Xiaomi may replace the Redmi Pro line with a new X series

Xiaomi's Redmi line serves as a bang-for-your-buck alternative to their flagship Mi and Mi Note series. As a result, the Redmi line is, without a doubt, their most successful series in terms of sales, with devices like the Redmi Note 3 breaking sales records in India. Information over the past few months has pointed towards a Redmi Pro 2 powered by the Snapdragon 660, a device that has kept fans of the OEM at the edge of their seats, probably because of the promise of the processor. That looks to have changed.

New information from Chinese leak sources has touted the release of an entirely novel Xiaomi device, the X1. There's nothing wrong about that, of course, but the leakster also claims that the Redmi Pro 2 has been canceled and will be replaced by this new device. Also, leaked specifications of the X1 are similar to those of the Pro 2. 

This would be a weird move by Xiaomi, as the Redmi Pro line is supposed to serve as a bridge between the mid-range Redmi series and the high-end Mi line. There's also the issue of price. The original Redmi Pro retailed for about $200 but the new X1 looks to come with a base price tag of over $300, with the more powerful variant expected to sell for $400+. 

The question is: Who buys this, then? The Redmi line is aimed at the budget market but this would be right in the mid-range price segment. Fans of the original Redmi line aren't likely to exceed their budget comfort zones, Snapdragon 660 notwithstanding, and at the $400 mark, wouldn't buyers be better served getting devices from the flagship Mi line?

This, of course, assumes that the leaked prices have any substance. Quite unlikely, as it would be a bad move by the OEM.

The X1 is expected to come in two models, with the first featuring a 5.5" Pegasus display with a resolution of 2160x1080, which implies an 18:9 aspect ratio. It will also carry a regular rear fingerprint reader.

The second model will sport a standard 5.5" FHD display and a front-facing fingerprint reader.

Both are also expected to come in two variants 4/64GB and 6/128GB.

We'll be sure to keep you updated if anything new surfaces.