When we hear the word Xiaomi, we see the rise of powerful smartphones, innovative smart devices and aggressive pricing, but few remember where the giant began: The company’s first smartphone was a revolution, not just for the Chinese market but for the global industry, and its launch in 2011 ushered in an era of affordable, high-tech gadgets that could compete with the flagships of Samsung and Apple.
In this article, we will not only give you the exact release date of the first Xiaomi Mi1, but also explain why this gadget became so iconic. You will learn about its technical characteristics that amazed users, about the marketing moves of the company that made the brand iconic, and how the first Xiaomi influenced the further development of the entire line. If you ever wondered where the story of one of the most successful technology brands in the world began, welcome to the kat.
The exact release date of the first Xiaomi: when did it happen?
Xiaomi’s first smartphone was officially unveiled on August 16, 2011, at a press conference in Beijing, but it started selling a little later on October 1, 2011, a date that marked the starting point for the entire Mi ecosystem, which today includes not only smartphones, but also smartwatches, TVs, routers and even electric cars.
Interestingly, the announcement was in an unusual format: instead of a traditional presentation, the company’s founder Lei Jun conducted a live broadcast, where he personally demonstrated the capabilities of the device, the move was the first step to form a loyal community of fans of the brand, who today are known as Mi Fans.
Importantly, the Mi1 was originally marketed as a device for enthusiasts and developers, and the company relied on MIUI, its own Android-based shell that offered unique customization and optimization features, a groundbreaking solution for 2011, when most manufacturers were making smartphones with “naked” Android or minimal refinements.
Technical characteristics of Xiaomi Mi1: revolution for $ 200
The first Xiaomi hit the market not only with price, but also with the "stuffing": for 1999 yuan (about $ 200 at the time), users received a device that was not inferior in performance to flagships costing 2-3 times more.
- 🔹 Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 (Dual-core, 1.5GHz, one of the most powerful chips on the market in 2011.
- 📱 Display: 4-inch TFT permittingly 854×480 (245 ppi – a rarity for budget smartphones of the time.
- 🖥️ RAM: 1GB is the standard for flagships, but not for mid-range devices.
- 💾 Memory: 4 GB built-in (without support for microSD cards) - the main disadvantage of the model.
- 📷 Camera: 8 MP main (with autofocus) + 0.3 MP frontal - an excellent figure for 2011.
- 🔋 Battery: 1930 mAh - removable, which was a plus for users.
| Characteristics | Xiaomi Mi1 (2011) | Samsung Galaxy S II (2011) | iPhone 4S (2011) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price at launch | ~200$ | ~600$ | ~650$ |
| Processor | Snapdragon S3 (1.5 GHz) | Exynos 4210 (1.2 GHz) | Apple A5 (800 MHz) |
| RAM | 1GB | 1GB | 512MB |
| Camera (main) | 8 MP | 8 MP | 8 MP |
The Mi1 was the first smartphone to prove that high technology can be affordable. For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S II with a similar processor cost 3 times more, and the iPhone 4S – 3.5 times more. At the same time, in benchmarks (for example, AnTuTu), the Xiaomi Mi1 often outperformed competitors due to optimized firmware.
⚠️ Warning: Despite the powerful hardware, the first Xiaomi had critical flaws, chief among them the lack of a memory card slot. 4GB of internal memory quickly ran out, especially if you install games or shoot videos in the video. HD.
Why Xiaomi was revolutionary: 5 key factors
The success of the Mi1 was no accident, and the company used several innovative approaches that have become the standard for the entire industry today:
- Direct sales via the Internet: Xiaomi has abandoned traditional retailers, selling smartphones only through its website, which has reduced prices by 30-40%.
- The first batches of Mi1 sold out in minutes, creating a hype, for example, on the first day of sales, 300,000 devices were sold.
- The Mi Fans community, which actively involved users in firmware testing and feedback gathering, allowed them to quickly fix bugs and add new features.
- Weekly MIUI updates - No manufacturer released updates as often in 2011 - Xiaomi proved a budget smartphone can get support longer than flagships.
- Open to modifications. Mi1 was one of the first smartphones with unlockable bootloader, which attracted developers custom firmware.
These strategies have allowed Xiaomi to sell more than 10 million Mi1 devices in two years – an incredible result for a startup.For comparison, OnePlus, which appeared in 2014 with a similar model (OnePlus One), was able to repeat this success only after 4 years.
How did Xiaomi cheat its competitors?
How much did the first Xiaomi cost and where to buy it today?
At the start of sales in China, the Mi1 cost 1999 yuan (about $ 200), but due to the huge demand, the price in the secondary market rose rapidly. A month after the release, the smartphone was sold at a markup of 1.5-2 times - up to 3000-4000 yuan.
Today, the original Xiaomi Mi1 has become a rarity.
- 🛒 On eBay – $150 to $400 (depending on the state of the business).
- 🇨🇳 On Chinese sites (Taobao, Xianyu) – from 1000 to 2500 yuan.
- 🏛️ In museums of technology – some specimens are exhibited as historical artifacts.
Is it worth buying the Mi1 today? Practically, no. The device doesn't support modern applications, and its hardware is outdated. However, for collectors, it's a valuable item. For example, in 2023, at an auction in Shanghai, the Xiaomi Mi1 in its original packaging sold for 50,000 yuan (about $7,000).
⚠️ Note: If you still decide to buy Mi1 For a collection, check it for authenticity. There are many forgeries on the market, especially after 2015 The year the brand's popularity soared.The original has a unique serial number that can be verified through the service mi.com/verify.
How Xiaomi’s First Company Impacted the Company’s Growth
The success of the Mi1 laid the foundation for all of Xiaomi’s future achievements.
1. Business model building. The company has proven that you can sell high-tech devices at a minimal margin, making money from the ecosystem and services, a model that was later copied by Realme, Poco and other brands.
2. Development MIUI. The shell that debuted on Mi1, It's now installed on more than 500 million devices worldwide, and it's become one of the most popular alternatives to pure Android.
3. Expanding beyond China, after success Mi1 Xiaomi has started to actively enter global markets. 2014 year the company entered the top-3 smartphone manufacturers.
Product Diversification: Revenue from Mi1 sales has enabled Xiaomi to invest in smart devices, from routers to electric scooters, and the brand now offers more than 200 product categories.
5: A culture of innovation, Xiaomi has become known for taking risks where others fear. In 2016, for example, the company launched the Mi Mix, the first production smartphone with a bezelless display, a spirit of experimentation that dates back to the Mi1.
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Without the first Xiaomi, there would be no modern flagships like the Mi 13 Ultra or Mix Fold 3. It was the Mi1 that proved that Chinese brands can compete with Apple and Samsung on equal terms.
Frequent questions about the first Xiaomi: FAQ
🔍 Why the First Xiaomi was Called Mi1, Not Mi One?
📦 How much did the first Xiaomi weigh and what dimensions did it have?
🔄 What updates did Xiaomi receive? Mi1?
💥 Why Xiaomi Mi1 It is not officially sold outside of China?
🔋 Can I use Xiaomi today? Mi1 like a daily smartphone?
Conclusion: The Legacy of the First Xiaomi
The first Xiaomi Mi1 was not just a smartphone, it was a game changer in the mobile market, and it proved that high technology can be affordable and Chinese brands can compete with giants like Apple and Samsung. Today, more than 10 years later, Xiaomi is a global ecosystem with a turnover of tens of billions of dollars, but it all began with one modest device, introduced on August 16, 2011.
If you ever see the Mi1 on sale, remember that you don't just have a rarity in your hands, but you have a piece of history that has turned the industry around. And for those who want to feel the spirit of the first Xiaomi, today there are retro models like the Mi 11 Lite 5G that retain the brand's philosophy: maximum technology at the lowest price.
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If you’re interested in Xiaomi’s history, check out the 2015 documentary “Xiaomi: The Next Big Thing” that details the Mi1 and the company’s early years.