Chinese handset maker Xiaomi is gearing up for the Indian debut in next few weeks. Xiaomi, like Motorola is also teaming up with the e-Commerce major Flipkart to launch its handsets in India. Xiaomi had launched its official website in India earlier this month, announcing its entry into the Indian smartphone market in the next few weeks.
Xiaomi is expected to bring two smartphones in partnership with Flipkart in the next 2-3 months. They added the agreement between the parties is in the final stages and the launch on the online market place will happen next month, reported PTI.
Many handset makers like Motorola and Alcatel are partnering with e-commerce firms to launch their devices exclusively. While Motorola has launched its Moto G, Moto X and Moto E with Flipkart, Celkon had launched its Android Kitkat-powered Campus A35K exclusively with Snapdeal.
Founded in 2010 by serial entrepreneur Lei Jun, the Beijing-headquartered firm has become one of China's biggest electronics companies that designs, develops and sells smartphones, mobile apps and other such consumer items. Other Chinese firms selling its handsets in India include Huawei, ZTE, Lenovo, Gionee and Oppo, the latest entrant.
According to the company's website, it has already sold over 17 million handsets in China. Its portfolio includes devices like Mi 3, Mi Wi-Fi and Mi Box, among others. It launched its products in Singapore in February this year. Earlier this month, the company had also roped in Jabong co-founder Manu Kumar Jain to head its operations in India.
According to research firm IDC, smartphone sales in the country grew almost three-fold to over 44 million in 2013, buoyed by affordable devices made by local firms such as Micromax and Karbonn.
Affordable smartphones, especially those priced in the sub-USD 200 category (Rs 12,000), are doing well. Over the last few weeks, companies have launched handsets like Lumia 630 and Moto G to tap the booming market. |