El tech giant Xiaomi has expanded its business beyond smartphones. It currently manufactures products for many sectors, almost all related to the world of technology, and under different sub-brands.
As expected, sooner or later this company would also launch its own eReader, and it has. So if you are interested in these products, you should know a few things before.
Alternatives to Xiaomi eReader
Because getting the Xiaomi eReader in Spain is practically impossible, we show you some alternatives to Xiaomi eReader, since it is a difficult product to find outside the Chinese market. Some of the best alternatives that we recommend are:
Amazon Kindle
The Kindle eReaders They can be a fantastic alternative to Xiaomi, since they have a competitive price and are among the favorites of most users, since they have the full potential of the Amazon Kindle library.
Kobo
The Kobo eReaders It is the other great alternative to the Kindle, also with an important library where you will find almost all the books you can imagine. In addition, they have a very good reputation and the latest technology.
Onyx boox
The Onyx company with its brand Boox It has also gained a great reputation among users for its quality and functionality. Therefore, as an alternative to the Xiaomi eReader, I would also recommend taking a look at these others:
PocketBook
Nor should we forget PocketBook, another of the outstanding eReaders that you can easily find. This can also be a perfect substitute for Xiaomi eReaders:
Xiaomi eReade models
The top models of Xiaomi eReaders are the following:
Reader me
The Xiaomi Mi Reader is a basic product. It is an electronic book reader with which the Chinese brand made its debut in this sector. It has a high definition HD screen and 212 ppi with 6 inches. In addition, it has light adjustment for reading with up to 24 possible levels. As for the hardware, it includes a powerful Allwinner SoC with 4 cores at 1.8 Ghz, 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, and an 1800mAh battery to work for several weeks.
This eReader has a weight of only 178 grams, and a thickness of 8.3 mm. A compact, two-color design that can be used to read wherever you need to. Furthermore, it comes equipped with Android operating system and supports common formats like TXT, ePub, PDF, DOC, PPT, etc.
My eBook Reader Pro
On the other hand, there is the Xiaomi Mi eBook Reader Pro. An improved version of the previous one that has a 7,8-inch e-Ink screen, a resolution of 1872 × 1404 pixels and 300 dpi. In addition, it also maintains the 24 levels of illumination, the same 1.8 Ghz quad-core Allwinner SoC, and also comes with Android and the same format support.
Instead, there are some notable improvements, in addition to the screen mentioned in the previous paragraph. For example, now the RAM memory has been doubled to 2 GB, the storage space is also doubled with 32 GB, and the battery is 3200 mAh, which gives a much higher autonomy. Of course, a USB-C connector for charging and data, and WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity (for wireless audio for audiobooks) are also included. As for the weight, it has gained a bit with 251 grams and a thickness of 7 mm.
Paper Book Pro II
Finally, another of Xiaomi's most recent eReader models is the so-called Paper Book Pro II. This device also maintains the same weight and thinness as the previous one, it includes the high-performance RK3566 chip and four cores, it uses 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage to store all the eBooks you need and more, in addition to also having a Li-Ion battery with 3200 mAh. Its screen is also large, but there are some differences with the previous one.
For example, it has been updated from Android 8.1 to Android 11, it also supports apps like Duokan and WeChat, so you will have a multitude of functions in the palm of your hand, going beyond a simple eReader. Of course, it also supports various library import methods, is compatible with Baidu cloud, has USB connector, and also Bluetooth.
Features of some Xiaomi eReaders
As for the featured features of Xiaomi eReaders, we have the following technologies that you should know about:
Electronic ink
La electronic ink, also known as eInk, is a technology patented by the company E Ink Corporation, which was founded in 1997 by MIT students and who first launched their screen in 2004. The idea was to create a screen with a more paper-like visual experience, and this was makes it ideal for eReaders, which is why many have ended up adopting this type of panel.
The positive of these screens that does not generate shine or discomfort that conventional screens can generate when you fix your gaze for long periods of time, such as when you are reading an ebook. For this to be the case, instead of using a panel with pixels represented by LEDs, what it uses is a black and white pigment made up of millions of tiny microcapsules. Those containing white particles are negatively charged, while those containing black particles are positively charged. All suspended in a transparent fluid. In this way, by controlling the electrical fields applied in each area of the panel, any image or text can be generated.
In addition, this technology has another advantage over conventional screens. And it is that it not only offers a more pleasant visual experience and similar to the paper of a real book, but also consume much less energy, which will prolong the battery of these eReaders over any tablet.
Bluetooth 5.0 and audiobook support
Xiaomi eReader models include the Bluetooth connectivity to connect wireless audio devices such as headphones. In this way, you can not only enjoy reading, you can also listen to audiobooks while doing other tasks, without the need to use your hands or be tied by a cable to the eReader.
WiFi
They also include in some cases WiFi connectivity, to allow you to connect to the network to download eBooks and audiobooks (or upload them to the cloud), as well as perform other functions, such as the famous Chinese app Wechat, which can be used for more than just instant messaging in China.
Android
Xiaomi has used the Android OS for these eReaders, just like you do with your mobile devices. In this way, it will not be a device as limited as in other cases, being able to support the use of some apps such as WeChat, or Duokan to be able to store books on the network. Of course, it will also include other apps to allow you to play the audiobooks and comfortably read the eBooks with a multitude of functions at your fingertips, such as turning the page, zooming, varying the light intensity, etc.
24-level LED backlight
Another of the most notable features of Xiaomi eReaders is their adjustable LED backlight. Thanks to it, you can choose up to 24 intensity levels to adapt to all types of scenarios, both darker and with more ambient lighting, such as when reading outdoors.
My opinion of the Xiaomi eReader, is it worth it?
The truth is that Xiaomi has very good devices and great prices, sometimes surprising even compared to large firms. However, while your eReaders aren't bad, they do I would recommend going directly to the alternatives. And that's because these products, like many other Xiaomi products, have only been launched for the Chinese market.
For this reason, it will be difficult for you to find here unless it is through platforms such as the Chinese Aliexpress. In addition, it will lack technical support in Spain, which is also a disadvantage. And some features like WeChat are only available for this Asian market as you may know.
Why is it so difficult to buy the Xiaomi eReader in Spain
Being a China market oriented product, the Xiaomi eReader cannot be easily found in Spain. In fact, you won't find it on online sales platforms and electronics stores. This not only means problems to buy it, but also possible problems with technical support, returns, etc., as well as configurations specially designed for the Chinese.
Also remember something else, and that is that AliExpress It is usually formal regarding the return of money, deliveries and others. But when it comes to third-party sellers selling through the Aliexpress platform, everything can be very different. So you have to be careful when you buy there and take a good look at who sells that product.
Xiaomi eReader vs. Kindle
If you are wondering whether to go for a Xiaomi eReader or a Kindle one, you should keep in mind some characteristics and considerations to help you choose:
- Technology: both have similar features, and everything will depend on the Kindle or Xiaomi model chosen, since there are simpler or more advanced ones in both cases.
- Quality: both have a good quality, so in this sense they would also be tied.
- Price: Xiaomi has a pretty good price, like the Kindle, so you will find models for similar values.
- Bookstore: In this, Kindle does win, since it has behind it Amazon and Audible with all the infinity of titles that this implies.
- Chinese version: while Kindle sells in many countries and is adapted to them, Xiaomi only has the Chinese version of its eReader.
- Technical service: Xiaomi does not have a technical service in Spanish for its eReader, since it is a product aimed at the Chinese market. Amazon does have technical support in Spanish for your Kindle.
Where to buy a Xiaomi eReader
Finally, you have to take into account where can you find the Xiaomi eReader, and that reduces to:
AliExpress
It is a Chinese online sales giant similar to Amazon. This platform has all kinds of products and at a good price. In addition, the payments are safe and the assistance in case of being a product sold by Aliexpress itself is good. However, there are also some third-party sellers that may not be as reputable. And that's not to mention that shipments will take longer in some cases to come from China and have to go through customs.