Why is the Xiaomi Mi A1 still interesting to customers?
Launched in September 2017, the Xiaomi Mi A1 became a legend among budget devices. It was the first device of the company to run on a “clean” Android One without a branded MIUI shell, which provided quick updates and stable operation. Despite the fact that since its release has been more than 6 years, the model is still in demand in the secondary market – especially among those who are looking for an inexpensive phone for calls, messengers or as a backup gadget.
But how much is the Xiaomi Mi A1 worth in 2026? Where to buy it, and what pitfalls to look for when buying a used device? In this guide, we will analyze the current prices for new and supported equipment, compare offers at popular venues, and assess whether it is worth considering this model in the current market. If you are thinking about buying, read on, so as not to overpay and run into a “cat in a bag”.
Current prices for Xiaomi Mi A1 in 2026: new vs b / y
The new Xiaomi Mi A1 is no longer on sale, and production has been discontinued since 2019, so all offers on the market are either leftovers from small sellers’ warehouses (which is unlikely) or supported devices, but prices can vary greatly depending on condition, configuration and region.
Here are the average prices for the Mi A1 in Russia and the CIS as of June 2026:
| Status. | Price (₽) | Price ($) | Where to find | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New (in package) | 12 000 — 18 000 | 130 — 200 | Avito, Yula, local forums | Very rarely, often with a markup for "collectiveness" |
| B/w (excellent) | 4 500 — 7 000 | 50 — 80 | Avito, Facebook Marketplace | No scratches, with a case, battery 80%+ |
| B/y (satisfactory) | 2 500 — 4 000 | 30 — 45 | Yula, local groups on Telegram | Scratches on the body, battery 60-70% |
| On parts/failure | 1 000 — 2 500 | 10 — 30 | Forums of repairmen, Avito | Often with a broken screen or a broken camera |
⚠️ Warning: If you are offered a new Xiaomi Mi A1 for less than 10,000 rubles, it is almost guaranteed fraud, most often under the guise of new technology, refurbished devices with a replaced battery or even fakes (for example, clones based on Redmi 5A) are sold.
Prices in other CIS countries (Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus) are usually 10-20% lower, but there is a higher risk of running into a device with a problematic history (for example, stolen or blocked by IMEI).
Where to buy Xiaomi Mi A1: comparison of sites
The choice of a site for the purchase of the Mi A1 directly affects the final price, guarantees and risks.
- 📱 Avito/Yula: The biggest choice, but also the highest risk of fraud. You can find devices from 2,500 rubles, but you need to check them especially carefully, plus the possibility of bargaining and personal meeting.
- 💬 Facebook Marketplace/VK: Often sells "for their own," so prices may be below market prices. Minus - it's harder to check the history of the device (for example, whether it was in repair).
- 🛒 Local used appliance stores: Usually they give a 1-7 days warranty, but prices are higher by 15-20%, but you can test the phone before you buy it.
- 🔧 Repairmen's Forums (4PDA, Xiaomi-Club): It's a frequent place to sell after-repair devices, low prices, but you need to be technically versed (e.g., check if the motherboard has been replaced).
- 🌍 AliExpress / international sites: You can find the Mi A1 cheaper, but given the shipping and the risk of customs problems, the benefit is questionable.
💡 Tip: If you buy on Avito or Yule, always ask the seller to send IMEI the phone (you can find out by command *#06#) and check it through services like SNDDeep or IMEI.info. This will help you to find out if the device is blacklisted (stolen/lost).
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Before you buy, ask the seller to shoot a video of your phone turning on, showing the cameras, fingerprint sensor and charging, which will help avoid unpleasant surprises like a broken microphone or a Type-C connector.
What to look for when buying a used Xiaomi Mi A1
The Xiaomi Mi A1 is a reliable phone, but after 6+ years of use, even the most thrifty owners can develop typical "illnesses."
- 🔋 Battery: The original Mi A1 battery is designed for ~500 charging cycles. If the phone was used intensively, the capacity could drop to 60-70% of the original. Check the status through applications like AccuBattery or AIDA64.
- 📸 Dual camera: Mi A1 often fails autofocus or shows artifacts in the pictures. Check both cameras (main 12 MP and 12 MP telephoto) in different lighting conditions.
- 🔑 Fingerprint Sensor: Located on the back, make sure it recognizes the fingerprint quickly and doesn't "glue" when registering new ones.
- 🎧 3.5mm jack and speaker: Check the sound in the headphones (wheezing) and the main speaker, a common problem is the quiet sound or the sound disappearing in one of the headphones.
- 📶 Network and communications: Mi A1 supports 4G, but some instances lose network when they overheat. Check signal stability under different conditions.
⚠️ Warning: If a vendor refuses to show the phone on or show all the features, it is a cause for concern, often because it hides problems with touchscreen (the broken part of the screen) or software failures (for example, getting stuck on the Xiaomi logo).
☑️ What to check before buying Xiaomi Mi A1
Should you buy Xiaomi Mi A1 in 2026: pros and cons
Even by the standards of a budget smartphone, the Mi A1 looks outdated today, but it also has strengths that can outweigh the disadvantages for certain categories of users, so let's see who will do the job and who should consider alternatives.
✅ Xiaomi Mi A1 Pros in 2026
- 💰 Price: For 3000-5 000 rubles, this is one of the cheapest smartphones with a dual camera and a metal body.
- 🤖 Android One: Pure Android without the garbage from MIUI provides stable performance even on weak hardware.
- 🔧 Repairability: Parts are cheap and common, and screen replacements cost 2,000 to 3,000 rubles, battery costs 800 to 1,500 rubles.
- 📡 Support for 4G and two SIM: Relevant for those using two numbers.
- 🎮 Games and apps: It can handle WhatsApp, Telegram, YouTube and even lightweight games like Brawl Stars or Clash Royale.
❌ Cons of Xiaomi Mi A1 today
- 🐢 Performance: The Snapdragon 625 processor and 4GB of RAM are clearly lacking for comfortable multitasking today.
- 🔋 Battery: Even when used carefully, the original 3,080mAh battery doesn’t hold up a day of active use.
- 📷 Cameras: By modern standards, the images are dim, especially in poor light.
- 📱 Screen: Full HD resolution (1920×1080) looks normal today, but the IPS matrix is dim in the sun.
- 🔄 Updates: The latest version of Android for Mi A1 is Android 9 Pie. No security updates from 2021.
💡 Conclusion: Xiaomi Mi A1 in 2026 makes sense to buy only as a second phone, a device for elderly relatives or a spare gadget. For basic use, it is better to consider more modern models - even budget Redmi or Poco for the same money will offer better performance and battery.
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If you want a phone solely for calls, instant messengers, and easy surfing, the Mi A1 may still be an option. For everything else (games, photography, multitasking) it’s better to go towards the Redmi 9A/10A or Poco C50.
Xiaomi Mi A1: What to buy instead of it in 2026
If the Mi A1 seems too outdated but on a budget, consider these alternatives, all new (or new) and offering better specs for comparable money:
| Model | Price (b/y), ₽ | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi 9A (2020) | 5 000 — 7 000 | More modern processor (Helio G25), large screen 6.53, battery 5 000 mAh | Camera weaker, plastic case |
| Poco C31 (2021) | 6 000 — 8 500 | Faster (Helio G35), better camera (13 MP), 90Hz support in games | Heavy (194), MIUI with advertising |
| Redmi Note 8 (2019) | 7 000 — 10 000 | Glass case, Snapdragon 665, good 48MP camera | The battery can be worn out, no NFC |
| Samsung Galaxy A10s (2019) | 5 500 — 7 500 | AMOLED- screen, more reliable in terms of updates | Weak processor (Helio P22), little memory |
⚠️ Warning: If you want a clean, ad-free system (like in Mi A1), look for Android Go models (like Nokia 2.4) or Motorola smartphones (Moto E series).
💡 Gamers’ Advice: If You Need a Budget Phone for Games, Take a Look at Poco X3 NFC b/w 12 000–15 000 ₽or Redmi Note 10They're powered by Snapdragon processors. 732G Snapdragon 678 This increases productivity by 150-200% compared to Mi A1.
Owner reviews: real-world experience in 2026
To get an objective view of the Xiaomi Mi A1 today, we analyzed user reviews on the forums (4PDA, Xiaomi-Club) and ad platforms.
- ✅ "Great spare phone": Many people buy the Mi A1 as a second device for travel or work, noting that it does not slow down in basic tasks and is comfortable in the hand.
- ✅ "Cameras are better than modern public sector": Despite their age, the Mi A1 dual camera shoots better in daytime than the single-module cameras in the Redmi 9A or Samsung Galaxy A03s.
- ❌ "Battery is the main problem": Even when replacing the battery with a new one, many complain that the phone runs out in 4-5 hours of active use.
- ❌ “Not pulling on modern apps”: Users mark the lags on TikTok, Instagram Reels and newer versions of Google Maps.
- 🔧 "Easily repaired, but parts become rare": If you break the screen, finding the original matrix becomes more difficult - many workshops put non-original displays with the worst color reproduction.
📌 The takeaway from the reviews: Xiaomi Mi A1 is still popular with those who value simplicity, reliability and compactness, but if you want modern chips (fast charging, good selfies, multitasking), better towards newer models.