomi Mi A1, pay attention to the state of the dual camera plume - it often departs, because of which the second module stops working, and the zoom mode disappears.
The Benefits of Pure Android on Xiaomi Devices
The move to Android One gave users a number of undeniable benefits that were not available to MIUI owners. First of all, it was about the speed of the interface. The lack of heavy visual effects and background processes of the shell allowed the smartphone to work smoothly even after a year of active use. RAM was not “eaten” by system services, leaving more resources for applications.
The second critical advantage was the speed of getting updates. While MIUI owners waited months for updates, Mi A1 owners got security patches and new Android versions first. Google guaranteed two years of major OS updates and three years of security patches. This was revolutionary for the under-300 device segment.
- 🚀 Instant application launch due to lack of aggressive battery optimization characteristic of the MIUI.
- 🔒 High security thanks to monthly patches from Google.
- ☁️ Unlimited storage for original photos via Google Photos.
- 🎨 Adaptive interface that changes depending on your usage habits.
In addition, the Google Assistant ecosystem ran deeper and more functional on the Mi A1, and the voice assistant had access to system settings, could open apps and execute commands that were often blocked or incorrect on the shells of other manufacturers, which for many users was a crucial factor in choosing a smartphone.
⚠️ Note: Android One lacks many features MIUI, The cloning functionality had to be implemented through third-party apps, such as “Second Space”, “Cloning Apps” (two WhatsApp accounts) and advanced themes.
Platform compatibility and limitations
Despite the obvious advantages, the transition to Android One had a downside: users accustomed to the functionality of MIUI faced a lack of familiar “chips”: for example, in pure Android, there was a long time no native recording of calls, screenshots with three fingers or convenient gesture control (it came later), for the Chinese market these features were the norm, but the global version of Android One was strictly regulated by Google.
Another challenge was to support specific iron. Infrared port drivers, FM-Radio or specific sensors sometimes ran unstable or required separate application installation. Xiaomi did not always promptly provide Google with the necessary closed drivers, which led to bugs.
☑️ What to check before buying a used Mi A1
Also worth noting is the problem with VoLTE and VoWiFi. In some regions and some carriers, these features on the Mi A1 with Android One factory firmware didn’t work out of the box, requiring complex manipulation of the engineering menu or flashing. At the same time, on MIUI, these features were often activated by default, creating a situation where “pure” Android was less functional in terms of communication.
Comparison with the followers of series A
Xiaomi Mi success A1 It's the birth of a whole family of devices. A2, The new version, released a year later, received a more powerful Snapdragon 660 processor and improved cameras, but lost the headphone jack, which caused a wave of criticism. A3 switched AMOLED-The screen, but received the controversial Snapdragon 665 processor and compatibility problems of some banking applications due to the widespread use of “bangs” and new resolutions.
But the Mi A1 remained in the memory of users as a “middle ground”: it retained the classic design with symmetrical frames, had a 3.5 mm connector and had an optimal balance of performance. Subsequent models became either too expensive or compromise. Series A showed that Xiaomi is able to make quality devices, but eventually decided to return to its main strategy — the development of HyperOS and MIUI.
It’s almost impossible to find the new Mi A1 today, but it’s a device that’s been valued by collectors and enthusiasts in the aftermarket, a symbol of an era when manufacturers and Google were trying to strike the perfect balance between customization and standardization.
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The Xiaomi Mi A1 remains the only device the company has seen by many fans as the perfect embodiment of the Android One concept thanks to its combination of classic design and system stability.
Opportunities of customization and firmware today
Even years after its release, the Xiaomi Mi A1 remains popular among developers, with an unlocked bootloader (in global versions) and active community support, the device can be installed on modern versions of Android, up to Android 11 and up, through custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, which allows you to breathe a second life into the smartphone.
But the shift to custom firmware carries risks: Cameras on older devices often start to perform worse because of the lack of original drivers and image processing algorithms. Security can also be compromised if the firmware is not updated regularly. Therefore, for everyday use in 2026 and beyond, this smartphone is only suitable as a secondary device or toy for experimentation.
If you plan to use the Mi A1 in 2026 and beyond, it’s worth considering that most modern apps may be no longer supported due to the older version of the kernel and security constraints.