One of the most popular Xiaomi mobiles is the Xiaomi Mi A1, A2 and A3 series with Android One as the operating system. A series of very attractive smartphones because they integrate a pure version of Android similar to the one used by the Google Pixel. Now, this family is “resurrected” through the economic range of the Chinese brand. The Redmi A1 arrives to compete through a very competitive price, but it is far from what we knew a few years ago.
This phone also does not equip MIUI as a customization layer, that is, it does not have pre-installed applications by Xiaomi beyond the camera or phone. Instead, it incorporates Android 12 Go , a version of Google’s software designed for devices with limited performance so as not to take up too many system resources.
A very different Xiaomi
There are fewer and fewer mobiles that boast Android One as their operating system and only Nokia phones boast this version. Xiaomi has long since stopped operating with this program and the Redmi A1 will not be the one to bring back this outstanding feature that many loved.
Android 12 Go presents obvious differences compared to Android One. A fairly clear proof is that having this latest version guarantees you to enjoy at least two Android updates. In addition, it prioritizes the activity of important applications to reduce battery consumption in the long run.
On the other hand, Android 12 Go is a reduced version of Android with the aim of optimizing the performance of entry-level smartphones. So, despite the limitations of the device, the system will be faster than usual. Although it is true that it shares some properties, such as the automatic hibernation of applications to deactivate the activity in the background and use less battery.
An interesting aspect of Android 12 Go is that it nullifies the permissions of the applications if we do not open an app in a certain time. This means that it will not obtain data about us and, in addition, it will reduce battery drain by not continuously using GPS for apps such as Google Maps.
The advantage of the Redmi 1A
The Xiaomi Redmi 1A arrives with a very competitive price of about 100 euros to occupy a position of relevance in the entry range. This is the main asset that this device presents, along with a huge, high-capacity battery that will allow you to enjoy practically infinite duration.
However, the most outstanding quality of Android 12 Go is that updates depend entirely on Google . In short, the manufacturer has nothing to do with it and the smartphone will boast an experience similar to the Google Pixel. The drawback is that, being an operating system developed for entry-level mobiles, it doesn’t allow as much customization as Android offers at first.
So do not get carried away by emotion if you were looking for a Xiaomi with Android One again, since they are almost nothing alike, except for exceptions. On the other hand, if you want a very cheap phone with acceptable performance and designed for basic activities, the Chinese brand’s Redmi 1A is a great alternative.