Xiaomi seems to be in a hurry to launch new smartphones every couple of weeks. Just when we thought we were getting over the busy eighth anniversary launch day where Xiaomi unveiled its Mi 8, Mi 8 Explorer Edition, Mi 8 SE and a few other products, in another event today in China, Xiaomi has unveiled the next iteration of its Redmi series devices, the Redmi 6 lineup, including the Redmi 6A.

The Redmi 6 comes with a MediaTek Helio P22 SoC under the hood which is an octa-core CPU with a 12nm manufacturing process and is clocked at 2GHz. There’s a 5.45-inch HD+ display which is an 18:9 panel and the battery is a 3000mAh unit, which is lower than its predecessor. The camera department is handled by 12+5MP dual camera setup to the back with a pixel size of 1.25 microns, of course with an AI integration like every other smartphone launched off late. Xiaomi is also making a big deal of its face unlock feature which now comes with support for raise to wake, meaning when you pick up the device from a table or your pocket, the screen automatically turns on and detects your face and unlocks your device.

Xiaomi Redmi 6 Price and Availability

There’s also AI integrated into the camera app for things like translations and for online shopping too, which is a part of the newly released MIUI 10. There are two variants of the Redmi 6 that will be sold, one with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, priced at 799 Yuan ($125/INR 8,500) and the top-end variant with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage will sell for 999 Yuan ($155/INR 10,500). There is no word about availability in India yet and as the Redmi 6 comes with a MediaTek SoC, chances of an India launch seems scarce. Maybe Xiaomi might launch a variant in India with a Snapdragon chipset, but that does not seem to happen anytime soon as the Redmi 5 was launched in India not too long ago.

The Redmi 5 was launched in China back in December 2017 and in India in March 2018. It looks like Xiaomi has settled for a 6-month launch cycle for the budget Redmi devices. By that logic, the Redmi 6 (with a Snapdragon chipset) should arrive in India sometime around September this year.

Xiaomi Redmi 6 Specifications

• 5.45-inch HD+ 18:9 display
• 2GHz MediaTek Helio P22 Octa-core chipset
• 3GB/4GB RAM
• 32GB/64GB ROM
• 12MP + 5MP Dual camera on rear, 1.25μm
• MIUI 10 based on Android 8.1
• 3000mAh battery