Xiaomi Redmi 1S smartphone

Photo: Great HE via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Xiaomi

Xiaomi Redmi 1S

May 2014 7/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Xiaomi Redmi 1S, launched in May 2014, was a highly popular budget smartphone known for offering impressive specifications at an affordable price. It featured a 4.7-inch HD IPS display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, and an 8MP main camera, running on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with MIUI.
Display4.7" HD IPS with Dragontrail glass
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 400
Main Camera8 MP with 1080p video
Battery2000 mAh removable
Starting from $2,488

💰 Xiaomi Redmi 1S Price

The Xiaomi Redmi 1S lowest price is $2,488, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeIPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~64.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density)
ProtectionAGC Dragontrail glass

Platform

OSAndroid 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.4 (KitKat), MIUI 9.2
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8228 Snapdragon 400
CPUQuad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUAdreno 305

Memory

Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot), up to 64GB
Internal8GB 1GB RAM

Main Camera

Single8 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), AF
FeaturesLED flash, HDR
Video1080p@30fps

Selfie Camera

Single1.6 MP
Video720p

Battery

TypeRemovable Li-Po
Capacity2000 mAh

Body

Dimensions137 x 69 x 9.9 mm (5.39 x 2.72 x 0.39 in)
Weight158 g (5.57 oz)
SIMDual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by)
BuildPlastic body

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP, LE
PositioningGPS, GLONASS
RadioFM radio with RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.0, USB On-The-Go (OTG)

Launch

AnnouncedFebruary 2014 (CN), July 2014 (IN)
StatusReleased May 2014

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Excellent value for money at launch
  • Capable 8MP camera for its price segment
  • Good display quality with decent resolution
  • Solid build quality
  • Expandable storage via microSD
  • Removable battery

Cons

  • Limited internal storage (8GB)
  • Older Android version (Android 4.3 at launch)
  • No 4G LTE support on the primary model
  • Flash sale model made it difficult to purchase at launch
  • Only one SIM slot supported 3G speeds
★ Our Verdict

At its release, the Redmi 1S offered exceptional value and performance for its price, though its specifications are now outdated by modern standards.

The Xiaomi Redmi 1S is a vintage smartphone from 2014, making it largely obsolete for daily modern use. While it was a groundbreaking budget device in its time, current apps and operating systems will likely struggle on its hardware. It could be a collector's item, a device for basic feature phone-like tasks, or for those interested in retro tech and custom ROMs. Do not consider it for contemporary smartphone needs like demanding apps, high-speed internet, or robust security updates. If purchasing, ensure the battery is in good condition, as replacements for such an old model might be scarce.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Xiaomi Redmi 1S Handset
  • Battery
  • Charger
  • USB Cable
  • User Manual
  • Screen Protector (in some regions/promotions)

Typically, new Xiaomi smartphones come with a one-year manufacturer's warranty, though this device is no longer sold new.

❓ Questions & Answers

When was the Xiaomi Redmi 1S released?

The Xiaomi Redmi 1S was officially released in May 2014.

What operating system did the Xiaomi Redmi 1S run?

It originally ran on Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) with Xiaomi's MIUI v5 interface, and was upgradable to Android 4.4.4 (KitKat) and MIUI 9.2.

Does the Xiaomi Redmi 1S support expandable storage?

Yes, the Xiaomi Redmi 1S features a dedicated microSDXC card slot, allowing for storage expansion up to 64GB.

What are the main camera specifications of the Redmi 1S?

The main camera on the Redmi 1S is an 8-megapixel sensor with autofocus and an LED flash, capable of recording 1080p video at 30 frames per second.

Is the battery of the Xiaomi Redmi 1S removable?

Yes, the Xiaomi Redmi 1S comes with a removable 2000 mAh Li-Po battery.

Was the Xiaomi Redmi 1S a 4G phone?

The primary Xiaomi Redmi 1S model supported 3G (HSPA) networks. A specific 4G LTE variant was released later Mobile's network, which featured a different chipset and was single-SIM.