Xiaomi Redmi phones among best-selling smartphones in the world

Xiaomi's Redmi 1S [Photo credit: Mi]

Apple may have met its competition in China when it comes to manufacturing stylish, sleek and reliable smartphones, as Xiaomi continues to dominate the local market with its impressive yet affordable devices.

Based in China, Xiaomi has already gained considerable fame within the country, and has been ranked as number five in the list of the world's largest smartphone vendors. The company's mobile devices have become a hit in China, thereby accounting for approximately 14 percent of the mobile phone deliveries within the country. This has allowed Xiaomi to triumph over Samsung, Lenovo, and Huawei.

Xiaomi's Redmi 1S has already become one of the best-selling smartphones in the world. In India, for instance, 40,000 Redmi 1S units were sold in a flash sale that was carried out by Flipkart this September.

Customers may have been looking forward to the Redmi 1S' reliable design, specs and features. The dual SIM handset comes with a 4.7-inch IPS LCD display with 720 x 1280 resolution and runs on Android 4.3 Jellybean.

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset, the Redmi 1S is incorporated with 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage, which can be further expanded to up to 64 GB. The phone comes with an 8-megapixel camera at the back along with a 1.6-megapixel camera in front. The Redmi 1S also includes a 2,050 mAh battery cell and several options for connectivity, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G.

Xiaomi's Redmi 1S comes with a price tag of approximately $100.

Meanwhile, another highly anticipated device for the Redmi series is the Redmi Note. While there have been limited details on its specs and price, the phablet is rumored to feature major overhauls when it comes to internal hardware. As such, the Redmi Note will be including a MediaTek octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM, 3500 mAh battery as well as a 20.7-megapixel rear camera and 8-megapixel camera in front.

The upcoming Redmi Note from Xiaomi is expected to be made available with various storage options: 16 GB for $163; 32 GB for $211; and 64 GB for $244. No pricing details have been announced for the 128 GB variant.

Despite these leaked information on the upcoming phablet from Xiaomi, the Chinese company has yet to comment on the Redmi Note's specific design, features and price.

News
King Charles attends Royal Maundy service in Wales
King Charles attends Royal Maundy service in Wales

Hundreds of people gathered at St Asaph Cathedral on Thursday for the annual Royal Maundy service, held in Wales for only the second time in the service's 800-year history.

Welsh church to hear full bell ring for first time at Easter service
Welsh church to hear full bell ring for first time at Easter service

Over 150 years since a north Wales church was built with plans for a full ring of bells, the sound long intended for its tower is finally set to be heard at an Easter service.

'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose', by James Macintyre
'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose', by James Macintyre

'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose' is beautifully written, with an unusually nuanced approach to political matters.

MPs reminded of impact of Christian faith in politics with book gift
MPs reminded of impact of Christian faith in politics with book gift

Alastair Campbell famously declared "We don't do God."