What is going on with the Xiaomi Mi A4?

Xiaomi all but single-handedly brought the Android One program to mainstream relevance with the launch of the Mi A1 back in 2017. Since then, the Chinese OEM has released three other Android One phones: The Mi A2, Mi A2 Lite, and the Mi A3. But where's the Mi A4?

So far, Xiaomi is yet to take over a year between the releases of its Android One phones. The Mi A1 was followed by the Mi A2 right about a year after, and the Mi A3 was released even less than a year after that. For some reason, however, it's now been almost a year since the release of the Mi A3. The Mi A3 went on sale in the third week of July last week, to be exact.

There are worrisome signs. For one, word of the Mi A3 first surfaced as far back as January 2019. Typically, traces of an upcoming Xiaomi Android One phone are discovered in app code way ahead of time. There's been no such news about the Mi A4. In fact, there's been nothing but radio silence about Xiaomi's plans for an Mi A4. Fans of the series may find that worrying, and rightfully so. 

The Mi A1 was based on the Mi 5X, and the Mi A2 was based on the Mi 6X. Xiaomi launched a new series of phones last year: the Mi CC9 series, and the Mi CC9e ended up being rebranded as the Mi A3. So far, there's been no concrete word of an Mi CC10. Popular tipster Digital Chat Station has also confirmed the absolute lack of word on a potential Mi CC10 being in the works.

All of this considered, there's a chance an Mi A4 doesn't come anytime soon. The pandemic may have affected Xiaomi's plans and pushed projects backward—that's a distinct possibility. While Xiaomi's Mi A-series isn't without its faults, it's one of the few options for those seeking affordable phones with solid hardware and stock Android from a reputable brand. We'd hate to see it go.