Xiaomi have plans to hit the Aussie market through a local distributor Panmi as the next step in their brand expansion across the globe.
The news comes from the Australian Financial Review who have confirmation that not only have Xiaomi signed a deal with Panmi but there are ongoing talks with Optus to bring their products to Optus customers directly.
Enthusiasts who have followed the growth of Xiaomi for a while would know that they gained significant market attention internationally when Hugo Barra left Google to join their senior team in 2014, but have continued to grow and expand their product line since to now include (but not limited to):
- Smartphones
- E-Bikes and Scooters
- Powerbanks
- Cameras
- Smart Lights
- Earphones
Xiaomi’s entry into the Australian market has the potential to shake things up, particularly as they’ve developed a strong reputation for delivering a quality product at a sharp price point.
What can we expect from Xiaomi in Australia?
Our hands on time with their devices is very limited at this time, but from what we have seen and heard – their phones provide impressive performance at a fraction of the cost of current generation flagships and will fit well into our developing mid-range market.
Ausdroid did try out the Xiaomi gaming system at MWC which you can see below (good for a laugh):
What are the pros and cons that come to mind for you with a value for money buy like Xiaomi phones?
Good news, even if they are off to a bad start, selling last year’s 845 for 900.