Xiaomi Redmi 1S Comprehensive Review of Specs Prices & More

Introduction to Xiaomi Redmi 1S

The Xiaomi Redmi 1S, released in May 2014, marked a significant step in Xiaomi's journey to deliver smartphones with exceptional value for money. The device, which has since been discontinued, was praised for its solid performance and affordability, making it a favorite among budget-conscious consumers. Despite being an entry-level device, the Redmi 1S came packed with a host of features that were quite impressive for its time. Let's delve into the various aspects of this popular device, from its design and build to its hardware and software capabilities.

Design and Build

The Xiaomi Redmi 1S features a design that is both functional and durable. Its dimensions are 137 x 69 x 9.9 mm, and it weighs around 158g, making it a compact phone that is easy to hold and use with one hand. The phone sports a glass front made of Asahi Dragontrail Glass, known for its resistance to scratches and damage. The back and frame are made of plastic, contributing to the device's lightweight and robust nature. The phone was available in several colors, including Black, Chinese Red, and Metallic Gray, with additional interchangeable colored panels like blue, green, and yellow, allowing users to personalize their devices.

Display

The Redmi 1S sports a 4.7-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 312 ppi, providing clear and sharp visuals. The screen-to-body ratio is about 64.4%, offering adequate screen real estate for browsing and multimedia consumption. The display quality is decent, with good color reproduction and viewing angles, making it suitable for everyday tasks and media viewing.

Performance and Hardware

The Xiaomi Redmi 1S is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8228 Snapdragon 400 chipset, featuring a quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU. This setup was quite powerful for a budget smartphone at the time, allowing the device to handle day-to-day tasks with relative ease. The graphics are handled by the Adreno 305 GPU, which provides enough power for casual gaming and media playback.

The device comes with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. While the RAM may seem limited by today's standards, it was sufficient for running apps and multitasking on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, which could be upgraded to Android 4.4.4 KitKat and MIUI 9.2. Additionally, the inclusion of a microSDXC card slot allowed users to expand the storage capacity, which is a valuable feature given the limited built-in memory.

Camera

Xiaomi equipped the Redmi 1S with an 8 MP rear camera with an aperture of f/2.2. The camera performance was competitive at the time, offering features like autofocus, LED flash, and HDR. It could record videos in 1080p at 30fps, delivering decent video quality for various shooting scenarios. The camera was appreciated for producing good photos in well-lit conditions with satisfactory color reproduction and detail.

The front-facing camera on the Redmi 1S is a 1.6 MP shooter, which was mainly suitable for video calls and basic selfies. It also supported video recording at 720p, which was standard for secondary cameras in the phone's category during its release.

Battery Life

The phone comes with a 2000 mAh Li-Ion removable battery. While the capacity may appear modest today, it was adequately optimized to provide a reasonable battery life for the device's hardware. The endurance rating for the battery was noted to be 51 hours, which means users could expect the phone to last a couple of days with moderate usage. The removable nature of the battery was an added advantage, allowing users to replace it easily if needed.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Redmi 1S offered a range of connectivity options typical of smartphones released during that period. It supported GSM and HSPA network technologies, accommodating both 2G and 3G bands. Wi-Fi capabilities included support for Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, and hotspot functions, making it quite versatile for wireless connectivity. Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with GLONASS, and FM radio were also onboard. However, the phone did not support NFC.

For audio, the Redmi 1S provided a 3.5mm headphone jack, along with a loudspeaker. Audio quality was generally good, with adequate noise suppression and crosstalk levels.

In terms of sensors, the phone included an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass, which facilitated various applications and functionalities.

Software and User Experience

Out of the box, the Xiaomi Redmi 1S ran on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, which users could upgrade to Android 4.4.4 KitKat. The device featured MIUI 9.2, a custom user interface developed by Xiaomi, which brought a host of additional features and customization options. MIUI was known for its rich user experience, introducing features like comprehensive theming, enhanced security options, and a robust ecosystem of apps.

Users enjoyed a smooth and fluid experience with MIUI, as it was specifically designed to operate efficiently on the available hardware. The interface offered comprehensive customization, from icon arrangements to notification handling, allowing users to tailor their phone according to their preferences.

Conclusion

The Xiaomi Redmi 1S played a crucial role in establishing Xiaomi's reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality yet affordable smartphones. With its balanced specifications, impressive build quality, and user-friendly software, it offered great value. Even though the Redmi 1S has been discontinued, its legacy persists in the models that followed. For those who used it, the Redmi 1S was a reliable phone that delivered a solid experience at a fraction of the cost of high-end smartphones at the time.