Xiaomi Mi A1 2026: how much is the smartphone 7 years after the release?

Xiaomi Mi A1 — The legendary smartphone, Released in September 2017 as the first device of the company under the brand Android One. Then it cost about 15 000 rubles, offering a pure Android, dual camera and metal case for a quite affordable price. But it's been 7 years -- how has the cost of the device changed today? Should I buy it in 2026 or is it a museum exhibit?

In this article, we will discuss:

• 📊 Current prices for new and used Mi A1 in Russia and at international venues
• 🛒 Where to buy: marketplaces, message boards, official channels
• ⚖️ Should I buy in 2026 - pros and cons after 7 years of operation
• 🔍 What to look for when buying a used model (battery, screen, firmware)
• 📱 Alternatives among modern budget smartphones Xiaomi

Spoiler: Mi A1 Today you can find cheaper than 5,000 rubles, but its purchase is justified only for a very narrow range of tasks.

The first smartphone for a child|Spare phone.|Device for experiments (firmware, modding)|Nostalgia/collection|Another option-->

1. Current prices for Xiaomi Mi A1 2026

At the time of article update (June 2026) prices for Xiaomi Mi A1 vary widely - from 2,500 to 8,000 rubles, depending on the condition, configuration and site of sale. It is important to understand that new smartphones in official stores are no longer available: all offers are either leftovers in the warehouses of small retailers or used devices.

We break down prices into categories:

⚠️ At sites like AliExpress or Gearbest sometimes appear "new" Mi A1 It's 100 percent fake or replica -- the original smartphones have been discontinued for a long time. IMEI pre-purchase!

For comparison: in 2020, the B/U Mi A1 The price drop was due to obsolescence (Android 9 is the last official update) and physical wear (batteries, connectors) and the decline in price in 2022).

2 Where is the best place to buy Xiaomi Mi A1?

If you want a work machine with a guarantee (even a minimum one), go to trusted retailers, and if the goal is the cheapest device to experiment with, bulletin boards will do.

Rating sites for reliability (from best to worst):

• 🛡️ Official Xiaomi partners (e.g, mi.com/ru in the section "Second-Used") - rarely, but come across certified used devices with a guarantee 6 months.
• 📦 Large marketplaces (Ozon, Wildberries, Yandex Market) – there is a buyer’s protection, but prices are higher by 15-20%.
• 🤝 Billboards (Avito, Yula) are cheaper, but you risk running into a "cat in a bag." Always ask for a photo. IMEI and battery test (#4636##).
• 🌍 Overseas sites (eBay, Amazon Renewed) – prices in dollars / euros, but you can find devices in perfect condition with a warranty.
• ⚠️ Social networks and forums (WC, 4PDA, Telegram is the riskiest option, but sometimes you come across unique offers (for example, a smartphone with custom firmware).

🔹 Buying advice: If you take a used Mi A1, be sure to check:

Battery status (in menu #4636## → "Battery information")|Operational capacity of all cameras (front) + double-basic)|Absence of "yellow spots" on the screen (defect) AMOLED)|Type-C connector purity and 3.5mm audio|IMEI (It should match on the box and in the settings)-->

⚠️ Note: Mi is often sold on Avito A1 broken-sensored NFC (Check these points with the seller - repairs can cost 2,000-3,000 rubles, which is comparable to the cost of the phone itself.

3. Technical specifications of Xiaomi Mi A1: What has changed in 7 years?

In 2017, Mi A1 It was considered the flagship killer because of its price-to-possibility balance, but today its hardware looks more than modest:

• 📱 Screen: 5.5" LTPS IPS, permit 1920×1080 (Full HD), 403 ppi - by standards 2026 This is the average of the year, but the picture is still nice.
• 🔧 Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) - at one time it was the top for the middle segment, but today it loses even the budget Snapdragon 4 Gen 2.
• 🖥️ RAM/ROM: 4/64 GB – This is enough for basic tasks, but multitasking on Android 9 leaves much to be desired.
• 📷 Cameras: dual main (12 MP) + 12 MP, telephoto) and 5 MP frontal — in 2026, this is the level for WhatsApp calls".
• 🔋 Battery: 3080 mAh – even a new one will last a maximum day with moderate use.

📊 Comparison with modern state employees (2026):

⚠️ Attention: The main problem is Mi A1 2026 - no security updates: The last Android patch came out in September 2020, making the device vulnerable to modern viruses and attacks (e.g. via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi).

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If you need a smartphone for Internet surfing and calls, but with modern firmware, pay attention to the Internet. POCO C55 (2023) — it costs only 3,000-4,000 rubles more expensive, but supports Android 13 and will receive an update to 14.

4: Should I Buy Xiaomi Mi? A1 2026?

The short answer is, only for very specific problems. Next, we're going to look at the pros and cons.

✅ When the purchase is justified:

• 👶 The first smartphone for a child is a simple Android One interface, there are no unnecessary “chips” that can distract.
• 🔧 For experiments with firmware - Mi A1 It is easy to unlock, there are many custom ROM (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
• 📱 Spare phone - lightweight, compact, with a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
• 🎮 Game emulator - Snapdragon 625 pulls emulators well PS1, Nintendo 64 and older Android games.

❌ When it's best to refuse:

• 📸 For photography, cameras are weak even by 2017 standards, it shoots poorly at night.
• 🎥 For video and streaming – no support for modern codecs (for example, AV1), full HD 30 FPS.
• 🔋 For active use - the battery sits down for 4-5 hours under load, and the replacement will cost 1,500-2000 rubles.
• 🛡️ For banking applications, an outdated version of Android can block access to certain services (for example, Sberbank Online).

💡 Alternative: If you need a budget Xiaomi smartphone with up-to-date software, pay attention to Redmi A2+ (2023 - it stands ~7000 rubles, but has Android 13 (Go Edition) and support for updates until 2026.

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Xiaomi Mi A1 In 2026, it's a device for enthusiasts, collectors or very limited budgets, and for everyday use, it's best to consider modern alternatives, even in the budget segment.

5. What to look for when buying a used Xiaomi Mi A1?

If you have decided to buy the Mi A1, Here are the critical points that need to be checked out:

🔋 Battery: The model's main disease is battery bloating:

• 📉 Capacity via code ##4636## → "Battery information. If less than 70%, prepare to be replaced.
• 🔍 Appearance – if the body is swollen (especially from the camera side), this is a sign of a faulty battery.
• ⚡ Charging – the phone should charge up to 100% in 2-2.5 hours.

📱 Screen: Mi A1 AMOLED-A matrix that may eventually burn out or become covered with yellow spots (a defect associated with the degradation of the organic layer).

📡 Network and communication:

• 📶 4G — The model only supports LTE Band 1/3/5/7/8/20. In some regions of Russia may not catch 4G (For example, the Tele2).
• 📞 Calls -- check the microphone and speaker. A common problem is noise in the conversational dynamics due to contact oxidation.
• 🌐 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth should work in a stable way. If Wi-Fi shuts down on its own, it could be an antenna problem.

🔧 Firmware and unlock: If the phone has been unlocked (for example, to install custom firmware), check:

• 🔓 bootloader status via fastboot oem device-info. If Device unlocked: true, it could mean problems with the device. OTA-update.
• 🛠️ Root rights – some banking apps refuse to work on rooted devices.

6 How much will it cost to repair Xiaomi Mi A1?

When buying a used Mi A1 Here are the average prices for replacement of key components (Moscow and regions data as of June 2026):

⚠️ Attention: Repair of the Mi A1 It's often unprofitable, like changing the screen (5,000). ₽) + battery 2,000 ₽) It'll cost 7,000. ₽ — That's how much the new Redmi costs. A2+. The exception is if you repair your phone yourself (for example, changing the battery or connector).

🔧 Self-repairing: For the Mi A1 It's easy to find parts on AliExpress or in Chinese stores:

• 🔋 Battery — ~800 ₽ (brand ZOP or CBS).
• 📱 Screen — ~2 500 ₽ (tool-wield).
• 🔌 Type-C connector — ~300 ₽.

🛠️ Instructions for replacing the battery:

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map.
2. Heat the back cover with a hair dryer (temperature ~60°C) to soften the glue.
3. Put the lid on a plastic spatula (start with a headphone jack).
4. Unscrew 10 screws (cross screwdriver) T4).
5. Disconnect the battery plume and carefully remove it, putting it on the side.
6. Install a new battery and assemble the phone in reverse order.

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If you've never disassembled a smartphone, you'd better trust a battery replacement to a service center, and assembly errors (such as a compressed plume) can cause the motherboard to break.

7.Alternatives to Xiaomi Mi A1 2026

If you need a budget Xiaomi smartphone with the latest software and the best features, consider these models:

💡 Recommendation: If the budget allows, it is better to pay 3,000-4,000 rubles and take POCO C55 or Redmi 12C. These models will last longer, receive security updates and will not slow down in everyday tasks.

⚠️ Note: If you need a smartphone solely for calls and instant messengers, consider the Nokia 105. 4G (3 500 ₽) itell A55 (4 000 ₽) — They are cheaper, more reliable and do not require charging for a week.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)