Check out images of the Xiaomi Mi 4 running Windows

posted by Alan F. / Mar 18, 2015, 8:04 PM

On Tuesday evening, we passed along information about a test of Windows 10 being conducted by Microsoft on the Xiaomi Mi 4. The software giant is thinking about offering custom ROMs for Android devices that would allow these phones to run Windows 10 with native Microsoft apps and Microsoft services. The Xiaomi Mi 4 is the first Android handset being "fitted" for Windows 10.

A series of pictures contained in a tweet, shows Windows running on Xiaomi's Android handset. The ultimate goal is to get Android users so impressed with Microsoft's mobile OS that they eventually purchase a Windows 10 powered phone.

Xiaomi was picked by Microsoft to be tested first because those using handsets made by the red hot manufacturer are quick to provide feedback on software updates. Want to see the Xiaomi Mi 4 running Windows? Simply click on the slideshow below.

Images of the Xiaomi Mi 4 running Windows

Thanks for the tip!

source: @Cinquetacche

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PhoneArena Rating:

8.8

Read Full Review

User Rating:

9.6

Based on 5 Reviews

Display 5.0" 1080 x 1920 pixels

Camera 13 MP / 8 MP front

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, Quad-core, 2500 MHz

Storage 64 GB

Battery 3080 mAh

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26 Comments

1. NotAGeek

Posts: 279; Member since: Jan 26, 2014

Look more like a launcher i think

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 8:14 PM 10

4. sgodsell

Posts: 7430; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

Considering there is a number of WP launchers already on the play store. However with that said I think this is mainly a publicity stunt more then anything on Microsoft's part. Especially since Microsoft's WP only supports certain Qualcomm CPU's ONLY. People have to remember there are many Android smart phones that are running with processors that are not using Qualcomm CPUs. Even Xiaomi majority of their handsets are running non Qualcomm processors. So unless Microsoft is willing to support more processors, then this will not really go anywhere.

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 8:23 PM 0

8. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

Then you need to research MORE. Win10 gathered more Qualcomm cpu support, intel support, amd support. And considering Win 10 is designed from the ground up to be on anything from IoT to servers, then adding non QUALCOMM support wouldn't be crazy.

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 8:38 PM 7

14. GeorgeDao123

Posts: 432; Member since: Aug 20, 2013

@sgodsell has no idea that Windows 10 is a unified Windows release for all devices including PC and phones.

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 10:57 PM 3

18. sgodsell

Posts: 7430; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

So why is adding non Qualcomm support crazy? What is wrong with Nvidia, Exynos, MediaTek, Rockchip, Allwinner, and many other CPUs? Not to mention all the other supported hardware that is on these mobile devices. Like modems or Bluetooth, WiFi radio hardware. There is a number of different chip sets other then Qualcomms (Broadcom, MediadTek, Huawei, and others). All kinds of sensors and other hardware? What about different GPUs other then Qualcomms Adreno GPUs? So in other words a cookie cut environment running with specifically supported hardware.

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 11:43 PM 0

24. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

All kinds of hardware that you simply cannot name other than SoC's. SoC's are nothing magnificent that they cannot support. MS likes to keep things in line and it is totally possible that they supported qualcomm only on the phone for handshake reasons. Just admit it, you have no clue what bluetooth wont work, or 'sensors', or modems. nVidia - check, Exynos - direct3d ready, MediaTek is has to make android drivers...ps go to their website and i can download windows drivers so making mobile drivers not that hard. Here is their linkhttp://www.mediatek.com/en/downloads/ allwinner? - sure some of their gpu's use SGX544MP2 that is direct3d ready. Their ARM's are again nothing special. Again - a few days and bam drivers.

posted on Mar 19, 2015, 6:59 AM 0

2. kaikuheadhunterz

Posts: 1157; Member since: Jul 18, 2013

"...those using handsets made by the red hot manufacturer are quick to provide feedback on software updates." They haven't seen XDA yet

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 8:14 PM 5

3. dimas

Posts: 3380; Member since: Jul 22, 2014

WP OS looks great on any android device except for the Ativ itself.

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 8:17 PM 0

5. sgodsell

Posts: 7430; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

WP currently only supports certain Qualcomm CPUs only. So unless Microsoft is going to support other OEMs CPUs, then I would expect this to go too far.

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 8:26 PM 1

9. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

Try again, this is win10 not win8, you keep spouting dribble over and over again. At least do enough to pull up the recent slides showing more cpu support like intel/amd. So non QUALCOMM support is not out of the question.

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 8:39 PM 4

21. SIGPRO

Posts: 2817; Member since: Oct 03, 2012

Dude why are You still living in a cave......Noob!

posted on Mar 19, 2015, 2:16 AM 0

7. NotAGeek

Posts: 279; Member since: Jan 26, 2014

Yep,the metro UI just doesn't fit with samsung's design language

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 8:34 PM 0

6. dancorcal

Posts: 39; Member since: Jan 23, 2013

Love windows UI...if they can just get the apps up to par I would buy.

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 8:30 PM 0

10. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

Did anyone miss the tiles are now grouped and slideable left to right?

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 8:40 PM 1

11. rsiders

Posts: 1970; Member since: Nov 17, 2011

This launcher looks better than the technical preview available for low end devices actually running Windows 10 preview. I would actually love if Windows Phone adopted this look.

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 8:54 PM 0

12. keekguy

Posts: 40; Member since: Aug 17, 2014

How are going to work the physical buttons on the MI4, there is no search button here, just home and back button

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 9:03 PM 0

15. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

on screen buttons, you can swipe up and down for them if they enable them. As well if no search, just pin Cortana to the start page.

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 11:23 PM 0

13. theguy2345

Posts: 1216; Member since: Jun 24, 2014

So it isn't true windows phone on android. That's a shame, for me at least.

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 9:23 PM 0

16. ravi5695

Posts: 75; Member since: Feb 11, 2011

I want it on my Mi3........ Can't wait..

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 11:35 PM 0

17. megathaszrul89

Posts: 203; Member since: Jan 08, 2015

Not sure, whether this is fake or genuine. Hmmm. But, this is interesting :)

posted on Mar 18, 2015, 11:42 PM 0

19. ravi5695

Posts: 75; Member since: Feb 11, 2011

check this out..http://en.miui.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=94202

posted on Mar 19, 2015, 12:08 AM 0

23. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

Interesting poll results as well

posted on Mar 19, 2015, 6:14 AM 0

20. kabhijeet.16

Posts: 892; Member since: Dec 05, 2012

"The ultimate goal is to get Android users so impressed with Microsoft's mobile OS that they eventually purchase a Windows 10 powered phone.". this will backfire. Coz companies would come up with dual boot devices but MS will not. And people would prefer those devices over MS devices.

posted on Mar 19, 2015, 1:56 AM 0

22. SaadN unregistered

This is what I want, ability to this on any arm device.

posted on Mar 19, 2015, 5:15 AM 0

25. 7thspaceman

Posts: 1597; Member since: Feb 14, 2011

THIS is real cool tech however Folks I still believe that all Microsoft has to do to sell more Windows smart phones right NOW is create an App that will enable Windows smart phones to access and use Android Apps. Folks full Windows 8 / 8.1 desktop computers, Laptops and Tablets can run Android apps using the "Blue Stacks" Program. Windows smart phones need their version of this App. Hmm maybe the Develpers of the Blue Stacks app will make a "Microsoft Univeral App version of their 'Blue stacks" App . if they do it should run on Windows 10 smart phones. this would close the Apps gap Microsoft windows smart phones have compared to Apple and Android smart phones.

posted on Mar 19, 2015, 9:58 AM 0

26. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

Yes but bluestacks is not on every pc, and most consumers dont want candycrush bluestack when it runs just fine in the browser. The biggest thing they are doing, is turning their 80million ecosystem, into a 1billion device ecosystem overnight, with tens of millions of connected tvs. This is gonna be their real ticket.

posted on Mar 19, 2015, 10:03 AM 0

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