T-Mobile AT&T Verizon Sprint Android Xiaomi

Xiaomi admits carriers are key to its eventual US market entrance

by Joshua Swingle

May 25, 2018, 2:29 PM

Xiaomi admits carriers are key to its eventual US market entrance

Xiaomi has finally detailed its path into the US smartphone market. The Chinese brand’s plans to conquer the US market are certainly no secret. But now, speaking to AndroidCentral, the company’s Product PR Manager, John Chan, detailed the obstacles that lie ahead.

Due to Xiaomi’s goal of competing at the same scale as Samsung and Apple in the country, the brand’s first objective will be tackling carriers. After all, as Chan points out, it’s extremely hard to compete in the market without carrier promotion – the only brand with “some kind of success outside of carriers in the US is OnePlus.” Nevertheless, reaching agreements won’t be an easy task, as Huawei saw earlier this year with its failed agreement with AT&T. Despite the setbacks Xiaomi’s competitors have faced, however, the brand does appear optimistic and hopes to bring its “full range, even the Redmi series,” over to the US but has also revealed it’s in no rush to do so – the brand plans to study the US market carefully before entering it.

All of this should ultimately allow Xiaomi to carefully curate its products to US consumers tastes, as well as its MIUI software. In addition to this, though, a significant marketing campaign will also be required. After all, carrier agreements alone won’t be sufficient to compete on the same level as Apple and Samsung. But, this could affect the company’s profits significantly – it has previously vowed to make no more than 5% profit on its smartphone sales.

Xiaomi is yet to confirm an official entrance date, but previous comments suggest the arrival will happen within the next 12 months. If this is the case, it will remain to be seen how the brand handles the huge market, but an agreement with just one carrier at first seems to be the most likely scenario and, depending on how this plays out, the brand could eventually expand its offerings to other major carriers in the future.

via: AndroidCentral

Options

5 Comments

5. Back_from_beyond

Posts: 1488; Member since: Sep 04, 2015

It will just be the next on the list of brands that won't be allowed to sell in the U.S. They already denied Huawei proper access to the U.S. carrier market.

posted on May 27, 2018, 7:56 AM 0

4. TheOracle1

Posts: 2340; Member since: May 04, 2015

I've owned various Xiaomi phones and currently use the Mix2. Tremendous value and excellent phones. Unfortunately US consumers are so brainwashed it'll be tough to make a significant impact. But........... If they hire an airhead like Kim Kardashian that could change quickly. Image is more important than hardware to the American consumer hence the success of the iPhone.

posted on May 26, 2018, 6:02 AM 1

2. nwright94

Posts: 211; Member since: Oct 14, 2014

I currently have an iPhone but I’d be more than willing to give Xiaomi a shot if they were easier to get in the US, their design is appealing I personally think.

posted on May 25, 2018, 3:57 PM 0

1. Nimbus

Posts: 442; Member since: Apr 02, 2018

US people will really enjoy the Redmi Note series,Android one and Mi series devices for their bang of buck specs & prices.How Chinese company 1+ is allowed launch their devices in US unlike Huawei.I don't know well.

posted on May 25, 2018, 3:31 PM 0

3. zeppo

Posts: 200; Member since: Jul 21, 2015

Huawei try to sell their phones through carriers so that they have more exposure to consumers. They can sell 10-100 mils with heavy marketing. While oneplus sell their unlocked phone online only. You can buy unlocked Huawei phone or any Chinese phone online in US same as Oneplus. Now you see the differents?