Wine company leh
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Xiaomi Tops Chinese Smartphone Market
- Thread starter yellowarse
- Start date
Wine company leh
Xiaomi is organizing a weekly Tue sale on their website. There's one at 12 noon today.
[h=5]Mi Singapore shared a link.[/h]<a class="uiLinkSubtle" href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=776532029054567&id=535405486500557" style="color: rgb(145, 151, 163); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; "><abbr title="Monday, September 22, 2014 at 8:02pm" data-utime="1411441320" class="timestamp livetimestamp" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-bottom-color: initial; ">4 minutes ago</abbr>
1 hour to our lunchtime sale! Pick from 7,000 Redmi Notes, 3,000 Redmi 1S, 5,000 Mi Power Banks 5200 mAh and 1,000 Mi Power Banks 10400 mAh from 12 noon onwards.
Tuesday Weekly Lunchtime Sale (12pm!)www.mi.com
Grab your Redmi Notes and Redmi 1S at lunchtime today! Both types of Mi Power Banks will be available for sale too, so click fast!
I love my 小红米 Note!
Why would Malaysians want to buy all these foreign makes when proton, perodua and pick ups are taxed at minimum value. Imported cars are taxed up to 300%. For example Toyota hilux and BMW 3 series in UK costs about the same. But a hilux costs about RM90 k while cheapest 3 series is about RM 210k in Malaysia.
Thanks dude got it n was sold out in less than 1 hr
Xiaomi is organizing a weekly Tue sale on their website. There's one at 12 noon today.
[h=5]Mi Singapore shared a link.[/h]<a class="uiLinkSubtle" href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=776532029054567&id=535405486500557" style="color: rgb(145, 151, 163); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; "><abbr title="Monday, September 22, 2014 at 8:02pm" data-utime="1411441320" class="timestamp livetimestamp" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-bottom-color: initial; ">4 minutes ago</abbr>
1 hour to our lunchtime sale! Pick from 7,000 Redmi Notes, 3,000 Redmi 1S, 5,000 Mi Power Banks 5200 mAh and 1,000 Mi Power Banks 10400 mAh from 12 noon onwards.
www.mi.com
Grab your Redmi Notes and Redmi 1S at lunchtime today! Both types of Mi Power Banks will be available for sale too, so click fast!
congratulations.... i think it uses mini sim in 3G slot.
normally the 2nd sim slot is 2G for china phones - no problem with phone calls.
however there are exceptions that both sim slots are 3G.
Congrats, man. 3 of my staff bought Xiaomis - one Note and two 1s. The one who got the Redmi Note actually found it more user-friendly and faster than her previous Samsung Galaxy Note. All no regrets.
What's lacking here is a 4G Xiaomi. That's why the Mi4 is so eagerly anticipated.
http://www.techinasia.com/xiaomi-is-well-on-track-to-sell-60-million-smartphones-in-2014/
Xiaomi is well on track to sell 60 million smartphones in 2014
If you’re anxiously awaiting Xiaomi’s sales figures as the year comes to a close, Lei Jun will happily tease you. This morning, the CEO sent out a post on Weibo claiming that device shipments to Xiaomi’s warehouse increased 20 percent from the second to third quarter of this year.
Xiaomi tells Tech in Asia that “device shipments” refers to assembled smartphones sent to the company’s warehouses in Beijing. For traditional smartphone brands like Samsung or HTC, those devices might collect dust in storage facilities or in retail outlets. But since Xiaomi sells its phones directly to consumers, and gages demand based on results from its weekly online sales, there’s a strong correlation between “shipments” and “sales.”
If we do a little back-of-the-envelope math, recall that Xiaomi sold 26 million phones in the first half of 2014, and 11 million phones in the first quarter of 2014. That means that it sold 15 million phones in the second quarter. Assuming that everything that got shipped got sold (again, not an entirely unsafe assumption), that means Xiaomi sold 18 million phones during the three-month period running through September.
Xiaomi aims to sell a total of 60 million devices for the year 2014. It’s likely at about 44 million now, so the company should hit its goal as Singles Day and Christmas are around the corner. Xiaomi president Lin Bin recently told Nikkei Asian Review that he and Lei expect to sell 100 million phones in 2015.
Xiaomi is well on track to sell 60 million smartphones in 2014
If you’re anxiously awaiting Xiaomi’s sales figures as the year comes to a close, Lei Jun will happily tease you. This morning, the CEO sent out a post on Weibo claiming that device shipments to Xiaomi’s warehouse increased 20 percent from the second to third quarter of this year.
Xiaomi tells Tech in Asia that “device shipments” refers to assembled smartphones sent to the company’s warehouses in Beijing. For traditional smartphone brands like Samsung or HTC, those devices might collect dust in storage facilities or in retail outlets. But since Xiaomi sells its phones directly to consumers, and gages demand based on results from its weekly online sales, there’s a strong correlation between “shipments” and “sales.”
If we do a little back-of-the-envelope math, recall that Xiaomi sold 26 million phones in the first half of 2014, and 11 million phones in the first quarter of 2014. That means that it sold 15 million phones in the second quarter. Assuming that everything that got shipped got sold (again, not an entirely unsafe assumption), that means Xiaomi sold 18 million phones during the three-month period running through September.
Xiaomi aims to sell a total of 60 million devices for the year 2014. It’s likely at about 44 million now, so the company should hit its goal as Singles Day and Christmas are around the corner. Xiaomi president Lin Bin recently told Nikkei Asian Review that he and Lei expect to sell 100 million phones in 2015.
Understanding India's love for 'China maal' like Xiaomi, Gionee & OPPO
By Mukta Lad, ET Bureau | 8 Oct, 2014, 08.16AM IST
Years ago, Monty Python wrote a song that went on to become one of their greatest hits. Irreverent, tongue-in-cheek and heavy on political incorrectness, it was called I Like Chinese.
If you choose not to let the racist bits affect you (They only come up to your knees?!), the rest of the song glorifies China's contribution to the world — "There's Maoism, Taoism, I Ching and chess..." they listed. But then, if Monty Python had written this song today, they would've definitely added more to that list, like China-made smartphones, for instance.
If you told Indian buyers five years ago that highend 'Made in China' phones would vie for a significant share in the Indian smartphone market, they would thank you for the good laugh. For long, phones from across the border meant just one thing — cheap rip-offs of Apple and Samsung, with low build quality and poor design. Not too many people aspiring to own the real iPhone would be seen with 'China maal'!
Then, homegrown companies like Micromax and Karbonn saw an opportunity, importing phones from China and marketing them under their brand in India, a strategy that worked wonders for them.
Cut to 2014, to a time when China's No 1 smartphone brand, Xiaomi, holds weekly sales for the Redmi 1s (while flash sales for the Mi3 are said to be back this festive season). Try not to blink, though; it takes anything between 2.4 seconds to 5 seconds for Xiaomi's phones to get sold out. Meanwhile, another Chinese brand, Gionee, has released a high-decibel campaign claiming a user upgrades to a Gionee every seven seconds.
Not too far behind comes China-born OPPO Mobile, with 10 models ranging from the affordable to high-end. It even has Hrithik Roshan and Sonam Kapoor as brand ambassadors. As of August, these phones are estimated to have a market share of 5 per cent in the Indian smartphone segment.
Not much compared to Samsung's 29 per cent, but then again, six years ago, homegrown brand Micromax was just at 1 per cent, and is now perched at No 2 with a market share of 18 per cent in smartphones. With these numbers, it would seem naive to write off China's entry.
So what is it about these phones that is helping Indians overcome their prejudices? Suman Srivastava, founder and innovation artist, Marketing Unplugged explains "Futurebrand, in its 2014 report, found that China ranks No 9 in the global list of the Best Country of Origin. Brands like Lenovo, Alibaba and maybe Xiaomi, are helping China improve," he says.
"Till about five years ago, Chinese companies sold cheap, poor quality phones in India. Despite being the manufacturing capital of the world, the bias against China-made phones obviously grew after one saw these products," says Manu Kumar Jain, India head, Xiaomi. Arvind R Vohra, Gionee's India head, adds, "It wasn't long before Chinese brands realised they could enter the Indian market themselves, considering they had the manufacturing capability," he says.
But whether it's Xiaomi, Gionee or OPPO, they all agree about three things — the power of a great product, innovation and competitive pricing. Forces strong enough to overcome any anti-Chinese sentiment. "The products themselves are the key to success," says Tom Lu, CEO, OPPO Mobiles India. "Any user looking for a great device and an incredible experience will choose a product based on its features, specifications, looks and ROI."
Jain attributes Xiaomi's success to the build quality, the chipset, the camera and the works. A phone is worth nothing if it doesn't come with great hardware and software, he says. Affordability is and always has been the Indian buyers' weakness. Here is where these brands believe they score over established names. "We are an aspirational brand, because of the way we price ourselves," Vohra elaborates.
"Our phones cost 10 per cent more than Indian-make phones in the same segment, but 40 per cent lesser than Samsung." Jain believes that the Xiaomi Mi3, for instance, packs a punch at Rs 13,999. "We are selling a phone easily worth over Rs 40000 at such a low price. Buyers tend to forget their biases when they get value for money."
But how has the journey been for the Chinese-origin Lenovo, who forayed into smartphones recently? A brand known for PCs, laptops and tablets, it certainly didn't have to introduce itself. But then, it couldn't have been easy to get consumers to associate the name with smartphones, either.
"We are a company with Chinese origins, but consider ourselves a global brand," explains Lenovo's Shailendra Katyal, director - home and small business (India & South Asia). "We have the advantage of a portfolio over price. It also helps that we aren't an unknown, entry-level brand in the smartphone ecosystem."
Katyal believes that consumers aren't ignorant - they know that the origins of almost everything they purchase can be traced back to China. "Consumers now look for products that are of value to them." Srivastava believes that cheap products never undermine strong brands, but only create a different market.
For instance, Nokia did not lose out because of cheaper phones, but because of better technology from Samsung and Apple. Hence, Samsung won't suffer as long as it keeps investing in both technology and brand. Established brands have another advantage — a nationwide distribution network.
Brands like Xiaomi, for instance, retail exclusively on Flipkart, while OPPO Mobile is looking to build its offline retail network. But at the moment, the brand relies heavily on e-commerce portals. Most new companies cannot kick things off with a fully developed distribution system; it takes time, effort and huge spending power.
For these companies, e-commerce portals are a boon. Customers today are open to buying electronics online, what with a cash-on-delivery option and portals like Flipkart and Amazon. Jain has another good reason to embrace online retailing. "Tying up with distributors and retailers means having to hike the price of the product. We would rather save on that margin and pass it on to consumers." That is also a reason Xiaomi chooses to have zero ad spends, depending only on word-of-mouth and organic social media for promotion.
Vohra surprisingly has a different point of view. "Online consumers add up to only 6 per cent of the consumer base. How does a brand reach the other 94 per cent without retailing offline? To me, exclusive online tie-ups are a lazy strategy." He claims that there is close to zero brand recall in the interim period between sales. Srivastava sums this up neatly. "It is hardly surprising that e-commerce brands are willing to pay for valuable mobile desktop space. However, its value will fall as the space gets more crowded. Another method will then be needed to catch the eye of the consumer," he says.
Especially relevant considering Indians change their phones once every 1 to 1.5 years. Lu sees the potential in the consistent growth in the smartphone market, driven by enhanced consumer preference for smart devices and narrowing price differences.
Meanwhile, Vohra is eyeing the 70 per cent market that is yet to migrate from feature phones, as is everyone else, surely. Even if 'may you live in interesting times', is not as many believe an ancient Chinese curse or proverb, these are definitely interesting times for these brands to be living through. A chance to rewrite history and a level playing field where just about anyone can be king of the ring.
Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
By Mukta Lad, ET Bureau | 8 Oct, 2014, 08.16AM IST
Years ago, Monty Python wrote a song that went on to become one of their greatest hits. Irreverent, tongue-in-cheek and heavy on political incorrectness, it was called I Like Chinese.
If you choose not to let the racist bits affect you (They only come up to your knees?!), the rest of the song glorifies China's contribution to the world — "There's Maoism, Taoism, I Ching and chess..." they listed. But then, if Monty Python had written this song today, they would've definitely added more to that list, like China-made smartphones, for instance.
If you told Indian buyers five years ago that highend 'Made in China' phones would vie for a significant share in the Indian smartphone market, they would thank you for the good laugh. For long, phones from across the border meant just one thing — cheap rip-offs of Apple and Samsung, with low build quality and poor design. Not too many people aspiring to own the real iPhone would be seen with 'China maal'!
Then, homegrown companies like Micromax and Karbonn saw an opportunity, importing phones from China and marketing them under their brand in India, a strategy that worked wonders for them.
Cut to 2014, to a time when China's No 1 smartphone brand, Xiaomi, holds weekly sales for the Redmi 1s (while flash sales for the Mi3 are said to be back this festive season). Try not to blink, though; it takes anything between 2.4 seconds to 5 seconds for Xiaomi's phones to get sold out. Meanwhile, another Chinese brand, Gionee, has released a high-decibel campaign claiming a user upgrades to a Gionee every seven seconds.
Not too far behind comes China-born OPPO Mobile, with 10 models ranging from the affordable to high-end. It even has Hrithik Roshan and Sonam Kapoor as brand ambassadors. As of August, these phones are estimated to have a market share of 5 per cent in the Indian smartphone segment.
Not much compared to Samsung's 29 per cent, but then again, six years ago, homegrown brand Micromax was just at 1 per cent, and is now perched at No 2 with a market share of 18 per cent in smartphones. With these numbers, it would seem naive to write off China's entry.
So what is it about these phones that is helping Indians overcome their prejudices? Suman Srivastava, founder and innovation artist, Marketing Unplugged explains "Futurebrand, in its 2014 report, found that China ranks No 9 in the global list of the Best Country of Origin. Brands like Lenovo, Alibaba and maybe Xiaomi, are helping China improve," he says.
"Till about five years ago, Chinese companies sold cheap, poor quality phones in India. Despite being the manufacturing capital of the world, the bias against China-made phones obviously grew after one saw these products," says Manu Kumar Jain, India head, Xiaomi. Arvind R Vohra, Gionee's India head, adds, "It wasn't long before Chinese brands realised they could enter the Indian market themselves, considering they had the manufacturing capability," he says.
But whether it's Xiaomi, Gionee or OPPO, they all agree about three things — the power of a great product, innovation and competitive pricing. Forces strong enough to overcome any anti-Chinese sentiment. "The products themselves are the key to success," says Tom Lu, CEO, OPPO Mobiles India. "Any user looking for a great device and an incredible experience will choose a product based on its features, specifications, looks and ROI."
Jain attributes Xiaomi's success to the build quality, the chipset, the camera and the works. A phone is worth nothing if it doesn't come with great hardware and software, he says. Affordability is and always has been the Indian buyers' weakness. Here is where these brands believe they score over established names. "We are an aspirational brand, because of the way we price ourselves," Vohra elaborates.
"Our phones cost 10 per cent more than Indian-make phones in the same segment, but 40 per cent lesser than Samsung." Jain believes that the Xiaomi Mi3, for instance, packs a punch at Rs 13,999. "We are selling a phone easily worth over Rs 40000 at such a low price. Buyers tend to forget their biases when they get value for money."
But how has the journey been for the Chinese-origin Lenovo, who forayed into smartphones recently? A brand known for PCs, laptops and tablets, it certainly didn't have to introduce itself. But then, it couldn't have been easy to get consumers to associate the name with smartphones, either.
"We are a company with Chinese origins, but consider ourselves a global brand," explains Lenovo's Shailendra Katyal, director - home and small business (India & South Asia). "We have the advantage of a portfolio over price. It also helps that we aren't an unknown, entry-level brand in the smartphone ecosystem."
Katyal believes that consumers aren't ignorant - they know that the origins of almost everything they purchase can be traced back to China. "Consumers now look for products that are of value to them." Srivastava believes that cheap products never undermine strong brands, but only create a different market.
For instance, Nokia did not lose out because of cheaper phones, but because of better technology from Samsung and Apple. Hence, Samsung won't suffer as long as it keeps investing in both technology and brand. Established brands have another advantage — a nationwide distribution network.
Brands like Xiaomi, for instance, retail exclusively on Flipkart, while OPPO Mobile is looking to build its offline retail network. But at the moment, the brand relies heavily on e-commerce portals. Most new companies cannot kick things off with a fully developed distribution system; it takes time, effort and huge spending power.
For these companies, e-commerce portals are a boon. Customers today are open to buying electronics online, what with a cash-on-delivery option and portals like Flipkart and Amazon. Jain has another good reason to embrace online retailing. "Tying up with distributors and retailers means having to hike the price of the product. We would rather save on that margin and pass it on to consumers." That is also a reason Xiaomi chooses to have zero ad spends, depending only on word-of-mouth and organic social media for promotion.
Vohra surprisingly has a different point of view. "Online consumers add up to only 6 per cent of the consumer base. How does a brand reach the other 94 per cent without retailing offline? To me, exclusive online tie-ups are a lazy strategy." He claims that there is close to zero brand recall in the interim period between sales. Srivastava sums this up neatly. "It is hardly surprising that e-commerce brands are willing to pay for valuable mobile desktop space. However, its value will fall as the space gets more crowded. Another method will then be needed to catch the eye of the consumer," he says.
Especially relevant considering Indians change their phones once every 1 to 1.5 years. Lu sees the potential in the consistent growth in the smartphone market, driven by enhanced consumer preference for smart devices and narrowing price differences.
Meanwhile, Vohra is eyeing the 70 per cent market that is yet to migrate from feature phones, as is everyone else, surely. Even if 'may you live in interesting times', is not as many believe an ancient Chinese curse or proverb, these are definitely interesting times for these brands to be living through. A chance to rewrite history and a level playing field where just about anyone can be king of the ring.
Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
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'It is theft and it is lazy': Apple designer responds to Xiaomi comparisons
During an interview at the Vanity Fair Summit earlier this week, Apple's senior vice president of design Jony Ive gave a rather candid reply when an audience member asked how he felt about phone manufacturers such as Xiaomi, which is often dubbed "the Apple of China".
“I’ll stand a little bit harsh, I don’t see it as flattery. When you’re doing something for the first time, you don’t know it’s gonna work, you spend 7 or 8 years working on something, and then it’s copied. I think it is really straightforward. It is theft and it is lazy. I don’t think it is ok at all," Ive said.
Xiaomi, China's biggest smartphone vendor, launched its Mi 4 this past July to much fanfare. The phone goes for around 320-390 USD and is seen as the most threatening contender against Apple and its new iPhone 6, preorders for which are inching towards 5 million ahead the phone's October 16 mainland launch.
Xiaomi's global vice president Hugo Barra, a former Google VP who joined the Chinese smartphone maker in August last year, said in July that he was "sick and tired" of hearing about the company copying Apple, adding that such allegations are "sweeping sensationalist statements because they have nothing better to talk about."
'It is theft and it is lazy': Apple designer responds to Xiaomi comparisons
During an interview at the Vanity Fair Summit earlier this week, Apple's senior vice president of design Jony Ive gave a rather candid reply when an audience member asked how he felt about phone manufacturers such as Xiaomi, which is often dubbed "the Apple of China".
“I’ll stand a little bit harsh, I don’t see it as flattery. When you’re doing something for the first time, you don’t know it’s gonna work, you spend 7 or 8 years working on something, and then it’s copied. I think it is really straightforward. It is theft and it is lazy. I don’t think it is ok at all," Ive said.
Xiaomi, China's biggest smartphone vendor, launched its Mi 4 this past July to much fanfare. The phone goes for around 320-390 USD and is seen as the most threatening contender against Apple and its new iPhone 6, preorders for which are inching towards 5 million ahead the phone's October 16 mainland launch.
Xiaomi's global vice president Hugo Barra, a former Google VP who joined the Chinese smartphone maker in August last year, said in July that he was "sick and tired" of hearing about the company copying Apple, adding that such allegations are "sweeping sensationalist statements because they have nothing better to talk about."
Attachments
Will Xiaomi’s Mi 4 Crush Apple’s iPhone 6 and Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 in China?
By Leo Sun
Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL ) iPhone 6 Plus and Samsung's (NASDAQOTH: SSNLF ) Galaxy Note 4 will soon go to war all across China. According to e-commerce site JD.com(NASDAQ: JD ) , preorders for the iPhone 6 are closing in on 5 million, which hint at an explosive launch for Apple on Oct. 17. Those big numbers apparently scared Samsung into launching the Galaxy Note 4 early on Sept. 26, instead of mid-October.
L to R: The iPhone 6, Galaxy Note 4, and the Xiaomi Mi 4. Source: Company websites
But amid all that noise about Apple versus Samsung, there's one sly competitor that could spoil the party for both companies: Xiaomi, China's biggest smartphone vendor. In late July, Xiaomi launched its new flagship, the Mi 4, for approximately $320 (16GB) to $390 (64GB) unlocked. The Mi 4 is a highly disruptive competitor which crushes the iPhone 6 in price and performance, while nearly matching the Note 4's specs at less than half the cost.
<tbody>
</tbody>Sources: Industry and company websites; *U.S. contract-free prices except for Xiaomi
Xiaomi can afford to sell its phones at such low prices because it spends nearly nothing on marketing, relies on online retailers instead of brick-and-mortar ones, and is willing to accept lower profits per unit to gain market share.
Those strategies helped Xiaomi claim 14% of the Chinese market during the second quarter, according to Canalys, up from 5% a year earlier. By comparison, Samsung, Lenovo, andYulong each claimed 12% of the market, while Apple controlled 6%. Looking ahead, should Apple and Samsung investors be worried about the meteoric rise of Xiaomi and the new Mi 4 in China?
What the Mi 4 means for Apple's iPhone 6
Despite selling a technically inferior phone at a much higher price tag in China, Apple shouldn't really worry about Xiaomi, since the two companies appeal to different kinds of customers.
The iPhone has become a top status symbol in China, where increasingly wealthy consumers are eager to show off their wealth with high-end purchases. In addition to the aforementioned preorders, CNN claims that grey market iPhone 6 units from Hong Kong are being sold in China for more than double the retail price. Meanwhile, a recent survey from research firm Upstream polling over 4,500 customers across five emerging markets found that 42% of Chinese consumers planned to purchase an iPhone, while only 32% wanted a Samsung handset as their next device.
Apple Store in Beijing. Source: Flickr
There also aren't any iOS alternatives for a current generation iPhone, but there are plenty of alternatives for an Android-powered Note 4 or Mi 4. However, that doesn't mean that Apple should take the Chinese market for granted. Xiaomi's growing user base, unfavorable side-by-side technical comparisons, and patriotic support of Xiaomi as the "Apple of China" could all throttle Apple's market share growth.
What the Mi 4 means for Samsung's Galaxy Note 4
Samsung, on the other hand, could be in trouble. The Galaxy Note 4 is priced to compete against the iPhone 6 Plus, but there aren't any headlines about millions of preorders, smuggled phones, or vendors doubling its retail price. At the time of this writing, vendors onAlibaba's Taobao are selling the Hong Kong version of the Note 4 to mainland customers for its suggested retail price of 4,800 RMB ($780).
The problem for Samsung is that high-end consumers will flock to the iPhone 6, while low to mid-range Android customers will favor cheaper devices like the Mi 4. To make matters worse, Xiaomi has lowered Chinese price expectations to the point that domestic rivals have launched even more impressive devices than the Mi 4 at comparable prices. For example, the OnePlus One is powered by nearly the same hardware as the Mi 4, but offers a much larger 5.5-inch screen for only $299.
Samsung expects operating profit to plunge around 60% year over year in the third quarter, which doesn't put the company in the position to aggressively cut prices to be in line with Xiaomi and One Plus. Faced with those odds, the only option left for Samsung is to fight tooth and nail against Apple in the premium market.
The Foolish takeaway
Xiaomi is a dangerous competitor in China, but it poses more of a threat to Samsung than Apple.
Looking ahead, I expect Xiaomi and its domestic peers to gobble up the low and mid-range market, while Apple gains market share in the premium market. Samsung will be crushed between the two and be faced with a hard choice -- should it fight harder to protect its premium branding, or should it sacrifice margins to regain market share?
By Leo Sun
Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL ) iPhone 6 Plus and Samsung's (NASDAQOTH: SSNLF ) Galaxy Note 4 will soon go to war all across China. According to e-commerce site JD.com(NASDAQ: JD ) , preorders for the iPhone 6 are closing in on 5 million, which hint at an explosive launch for Apple on Oct. 17. Those big numbers apparently scared Samsung into launching the Galaxy Note 4 early on Sept. 26, instead of mid-October.
L to R: The iPhone 6, Galaxy Note 4, and the Xiaomi Mi 4. Source: Company websites
But amid all that noise about Apple versus Samsung, there's one sly competitor that could spoil the party for both companies: Xiaomi, China's biggest smartphone vendor. In late July, Xiaomi launched its new flagship, the Mi 4, for approximately $320 (16GB) to $390 (64GB) unlocked. The Mi 4 is a highly disruptive competitor which crushes the iPhone 6 in price and performance, while nearly matching the Note 4's specs at less than half the cost.
| CPU | RAM | Rear Camera | Screen | Price* | |
| iPhone 6 | 1.4Ghz Dual-core | 1GB | 8-megapixel | 4.7-inch | $649 (16GB) $749 (64GB) $849 (128GB) |
| iPhone 6 Plus | 1.4Ghz Dual-core | 1GB | 8-megapixel | 5.5-inch | $749 (16GB) $849 (64GB) $949 (128GB) |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 4 | 2.7Ghz Quad-core | 3GB | 16-megapixel | 5.7-inch | $750 (32GB) |
| Xiaomi Mi 4 | 2.5Ghz Quad-core | 3GB | 13-megapixel | 5.0-inch | $320 (16GB) $390 (64GB) |
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Xiaomi can afford to sell its phones at such low prices because it spends nearly nothing on marketing, relies on online retailers instead of brick-and-mortar ones, and is willing to accept lower profits per unit to gain market share.
Those strategies helped Xiaomi claim 14% of the Chinese market during the second quarter, according to Canalys, up from 5% a year earlier. By comparison, Samsung, Lenovo, andYulong each claimed 12% of the market, while Apple controlled 6%. Looking ahead, should Apple and Samsung investors be worried about the meteoric rise of Xiaomi and the new Mi 4 in China?
What the Mi 4 means for Apple's iPhone 6
Despite selling a technically inferior phone at a much higher price tag in China, Apple shouldn't really worry about Xiaomi, since the two companies appeal to different kinds of customers.
The iPhone has become a top status symbol in China, where increasingly wealthy consumers are eager to show off their wealth with high-end purchases. In addition to the aforementioned preorders, CNN claims that grey market iPhone 6 units from Hong Kong are being sold in China for more than double the retail price. Meanwhile, a recent survey from research firm Upstream polling over 4,500 customers across five emerging markets found that 42% of Chinese consumers planned to purchase an iPhone, while only 32% wanted a Samsung handset as their next device.
Apple Store in Beijing. Source: Flickr
There also aren't any iOS alternatives for a current generation iPhone, but there are plenty of alternatives for an Android-powered Note 4 or Mi 4. However, that doesn't mean that Apple should take the Chinese market for granted. Xiaomi's growing user base, unfavorable side-by-side technical comparisons, and patriotic support of Xiaomi as the "Apple of China" could all throttle Apple's market share growth.
What the Mi 4 means for Samsung's Galaxy Note 4
Samsung, on the other hand, could be in trouble. The Galaxy Note 4 is priced to compete against the iPhone 6 Plus, but there aren't any headlines about millions of preorders, smuggled phones, or vendors doubling its retail price. At the time of this writing, vendors onAlibaba's Taobao are selling the Hong Kong version of the Note 4 to mainland customers for its suggested retail price of 4,800 RMB ($780).
The problem for Samsung is that high-end consumers will flock to the iPhone 6, while low to mid-range Android customers will favor cheaper devices like the Mi 4. To make matters worse, Xiaomi has lowered Chinese price expectations to the point that domestic rivals have launched even more impressive devices than the Mi 4 at comparable prices. For example, the OnePlus One is powered by nearly the same hardware as the Mi 4, but offers a much larger 5.5-inch screen for only $299.
Samsung expects operating profit to plunge around 60% year over year in the third quarter, which doesn't put the company in the position to aggressively cut prices to be in line with Xiaomi and One Plus. Faced with those odds, the only option left for Samsung is to fight tooth and nail against Apple in the premium market.
The Foolish takeaway
Xiaomi is a dangerous competitor in China, but it poses more of a threat to Samsung than Apple.
Looking ahead, I expect Xiaomi and its domestic peers to gobble up the low and mid-range market, while Apple gains market share in the premium market. Samsung will be crushed between the two and be faced with a hard choice -- should it fight harder to protect its premium branding, or should it sacrifice margins to regain market share?
- Xiaomi launched Mi4 in July while Apple launched the iPhone 6 in September so how to say Xiaomi copy Apple.
- Also Xiaomi using Android while Apple their own OS both different platform.
- Apple so clever to sue others why not sue Xiaomi?
Hmmmm many unanswered questions
- Also Xiaomi using Android while Apple their own OS both different platform.
- Apple so clever to sue others why not sue Xiaomi?
Hmmmm many unanswered questions
It's all about fear and denial. US tech companies have been in the lead for so long that it's hard for them to accept the fact that East Asian companies are able to catch up and surpass them in some departments. The world order is changing rather fast, and the white man is not about to relinquish control so soon, not without a nasty fight.
It's true that Lei Jun idolizes Jobs and wants Xiaomi to be a global tech icon like Apple. It's true that he's borrowed some of Apple's philosophy and strategy in marketing Xiaomi products. It's true he dresses like Steve - black T-shirt and blue jeans.
But you can't sue Xiaomi for these things, because Xiaomi did not – so far – steal patented Apple technology. As for Samsung, the jury is still out on Apple's lawsuits against Samsung for repeatedly ripping its designs and features, pending the latest appeal.
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Like that how to accuse people copy? Alamak!
I want to buy a Mi 4 to play. Think I'll get my friend in China to buy.
Xiaomi President Suggests Apple's Jony Ive Give Xiaomi A Try
Jonathan Ive, the designing genius behind some of the legendary Apple products is known for his pleasant manners and mellow Essex accent. But even the ever-gentlemanly Jony couldn’t hold his temper when a Chinese smart phone brand name was mentioned.
At a recent Vanity Fair event, when a member of the audience came up to ask a question about Xiaomi, referring it as “the Apple of China,” Ive purportedly said:
“I’ll stand a little bit harsh, I don’t see it as flattery. When you’re doing something for the first time, you don’t know it’s gonna work, you spend 7 or 8 years working on something, and then it’s copied. I think it is really straightforward. It is theft and it is lazy. I don’t think it is ok at all.”
In response, Lin Bin, cofounder and president of Xiaomi, made a rather circumspect reply today.
Lin suggested that Johnathon might have never used a Xiaomi product and urged him to try. He even made the gesture of giving Jony a Xiaomi product (presumably a Mi Phone) for free.
Why The Word Thief Would Better Having Never Been Said
It is going to be a futile debate whether Xiaomi or other smart phones have copied Apple’s. While one can compile a list of similarities between a Xiaomi and an iPhone, Xiaomi defenders are most likely come back with a list of differences that is just long. Imitation seems to be inevitable but Xiaomi is not the only one that is guilty – don’t get me wrong: I am not trying to defend the company saying it should not be criticised for doing what the rest of the world seem to have been doing. But lets face it: the cost of not imitating Apple is high in today’s environment. Just take a look at BlackBerry and Nokia , the two examples who resisted the temptation.
But there is more reason that Jony Ivy should not be that blunt from a PR perspective.
First, accusing a competitor being a thief wouldn’t do any good to Apple’s image except maybe making it appear insecure and negative. Given that Xiaomi was mostly selling in China, a country with a legal system that doesn’t favour foreigners, Apple’s patent lawsuits wouldn’t work here. And it is never wise to make accusations when you are not ready to back them up.
Second, such a statement may be (mis)interpreted as Apple’s semi-official acknowledgement that Xiaomi is indeed “China’s Apple”. Despite that the Chinese company’s effort to differentiate itself from the rest of Chinese Apple wannabes, so far its high sales numbers have been driven mostly by low prices. Even if there were no Xiaomi, its price-conscious customers would most likely go to Meizu or Huawei rather than Apple. For the later, it would be wise to avoid being associated with a brand that is below its league. Steve Jobs may have called Android a stolen product, but hey, at least that is Google.
The reason that Apple is able to charge premium is its ability to innovate. Apple used to be able to claim it was two years ahead of its competitors. Now this claim seems to be a bit shaky. Yes, to keep ahead of your competitors is a tough battle, especially when they not only “copy” your products but also “copy” your methods and philosophy. But among ways that Apple can earn respect, calling people thieves is not one. When you start to feel hard to keep up with users’ expectations, look into your design process and do some self-reflection. An aloof Apple that wows its customers with great products is much preferable than a self-righteous one that sleeps on its past glory.
A better response for Jony would perhaps be a curtly: “I am afraid I am not aware of the brand.” Or just a shrug, a helpless grimace – “What can we do? We are Apple.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericxlm...t-suggests-apples-jony-ive-give-xiaomi-a-try/
Jonathan Ive, the designing genius behind some of the legendary Apple products is known for his pleasant manners and mellow Essex accent. But even the ever-gentlemanly Jony couldn’t hold his temper when a Chinese smart phone brand name was mentioned.
At a recent Vanity Fair event, when a member of the audience came up to ask a question about Xiaomi, referring it as “the Apple of China,” Ive purportedly said:
“I’ll stand a little bit harsh, I don’t see it as flattery. When you’re doing something for the first time, you don’t know it’s gonna work, you spend 7 or 8 years working on something, and then it’s copied. I think it is really straightforward. It is theft and it is lazy. I don’t think it is ok at all.”
In response, Lin Bin, cofounder and president of Xiaomi, made a rather circumspect reply today.
Lin suggested that Johnathon might have never used a Xiaomi product and urged him to try. He even made the gesture of giving Jony a Xiaomi product (presumably a Mi Phone) for free.
Why The Word Thief Would Better Having Never Been Said
It is going to be a futile debate whether Xiaomi or other smart phones have copied Apple’s. While one can compile a list of similarities between a Xiaomi and an iPhone, Xiaomi defenders are most likely come back with a list of differences that is just long. Imitation seems to be inevitable but Xiaomi is not the only one that is guilty – don’t get me wrong: I am not trying to defend the company saying it should not be criticised for doing what the rest of the world seem to have been doing. But lets face it: the cost of not imitating Apple is high in today’s environment. Just take a look at BlackBerry and Nokia , the two examples who resisted the temptation.
But there is more reason that Jony Ivy should not be that blunt from a PR perspective.
First, accusing a competitor being a thief wouldn’t do any good to Apple’s image except maybe making it appear insecure and negative. Given that Xiaomi was mostly selling in China, a country with a legal system that doesn’t favour foreigners, Apple’s patent lawsuits wouldn’t work here. And it is never wise to make accusations when you are not ready to back them up.
Second, such a statement may be (mis)interpreted as Apple’s semi-official acknowledgement that Xiaomi is indeed “China’s Apple”. Despite that the Chinese company’s effort to differentiate itself from the rest of Chinese Apple wannabes, so far its high sales numbers have been driven mostly by low prices. Even if there were no Xiaomi, its price-conscious customers would most likely go to Meizu or Huawei rather than Apple. For the later, it would be wise to avoid being associated with a brand that is below its league. Steve Jobs may have called Android a stolen product, but hey, at least that is Google.
The reason that Apple is able to charge premium is its ability to innovate. Apple used to be able to claim it was two years ahead of its competitors. Now this claim seems to be a bit shaky. Yes, to keep ahead of your competitors is a tough battle, especially when they not only “copy” your products but also “copy” your methods and philosophy. But among ways that Apple can earn respect, calling people thieves is not one. When you start to feel hard to keep up with users’ expectations, look into your design process and do some self-reflection. An aloof Apple that wows its customers with great products is much preferable than a self-righteous one that sleeps on its past glory.
A better response for Jony would perhaps be a curtly: “I am afraid I am not aware of the brand.” Or just a shrug, a helpless grimace – “What can we do? We are Apple.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericxlm...t-suggests-apples-jony-ive-give-xiaomi-a-try/
sharp aquos crystal smartphone.....amazing display.
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