Xiaomi Redmi 2 Pro stops by the FCC, could be the first Xiaomi phone to launch in the US
A currently unofficial smartphone called the Xiaomi Redmi 2 Pro has recently received its certifications from the FCC, being the first Xiaomi smartphone to get the go-ahead from the US wireless regulator.
Although not all of the devices that are cleared by the FCC end up being commercialized in the US, there are signs to indicate that the Redmi 2 Pro will be the first smartphone that Xiaomi launches in the country.
According to the official FCC documents, the Xiaomi Redmi 2 Pro will feature entry-level hardware specs such as a 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 720 by 1280 pixels, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal memory, and a 2200mAh battery. Looking at the specs, the Redmi Note 2 Pro appears to be a modified version of the Xiaomi Redmi 2 Prime, a smartphone that's currently priced at roughly the equivalent of $110 in China.
Over the past couple of years, Xiaomi's brand became synonymous with low-cost smartphones. Although a relatively young smartphone manufacturer - the company launched its first smartphone in August 2011 - Xiaomi was quick to rise to insane popularity in Asian markets.
In China, Xiaomi is now the second-largest smartphone maker, having been recently dethroned by Huawei. In India, an emerging market with a similar focus on cost-effective devices where Xiaomi launched its first phone in July 2014, the company was able to sell three million smartphones in little over a year.
In the past few months, we've often heard - either from company officials or unofficial reports - that Xiaomi is eyeballing the US smartphone market. In fact, it was only a few days ago that Xiaomi's president was quoted by the Wall Street Journal stating that the company is looking to start selling phones in the US. Back in June, Xiaomi's Hugo Barra said that Xiaomi smartphones are coming to the country, but that the company has yet to overcome some hurdles before it can make that happen.
As unlocked smartphones - Xiaomi's speciality - have started to gain traction in the United States, this would be the perfect time for Xiaomi to set up shop in the country. The company already has an online presence in the country, but its implication is currently limited to accessories such as power banks or the affordable Mi Band.
As far bands are concerned, the FCC documents list the phone as compatible with GSM bands 850 and 1900, as well as LTE bands 2, 4, and 7. In theory, the Xiaomi Redmi 2 Pro should be compatible with both T-Mobile and AT&T.
Over the past couple of years, Xiaomi's brand became synonymous with low-cost smartphones. Although a relatively young smartphone manufacturer - the company launched its first smartphone in August 2011 - Xiaomi was quick to rise to insane popularity in Asian markets.
In China, Xiaomi is now the second-largest smartphone maker, having been recently dethroned by Huawei. In India, an emerging market with a similar focus on cost-effective devices where Xiaomi launched its first phone in July 2014, the company was able to sell three million smartphones in little over a year.
In the past few months, we've often heard - either from company officials or unofficial reports - that Xiaomi is eyeballing the US smartphone market. In fact, it was only a few days ago that Xiaomi's president was quoted by the Wall Street Journal stating that the company is looking to start selling phones in the US. Back in June, Xiaomi's Hugo Barra said that Xiaomi smartphones are coming to the country, but that the company has yet to overcome some hurdles before it can make that happen.
source: FCC via Liliputing
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