Xiaomi launches US$130 smartphone, ups focus on Taiwan market
Staff Reporter 2013-08-02 17:14
Xiaomi's latest US$130 smartphone. (Photo courtesy of Xiaomi Technology)
Chinese budget smartphone maker Xiaomi Technology has teamed up with internet giant Tencent to launch its cheapest smartphone model yet under 1,000 yuan (US$163). The smartphone brand has been lowering the prices and specifications of its models, a move reportedly criticized by Huang Zhang, founder of Xiaomi's competitor Meizu, as a betrayal of principles.
The red smartphone, priced at staggeringly low 799 yuan (US$130), comes with a quad-core processor and a 4.7-inch display.
Huang Zhang said in a microblog post: "Maybe you need to lower your standards to raise attention. Maybe abandoning principles will bring you success. Maybe you need to be unscrupulous to be successful, but that is not what I want." Huang posted the message under the name of J Wong.
Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun said the model is the first mid-range smartphone that the firm has ever built and that the company worked with Taiwanese suppliers in order to reduce the model's costs to under 1,000 yuan (US$163).
Xiaomi entered Taiwan market in April this year through FarEasTone, the third-largest telecom operator in the country. Its Xiaomi 2S model has been ranked the third-most popular smartphone in the country after Samsung's S4 and the HTC New One for two consecutive months. Lin Bin, Xiaomi co-founder and president, said the firm will sell 3,000 Xiaomi headphones priced at NT$495 (US$16.50) in August and that the company plans to increase production for Taiwan market.
Lin arrived in Taiwan on Thursday to meet with local distributors and discuss how to reduce delivery and repair time, aiming to enhance Xiaomi's brand image. Lei Jun said he is aware there are already many smartphone brands available in Taiwan and the release of the 2S was a way to test the waters.
