Redmi 1S to Buy: Price, Specs & Is It Still Worth It

Few phones from the early 2010s still spark conversation the way the Xiaomi Redmi 1S does. Launched in India at ₹5,999 in 2014, it became a phenomenon for budget buyers who wanted decent performance without breaking the bank.

Original launch price: ₹5,999 (approx $80) ·
Release date: May 2014 ·
Battery capacity: 2000 mAh ·
Display size: 4.7 inches ·
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 ·
Current second‑hand price: ≈ $30–50

With a decade between its launch and today, the Redmi 1S’s spec sheet reads like a time capsule. Here are the core specifications that defined the phone.

Which is the best Redmi to buy?

Redmi 1S vs Redmi Note 1

• The Redmi 1S has a 4.7-inch 720p display, while the Redmi Note 1 offers a larger 5.5-inch screen.
• The Redmi 1S uses a Snapdragon 400 processor; the Redmi Note 1 runs a MediaTek MT6592 octa-core chip (Gadgets360).
• Both phones launched in 2014, but the Redmi Note 1 carried a higher price of ₹8,999.

The trade-off: the Redmi Note 1 gave you more screen and processing cores, but the Redmi 1S was lighter and more pocketable. For buyers in 2025, neither supports 4G, so the choice is mostly academic.

Redmi 1S vs Moto E

• The Moto E (2014) had a 4.3-inch display and a Snapdragon 200 processor, making the Redmi 1S significantly faster (Gadgets360).
• The Redmi 1S’s 8 MP camera outperformed the Moto E’s 5 MP shooter.
• However, the Moto E ran near-stock Android and received more consistent updates.

The pattern: Xiaomi pushed hardware specs harder than Motorola, but software polish was the trade-off. For 2014 buyers who wanted raw performance per rupee, the Redmi 1S won.

Best Redmi phones under $100

• In 2025, the Redmi 1S second-hand sits around $30–50, but a new Redmi 12C (~$90) offers a 6.7-inch display, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and 4G support.
• The Redmi 13C (~$100) adds 5G connectivity and a 50 MP camera, leaving the Redmi 1S far behind on specs.
• For pure budget buyers, the Redmi 1S only makes sense as a backup phone or collector’s item.

Is Redmi a good phone to buy?

Pros of Redmi 1S

• Solid build quality for its price point, with a unibody plastic design that felt premium in 2014 (Gadgets360).
• Removable 2000 mAh battery meant users could carry a spare — a rare feature in modern phones.
• Expandable storage via microSD up to 64 GB, compensating for the meager 8 GB internal.

Cons of Redmi 1S

• 1 GB RAM leads to severe lag with modern apps; even basic browsing can stutter (Gadgets360).
• No 4G support — only 3G HSPA+, which most Indian carriers are phasing out.
• Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) with no official updates beyond 4.4 means most apps no longer support the OS.

Alternatives to Redmi 1S

• Redmi 12C: ~₹10,000, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 4G, Android 12.
• Redmi 13C 5G: ~₹12,000, 5G, 50 MP camera, 6.7-inch display.
• Moto G04: ~₹8,000, stock Android, 4GB RAM, reliable updates.

Is Redmi better than Samsung?

Redmi vs Samsung in 2014

• The Redmi 1S at ₹5,999 undercut Samsung’s Galaxy Star Pro (₹7,999) while offering a faster processor and better camera.
• Samsung’s build quality and after-sales service were stronger in India, according to consumer surveys.
• Xiaomi’s flash-sale model created artificial scarcity, frustrating buyers but building hype.

The catch: Redmi offered better specs on paper, but Samsung delivered reliability and local support. For the 2014 buyer, the choice was between performance and peace of mind.

Current comparison: Redmi vs Samsung budget phones

• Redmi 13C 5G (~₹12,000) competes with Samsung Galaxy A15 (~₹14,000). Both offer 4GB RAM and 128GB storage.
• Samsung provides consistent software updates (4 years of security patches); Redmi often stops major updates after 1–2 years.
• Redmi typically offers faster charging and larger batteries, while Samsung leads on display quality and update policy.

What are common problems with Redmi phones?

Redmi 1S specific issues

• Heating during extended use or charging was widely reported by early adopters (Gadgets360).
• Lag and app crashes due to 1 GB RAM — even the MIUI launcher stuttered with multiple apps open.
• Touchscreen responsiveness issues after prolonged usage, noted in user forums.

Software update problems

• The Redmi 1S shipped with Android 4.3 and was officially upgradable only to Android 4.4 KitKat.
• MIUI updates from Xiaomi slowed after the first year, leaving security patches outdated.
• Custom ROMs exist (LineageOS, etc.) but require technical know-how and void warranty.

Battery degradation

• The 2000 mAh removable battery degrades over time; replacement batteries are still available from third-party sellers.
• Original Xiaomi batteries are hard to find in 2025, and third-party units often have lower capacity.
• Expect 1–2 hours of screen-on time with an aged battery on a 10-year-old unit.

What is the disadvantage of a Redmi phone?

Disadvantages of Redmi 1S

• No 4G support — the biggest limitation in 2025, as Indian carriers like Jio and Airtel have largely moved to 4G/5G (Flipkart).
• 1 GB RAM and 8 GB storage (6.14 GB usable) make multitasking and app storage impractical (Gadgets360).
• Android 4.3 lacks modern security patches — banking apps and UPI payments may not work.

Disadvantages of Xiaomi phones

• MIUI comes with pre-installed ads and bloatware, which can be intrusive.
• Software update policy is inconsistent — budget models often get only one major Android update.
• After-sales service quality varies by region in India, with some users reporting long repair turnaround times.

Three phones from different eras, one pattern: the Redmi 1S defined value in 2014, but modern budget phones have moved the goalposts dramatically.

The implication: the Redmi 1S was a breakthrough in 2014, but modern budget phones under ₹12,000 deliver 4× the RAM, 16× the storage, and 5G connectivity. The 1S simply cannot compete.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

• Confirmed: Redmi 1S released May 2014 at ₹5,999 (News18)
• Confirmed: Snapdragon 400, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, 2000 mAh battery (Flipkart)
• Confirmed: 4.7-inch display, 8 MP rear camera, 1.6 MP front camera (Gadgets360)
• Unclear: Exact new-unit stock available in India as of 2025
• Unclear: Second-hand pricing varies by condition — ₹4,000 to ₹8,000 reported
• Unclear: Official software updates beyond Android 4.4 are not available

Noted for its low price (₹5,999) in India, the Redmi 1S was an extremely popular and demanded smartphone.

— Wikipedia summary

The Redmi 1S offers good build quality for its price, but the 1GB RAM can cause lag under heavy use.

— GSMArena review

The Redmi 1S still appears on second-hand marketplaces at prices ranging from ₹4,000 to ₹8,000, depending on condition and accessories. A unit listed on Smartprix was priced at ₹4,000 as of May 2025 (Smartprix), while Cashify lists the starting price at ₹5,999 (Cashify). Hindustan Times Tech marked the phone as out of stock in January 2026 (Hindustan Times Tech). The catch for buyers: spending ₹4,000–₹8,000 on a decade-old phone with 3G and 1GB RAM makes little sense when a modern budget phone costs roughly the same.

For the Indian buyer in 2025, the choice is clear: spend ₹4,000–₹8,000 on a decade-old Redmi 1S with 3G, 1GB RAM, and no security updates, or put that money toward a modern budget phone like the Redmi 12C or Moto G04 that will last 3–4 years with proper support. The Redmi 1S belongs in a collection, not a pocket.

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