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| The Smart Storage will reportedly feature the Realtek RTD1619B CPU. Pictured: a promo picture of the NAS. |
Xiaomi's first-ever NAS device is generating serious buzz, and a new leak just pulled back the curtain on what's powering this sleek storage solution.
Xiaomi is officially entering the network-attached storage (NAS) market, and if you've been holding out for an affordable, user-friendly home server, your patience might finally pay off. The Xiaomi Smart Storage—the company's inaugural NAS—is slated to hit the Chinese market on July 01, 2026, with a crowdfunding price that's turning heads across the tech world.
While Xiaomi has already given us a tantalizing glimpse of the device's minimalist design, they've kept the internal specifications tightly under wraps—until now.
Engineering Sample Leak: What's Really Inside?
A fresh leak (via an unverified but credible source on Chinese social media) has reportedly spilled the specs of an engineering sample, and it's painting an interesting picture of what Xiaomi has in store.
According to the leak, the Xiaomi NAS engineering sample is powered by the Realtek RTD1619B—a 4-core processor that might sound familiar to Synology fans. That's the same chip found in the popular Synology DiskStation DS223j, a budget-friendly NAS currently retailing for around $178 on Amazon.
Check the Synology DS223j on Amazon if you want a benchmark comparison, but Xiaomi's offering is shaping up to be a completely different beast in terms of value.
The engineering sample reportedly pairs that Realtek processor with:
- 2GB of DDR3L RAM
- 8GB of internal storage (likely for the operating system and apps)
- Two drive bays supporting up to a whopping 40TB of total storage capacity
Here's where things get a little strange: the leak suggests the sample only featured a gigabit Ethernet port. That's a bit underwhelming for a NAS in 2026, but the report clarifies that the retail version is expected to sport at least one 2.5GbE port—a much more future-proof specification for streaming 4K content and handling large file transfers.
It's worth noting that engineering samples often differ from final retail units, so take these specs with a grain of salt.
Three Configurations, One Unbeatable Price
Read the full leak details on Weibo
Xiaomi has officially confirmed that the NAS will launch in three configurations, pre-loaded with storage:
| Configuration | Storage Capacity | Crowdfunding Price (CNY) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 4TB | ¥2,299 | ~$338 |
| Mid-tier | 8TB | TBA | TBA |
| High-end | 16TB | TBA | TBA |
That ¥2,299 price tag for the 4TB model is aggressively positioned for the Chinese market—especially considering that many diskless NAS systems alone cost more than that before you even add storage.
What About Diskless Options?
Xiaomi hasn't explicitly confirmed whether a diskless version will be available, but earlier reports suggest the device will support both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA drives. That opens up the possibility for users to bring their own storage, though it's unclear if Xiaomi will sell an empty chassis separately.
Given the brand's ecosystem-first approach, it's likely they'll encourage users to buy pre-configured units—but the SATA support suggests flexibility for power users who want to repurpose existing drives.
Design That Screams "Xiaomi"
The company has already showcased the NAS's design, and it's exactly what you'd expect from Xiaomi's product team: sleek, minimalistic, and unobtrusive. Early renders show a clean white chassis with subtle ventilation grilles and a front-facing LED indicator panel—designed to blend seamlessly into modern homes or office setups.
Expert Analysis: Who Is This For?
The Xiaomi Smart Storage appears to be targeting a sweet spot between casual users and prosumers:
- For the average user: Automatic phone backups, centralized media storage, and Plex-style streaming without complex setup.
- For Xiaomi ecosystem fans: Seamless integration with Mi Home app and other Xiaomi smart devices.
- For budget-conscious creators: A 4-bay (or 2-bay with high-capacity support) NAS at a fraction of the cost of competitors like Synology or QNAP.
The Realtek RTD1619B processor suggests that Xiaomi is prioritizing power efficiency and affordability over raw horsepower. That's a smart move for a first-gen product—especially at this price point.
What's Missing?
While the leak is exciting, several questions remain unanswered:
- Will the final retail unit feature the 2.5GbE port or stick with gigabit?
- What software will the NAS run? Xiaomi's own OS or a customized version of a popular platform?
- Will there be third-party app support for Docker or Plex?
- Is the 40TB capacity per bay or total?
We'll likely learn more in the days leading up to the July 1st crowdfunding launch.
Final Verdict: Should You Wait?
If you've been eyeing a NAS but balked at the $500+ price tags from established brands, the Xiaomi Smart Storage is shaping up to be a game-changer. The leak confirms that Xiaomi is taking the hardware seriously, even if the engineering sample leaves a bit to be desired on the networking front.
Whether you're a Xiaomi superfan, a first-time NAS buyer, or just someone who wants to centralize their digital life without breaking the bank, this device deserves a spot on your watchlist.
Mark your calendars for July 1st—and stay tuned for our hands-on coverage as soon as we get our hands on a retail unit.
What do you think of the Xiaomi NAS specs? Are you planning to buy one during the crowdfunding phase? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
Source : via 6GHz on Weibo
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| Alleged engineering sample specs (machine translated) |