Xiaomi is South Korea-bound


xiaomi mi5 unboxing

Xiaomi has successfully managed to venture into some high-voltage markets outside of China, but where the company is headed next might turn out to be one of its toughest challenges: South Korea.

Xiaomi won’t be selling its phones in Samsung’s home country just yet. Instead, it’ll partner with two local companies — Youmi and Koma Trade — to help sell and repair a few of its gadgets.

Gizchina News of the week


By gadgets, I mean the Mi Band fitness tracker, a variety of its power banks, headphones, and the hoverboard/scooter Xiaomi developed in partnership with Ninebot.

It isn’t clear as to whether or when Xiaomi will sell its phones in the country. But like all other markets, it can be believed without doubt that Xiaomi’s intention is to get there in the future.

That said, Xiaomi managed to topple Samsung in China, but things are going to be a bit different in Samsung’s backyard. One can, however, expect Xiaomi to be prepared.

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16 Comments

  1. Millet Air Purifier (Mi-Fan)
    March 30, 2016

    If I remember right SK Telecom banned xiaomi for selling the phones in Korea (due to patent problems apparently). It’ll be interesting to see how their next step turns out

    • balcobomber25
      March 30, 2016

      KT attempted to sell the RN3 and it was halted but it had nothing to do with patents. It was due to pressure from Samsung and LG according to multiple reports. Korea is one of the toughest markets to sell in if you are not a Korean owned company. Most foreign brands in Electronics don’t last long there.

      • Millet Air Purifier (Mi-Fan)
        March 30, 2016

        Seems fair, as the goverment also invested in these companies.

        • balcobomber25
          March 30, 2016

          If you are every in SK go to a local cell phone shop, most are the same: about 80% Samsung and LG, 19% Pantech and other small Korean brands and occasionally you might see a Sony or Huawei model. Apple is really the only foreign cell phone company to find success there but they are in a different category.

          • Millet Air Purifier (Mi-Fan)
            March 30, 2016

            Right you are. Pantech had released some very nice phones back in the day, (like the pantech vega series) but now you dont hear a lot from them anymore.

            • AbdulB1
              March 31, 2016

              company got bankrupt….

            • Millet Air Purifier (Mi-Fan)
              March 31, 2016

              Really? Theyre still selling phones afaik

            • AbdulB1
              March 31, 2016

              their last phone IM-A920S was in 2014 .

  2. Beloved Chairman Lei Jun
    March 30, 2016

    If I remember right SK Telecom banned xiaomi for selling the phones in Korea (due to patent problems apparently). It’ll be interesting to see how their next step turns out

    • balcobomber25
      March 30, 2016

      KT attempted to sell the RN3 and it was halted but it had nothing to do with patents. It was due to pressure from Samsung and LG according to multiple reports. Korea is one of the toughest markets to sell in if you are not a Korean owned company. Most foreign brands in Electronics don’t last long there.

    • Beloved Chairman Lei Jun
      March 30, 2016

      Seems fair, as the goverment also invested in these companies.

    • balcobomber25
      March 30, 2016

      If you are every in SK go to a local cell phone shop, most are the same: about 80% Samsung and LG, 19% Pantech and other small Korean brands and occasionally you might see a Sony or Huawei model. Apple is really the only foreign cell phone company to find success there but they are in a different category.

    • Beloved Chairman Lei Jun
      March 30, 2016

      Right you are. Pantech had released some very nice phones back in the day, (like the pantech vega series) but now you dont hear a lot from them anymore.

    • AbdulB1
      March 31, 2016

      company got bankrupt….

    • Beloved Chairman Lei Jun
      March 31, 2016

      Really? Theyre still selling phones afaik

    • AbdulB1
      March 31, 2016

      their last phone IM-A920S was in 2014 .