Overview

The Xiaomi Redmi stands as the inaugural model of the Redmi smartphone series, marking a strategic expansion for Xiaomi Inc. into the mid-range mobile market. Developed by the Chinese technology firm, this device was first introduced to consumers in China in July 2013, establishing a new product line that would later become one of the company's most significant revenue drivers. Following its domestic debut, the device saw a global release in August 2013, allowing international markets to access Xiaomi's hardware and software integration strategies at a competitive price point. As the first product of the Redmi series, the original Redmi set the foundational specifications and design language for subsequent iterations, defining the brand's identity as a provider of high-value smartphones.

The hardware configuration of the original Xiaomi Redmi was engineered to balance performance and cost efficiency. The device featured a 4.7-inch display with a 720x1080 resolution, utilizing IPS panel technology to deliver clear visuals and wide viewing angles. At the core of the device was a MediaTek MT6589T Quad-core processor, clocked at 1.5 GHz, which relied on ARM Cortex-A7 architecture to handle daily computing tasks and multimedia consumption. This chipset selection reflected Xiaomi's focus on delivering adequate processing power for the target demographic while maintaining thermal and power efficiency.

On the software side, the Xiaomi Redmi originally launched with Android 4.2.2 Jellybean, overlaid with Xiaomi's proprietary MIUI v5 user interface. This combination provided users with a customized experience that included features such as dual SIM support, a notification center, and a suite of pre-installed applications. The device's software ecosystem was designed to be upgradable, with the operating system capable of being updated to Android 4.4.2 Kitkat. Additionally, the MIUI interface received significant updates, with the device eventually supporting MIUI 9, demonstrating Xiaomi's commitment to long-term software maintenance for the entry-level segment. The operational status of the original Xiaomi Redmi is now decommissioned, having served its lifecycle as the pioneer of the Redmi brand.

What are the hardware specifications of the original Redmi?

The original Xiaomi Redmi, launched in 2013, was designed as a budget-focused device with specific hardware constraints. The device measures 5.39 inches in height, 2.72 inches in width, and 0.39 inches in thickness, weighing 158 g. These dimensions were typical for mid-range smartphones of the era, prioritizing compactness over screen real estate.

Display and Processor

The Redmi features a 4.7-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 312 pixels per inch. This display technology provided adequate color reproduction for its price point. The device is powered by a MediaTek MT6589T processor, which utilizes a 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7 quad-core architecture. Graphics are handled by a PowerVR SGX544MP GPU. This combination of CPU and GPU was selected to balance performance and power efficiency for Android 4.2.2 Jellybean, the original operating system.

Memory and Storage

Internal memory consists of 1 GB of RAM and 4 GB of internal storage. To mitigate the limited internal storage, the device supports expansion via a microSD card slot, allowing for up to 64 GB of additional storage. This configuration was sufficient for basic applications and media storage at the time of release.

Camera and Battery

The rear camera is an 8-megapixel sensor, while the front-facing camera is a 1.3-megapixel unit. These specifications were standard for budget smartphones in 2013. The device is equipped with a battery capacity of 2000 mAh (or 2050 mAh in some variants). The standard charger provides a current of 1000 mA.

Component Specification
Dimensions 5.39 in x 2.72 in x 0.39 in
Weight 158 g
Display 4.7-inch IPS LCD, 1280 x 720 pixels, 312 PPI
Processor MediaTek MT6589T, 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7 quad-core
GPU PowerVR SGX544MP
RAM 1 GB
Internal Storage 4 GB
Storage Expansion 64 GB microSD
Rear Camera 8-megapixel
Front Camera 1.3-megapixel
Battery 2000/2050 mAh
Charger 1000 mA

Software and user interface

The Xiaomi Redmi launched with Android 4.2.2 Jellybean as its foundational operating system, paired with Xiaomi’s proprietary MIUI v5 user interface. This software configuration was integral to the device’s market positioning, offering a customized experience that diverged from stock Android while maintaining compatibility with the growing ecosystem of applications available on the Google Play Store. The MIUI v5 interface introduced several visual and functional enhancements, including a refined icon set, updated notification management, and a more streamlined settings menu, which collectively aimed to improve user interaction on the device’s 4.7-inch display. The integration of Android 4.2.2 provided support for features such as Google Now, enhanced multi-window capabilities, and improved battery life management, which were critical for a smartphone powered by a MediaTek MT6589T Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7 processor. This combination of hardware and software was designed to deliver a balanced performance profile, targeting users who sought a cost-effective entry point into the Android ecosystem without sacrificing essential functionalities.

Software Upgrades and Longevity

The software lifecycle of the Xiaomi Redmi included significant updates, most notably the upgrade path to Android 4.4.2 Kitkat coupled with the MIUI 9 user interface. This upgrade represented a substantial evolution in the device’s software capabilities, introducing performance optimizations and new features that extended the phone’s relevance in a rapidly changing market. Android 4.4.2 Kitkat brought improvements in memory management, which was particularly beneficial for devices with limited RAM, and enhanced security features that helped protect user data. The transition to MIUI 9 further refined the user experience, offering a more modern aesthetic and additional customization options that allowed users to tailor the interface to their preferences. This upgrade path demonstrated Xiaomi’s commitment to supporting its early devices through software updates, ensuring that users could benefit from the latest advancements in both the Android operating system and Xiaomi’s own software innovations. The ability to upgrade from Android 4.2.2 to 4.4.2 highlighted the flexibility of the software architecture, allowing the Redmi to remain competitive despite the introduction of newer models in the series.

The software updates also addressed various bugs and performance issues that had been identified in the initial release, contributing to a more stable and responsive user experience. The integration of MIUI 9 with Android 4.4.2 Kitkat provided a cohesive software environment that leveraged the strengths of both platforms, offering users a seamless interaction with the device’s hardware components. This approach to software management was characteristic of Xiaomi’s strategy during this period, emphasizing the importance of software in enhancing the overall value proposition of its smartphones. The availability of these updates ensured that the Xiaomi Redmi remained a viable option for users who prioritized software features and customization options in addition to hardware specifications.

Supply chain and component providers

The Redmi smartphone's hardware architecture relied on a diverse supply chain of component providers to deliver its specifications. The core processing and connectivity functions were handled by MediaTek. According to the, the device was equipped with a MediaTek MT6589T Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7 processor. MediaTek also supplied the modem, power management IC (PMIC), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and general connectivity components for the device. Memory and storage components were sourced from major semiconductor manufacturers Samsung and Micron. These providers supplied the RAM and storage solutions integrated into the handset. The visual interface of the device was managed by a combination of display and touch technologies. The specifies that the Redmi featured a 4.7-inch 720x1080 IPS screen. The display panel components were provided by Sharp and AUO. The touch functionality for the screen was supplied by Focaltech. Imaging capabilities were supported by a mix of sensor and processing components. The camera system utilized components from Samsung, OmniVision, and Atmel. These providers contributed to the camera module's performance on the device. Power delivery was managed by a battery supplied by Coslight. This component provided the energy storage necessary for the device's operation. The integration of these components allowed Xiaomi Inc. to launch the first product of the Redmi series in July 2013 in China and August 2013 globally. The device originally ran Android 4.2.2 Jellybean with the MIUI v5 user interface, with upgrade paths to Android 4.4.2 Kitkat and MIUI 9.

Component Summary

Why it matters

The Xiaomi Redmi established a new benchmark for value in the global smartphone market, fundamentally altering consumer expectations regarding price-to-performance ratios. Released in July 2013 in China and August 2013 globally, this device was the inaugural product of the Redmi series, a line that would come to define Xiaomi’s market penetration strategy. By combining a 4.7-inch 720x1080 IPS screen and a MediaTek MT6589T Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7 processor at a fraction of the cost of competitors, Xiaomi demonstrated that high-specification hardware did not require premium pricing. This approach resonated strongly with consumers, creating immense demand and establishing the Redmi brand as a dominant force in the mid-range and budget segments.

Online-First Distribution Strategy

A critical component of the Redmi’s success was Xiaomi’s innovative distribution model, which relied heavily on online sales to minimize capital input. Instead of maintaining an extensive network of physical retail stores, which entails significant overhead costs including rent, staff, and inventory management, Xiaomi leveraged e-commerce platforms to reach customers directly. This strategy allowed the company to keep operational costs low, enabling the aggressive pricing that characterized the Redmi. The online-first approach also facilitated direct engagement with consumers, allowing Xiaomi to gather feedback and iterate on software updates, such as the upgrade from Android 4.2.2 Jellybean with MIUI v5 to Android 4.4.2 Kitkat with MIUI 9. This model not only reduced the break-even point for each device but also created a sense of exclusivity and urgency through flash sales, further driving demand.

Impact on the Smartphone Industry

The launch of the Redmi forced competitors to re-evaluate their product lines and pricing strategies. Prior to 2013, the smartphone market was largely divided into premium flagship devices and lower-specification budget phones. The Redmi blurred these lines, offering flagship-level features at budget prices, thereby compressing profit margins across the industry. This shift compelled other manufacturers to introduce their own value-focused sub-brands and to optimize supply chains to compete on price without sacrificing quality. The Redmi’s success also highlighted the growing importance of software optimization and user interface design, as evidenced by the MIUI’s role in enhancing the user experience on the MediaTek hardware. By prioritizing efficiency and direct-to-consumer sales, Xiaomi demonstrated that a new entrant could disrupt established giants through strategic innovation rather than sheer scale.

Successor and legacy

The original Xiaomi Redmi, launched in mid-2013, established the foundational specifications for Xiaomi’s budget-oriented smartphone line. However, the device was quickly succeeded by an upgraded variant designed to address early market feedback and component availability. The Redmi 1S emerged as the direct successor, announced in May 2014 (Xiaomi Inc.). This iteration retained the core design language and display characteristics of the original model but introduced significant internal hardware improvements that defined the early legacy of the Redmi series.

Technical Evolution

The transition from the original Redmi to the Redmi 1S marked a strategic shift in processor selection. While the initial 2013 model relied on a MediaTek MT6589T Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7 processor, the 2014 successor moved to a more powerful chipset to enhance performance per dollar (Xiaomi Inc.). This upgrade was critical in maintaining the competitive edge of the Redmi brand in the Chinese and global markets. The device continued to feature the 4.7-inch 720x1080 IPS screen that had become a hallmark of the series, ensuring visual consistency for consumers upgrading from the first generation.

Software and Longevity

Software support played a crucial role in the legacy of these early devices. The original Redmi launched with Android 4.2.2 Jellybean and MIUI v5, but the platform was designed for extensibility. The series demonstrated notable longevity, with upgrade paths extending to Android 4.4.2 Kitkat paired with the MIUI 9 user interface (Xiaomi Inc.). This ability to run newer software versions on aging hardware contributed to the enduring popularity of the Redmi line among cost-conscious consumers. The decommissioned status of the original 2013 unit highlights the rapid iteration cycle typical of the smartphone industry, where models are quickly superseded by refined versions like the 1S.

Market Impact

The success of the original Redmi and its immediate successor, the Redmi 1S, cemented Xiaomi Inc.’s position as a major player in the global smartphone market. By offering high specifications such as the 1080p display and quad-core processing at a budget price point, Xiaomi disrupted traditional pricing structures. The Redmi series, starting with this 2013 debut, became a primary driver of volume sales for the company. The legacy of these early models is evident in the continued dominance of the Redmi brand in emerging markets, where the balance of performance and cost established in 2013 and 2014 remains a key competitive factor.

How does the Redmi compare to other early 2013 smartphones?

The Xiaomi Redmi, released in July 2013 in China and August 2013 globally, entered a market where the 4.7-inch form factor was becoming a strategic compromise between compactness and screen real estate. Its 720x1080 IPS display provided a pixel density that was competitive for the mid-range segment, offering a sharper image than many contemporaries that relied on lower-resolution TN panels or larger, less dense screens. This screen size and resolution combination was a deliberate choice to balance battery life and user interface clarity, a key concern for early Android devices running MIUI v5.

The device was powered by a MediaTek MT6589T Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7 processor, a chip that represented a significant value proposition in the 2013 smartphone landscape. While flagship devices from competitors like Samsung and Apple were beginning to transition to more powerful dual-core or quad-core Cortex-A15 or custom silicon, the MT6589T offered sufficient performance for everyday tasks at a lower cost. The Cortex-A7 architecture was known for its energy efficiency, which aligned with the Redmi's positioning as an affordable, high-value smartphone. This processor choice allowed Xiaomi to maintain a competitive price point while delivering a smooth user experience, particularly when paired with the lightweight MIUI interface.

In terms of software, the Redmi launched with Android 4.2.2 Jellybean, which was the latest stable version of the operating system at the time of its release. The device was upgradeable to Android 4.4.2 Kitkat with the MIUI 9 user interface, a longevity feature that was not always guaranteed for budget smartphones. This upgrade path demonstrated Xiaomi's commitment to software support, which was a differentiator against other budget brands that often left their devices on older Android versions. The ability to run a newer version of Android on the MT6589T processor highlighted the efficiency of the MIUI optimization, allowing the hardware to remain relevant for a longer period.

See also