Update 1 (7/5/19 @ 6:25 PM ET): Ting's IMEI database has identified the device submitted for FCC certification as the Xiaomi Mi A3, which is expected to be the international version of the Xiaomi Mi CC9e.

The newly launched Xiaomi Mi CC9, Mi CC9 Meitu, and the Mi CC9e have been the subject of intense speculation as to what their international counterparts will be called. They're the start of a new mid-range smartphone line from Xiaomi aimed at younger people, and they're incredibly camera-centric with nice designs to boot. However, according to FCC filings, it may be possible that the Xiaomi Mi CC9e will launch as an Android One smartphone. There's a lot of evidence to support that, though obviously it's not confirmed yet.

FCC Evidence

First and foremost, the model number M1906F9SC just passed through the FCC. The FCC label image also shows a device with a rear similar to the Mi CC9e, however, there is an Android One logo emblazoned on the bottom right as well. The label image shows that this particular device supports either dual SIM or a SIM card and a microSD card. What's more, the dimensions that were submitted even match the dimensions of the Xiaomi Mi CC9e.

Model name and code name

The model number of the Mi CC9e, according to TENAA, is M1906F9SH. Recognize it? That's because the device which passed through the FCC is nearly the exact same, except that the model number is M1906F9SC, ending in a C instead of an H. The base model name, "F9S", remains consistent across both. A user on Weibo also shared images of the Mi CC9e, one of which showed that the phone identifies itself with the codename "laurel_sprout". All Android One devices so far have had the suffix of "_sprout", which adds even more evidence. The code-name of the Mi CC9e in China is actually "laurus," though it doesn't really mean anything as Xiaomi has used different codenames for Android One smartphones in the past.

Xiaomi Mi CC9e Android One

What will it be called?

At the moment, leading speculation suggests that the Xiaomi Mi CC9e will be sold as the Mi A3 Lite internationally, especially as it only has an HD+ screen. That's all it is though - speculation. Users also believe that if that is the case, then the regular Xiaomi Mi CC9 may be sold as the regular Mi A3. There is no evidence of that either, though.

Update: Shortly after publishing this article, we discovered that Ting's BYOD page, which queries Ting's comprehensive IMEI database, identifies the device with model name M1906F9SC and IMEI 864087040013098 as the Xiaomi Mi A3. This could be incorrect, but IMEI databases usually have the right information.

Xiaomi Mi CC9e Specs

Specifications

Xiaomi CC9e

Dimensions and Weight

  • 153.4 x 71.85 x 8.475 mm;
  • 173.8g
  • 5th Gen Corning Gorilla Glass on back

Display

  • 6.088″ HD+ AMOLED Display
  • 282ppi
  • 5th Gen Corning Gorilla Glass

SoC

 Qualcomm Snapdragon 665

RAM & Storage

  • 4GB + 64GB
  • 6GB + 64GB
  • 6GB + 128GB (Meitu Edition)
  • UFS 2.1 storage
  • Non-expandable storage

Battery

4,030mAh, Quick Charge 3 support

USB

 USB Type-C

Connectivity

  • WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac dual-band
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo

Fingerprint Scanner

In-display fingerprint scanner

Rear Camera

  • 48MP 1/2″ Sony sensor, f/1.79, 0.8μm pixel size
  • 8MP wide-angle sensor, f/2.2
  • 2MP depth sensor, f/2.4

Front Camera

 32MP, f/2.0

Android Version

MIUI 10 based on Android 9 Pie