Last week, Xiaomi today launched a new series of smartphones with the Redmi Y1 being the first handset to launch under it. The Redmi Y1 is essentially a rebranded Redmi Prime 5A which Xiaomi is launching under a new name in the country to address the selfie-centric market.

With the Redmi Y1, Xiaomi is following a different strategy. The handset is primarily meant for offline markets and tier 2 and tier 3 cities. It has even hired Katrina Kaif as the brand ambassador for the phone for marketing purposes.

Q) What are the full specifications of the Redmi Y1?

A) The full specs of the Redmi Y1 are as follows:

• Dimensions: 153 x 76.2 x 7.77 mm
• Weight: 153g
• Display: 5.5-inch 720p IPS LCD, Reading mode, Night mode, 2.5D Gorilla Glass
• Chipset: Octa-core Snapdragon 435 chipset clocked at 1.4GHz
• GPU: Adreno 505
• RAM: 3/4GB
• Storage: 32/64GB, dedicated microSD card slot
• Rear camera: 13MP, f/2.2 aperture, LED flash, Full HD video recording
• Front camera: 16MP, f/2.0 aperture, Selfie-light
• Sensors: Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Proximity, Ambient light sensor, Infrared, Gyroscope
• Connectivity: LTE, Dual-SIM, GPS, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, microUSB
• Battery: 3080mAh non-removable
• Others: MIUI8.5, Android 7.1.1 Nougat, Upgradeable to MIUI 9

Q) Does the Redmi Y1 feature a metal construction?

A) Yes, the Redmi Y1 features a unibody aluminium build.

Q) Is the battery of the handset removable?

A) No, the rear panel and battery of the Redmi Y1 are not removable.

Q) What kind of SIM card slot does the phone have? Can I use two SIM cards and a microSD card at the same time?

A) The Redmi Y1 features a dedicated dual-SIM card slot. It is among the very few Xiaomi handsets launched in India with dedicated dual nanoSIM slots. It also features a dedicated microSD card slot.

Q) Does the Redmi Y1 support 4G SIM cards on both SIM slots?

A) Yes, the Redmi Y1 supports 4G SIM cards on both its SIM slots. However, you can only have one SIM connected to a 4G network at any given time.

Q) Does the Redmi Y1 come with an IR blaster?

A) Yes, the Redmi Y1 features an infrared blaster that you can use to control other electronic appliances around you using the Mi Remote app.

Q) Is the display on the Redmi Y1 protected by Gorilla Glass?

A) The 5.5-inch 720p IPS display on the Redmi Y1 is protected by Corning’s 2.5D Gorilla Glass.

Q) How many variants is Xiaomi selling of the Redmi Y1? And what are their prices?

A) Xiaomi has launched the Y1 in two different variants. The base variant comes with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage and is priced at Rs 8,999, while another variant comes with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage and costs Rs 10,999.

Q) Does the Redmi Y1 feature a fingerprint scanner?

A) Yes, the Redmi Y1 features a fingerprint scanner located at its rear.

Q) Can one record slow-motion videos on the Redmi Y1?

A) No, the Redmi Y1 is not capable of recording videos in slow-motion. It can, however, record videos in Full HD resolution at 30fps.

Q) Which version of Android does the handset run on?

A) Android 7.1.1 Nougat.

Q) Does the Redmi Y1 support LTE and VoLTe networks? Will a Reliance Jio SIM work on the phone?

A) Yes, it does support LTE and VoLTE out of the box. Unlike many other phones, the handset will also work with a Reliance Jio SIM out of the box. The Redmi Y1 also supports Band 5, which will be used by many Indian operators in the future.

Q) Does the Redmi Y1 support native video calling?

A) Yes, the Redmi Y1 has built-in support for native video calling. You will not have to use the Jio4GVoice app for video calling on Reliance Jio network.

Q) Is Quick charging supported on the Redmi Y1?

A) No, it does not. The handset does come bundled with a 2A charger though.

Q) How much free storage space does the Redmi Y1 has out of the box?

A) The 32GB variant has around 22GB of free storage space, while the 64GB variant comes with around 51GB of storage space.

Q) Can you uninstall or disable pre-installed apps on the handset?

A) Yes, you can uninstall or disable some pre-installed apps on the Redmi Y1, but not all.

Q) Are the capacitive keys on the Redmi Y1 backlit?

A) No, the capacitive keys on the Redmi Y1 are not backlit.

Q) What contents do you get inside the retail box of the Redmi Y1?

A) You get the phone, a 2A charger, a USB cable, SIM ejector tool, and some regulatory papers. No case, screen guard, or earphones are bundled with the phone.

Q) Does the handset support USB OTG?

A) Yes, the Redmi Y1 supports USB On-The-Go. This allows you to directly connect pen drives, external hard disks and more using an adapter to the device.

Q) When does the Redmi Y1 go on sale and where?

A) The Redmi Y1 goes on sale online exclusively on Amazon India and Mi.com from November 8. It will also be available in offline stores, Mi Home stores, Big Bazaar, and Mi authorised partners. You can buy the Redmi Y1 on Amazon from here.

Have any other questions about the Redmi Y1? Drop a comment and we will answer them for you.