Xiaomi’s first Android One phone, the Mi A1 was expected to receive Android 8.0 Oreo update by the end December, and the company did roll out the update to the device under the stipulated time. However, the kernel source for the upgrade was left covered with no access to it for third-party developers. This also violated the GNU General Public License, version 2 (GPLv2) and also hampered the advancement of developers who base their codes on source codes. Thankfully, after a delay of more than two months, Xiaomi has finally released the kernel source code of Android 8.1 for the Xiaomi Mi A1.
Mi A1 Oreo Kernel source: Where to find it
The Oreo kernel source code for the Mi A1 can be found at GitHub (branch “tissot-o-oss”). Previously, in January 2018 Xiaomi released Android 7.0 Nougat source code for the Mi A1. The Mi A1 owners who are Android enthusiasts and are used to flashing software on their device will find Oreo-based custom ROMs and mods in the kernel.
Xiaomi Mi A1 has been considerably late in releasing the kernel source code, as many developers may no longer have interest in developing custom ROMs for it. The demand for custom ROMs is at peak when the device is new, but as the phrase goes,”better late than never,” we hope developers show sufficient interest in developing exciting extensions for the Mi A1 users.
Mi A1: Specifications and Features
The Xiaomi Mi A1 features a 5.5-inch full-HD display with 1080×1920 pixels resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass protection. It is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset clubbed with 4GB of RAM and 64GB internal storage, which is further expandable up to 128GB through microSD card. The Mi A1 also features a fingerprint sensor that is placed on its rear panel. The phone also includes dual pyrolytic graphite sheet for radiating heat to decreases thermal performance up to 2-degrees Celsius.
On the imaging front, the Mi A1 sports 12MP+12MP dual-camera setup with 2x optical zoom and a wide-angle lens. The second lens in the dual setup is a telephoto lens with 1-micron pixel sensor and a f/2.6 aperture, which enables it to apply bokeh effect and other high-end effects. There is a 5MP selfie shooter on the front with real-time beautification mode.
Concerning software, the Mi A1 is the first Xiaomi phone to come with Android One. It was launched running Android 7.1.2 Nougat clubbed with Google services such as Google Photos, Google Assistant, and Google Play Protect for security. The phone was later updated to Android 8.0 Oreo. But even after being on Android completely, the Mi A1 does hold on to some Xiaomi features such as Mi Store apps, Mi Camera, and Mi Remote.
The Mi A1 supports connectivity options such as Hybrid Dual-SIM, 4G VoLTE, dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11ac, GPS/ A-GPS, an IR Blaster, USB Type-C port, and 3.5mm headphone jack. It is backed by a 3080mAh battery and includes audio enhancement features such as a 10V smart power amplifier and DHS Audio Calibration Algorithm.
Mi A1: Price in India, Sale
The Xiaomi Mi A1 debuted carrying a price tag of Rs. 13,999 on Flipkart and Mi.com. The phone was launched in a single variant with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. It is up for sale in Black and Gold colour variants. Xiaomi also launched one limited edition variants of the phone – Red colour variant, but it is now out of stock.
As of now, the Mi A1 has a “Sold Out” tag on both Flipkart and Mi.com. But it is expected to go on sale again. If you are interested in buying the Mi A1, then stay tuned with us for getting regular updates regarding its sale date and availability.
