Xiaomi is reportedly working on a new series called 'Xiaomi R,' which in its homeland will be aimed at competing Oppo R lineup and Vivo Y lineup. Recently, a render of mysterious Xiaomi smartphone with an 18:9 display was leaked on the web, which we assumed it as the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5. However, that render is now said to belong to a device in Xiaomi R series, and it's allegedly called as Xiaomi R1.
The Xiaomi R1 could be the company's first budget smartphone to sport an 18:9 display, after the Mi Mix 2. The Xiaomi R series will be different from Xiaomi Redmi Note series and will cater to a different audience. Now, a couple of live images of the R1 have surfaced online, suggesting the same 18:9 display.
The phone in these images is wrapped in a black case, but we can clearly see the tall 18:9 display on the front. At the bottom, we have the micro USB port (still no USB Type-C), which is flanked by two speaker grilles. At the top of the phone, the 3.5mm headphone lies as you can see the person is hearing the audio with a pair of headphones itself. The back of the phone might house the fingerprint scanner.
Specifications about the Xiaomi R1 are scarce at the moment, but what we know is the price of the smartphone. The Xiaomi R1 is said to arrive with a price tag of 1499 Yuan (approx. Rs 14,700). That said, the Xiaomi R1 might not make it to the Indian market, and of course, the R lineup might stay as an exclusive to the Chinese market itself.
Xiaomi is already claimed to be working on three smartphones with 18:9 display and they are Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, Xiaomi Redmi 5, and Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus. Having said that, the Xiaomi R1 might go official anytime soon, and a report even hinted at early December launch. The Xiaomi R1 could be launched before the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, which is slated for early 2018 launch or to be precise, in mid-January.
