Xiaomi To Launch New Smartphone Series This Month To Compete With Apple's iPhone 17

Xiaomi will launch its new top-of-the-line smartphone this month, skipping the usual Xiaomi 15 generation and jumping directly to the Xiaomi 17 series. The move is to compete directly with Apple for a share of the premium smartphone market. Xiaomi's shares rose 1.9% in Hong Kong, driven in part by a rally in Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers' shares. The iPhone 17 is set to launch globally this Friday, with new Pro models featuring a renewed design. Xiaomi currently holds a small share of the global premium segment, but has increased sales by 55% in the first half of the year and has a higher chance of competing internally in China, where the iPhone Air has been delayed.

Xiaomi Corp., a leading Chinese tech giant, is set to skip the Xiaomi 15 series and launch its new top-of-the-line smartphone directly into the Xiaomi 17 series. This strategic move is aimed at competing directly with Apple Inc. for a share of the premium smartphone market. The decision comes amidst Apple's recent unveiling of the iPhone 17 family, which is expected to go on sale globally this Friday.

According to Lei Jun, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi, the Xiaomi 17 series represents a significant generational leap in product capability, fully benchmarked against the iPhone. The new devices, including the Xiaomi 17, Xiaomi 17 Pro, and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, will be the first in the world to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, introduced by Qualcomm on the same day Xiaomi skips ahead to ‘17’ smartphone series to take on iPhone 17 in heated Chinese market^[1].

Xiaomi's President Lu Weibing revealed more details about the new devices, highlighting the company's commitment to premiumization. The company has been benchmarking itself against Apple's iPhone for the past five years, aiming to compete directly in the high-end market Xiaomi Hastens Flagship Phone Release to Take On ...^[2]. While Apple controls 62% of the premium segment globally, Xiaomi has been making strides, growing its sales by 55% in the first half of this year Xiaomi hastens flagship smartphone release to take on Apple's iPhone 17^[3].

Xiaomi's stock has seen a 1.9% increase in Hong Kong, partly due to a rally in Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers' shares. The company's foray into the electric vehicle market has been particularly successful, almost tripling its Hong Kong-traded shares over the past year Xiaomi Hastens Flagship Phone Release to Take On ...^[2].

Xiaomi's move to skip the Xiaomi 15 series is a bold statement of confidence in its ability to compete with Apple. The company has been steadily increasing its market share in the premium segment, particularly in China, where the iPhone Air has been delayed. IDC analyst Bryan Ma noted that Xiaomi's confidence in its products is reflected in its decision to jump directly to the 17 series Xiaomi Hastens Flagship Phone Release to Take On ...^[2].

In conclusion, Xiaomi's decision to launch the Xiaomi 17 series this month is a strategic move aimed at challenging Apple's dominance in the premium smartphone market. With a focus on cutting-edge technology and a commitment to benchmarking against the iPhone, Xiaomi is positioning itself as a serious contender in the high-end market.