Xiaomi Mi 4 release date: With the upcoming release of the Mi 4 this year, users are going to get another sweet deal from the Chinese smartphone manufacturer.

Powered by a Snapdragon 801 2.5 GHz Krait 400 quad-core processor coupled with a 3 GB RAM, the Xiaomi Mi 4 features a 5-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen interface, up to 64 GB internal storage, Android OS, v4.4.3 (KitKat), and a 13 MP camera.

Presented as “the world’s fastest smartphone,” the Mi 4 will be retailed at $320 for the 16GB version, and $400 for the 64GB version.

Its body measures 5.48 x 2.70 x 0.35 inches and weighs 149 grams, considerably bigger and heavier than its predecessor, the Mi 3. But with a dust and water proof exterior (IP67 certified) that can last for 30 minutes in 1 meter water, who can complain?

Moreover, the company has improved its body by adding the common SAE 304 stainless steel. It also no longer has a unibody, but still with a curved plastic back. All in all, the handset finishes off with a more premium look.

Aside from its plain black and white colors, the Mi 4 is also available in more customized back covers, namely bamboo, wood, leather, cloth or even stone textures. Also, if you add $16, you have an annual insurance for broken screens of accidental liquid damages.

Its 5-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen remains the same at a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and a pixel density of 441 ppi.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi upgrades its own take on Android with the MIUI 6 UI.

The Mi 4 also has the same 13 MP primary camera that shoots a resolution of 4128 x 3096 pixels. But the impressive upgrade is the “selfie” camera that went up with 8 MP from 2 MP.

After selling 26.11 million phones in the first half of this year, Xiaomi eyes to double it by the end of 2014. And with the impressive specs of the “the world’s fastest smartphone,” things are looking great for the Chinese manufacturer.