Apple, Google and many others can learn from Xiaomi
Makradar Technologies / / December 19, 2019
Many laugh at Xiaomi, a Chinese smartphone maker, saying that the behavior of presentations and appearance of their head can not but arouse associations with Steve Jobs. Laugh laugh, but something they "catch" people.
Among smartphone manufacturers, the company is relatively young - the history of Xiaomi has about three years. And yet, over the years the company was able to gain success in the China market, and not only because of its Android phones have modest price, but also the fact that for this price the buyer receives the "hardware" of high quality, and most importantly - the company listens to its customers.
Well, for example, their fresh Red Rice has a quad-core processor and 4.7-inch HD 720p display, its value in this case is $ 130 without a contract.
eloquent figures: last year Xiaomi has sold 7 million units, and is now estimated at $ 10 billion. By the end of the year it plans to sell 15 million phones. At this rate, Xiaomi starts cramping reputable competitors: recently occupied by the share of the Chinese smartphone market it has overtaken Apple (5% vs. 4.8%). Before she could annoy and Google, to lure Hugo Barra (Hugo Barra), Google vice president of product management on Android.
Definitely, Xiaomi knows some secrets of success. By the way, the company does not hide them.
Listen to your fans - they have much to teach
The wild popularity of Xiaomi is not accidental: the company is interested in the ideas of the people to improve their shell MIUI, which is updated every week. And the company well and fans pleased. The company sees its customers as friends. It is curious that it draws a lot of tips Chinese journalists. For example, Xiaomi has added two important capabilities for journalists: even keep a record for an incoming voice call (iPhone and Android is still not offered), and set to silent mode during recording.
This position is completely protivoplozhna "apple", where companies are doing what they like.
You can make cheap phones that do not stink
Maybe other Chinese companies, for example, Huawei, ZTE and the Lenovo, and the more successful the number of sales, but low-cost devices from Xiaomi higher quality.
According to analysts of TrendForce, Xiaomi to offer a good "hardware" at a low price thanks A few points: the company presents its products in advance, giving her time to get cheaper components; it controls their stocks of goods, providing customers with the opportunity to preview order by phone through its website (so do not have to stay in the end with a bunch of unsold Device); it relies on social media for marketing, so does not need billions of dollars on advertising goals, as do Samsung, Apple and HTC. Thus TrendForce also said that the cost of Red Rice is only $ 85. And plans for a Napoleon: "We are not just some cheap Chinese company producing cheap phones. We're going to get into the list of 500 companies Fortune, »- said the head of the New York Times Xiaomi.
... And you can make money on the cheap phones
Xiaomi holds the record for the fastest company - even to achieve revenue of $ 1 billion in China. In addition to the phone company sells accessories for them, including covers and headphones, as well as additional shell for MIUI. Xiaomi, apparently gets more penny from advertising on MIUI. In the first half 2013 revenues amounted to 2.16 billion dollars, and possibly even double over the current year.
The company also plans to enter a further five markets in the next year (currently it sells phones only in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong) - and in doing so, they have to help Hugo Barra.
In any case, the quick success of Xiaomi proves that the future of the smartphone market - for the developing countries. Handset manufacturers on Android (except Samsung) bit hard to make money on high-end devices - it is more profitable to focus on emerging markets.
And if budget iPhone 5C Apple's would be real, then it will be necessary to thank Xiaomi.