MoonDrop Launches Hi-Res Music Player...and Smartphone

Once famous for its in-ear headphones for audiophiles, MoonDrop has recently unexpectedly launched its first product in the smartphone field.

This phone named MIAD 01 5G is positioned as a combination of a modern Android phone and a dedicated Hi-Res music player, with a price of about more than 10 million VND when it arrives in the Vietnamese market by hand-carried route.

MoonDrop MIAD 01 is equipped with a 6.7-inch curved OLED screen, 2460 × 1080 resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate. The panel has a high refresh rate and flicker reduction thanks to the 1920 Hz PWM frequency, suitable for users with sensitive eyesight.

Inside is the Dimensity 7050 processor (MediaTek), accompanied by 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal memory. Users can expand the storage capacity via microSD card up to 2 TB - an attraction for audiophiles because they can store more music instead of listening online or depending on the device's memory. The 5000 mAh battery supports 33 W fast charging via USB-C Power Delivery standard for good usage time.

Despite having a 64 MP rear camera (Sony IMX686) and an 8 MP wide-angle lens, the MIAD 01's photo quality is only rated as average. The selfie camera has a resolution of 32 MP, suitable for basic video calling or portrait needs, not too excellent.

The most notable feature of the device is the Cirrus Logic MasterHiFi dual DAC system, located in the rather large "hump" at the back. The device supports both the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack and the 4.4mm balanced port - a rare feature on smartphones today.

According to the manufacturer, users can adjust the volume to 100 different levels using hardware, for a more precise and detailed music listening experience.

A hands-on review from Android Central confirms that the device can drive even large planar headphones well while still maintaining clear, detailed sound.

The device runs Android 13 with a pure Google interface, but does not pre-install Google Play Store and Google services that users need to manually activate. Some popular applications such as Netflix or banking apps or VNeID may have errors because the device lacks a high-level DRM certificate, and GPS positioning is also considered substandard. This is one of the big reasons why Vietnamese users should consider if they want to buy.

The MoonDrop MIAD 01 is clearly not for everyone. It’s an Android phone with a quirky design, mid-range performance, and under-optimized software. But for audiophiles who rely on wired headphones, it’s an interesting option: a “2-in-1” device that combines a phone and a dedicated music player into one body.

The product is not officially available in Vietnam but is being sold as a hand-carried product for around 10 million VND, depending on the source and accessories included.

If you’re an audiophile and don’t mind tinkering with software, the MoonDrop MIAD 01 could be the one-of-a-kind smartphone you’re looking for, but it’s likely to be a secondary device. To be more precise, as the company describes itself, it’s a 5G portable HiFi music player.