Skip to content
Electronics

Xiaomi in US, Europe check

By Maria Santos
1 min read
Xiaomi in US, Europe check
In this article (4)

China’s market main smartphone firm Xiaomi is making what’s being interpreted as a tentative step into the US and Europe.

The fast-growing younger firm, which sells extra telephones in China than another handset maker has but to open its first retailer outdoors Higher China – however final Friday, it quietly switched on an internet site promoting equipment and electronics – however not telephones – to People and Europeans.

In line with a report on The Verge https://www.theverge.com stories, Xiaomi opened a website promoting restricted quantaties of simply 4 merchandise in a “beta check sale” to residents of the US, UK, Germany and France.

This launch line-up of merchandise features a US$14.99 health tracker, a pair of US$79.99 headphones, and two sizes of USB energy packs: a $9.99 5,000mAh mannequin able to two full iPhone expenses and a bigger, 10,400mAh model that bought for $13.99.

The corporate inspired guests to create their accounts on the location, clearly a way to start out constructing a database of potential clients in every market.

Xiaomi, an organization now value US$46 billion, is scheduled to open its first retail retailer – dubbed a Mi Retailer – outdoors mainland China, in Hong Kong this week.

In response to The Verge, Xiaomi’s VP Hugo Barra introduced a transfer into the US and Europe earlier this yr, however wouldn’t say when its low-cost, however feature-packed smartphones may go on sale.

“On the time, Barra cited causes reminiscent of hardware certification, software program testing, and different logistical challenges as obstacles to entry for smartphones and tablets in US market,” The Verge reported.

“Nevertheless, the corporate has but to shake the notion that it has additionally copied American corporations’ designs — a criticism that’s troublesome to disregard when taking a look at side-by-side comparisons of Apple’s and Xiaomi’s merchandise. Nonetheless, if the corporate can discover an viewers for its equipment, then its smartphone certainly gained’t be too far behind.”

Questions & Answers

Q.

What product types is Xiaomi selling in the US and Europe currently?

A.

Xiaomi has started selling a limited range of accessories and electronics online to customers in the US, UK, Germany, and France. These products include a fitness tracker, headphones, and two sizes of USB power banks.

Q.

Why is Xiaomi not selling its smartphones in the US and Europe yet?

A.

The company’s VP Hugo Barra previously cited obstacles such as hardware certification, software testing, and other logistical challenges. There is also an unresolved criticism that Xiaomi has copied designs from American companies.

Q.

When is Xiaomi opening its first retail store outside of mainland China?

A.

Xiaomi is scheduled to open its first Mi Store outside mainland China this week in Hong Kong. The article does not mention any plans for retail stores in the US or Europe yet.

Reader pulse

Xiaomi's US/Europe accessory launch?

Be the first to vote

Weekly Briefing

Asia's retail intelligence, in your inbox

Tuesday, Thursday and a Saturday Weekly Wrap: the retail stories, numbers and moves that mattered across Asia. Nothing else, and you can unsubscribe in one click.

  • Top industry moves and market shifts
  • Weekly data-driven analysis from across Asia
  • Tuesday, Thursday and the Saturday Weekly Wrap

Read by retail operators, investors and brand teams across Asia.

Protected by a quick human check. No spam, ever. Unsubscribe in one click.

SecureGDPR ready