Xiaomi’s Hugo Barra and Lei Jun discuss international plans and how they are like Amazon


While Apple busied themselves across the street with the launch of their new iPad’s, Xiaomi’s Hugo Barra and Lei Jun went on stage to talk about the companies international ambitions at the Global Mobile Conference.

It has taken Xiaomi just 3 years to become a profitable company, the start-up is now valued at $10 Billion and the recent hire of ex-Google employee Hugo Barra has sparked rumours that an international launch is just around the corner.

Speaking at the Global Mobile Internet Conference though, both Barra and Co-founder Lei Jun admitted that they hadn’t decided which market Xiaomi would enter next, and hinted that they would need a market with mature E-commerce and social media infrastructures. The U.S is certainly one possibility but Jun commented that:

Of course the US is a market we’re extremely excited about. But unit we make ample preparations, we won’t be entering the US market.

So while the US is definitely on the cards it appears we still have some time to wait before Xiaomi make the leap.

Not the Chinese Apple

xiaomi logo

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While on stage the Xiaomi duo also took time to clarify that the company is actually nothing like Apple and more a kin to Amazon. Where as Apple has a closed and secrecy development style Xiaomi are more open to user input and suggestions:

suggestion gets picked up by a product manager within hours. Within a few hours it can be at an engineer’s desk.” If they think it’s a good idea, the suggestion can go in the next weekly build. “A number of unique features we’ve built are user suggestions. Things that came out of someone’s head rather than product mangers.

Jun continued that Apple’s and Xiaomi’s goals are very different and that Xiaomi aim to sell their products at near cost price and use their device such as the Xiaomi Mi3 and MiTV to sell their MIUI and software.

100% compatibility with Android

xiaomi mi3 screen

Another interesting point made on stage is that Xiaomi are committed to keeping their devices 100% compatible with Google’s Android operating system which Xiaomi’s MIUI is based upon. This counters claims from Chinese sources that Xiaomi are currently developing their own rival MIOS for next generation devices.

Xiaomi are currently selling their Xiaomi Mi3, Hongmi, Mi2S, Mi2A, MiTV box and MiTV set in China with a few devices also available in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

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14 Comments

  1. October 23, 2013

    They will make it internationally in November for sure! can’t wait at least 200,000 for first hit!

  2. autiston
    October 23, 2013

    is there any official Xiaomi online store?

    • October 23, 2013

      Yes in China

  3. Guest
    October 23, 2013

    They will make it internationally in November for sure! can’t wait at least 200,000 for first hit!

  4. Guest
    October 23, 2013

    is there any official Xiaomi online store?

    • Guest
      October 23, 2013

      Yes in China

  5. October 24, 2013

    India please!!!!! :DDDD

  6. Guest
    October 24, 2013

    India please!!!!! :DDDD

    • Yash Garg
      October 24, 2013

      +1

  7. Barry
    October 26, 2013

    There is also Hong Kong store. http://hk.xiaomi.com

  8. October 27, 2013

    XIAOMI, please make some killer product that supports DUAL SIM; Card Slot up to 64 GB; Detachable High Capacity battery (>= 3000 mA); high quality screen of 5 inch or larger with High density ppi; 2 GB RAM or more; 32 / 64 GB internal storage, high quality audio, high quality rear camera with quality & speedy capture; GPS or better again, supporting even the more accurate Russian GLONASS too (time for the world to move forward from the old and less accurate GPS system)… with all other specs and features follow in line… i’m willing to pay the proper bucks for such gem, and I believe there is a segment for such high quality product!!

    No, forget about the excessively advertised, prestige of empty big names ripping off buyer’s pockets, we need something real, down to earth, with reasonable, justifiable price yet delivering the features & quality!

    Come on XIAOMI, please create some thrilling product of big guy’s toys killer 🙂

  9. Guest
    October 27, 2013

    There is also Hong Kong store. http://hk.xiaomi.com

  10. Guest
    October 27, 2013

    XIAOMI, please make some killer product that supports DUAL SIM; Card Slot up to 64 GB; Detachable High Capacity battery (>= 3000 mA); high quality screen of 5 inch or larger with High density ppi; 2 GB RAM or more; 32 / 64 GB internal storage, high quality audio, high quality rear camera with quality & speedy capture; GPS or better again, supporting even the more accurate Russian GLONASS too (time for the world to move forward from the old and less accurate GPS system)… with all other specs and features follow in line… i’m willing to pay the proper bucks for such gem, and I believe there is a segment for such high quality product!!

    No, forget about the excessively advertised, prestige of empty big names ripping off buyer’s pockets, we need something real, down to earth, with reasonable, justifiable price yet delivering the features & quality!

    Come on XIAOMI, please create some thrilling product of big guy’s toys killer 🙂