Over the past few months, many electronics companies such as Sony, Panasonic and other have tried to take on GoPro with their own action cameras. Despite rising competition, GoPro continues to dominate the industry. The company has been planning to expand to China, where it may face a tough competition. Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has just introduced a new GoPro-like action camera.
Xiaomi’s device costs only a fraction of GoPro Hero
Xiaomi’s latest product costs just $64, less than 50% of the cheapest GoPro camera, which retails for $130. Though its “Yi Action Camera” sells for a fraction of GoPro’s price, it packs far better specs than GoPro Hero cameras. But the U.S. company can take relief in the fact that the Yi Action Camera is limited to China, at least for now. The device is available on Tmall, JD.com, and Xiaomi’s official website.
Yi Action Camera captures videos at 1080p (60fps) and features a 16-megapixel camera that uses Sony’s Exmor R BSI CMOS image sensor. By comparison, GoPro Hero records videos at 1080p (30fps) or 720 (60fps) and features a 5-megapixel camera. Xiaomi’s camera comes with 64GB storage and weighs just 72g versus 111g of Hero. Just like GoPro Hero, the Yi Action Camera can go up to 40 meters underwater.
Yi Action Camera looks superior to GoPro Hero
With lower price and better specs, the Yi Action Camera looks superior to Hero on paper. It has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth support. Users can capture videos, browse and edit with a smartphone app and share videos and images on social media. The camera also features time-lapse effects, slow motion recording, and an ultra-wide 155-degree panoramic view.
However, unlike GoPro cameras, it comes without any rigging or casing. Xiaomi offers an $80 “Travel Edition” of the Yi Action Camera that does include a selfie stick mount. Xiaomi says the device can be strapped to almost anything, even a cat. Xiaomi, currently valued at $45 billion, is expected to open an online store in the U.S. soon.
