Ask anyone to list some of the most popular smartphone manufacturers in China and Xiaomi is bound to make it in the top three, the company is often referred to as the Apple of China. While it may not be of Cupertino’s size as yet, and it certainly doesn’t have Apple’s reach, the company has been working very hard to make a name for itself. Its quite popular in Greater China already, but now its headed to greener pastures. Spearheaded by ex-Google executive Hugo Barra, Xiaomi has set on its global expansion.
The first market Xiaomi has chosen to enter is Singapore, where its Android powered smartphones will go on sale this Friday. The mid-range Redmi smartphone will retail for $134 whereas the flagship Mi-3 smartphone will cost $332 and will be available from March 7th. Redmi will be offered by three major mobile carriers in Singapore. The company also plans to open a service center in the country to support its customers, with Barra also hinting at the possibility of a bigger facility and even a retail outlet. Xiaomi will be opening its corporate office and regional distribution center in Singapore soon, the country now serves as its regional headquarters. The next country on its target is Malaysia, Xiaomi is already looking for partners there. While it hasn’t said anything about expansion into North America as yet, there’s no mistaking its ambitiion to make it here as well. Someday, someday.
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