Xiaomi may not have been able to replicate the kind of success it’s seen in China in other markets, but what some call Xiaomi’s second home — India — is certainly showering love to the phone maker.
Xiaomi has reported impressive sales figures of 1 million devices sold in the third quarter in India this year, i.e., Q3 2015. While it may not sound like too much, it certainly is something when you remind yourself that Xiaomi only completed its first year of existence in India this July.
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The sales figures also mean that Xiaomi saw a 45% QoQ growth which is something the company would have to give the new Mi 4i, the more affordable Mi 4 and the Redmi 2 credit for.
Xiaomi is currently believed to be gearing up for the launch of its upcoming Mi 5 flagship. Not just that, but also a new Mi Band (more details here) which is expected to feature a heart-rate sensor this time round.
You’re right, it doesn’t sound like, it doesn’t sound like much at all. That might be because it’s really not much for a large company with reasonable prices and a large market like India.
Keep in mind Xiaomi isn’t allowed to sell any Mediatek phones in India and still hasn’t launched the Mi4c there. If they could sell Redmi Note 2, the numbers would be triple or more.
India has 1 billion people. Still it’s a sign that people there are not going without quality phones. It’s time people in West stop paying three times to price for similar phones, like iPhones, Samsung range, etc. Savvy people in both India, Africa, South America etc have better electronics at times, when there’s this perception that the West is more wealthier.
Problem is subsidization rules the west. People get that iPhone or Samsung for little to no cost up front and pay a higher monthly bill. Most of them continually get locked into contract cycles that are too costly to get out of.
Exactly I pay $30 a month for unlimited data (thank you Walmart) with my Meizu phone. The same plan on a subsidized contract is $100 a month.