Xiaomi Phone Turns 13: From High-Performance Enthusiast to Legendary Bestseller

Xiaomi Phone Turns 13: From High-Performance Enthusiast to Legendary BestsellerToday marks the 13th anniversary of the Xiaomi phone. Lu Weibing, President of Xiaomi Group, shared photos of the first and second generation Xiaomi phones on social media, triggering a wave of nostalgia

Xiaomi Phone Turns 13: From High-Performance Enthusiast to Legendary Bestseller

Today marks the 13th anniversary of the Xiaomi phone. Lu Weibing, President of Xiaomi Group, shared photos of the first and second generation Xiaomi phones on social media, triggering a wave of nostalgia. In the comments section, one user wrote, "Back then I was still an executive at a rival company." This quote, once famously uttered by Lu Weibing at a Redmi launch event, reflects his surprise at the time when the Redmi Note 1 was released at a price of 799 yuan.

Looking back, the first Xiaomi phone was launched on August 16, 2011. Targeting the core group of enthusiast phone users, it focused on "high-performance" and "great value," instantly gaining traction. The phone boasted the powerful 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 processor, paired with 1GB of RAM and 4GB of storage, priced at 1999 yuan a true value champion for its time.

The success of the first Xiaomi phone opened the doors for the brand, laying the foundation for future successes. On August 16, 2012, the Xiaomi phone 2 was released, inheriting the high-value proposition of its predecessor while upgrading the specs with the 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, all for the same price of 1999 yuan. This again sparked a frenzy of purchases.

The Xiaomi phone 2 can be considered Xiaomi's first true bestseller. Combined with subsequent iterations like the Xiaomi 2S/2A, the entire Xiaomi phone 2 series shipped over 15 million units, making it one of the most sought-after smartphones at the time. This success catapulted Xiaomi to the forefront of the Chinese smartphone market and propelled it onto the global stage.

What's even more astonishing is the Xiaomi phone 2's remarkably long lifespan. In July 2017, Lei Jun, Xiaomi's founder, posted a Weibo message stating, "The Xiaomi 2/2S is a 5-year-old product, and almost 5 million people are still using it. Is it because of the 4.3-inch screen?" This highlights the exceptional quality of the phone and its enduring popularity among users.

From the high-performance prowess of the first Xiaomi phone to the legendary success of the Xiaomi phone 2, Xiaomi phones have weathered 13 years of transformation in the smartphone industry. Today, Xiaomi has become a global tech leader with a product portfolio encompassing smartphones, smart home devices, smart mobility solutions, and more. But the heart of Xiaomi phones remains unchanged dedicated to delivering high-value smart products that empower people and make technology better for all.