Xiaomi Mi 5 release date: 2 variants expected?
According to the latest speculations, Xiaomi is planning to launch its upcoming flagship to reach a broader market by coming out with two versions of the Mi 5 lineup.
GSM Arena said that this has been a practice by some China-based tech manufacturers, and Xiaomi will be doing it too with its premium flagship. According to the industry follower, a source claimed that the Mi 5 that is the subject of a leak currently floating online is only the base model of the lineup. Specs of the Xiaomi Mi 5 base model version include a 2.5D curved glass build on the front and back panels, with a metal chassis all around its body frame.
Meanwhile, there will also be a premium version of the device, featuring an all-metal unibody design. In addition, while both versions supposedly have the same 5.2-inch display, the base model will offer 1080p resolution, while its more premium counterpart will have a QHD screen.
Gadgets 360 by NDTV added that not only will the outside features of the two versions differ but also the internals. The industry observer said that the base model will have 32 GB of internal storage and 3 GB of RAM, while the premium version will offer 64 GB of internal storage and 4 GB of RAM.
The report added that while Xiaomi did not confirm any details on the rumors, the company did say that it is planning to unveil the new Mi 5 iteration early this year. According to co-founder and Xiaomi Senior VP Liwan Jiang, the new Xiaomi Mi 5 will launch right after the Spring Festival this year. This means that the new iteration might come out by late February or early March, with the 2016 Spring Festival slated to start on Feb 8.
