A couple of pictures of the upcoming Xiaomi Mi 5C Android smartphone have leaked online. Posted on the Chinese website Weibo, the images show a device with no physical home screen button. Earlier rumors suggest a starting price of $220.
These recently leaked pictures contradict previous images of a Xiaomi handset that does have a home button. That phone appeared online in early February, with descriptions suggesting it might be the Mi 5C.
Xiaomi’s Mi 5C is a budget version of the Mi 5 flagship released last year. Rumors hint that the device could launch as soon as March and that it may be the first brand product to feature a proprietary processor by the Chinese tech giant.
Xiaomi Mi 5C: rumored design and specs
Looking at the new pictures of the latest Xiaomi smartphone, it is evident that this is a significant departure from traditional designs of the brand.
This time, the Mi 5C will have no front-facing buttons. That is, no physical home button, opting instead for a simpler approach with left-side volume and power buttons.
A previous leak showed a device codenamed ‘Xiaomi Meri’ with a home button up front, but it seems like that was not the 5C after all. There are benefits to this since now there is more space to fit a rumored 5.5-inch full HD display.
The Mi 5C will bring a lot of firsts to the company, being also the first smartphone to pack a 2.2 GHz, octa-core Pinecone V670 SoC. For graphic processing, the new handset will rely on a Mali T860 Mp4 chip.
Inside sources are not completely sure about RAM capacity on the Xiaomi phone, saying it could range from 3 to 4 GB. 64 GB of internal storage is expected with the option of expanding via microSD card. This slot could also support the second SIM.
The rear camera of the Xiaomi Mi 5C will be a 12 MP Omnivision 12870 while the selfie camera will have just 8 MP. Both will come with LED flashes, and a 4,500 mAh battery will power the handset.
Xiaomi Mi 5C: rumored price and availability
Since it is pretty much obvious that the entry-level device will launch in China first, price rumors are based in local currency. Speculation places the Xiaomi Mi 5C at a starting price of ¥1499, roughly $220.
Xiaomi will not attend the Mobile World Congress next month, but rumors suggest the company will officially announce the Mi 5C in March nonetheless, with availability in China and perhaps India coming very soon afterward.
Source: BGR