Xiaomi’s sub-brand POCO launched the POCO F1, the company’s first smartphone in India. POCO F1 features a 6.18-inch Full HD+ 2.5D curved glass display with a notch, and is powered by Snapdragon 845 with up to 8GB RAM and LiquidCool Technology. It runs on Android 8.1 (Oreo) with a skin on top, which company is referring to as MIUI For POCO. MIUI for POCO is regular MIUI with few new additions like POCO launcher, stock Android-like quick setting tiles and others.
POCO F1 will go on sale in the country on August 29th for the first time, but the company has already put an announcement post on MIUI Forum for recruiting MIUI 10 Global Beta ROM testers for the newly launched device.
MIUI 10 Global Beta ROM for POCO F1 will be based on Android Oreo for now, the company has also promised that Android 9.0 (Pie) update for POCO F1 will be released in Q4 2018 and also said that Android 8.1-based kernel source code for the device will be made available on Github on August 29th. This is the first time the company is releasing kernel source for a device on the first day of sale.
The kernel source code will be available on @github on 29th August 2018. #MIUIForPOCO #POCOF1 pic.twitter.com/ZXuJlBy1Nu
— MIUI India (@MIUI_India) August 22, 2018
Users can apply for Beta testing but they are supposed to flash MIUI Global Beta ROM on their devices which can be done using the Updater method or Fastboot Flash method. Users are also supposed to install an instant messenger QQ to discuss bugs with other testers and team. If you manage to purchase POCO F1 successfully before September 12th and are an active member on MIUI Forum, there is a high chance that you will be selected on applying as active users get priority over others, you can apply here in case you’re interested. Deadline for applying for the above-mentioned devices is 12th Sep and users will be notified by September 15th regarding their selection.