Why Xiaomi phones are so popular?

We live in a world that spews out new technology with almost the same frequency with which we change our clothes. The pace at which technology is moving ahead is mind boggling. All we can do is keep guessing what is going to be out there next to keep us engaged. As long as you have the money you can have a taste of the best things in life. This may no longer be true, thanks to the Chinese manufacturers delivering products that are designed for the masses instead of the classes. The latest sensation that is turning heads and keeping people engrossed are the new range of Xiaomi phone that have been recently launched in the market. The company is not as old as the top shots who have been in the business for decades, but have managed to cause quite a stir ever since they started manufacturing.

What is Xiaomi?

It is common knowledge that when it comes to technology pertaining to gizmos and gadgets, China is on top of their game. They offer what the big wigs of the gizmo world do at a miniscule subset of the cost. This gives them an edge over all their competitors as they are affordable. You need not have to shell out a colossal sum to acquire the latest technology.Xiaomi is an up and coming company based in China that has developed some swanky handsets that people are really gung-ho about. Xiaomi is one of the leading handset manufacturing companies in China and that speaks volumes. They started off with handset manufacturing, but have done well enough to move into consumer electronics market and are making their mark there as well.

Should you go in for a Chinese electronic device?

Most people have their reservations about purchasing gadgets that are produced in the Chinese market, which is not totally unfounded. Xiaomi is not one of those companies that you need to beware of though. They are extremely reliable when it comes to their products and do a fabulous job with after sales service as well. This means that as a customer you are fully secured and will not have an issue after you have purchased any of their models.

Image Source: NDTV Gadgets

Does the price correspond to quality?

We have always been under the impression that the price of an object corresponds to its quality. This is not necessarily true as many of the top shots in the business charge you more for their brand name than the technology itself. Xiaomi, thankfully is not one of those gold digging brands. They offer you smartphones that can compete with the likes of the biggest names in the industry at a price that will give the rest a run for their money. The strategy that the company is using to price their phones is in stark contrast with better known names. There are interested in making minimum profit and price their smartphones just a little more than the price they incur to manufacture the product. These phones are intended for people who want to enjoy the best without having to head whopping sums of money, which is great news for all of us.

The buzz behind Xiaomi smartphones

In the little time that they have been in the market, Xiaomi has made quite a reputation for itself. The phones are not easy to lay their hands on as they get sold out almost as soon as they are launched. Most of the online shopping sites are out of stock because of the same reason and you have to place an order and wait a little while to receive the smartphone. The main reason behind this is the affordable price and exceptional quality of the phone. To add to it, there are discounts that are available for the smartphone models and people want to get the best deals. Thus, you may have to face a pre-order situation.

You can try to lay your hands on one of these smartphones from your local mobile store, but that may be difficult as the primary method of sale are online sites in order to cut down additional vendor costs and commissions.

The Xiaomi smartphone

The first handset to be released by the company is the Mi. All the other phones that have been released have been part of the same range. It is has enviable specifications and is available in a plethora of colours that makes is perfect for anyone and everyone.

Specification of the Mi 1s

Form: Touchscreen model
Screen size: 4 inches
Resolution: 480×584 pixels
Processor: 1.7 Ghz Qualcomm dual core
Memory: 1GB RAM; 4GB internal storage with microSD card slot for extra storage space
Camera: 8MP (rear facing) 2MP (front facing)
Operating system: Android 4.0 with complete JAVA support
Price: Rs.7000/-

Specifications of the Mi 2

Form: Touchscreen model
Screen size: 4.3 inches
Resolution: 720×1280 pixels
Processor: 1.5 Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual core
Memory: 2GB RAM; 16GB internal storage
Camera: 8MP (rear facing) 2MP (front facing)
Operating system: Android 4.1 with complete JAVA support
Price: Rs.12999/-

Specifications of the Mi 2a

Form: Touchscreen model
Screen size: 4.5 inches
Resolution: 720×1280 pixels
Processor: 1.7 Ghz Qualcomm MSM8260A dual core
Memory: 2GB RAM; 16GB internal storage
Camera: 8MP (rear facing) 2MP (front facing)
Operating system: Android 4.1 with complete JAVA support
Price: Rs.13999/-

Specifications of the Mi 2S

Form: Touchscreen model
Screen size: 4.3 inches
Resolution: 720×1280 pixels
Processor: 1.5 Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8064T dual core
Memory: 2GB RAM; 16GB internal storage
Camera: 8MP (rear facing) 2MP (front facing)
Operating system: Android 4.1 with complete JAVA support
Price: Rs.14999/-

Specifications of the Mi 3

Form: Touchscreen model
Screen size: 5 inches
Resolution: 1080×1920 pixels
Processor: 2.3 Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 8274AB quad core
Memory: 2GB RAM; 16GB internal storage
Camera: 13MP (rear facing) 2MP (front facing)
Operating system: Android 4.1 with complete JAVA support
Price: Rs.17870/-

Specifications of the Mi 4

Form: Touchscreen model
Screen size: 5 inches
Resolution: 1080×1920 pixels
Processor: 2.5 Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon quad core
Memory: 2GB RAM; 16GB internal storage
Camera: 13MP (rear facing) 8MP (front facing)
Operating system: Android 4.4 with complete JAVA support
Price: Rs.19000/-

The prices of these smartphones may vary with the site that you purchase it from. There are various deals that are available online and you can make a fair comparison before you make your choice.

Advantages of the Xiaomi range

• There are countless advantages of getting a Xiaomi phone. Everything about the phone will make you want to have one.
• There is a decent variety for you to choose from depending on your needs.
• The pricing is unique and the competitors with the same feature will cost you up to Rs.10000 more.
• There are many colours for you to choose from.
• The image quality of the camera impeccable and the flash works well in low light conditions
• You can get additional accessories with the smartphone if you look up the different deals that are available with the phones.

Disadvantages of the Xiaomi range

• You may find it difficult to find a service person to take a look at your phone as the company is still expanding and there are not too many service places in the country
• The prejudice that exists because of the “Chinese” term attached to the company that makes it difficult for customers to believe that they are getting a good deal for what they are paying.
• That is the only disadvantage that you may face if you purchase a Xiaomi phone. But, it can be serviced by your local service person too.

The competitors of Xiaomi are Apple, Samsung, Nokia etc and you might have well gathered that these competitors are not a major threat to this Chinese brand mainly because of the humble pricing and the features that are being offered at that rate.

The competing models of the phone are charged extortionately and you may also have to pay a high sum for service later. This is the main minus point that I see with the big brands is that they fail to offer value for money and are directed to a very specific segment of the society.

The Xiaomi range is wide and you will not have an issue picking one from what they have to offer. Also, there is considerable difference in the models which is helpful as you know exactly what features that are best suited for you and get the phone that specifically suits your needs. There are tablets that are also being manufactured by Xiaomi currently and you can take a look at them as well, in case you are looking for something that is more than just a handset. These tablets are also very decently priced and have top of the line specifications. Checking out the range in greater detail before you make your final decision is recommended. My take on the range is that they are definitely worth a try and you may end up being a loyal customer to Xiaomi for a long time to come.