Redmi A1, Redmi 11 Prime 5G launch highlights: Redmi A1 starts at Rs 6,499; Redmi 11 Prime at Rs 12,999

The phone comes with an 8MP dual camera. The front camera is 5MP. It comes with the ability to record full HD video as well, states Redmi. The Redmi A1 also gets Portrait mode as well. 

Redmi A1 does not run MIUI. It comes with a clean Android experience. It runs Android 12. 

Redmi A1 get a premium leather-texture design. It will come in a classic black, light green and a light blue colour option. It features a 6.52-inch HD+ display. The phone has a speaker on the top. The phone also comes with an FM Radio App as well. The phone has a 5000 mAh battery with 10W fast charging support. The processor on the Redmi A1 is the Mediatek Helio A22 chipset. Xiaomi claims to have done 20+ software optimisations for a lag-free experience. 

Redmi A1 is supposed to address some of the concerns about smartphones getting too expensive. The Redmi A1 is aimed at those switching from feature phones to smartphones while offering an affordable option. The Redmi A1 is the new portfolio series aimed at such users. Xiaomi is promising no compromise on display, processor, camera and battery life with the A1 smartphone. Let's see how it delivers on these features given this is supposed to be budget device. 

The Redmi A1 is now being launched. This is a global debut for the phone. Xiaomi says the phone is made in India as well. Xiaomi says over 99 per cent of its phones being sold here are made in India and 100 per cent of smart TVs are made in the country. 

The Redmi 11 Prime's display is the same as the 5G variant. The display also includes smart switch between different refresh rates. The max refresh rate supported is 90Hz. The battery is 5000 mAh as well. It too comes with a 22.5W charger in the box. 

This one has a triple camera. The main camera is 50MP with a macro and depth camera as well. 

Redmi 11 Prime is more performance oriented. The phone has a diamond cut texture at the back. The camera island setup is also different for the Redmi 11 Prime. It comes in purple, green and black colour options. It is powered by the Mediatek Helio G99 processor with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. This appears to be a performance oriented phone in the budget category.  

The Redmi 11 Prime 5G comes with a 5000 mAh battery and 22.5W charger in the box. The phone has a 3.5mm headphone jack as well which is Hi-Res certified. It continues with an IR Blaster as well. The phone runs MIUI 13 based on Android 12 out of the box. The box also includes a clear plastic case for the phone.  

The Redmi 11 Prime 5G has a 6.58-inches full HD+ display, with 90 Hz refresh rate. The phone supports automatic refresh rate shift, which is better for battery efficiency. It comes with Widewine L1 support as well, which means it should support full HD content on Netflix, YouTube, etc. It comes with Corning Gorilla Glass as well. The phone has a 50MP main camera at the back and a depth sensor along with this for Portrait. The smartphone supports night mode as well. The selfie camera is 8MP. 

Redmi 11 Prime 5G runs the Mediatek Dimensity 700 processor based on the 7nm chipset design. Xiaomi claims the battery will last even on 5G network.  The phone comes with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage space. The phone supports virtual RAM booster. It comes with an integrated 5G power modem for better efficiency. It has dual 5G standby so both slots will support 5G connectivity.  

The phone continues with the Evol design of the Redmi series. Redmi 11 Prime 5G has a textured back. It come in three colours: Meadow Green, Chrome Silver and Thunder Black. 

Redmi 11 Prime 5G is being revealed now. Xiaomi CMO Anuj Sharma talking about 5G bands and which operators have bought them. The low 5G bands might not give the fastest speed, but they will give greater coverage, explains Sharma. The high-bands will offer higher internet speeds, he points out. Redmi 11 Prime 5G will support Airtel, Jio's 5G network for those who were wondering. Redmi 11 Prime 5G will also support also circles where VI is providing 5G network once that rolls out. 

Redmi 11 Prime 5G is being revealed now. Xiaomi CMO Anuj Sharma talking about 5G bands and which operators have bought them. The low 5G bands might not give the fastest speed, but they will give greater coverage, explains Sharma. The high-bands will offer higher internet speeds, he points out. Redmi 11 Prime 5G will support Airtel, Jio's 5G network for those who were wondering. Redmi 11 Prime 5G will also support also circles where VI is providing 5G network once that rolls out. 

Muralikrishnan talking about 5G benefits, including ultra-fast speeds and ultra-low latency. Xiaomi was at the forefront of 3G to 4G transformation, he states. Now we intend to help Indian masses switch from 4G to 5G seamlessly, he adds.  

Muralikrishnan B, President at Xiaomi India, on stage. 'We brought back our Redmi K series last month. We have shipped over 200 million smartphones in India till date. With 5G beginning, we plan to bring more such technology to the masses. We have shipped 7.5 million 5G-ready smartphones in India till date," Murali says.  

The Redmi 11 Prime 5G will support 5G connectivity on both SIMs. We will have to wait and see which bands are supported and whether it includes SA-5G support as well, which stands for standalone 5G that Jio will rollout. The phone runs the MediaTek 700 chipset, which is a 5G ready one. 

The Redmi A1 is a new device from the brand, launching in India first. The phone will be an affordable device likely starting at under Rs 10,000, but we will have to wait and see details on specifications, etc. The Redmi A1's key USP right now is the unique leather-like design at the back coupled with stock Android experience. 

Redmi 11 Prime 5G is expected to be an affordable 5G phone. But just what does 'affordable' mean is not clear? Will Redmi price this at Rs 12,999 or perhaps Rs 11,999 for the base variant? Or will this version cost closer to Rs 15,000 given this is a 5G-enabled device? We will have to wait and see how the phone is priced and whether it will become one of the most affordable 5G phones in the market. 

Redmi 11 Prime will come in two variants, a 5G-ready and non-5G ready.  The announcement comes at a time when telecom operators like Jio, Airtel are getting ready to roll out their 5G networks in the country. The Redmi 11 Prime 5G will likely be a budget offering--possibly under Rs 15,000-- powered by the Mediatek 700 5G-ready chipset, a 90Hz display, dual cameras and 5000 mAh battery. Xiaomi will try and offer a 5G-ready phone at an affordable price, but we will have to wait and see just how affordable this will be. The Redmi 11 Prime will also have a 4G variant. 

All eyes are on the Redmi A1 which is expected to be an affordable phone from Xiaomi after a while now. The phone will also come with stock Android or 'clean Android', according to the company teasers. The A series from Xiaomi earlier came under the now discontinued Mi branding. The Mi A series came with stock Android and was popular in India with select users. But it looks like the A series is now marking a return under the Redmi brand name. We will have to wait and see how Redmi prices the A1 smartphone. It is expected to come with a 5000 mAh battery, MediaTek processor and dual cameras at the back.