Xiaomi 15 Sells Out: Who is the Ultimate Winner in This Year's Flagship Showdown?

Xiaomi 15 Sells Out: Who is the Ultimate Winner in This Year's Flagship Showdown?Recently, Lu Weibing, head of Xiaomi's mobile phone division, revealed in a live stream that the Xiaomi 15 series had surpassed one million sales in just nine days, significantly faster than the Xiaomi 14 series' million sales milestone. Records show that the Xiaomi 14 series took about a month to reach a million sales, indicating strong consumer recognition for the Xiaomi 15 series

Xiaomi 15 Sells Out: Who is the Ultimate Winner in This Year's Flagship Showdown?

Recently, Lu Weibing, head of Xiaomi's mobile phone division, revealed in a live stream that the Xiaomi 15 series had surpassed one million sales in just nine days, significantly faster than the Xiaomi 14 series' million sales milestone. Records show that the Xiaomi 14 series took about a month to reach a million sales, indicating strong consumer recognition for the Xiaomi 15 series. (Source: Douyin) Interestingly, Lu Weibing also discussed the user base of the Xiaomi 15 series, stating that approximately 20% of new users are former Apple users, a figure closely mirroring the new user composition for the Xiaomi MIX Flip. This suggests that while domestic manufacturers are actively integrating with Apple's ecosystem, Xiaomi has taken the lead in attracting a significant portion of Apple users. This raises the question: What is the driving force behind the Xiaomi 15 series, which, on the surface, seems to offer no significant changes, capturing the attention of a large consumer base? Has the Xiaomi 15 truly achieved a "breakthrough"?

At the Xiaomi 14 series launch, Lei Jun declared that this generation would be the last with a starting price of 3,999 yuan, stating that subsequent models would be priced higher. Following this announcement, many media outlets predicted the Xiaomi 14 series would be the last pinnacle of the Xiaomi digital series. Indeed, the Xiaomi 15 series has a starting price of 4,499 yuan, a slight increase over its predecessor. However, it has eliminated the 8GB+256GB configuration, starting directly from 12GB+256GB. Considering this change, the actual price increase is not substantial. Notably, almost all competing models have increased their starting prices, making Xiaomi's price hike less controversial. (Source: Lei Technology live recording)

Without the constraints of the 3,999 yuan price tag, we observe a shift in the positioning of the Xiaomi 15 series compared to its predecessor. In terms of design, the standard Xiaomi 15 has become more refined, with features like the curved transition of the lens module Deco and the narrow, straight-edged display on the front contributing to a more "high-end" feel for this generation of the Xiaomi digital series. Additionally, the Xiaomi 15 Pro employs a precise strategy, addressing the lack of long-range photography capabilities with a limited-edition return of the eye-catching "bright silver" color, elevating the product's positioning. By avoiding excessive reliance on external specifications, Xiaomi has shifted consumer focus to the improvements in the Xiaomi 15 series' experience.

• Imagery: The Xiaomi 15 doesn't boast hardware upgrades but focuses on algorithmic optimization. As highlighted in Lei Technology's Xiaomi 15 review, these algorithmic enhancements have significantly improved the Xiaomi 15's performance in managing highlights and dynamic range compared to the Xiaomi 14.

• Peripheral Experience: The Xiaomi 15 series comes standard with ultrasonic fingerprint technology across all models. Those familiar with this biometric solution will appreciate its strengths: fast recognition speeds, high accuracy, enhanced security, and most importantly, the sensor is located centrally on the screen, aligning with most users' touch positions. (Source: Lei Technology live recording)

It's noteworthy that Lu Weibing mentioned in his live stream that the Xiaomi 15 Pro significantly outsold its predecessor during the initial sales period, suggesting a growing consumer willingness to embrace Xiaomi smartphones priced at 5,000 yuan and 6,000 yuan. This marks a promising start. On Weibo, the "Wisdom Chip Insider" reported that the Xiaomi 15 ranked first and the Xiaomi 15 Pro ranked fourth in the sales ranking for week 44 of 2024. Sandwiched between them were the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro. (Source: Douyin)

The fact that the Xiaomi 15 series is starting to attract more and more iPhone users is a testament to the effectiveness of the "Mi High-End" strategy.

Can It Attract Apple Fans Without Mimicking Apple?

This year's flagship phones have largely been chasing the "Apple feel." Vivo X200 Pro mini, for instance, features the same 6.3-inch small straight screen found on the iPhone 16 Pro, while OPPO Find X8 boasts features like LivePhotos and AirDrop-like file sharing. Although everyone is engaged in this competition to be the most iPhone-like, Xiaomi has chosen not to be overly focused on imitating Apple.

The Xiaomi digital series has long championed the concept of compact flagship phones. Since the Xiaomi 12, nearly every standard model has settled on the golden size of around 6.3 incheslarge enough to accommodate a battery offering ample endurance yet comfortable to hold. This commitment has laid a solid foundation for the growing success of each generation of the Xiaomi digital series. Rather than being a mere substitute for the iPhone 16 Pro, the Xiaomi 15 aspires to be recognized as the most balanced compact flagship in the Android ecosystem.

The iPhone struggles to address three key issues: battery life, camera performance, and AI. These are precisely the areas where the Xiaomi 15 shines.

• Battery life: The Xiaomi 15 is equipped with a 5,400 mAh "Jinshajiang" battery, a significant upgrade from the 4,610 mAh battery in the Xiaomi 14, representing a 790 mAh increase without impacting the phone's overall weight or size. Notably, thanks to advancements in Huaxing Optoelectronics' C9 luminescent material and screen-packaging technology, the Xiaomi 15 boasts an industry-leading bezel width of 1.38 mm, surpassing even the iPhone 16 Pro. (Source: Xiaomi)

• Camera: While lacking hardware improvements, the Xiaomi 15 leverages Xiaomi's image processing model and algorithm optimizations to provide AI-powered enhancements for its long-range lens. Apple's camera capabilities have seen little notable progress in recent years. Although its video capabilities remain industry-leading, most consumers prioritize capturing everyday moments through photography rather than video recording, making Android phones more aligned with common user needs.

• AI: The Xiaomi 15 series introduces the groundbreaking integration of the second generation of Xiaomi's "Pengpai OS" with its advanced AI capabilities. The upgraded XiaoAI assistant offers new AI features like one-click search, smart navigation, and photo album search. Coupled with existing AI features like AI-driven noise cancellation and intelligent summarization, these advancements create a unique AI feature matrix. Currently, the iPhone 16 series available in mainland China does not yet support AppleIntelligence, potentially a key factor in driving consumers towards Xiaomi. (Source: Lei Technology live recording / Xiaomi 15)

If we focus solely on hardware, the Xiaomi 15 might not be the most outstanding flagship this year. The Vivo X200 Pro's 200-megapixel super-large sensor and periscope telephoto lens excel in photography, while the iQOO 13 and OnePlus 13 are powerhouses in the gaming arena. Realme GT7 Pro's 6,500 mAh battery is unmatched in terms of battery life. However, the Xiaomi 15's well-roundedness has secured victory in this battle.

Of course, we've only scratched the surface of the Xiaomi 15's strengths. Brand recognition and marketing strategies have also contributed to the higher level of attention surrounding the Xiaomi 15 series. For instance, the Xiaomi 15 offers customizable color options. You can choose from 20 color variations and two mid-frame options, resulting in 40 possible combinationssimilar to customizing a car. The Xiaomi 15 series also includes a diamond-studded custom edition, featuring a genuine diamond embedded in the mid-frame, adding a touch of luxury to the design. As mentioned earlier, the Xiaomi 15 Pro's bright silver edition pays homage to the classic Xiaomi 6's bright silver color scheme, appealing to the nostalgia of Xiaomi fans. Reports suggest that the diamond-studded custom edition of the Xiaomi 15 sold out within a minute of its launch. This special model has also generated significant buzz and requests for higher prices on platforms like Xiaohongshu and Weibo. Lei even personally responded to a viral TikTok video where a couple used the diamond-studded custom edition of the Xiaomi 15 for a marriage proposal, offering his blessings and further driving interest in this unique variant. (Source: Douyin)

Overall, the Xiaomi 15 series' ability to attract Apple users was expected. After all, Apple has lost a significant portion of its advantages and maintains high prices, making it difficult to maintain a leading position in the market. Simultaneously, with the emergence of numerous compact flagship models, devices like the Xiaomi 15, leading the pack, are poised to further carve out market share traditionally held by iPhone.

Is Premiumization a Reality for Chinese Brands Despite Price Hikes?

Initially, the market was skeptical about the Xiaomi 15 series' potential for success due to the price increase. However, this skepticism can be applied to most flagship models released in October