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Xiaomi MI A1 5.5 Inch 4G Smartphone (4GB + 32GB Octa Core) USD $184.98 (AUD $239) Free Shipping @ Light in The Box

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This deal beats most of the previous deals on this phone. No coupon needed.

150pcs so better hurry.

A great phone with clean Android, powered by Google.

Snapdragon 625 processor
4GB RAM 32GB storage
Killer specs overall.
No B28, No NFC.


Increased Cashback

Get a further 5% cashback from CashRewards, if you are keen.


FAQ

Where do I enter the coupon code?

  • When you click "Proceed to Checkout" button, it'd say below the payment method "Have Coupon?"

It's showing me higher AUD price than mentioned in the title

  • Choose USD as your currency from top left hand corner. Don't select AUD, always choose to pay in USD, it will work out cheaper even after your credit card conversion fees. Also read the below.

How do I ensure I get the cheapest AUD price possible

  • To avoid higher currency conversion rates and to get cheapest price from these Chinese websites, you should get a credit card that charges zero currency conversion fees. 28Degrees, Bankwest Zero, Coles Mastercard are generally popular. Irrespective of what credit card you use, always choose to pay in USD on these Chinese websites, (Go back to main page, Choose "USD" from top left hand corner). Additionally set your Paypal so it "bills you in the currency on Seller's Invoice". To set your PayPal account this way permanently, follow the steps shown in these snapshots [Highly recommended]

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closed Comments

  • +1

    5 plus is better and (was?) cheaper, right?

    • +2

      Some people prefer the A1 android software. I personally think the A1 looks like an iPhone 5 with its massive bezels.

      • And that's a good thing?

        • +3

          Android One is definitely better. It's literally stock android without a manufacturer's bloatware all over it.

          https://www.android.com/one/

          I went for the redmi 5 plus, because I hate the look of the A1. I'm used to miui, and I just put all the stuff you can delete in a folder and never use it again.

    • The A1 software is better - no Mi mucking with it.

    • edit - derped.

  • Its debatable if the 5 plus is better but the 64 GB version is only $21 more…which is definitely better value IMO

    • -1

      if you want oxygen

      • oxygen? sure….. you dont?

    • +1

      5 plus with dodgy vendor ROM, no f&$king thanks.

      • +2

        Same seller here. Redmi 5 Plus is a better phone.

        • But not with the dodgy fake global seller ROM that bricks the Phone upon update. At least the A1 won't have that issue

        • +1

          other than battery and screen specs look the same….so how is it better?

        • @pointnlarf: Not using MIUI would be a good start.

        • @lostn: My comment refers to the MI A1 being better than the 5 plus (other than screen and battery)….Others said it was the other way around and I asked how?

        • +3

          @pointnlarf:

          I've changed my mind a bit:

          A1 is a bit faster:

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOIebVb_hk4

          A1 has better camera:

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvlVrNYWDjQ

          A1 has USB C

          I still like having a bigger screen, though :\

        • @tightwad: interesting viewing….yeah…that extra battery would be handy too. But the extra screen isnt as important for me…the screen ratio is much better on the 5 though….

        • +1

          @pointnlarf:

          Thinking of Nubia M2 now. Fast charging, great camera and video, USB C and excellent screen. Only downside is smaller screen and Android 6. Otherwise amazing!

        • @tightwad: Yeah I had the Axon 7 on hold at OW but decided it was ugly AF at the time…… Im regretting letting it go about now….

        • +1

          @pointnlarf:

          What some people are forgetting is that although the Redmi 5 plus has bigger battery, that comes at a hit with nearly

          1mm. thicker and 15gr. heavier. Because the screen is larger on the R5+ and better optimised software on the Mi A1 the

          difference in daily use battery life would not be a lot.

        • +1

          @ozhunter68: Cool and thanks….Ive heard this good news story re battery….so yes on balance Im still on team Mi A1… the question atm is shopmonk or LITB

        • +2

          @pointnlarf:

          I heard shopmonk deliver fairly quickly compared to LITB.

        • +1

          @ozhunter68: 4 days using DHL

        • +1

          If you're considering a 5 Plus, you might want to take a look at the Redmi Note 4 also. Slightly cheaper, better camera (but neither are awesome at these prices), LineageOS is available for it, etc. But it depends on what features you value… obviously.

          Comparison: https://www.kimovil.com/en/compare/xiaomi-mi-a1-32gb,xiaomi-…

        • +1

          @ozhunter68:

          Don't mind slightly thicker or heavier. The fact that it has a bigger screen, yet doesn't have a shorter battery life is great.

          Poor video, not so good camera, mini usb, slow charging are all negatives, which is why Nubia is attractive. Its only downside being Android 6 not 7, but it seems to have few downsides with the manufacturer's firmware adding some missing elements. Opinions?

        • @tightwad:

          Yep, all good points and it really depends on what features you prefer and value most. What model Nubia are you

          looking at? Personally I would not get a new phone running Android 6 without any more OTA factory updates.

        • @ozhunter68: M2. It seems to run very fast on android 6. It seems to be the only ~$200 smart phone that is almost flawless. Like most of its rivals it has no NFC or video image stabilising. Android 7+ isn't a must IMO as long as it runs fast. All other rivals are missing something significant (eg. fast charging) or have weaknesses (eg. poor low light photography) that will annoy you over time.)

        • @tightwad:

          Where can you get the M2 for $200?

        • +1

          @ozhunter68:

          I've seen it for about $215. Forget where. Sorry.

        • @tightwad:

          Hope that's AU$ and not US.

        • +1
        • @tightwad

          Geekbuying.

          Nice phone for the money, but sadly like most Chinese/Indian model phones no B28.

        • @ozhunter68:

          I'm on an Optus network, so I don't need B28 (right?)

          6" definitely sounds better than 5.5", though. Redmi 5 Plus I mean, LOL.

        • @tightwad:

          Telstra as well as Optus does use B28 in certain areas of the city to get more signal penetration deeper into buildings

          and mainly in regional/rural areas to get further reach. For some 5.5" is ample where others like 6+", each to their own LOL.

  • +1

    For $15 usd more u can get the 64gb version

  • +2

    150pcs so better hurry.

    Run forest! Run!

  • +1

    How to capture a screenshot on this phone?

    • +3

      Volume down + Power

  • -2

    Some say 4GB model supports Band 28.
    OP pls confirm

    • Some say? Who? I dont think so…

    • +1

      No it doesn't support B28.

  • Is there anyone has shipping problem with this store? long delivery, lost in transit?

    • +4

      Delivery times are relatively normal for an overseas seller. They do however ship via The Netherlands.

      But LITB has a reputation for its "dispatch hell". Promises of "ships in 24 hours" regularly turn into days and weeks before dispatch. It happens so often that any posting for LITB should probably come with a warning about it. Usually someone makes a comment like:

      Expect a long painful wait from LITB.

      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/361916#comment-5651769

      Phones are shipped with tracking, so even if it's lost in transit you have evidence for a claim.

      There's plenty of discussion on a previous listing of this phone which shows other buyers' experiences:

      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/357606#comment-5590291

      • +2

        Yep, I had loads of trouble with the last 5 plus order, ended up cancelling.

        However I decided to have another go, and the phone was marked as shipped within 3 hours and I have a tracking number for it already.

  • +1

    Re zero currency conversion fees… Be aware that Coles mastercard no annual fee version DOES charge conversion fees as I found out.

  • +1

    xiaomi loves their SD625s.

    Do they make a midrange phone with 800 series?

    • No, only their "mi" series runs the 800.

  • Im in the market for a new phone but havnt kept up with whats what over the past year or so. Can someone tell me what equivalent Samsung device the specs on this guy would be closest to? Galaxay S7, 8, 9, Note 6, 7, 8 etc. Cheers!

    • +1

      Bit hard to make that direct comparison, very different segments (budget vs flagship specs, and cheap versus expensive).

      If you just want to base it off the CPU, this has a SD625 processor (a current mid-range CPU), and the general impression is that CPU is better than a SD810 but worse than a SD820 (both old flagship CPUs), but to complicate matters further Samsung uses their Exynos processors usually in the recent galaxy S phones. It would probably roughly fit somewhere between a Galaxy S6 and a Galaxy S7.

      The typical weakness of the budget phones is the camera, especially in low light. Whereas flaghips (e.g. the Galaxy phones) are likely to be better at this.

      But then you have software updates. This phone is still supported for a while yet, whereas those Galaxy phones are getting a bit old and then you're at the whim of the manufacturer for how long they want to keep supporting it.

    • +1

      I would prefer this phone any day over a Samsung only because it runs a clean Android and gets regular updates. I just cannot stand Samsung bloatware (Bixby), I wish this phone came with NFC.

  • +6

    Given Android/Apple Pay are prominent in AU (and other parts of the world?), i struggle to understand why at over $200 AUD, they wouldn't shove NFC in… there are transactions happening outside WeChatPay and AliPay you know:).

    • +1

      Because we are a pimple on an elephants arse compared to the chinese market, which is where 95% of these ph9nes are destined for.

      • And Indian/ Asian markets.

  • 64gb model for $254.60 (with PICK5) from Melbourne seller (apparently) so shipped within 5-10 working days

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/253246813952

    • Always check the sellers profile. Location is actually Singapore.

    • $245@ Shopmonk with DHL delivery

      • +1

        Wouldn't trust Shopmonk! I had a very bad experience dealing with them when a phone became faulty just after a few weeks of usage.

        • Yeah actually I'm not doing sure about them either anymore.

          They bummed me around on an advertised price on their email on the Note 4X which never got reflected on their website. I tried ordering from the time their email was sent the next three hours without success. Then I sent them the email.

          Rather than answer my query, they chose to ignore my request for response and upon insisting decided to beat around due bush with genetic responses about price fluctuations rather than addressing my query. The whole thing was rather condescending and disrespectful.

          I was their supporter but from now on I shall cease advocacy and promotion of them.

          Yes avoid them please.

  • +1

    64GB for $244.49 from shopmonk….anyone from LITB wwant to compete?

  • How slow/fast is lightinthebox shipment?

  • +2

    Just some feedback on Mi software.
    My main phone is an expensive Samsung Galaxy Note however last November I purchased a backup phone, a Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X (5.5" display 32gb).

    It is running MI-8 user interface and after working out how to use it to my advantage, I must say I quite like it. There are some aspects I wish Samsung would use, like the changeable themes, where I can have reverse text, say white text on black background, which is so much easier to read. I find it simple and easy to use. All my favorite android apps work fine, sure the camera is not as good but every other function is fine. It was a black friday special from Gearbest for aud$168 delivered (arrived within 10 days) and to me, it is a bargain backup phone.

    • +3

      this one is using stock android

      • Which is not that user friendly like MIUI.
        Back to my nexus 5 time, stock android was terrible.

        • +2

          I put Nova Launcher on any new phone I get so they all end up looking much the same.

          There are dozens of other good launchers in the Play Store; even some that will make your phone look like it's running MIUI, stock, Apple, etc.

          Differences then come down things like bundled apps (bloatware?), and the status bar, notifications, settings, etc. There are better third-party apps for most bundled apps. And fortunately you can disable most bloatware and any bundled apps you'll never use (but you can't free up the memory they take up in the ROM.)

          Skins generally don't mess with the status bar or notifications too much compared to the launcher.

          Settings can be where some difference is, but after setting up their phone, most users don't spend much time in the settings.

          So IMHO it's really not a big issue what your phone runs… or it shouldn't be :)

        • android one is good for keeping up to date… I guess you can go cray from there with personalisation….

  • +1

    I have this phone and it is quite good.

    No major issues, though night time photos are very bad.

    • Install the Google camera app and night pictures (and day) improve dramatically. Install only takes a couple of minutes but you need to activate a couple of settings to get it to work.

      • The HDR mod or just the stock app from Google Play?

  • +2

    I bought one of these in the last deal from Lightinthebox.
    Great phone but OMG, slowest delivery ever.

    5 weeks of waiting before it was actually posted.

    If you buy this, just know that you need to be prepared to wait.

    • Yeah, I decided to go with Shopmonk. Havent received it yet, but DHL says it is arriving monday, which will basically be a ten day turnaround time.

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