Xiaomi’s $64 Action Cam Gives GoPro Hero A Run For Its Money

Xiaomi is now trying its hand at action cameras. The company has announced its new product, the Yi Action Camera, which costs just half of what the GoPro Hero does and at least on paper it happens to be more powerful. The Yi will not be sold outside of China so GoPro doesn’t have to look over its shoulder just yet.

Xiaomi Yi has a 16-megapixel camera that can shoot 1080p video at 60 frames per second. On paper this is better than the GoPro Hero which is capable of shooting 1080p video at 30 frames per second and 720p at 60fps.

One might be surprised how such a cheap device can offer this level of quality but that’s kind of the whole mantra of Xiaomi. The company keeps its margins very low and prices its devices very competitively.

Apart from the Exmor R CMOS sensor from Sony the Yi also has 64GB onboard storage, twice of what customers get on the GoPro Hero, and it can be used up to 40 meters underwater. The companion app allows for remote control of the camera and has options that allow editing and sharing of the footage.

Xiaomi does not provide any cases or accessories with its action camera but does say that a “rich variety of accessories” will be offered for the Yi which will allow users to attach the product to themselves, helmets and even pets.

The company hasn’t said if it has any plans of introducing this product outside of its home country.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Gadgets
Tags: gopro, Xiaomi