Xiaomi Yi Action Camera Unboxing


xiaomi yi action camera

We get hands on with the latest Xiaomi Yi action cameras direct from China! Unboxing video after the jump.

When Xiaomi announced their partnership with camera maker Yi to launch an Action Camera, I really sat up and took notice. Being a mountain biker and a dedicated user of GoPro camera’s I was eager to get my hands on the Yi Action camera to see if the low-cost device can complete with the king of POV cameras.

Xiaomi currently offer two versions of the Yi Action camera. There is the basic camera set which comes in a small box with a single camera unit and USB cable, the second option comes in a larger box with an extendable ‘selfie stick’. The Yi also comes in either white or ‘jungle green’, I choose both colour options and ordered them directly from China through Honorbuy.com.

Specifications for the Yi Action camera are really impressive, even at the higher international price of $99.99 for the basic camera set and $109.99 with the ‘selfie stick’. Hardware features include a 16 mega-pixel Sony sensor, 155 degree wide-angle, WIFI, and 1010mah battery.

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What you don’t get in the box is any mounting equipment or a waterproof case meaning that you will need to rig something up to get the Yi on your helmet while taking to the trails. The design of the Yi is also different to that of the GoPro so you cannot get away with just using a GoPro shell which is a huge shame. There is also no display on the Yi meaning you will have to learn different combinations of LED flashes to know which mode your camera is in, how much battery is left etc.

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Video: Xiaomi Yi Action Camera Unboxing

I’ll be taking some photos and video with the Xiaomi Yi over the next week while I go mountain biking so watch out for some more Yi Action camera news very soon.

Thanks again to Honorbuy.com for shipping the Yi cameras so quickly.

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

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30 Comments

  1. MaxPower
    March 13, 2015

    LOL at HonorBuy!
    They just lost their old domain to avoid fights in court with Xiaomi and now they use the same logo of BestBuy!
    Can’t get rid of Chinese blood.

    • iKosh
      March 14, 2015

      They might get in trouble with Huawei also for using the Honor name.

  2. Atef Elkhesion
    March 13, 2015

    Thanks Andi good job waiting your pics and video review

  3. MaxPower
    March 13, 2015

    LOL at HonorBuy!
    They just lost their old domain to avoid fights in court with Xiaomi and now they use the same logo of BestBuy!
    Can’t get rid of Chinese blood.

    • iKosh
      March 14, 2015

      They might get in trouble with Huawei also for using the Honor name.

  4. Nutnicha Chalermchuang
    March 13, 2015

    Hi. Thank you for a review.
    May I ask how long does Yi Action Camera battery last?

    • Creazydea
      March 13, 2015

      It’s depend on the mode you choose, it can be used for 85 minutes on 1080P 30fps mode.

      • Nutnicha Chalermchuang
        March 14, 2015

        @creazydea:disqus Thank you for your reply. Well, If I use it only for shooting photo, not recording a video. Will the battery last all day?

        • Creazydea
          March 15, 2015

          I believe so, if you are not a extreme heavy users.

          • Nutnicha Chalermchuang
            March 17, 2015

            Thank you 🙂

      • spamec
        March 14, 2015

        Is it possible to start recording/take a photo without a phone? I see that there’s a big button on the top, but nobody use it in all review 🙂

      • kupoo
        March 15, 2015

        Thats awful time, SJ4000 on 900mah battery can do 100m+ on 1080@30fps :/

        Even SJ5000+ with it’s 900mah battery can manage 85m 1080@30

  5. Atef Elkhesion
    March 13, 2015

    Thanks Andi good job waiting your pics and video review

  6. Nutnicha Chalermchuang
    March 14, 2015

    Hi. Thank you for a review.
    May I ask how long does Yi Action Camera battery last?

    • Creazydea
      March 14, 2015

      It’s depend on the mode you choose, it can be used for 85 minutes on 1080P 30fps mode.

    • Nutnicha Chalermchuang
      March 14, 2015

      @creazydea:disqus Thank you for your reply. Well, If I use it only for shooting photo, not recording a video. Will the battery last all day?

    • Guest
      March 14, 2015

      Is it possible to start recording/take a photo without a phone? I see that there’s a big button on the top, but nobody use it in all review 🙂

    • Creazydea
      March 15, 2015

      I believe so, if you are not a extreme heavy users.

    • kupoo
      March 15, 2015

      Thats awful time, SJ4000 on 900mah battery can do 100m+ on 1080@30fps :/

      Even SJ5000+ with it’s 900mah battery can manage 85m 1080@30

    • Nutnicha Chalermchuang
      March 17, 2015

      Thank you 🙂

  7. al
    March 14, 2015

    When will the waterproof casing be available and what will it cost?
    Of course I dont mean the case the site you refer to offers as its case, which is a pouch.

  8. Guest
    March 14, 2015

    When will the waterproof casing be available and what will it cost?
    Of course I dont mean the case the site you refer to offers as its case, which is a pouch.

  9. Shinshin
    March 15, 2015

    Andi – Could you shoot a video and upload the raw file somewhere? Instead of Youtube, etc.
    Thanks!!

  10. Shinshin
    March 15, 2015

    Andi – Could you shoot a video and upload the raw file somewhere? Instead of Youtube, etc.
    Thanks!!

  11. george of nazareth
    March 16, 2015

    i just received my one, but i am not sure how to use it, as no iphone app yet, and also the user manual is in chinese, so far i was able to plug it in to the wallcharger and im researching what button does what. this is how i stumbled upon this article. However i still dont know what led color mean video what picture, never mind checking live the angle what the camera can actually see

    • Xabi
      March 16, 2015

      Google Goggles or Translate should be able to translate the manual. Run the app and take a picture of the text you want to translate. Hope it works.

  12. pastor casual observer
    March 16, 2015

    i just received my one, but i am not sure how to use it, as no iphone app yet, and also the user manual is in chinese, so far i was able to plug it in to the wallcharger and im researching what button does what. this is how i stumbled upon this article. However i still dont know what led color mean video what picture, never mind checking live the angle what the camera can actually see

    • Guest
      March 16, 2015

      Google Goggles or Translate should be able to translate the manual. Run the app and take a picture of the text you want to translate. Hope it works.

  13. carol
    April 2, 2015

    good camera, i bought one ,suitable to take photo when do sport.http://flosmall.com/accessories/xiaomi-ants-sports-camera-travel-version-green-detail

  14. carol
    April 2, 2015

    good camera, i bought one ,suitable to take photo when do sport.http://flosmall.com/accessories/xiaomi-ants-sports-camera-travel-version-green-detail