Xiaomi Redmi 4A release date, specs: Xiaomi offers surprise step-down Redmi 4 variant

A promotional image for the Xiaomi Redmi 4Xiaomi MiUI

Xiaomi has just made official the newest Redmi 4, successor to the Redmi 3 lineup. Meanwhile, the new series has been expanded. Aside from the top-tier Pro version, the new lineup also has a step-down variant, the Redmi 4A.

In the post on the official MiUI forums, Xiaomi has outlined that the new Redmi 4A shares most of the features and design of the base version Redmi 4. However, as a step-down variant, the Redmi 4A understandably features some cut-down hardware and components. One of the noted differences is that the Redmi 4A may well the "base model version," as it features a Snapdragon 425 processor, compared with the higher-tiered Snapdragon 430 on the standard Redmi 4 variant. Meanwhile, although it shares the same 2 GB RAM capacity, the Redmi 4A has a lower storage option (at 16 GB) than the Redmi 4, which has 32 GB of native storage. It is confirmed, though, that the 16 GB storage on the step-down version can still be expanded up tp 128 GB via microSD card support.

The Redmi 4A's battery is also a cut-down version of the lineup, as it only houses 3,120 mAh battery compared to the 4,100-mAh one on both the Redmi 4 standard and Pro editions.

However, the Redmi 4A do share some similar specs and features with the base version. The same 5.0-inch display is featured, along with only 720p resolution on the Redmi 4. The Redmi 4 Pro, on the other hand, has a full HD display.

There is also the same 13 MP main camera on all the lineup iterations. However, it is expected that as a "Lite" version, the Redmi 4A will not have the same features like PDAF on the Redmi 4 and the Redmi 4 Pro.

Reportedly, the new lineup will be released on Nov. 11, with the Redmi 4A priced at around $74, while the Redmi 4 and Redmi 4 Pro will have price tags of $103 and $133, respectively.