Xiaomi's 2024 Year-End Summary: Over 100 Billion in R&D, Xiaomi 15 Ultra Post-Lunar New Year Launch, No Plans for Redmi Car

Xiaomi's 2024 Year-End Summary: Over 100 Billion in R&D, Xiaomi 15 Ultra Post-Lunar New Year Launch, No Plans for Redmi CarR&D Investment and Market Positioning: Consolidating the High-End, Looking to the FutureTo promote ecological interconnection, Xiaomi's Vela system code has been open-sourced, with over 60 manufacturers joining the Xiaomi Vela global partner program and over 354 chip platforms compatible with the system. Furthermore, Xiaomi announced that its Surge fast-charging protocol will be freely available to all automakers, terminal manufacturers, and industry accessory manufacturers

Xiaomi's 2024 Year-End Summary: Over 100 Billion in R&D, Xiaomi 15 Ultra Post-Lunar New Year Launch, No Plans for Redmi Car

At the end of 2024, Xiaomi held its "Whole-Ecosystem Partnership" conference, announcing its 2024 year-end summary and future plans. Xiaomi Group President, Lu Weibing, revealed several key pieces of information at the conference and addressed some of the most pressing questions from netizens during a subsequent livestream.

R&D Investment and Market Positioning: Consolidating the High-End, Looking to the Future

Lu Weibing summarized Xiaomi's 2024 R&D achievements at the partner conference and unveiled its R&D plans for the next few years. In 2024, Xiaomi's R&D investment reached approximately 24 billion RMB, with plans to increase this to 30 billion RMB in 2025. Cumulative R&D investment from 2022 to 2026 is expected to exceed 100 billion RMB. This massive investment demonstrates Xiaomi's commitment to technological innovation and lays a solid foundation for its future development.

Lu Weibing stated that Xiaomi has established a firm foothold in the 4,000-6,000 price segment and will focus on breaking into the higher-end market above 6,000. This indicates Xiaomi's ambition to move beyond the mid-to-low end market and target the more profitable, yet highly competitive, premium segment. Simultaneously, Xiaomi achieved the number one market share in several smart home categories, including smart speakers, smart locks, and cameras, solidifying its leading position in the smart home sector.

Positive news also arrived on the automotive front. One year after its official launch, Xiaomi's car deliveries exceeded 130,000 units, exceeding its annual target. This not only proves the competitiveness of Xiaomi's automobiles but also further strengthens its confidence in the smart mobility sector.

To promote ecological interconnection, Xiaomi's Vela system code has been open-sourced, with over 60 manufacturers joining the Xiaomi Vela global partner program and over 354 chip platforms compatible with the system. Furthermore, Xiaomi announced that its Surge fast-charging protocol will be freely available to all automakers, terminal manufacturers, and industry accessory manufacturers. By the end of 2024, more than 8 million fast-charging modules have been mass-produced, covering over 30 automakers and 160 vehicle models. Furthermore, power bank brands like Anker and Roma are supporting Xiaomi's Surge fast charging, with 33W and 55W fast charging respectively. This open collaboration model benefits Xiaomi's ecosystem expansion and the overall industry progress.

Lu Weibing's Livestream Addressing Key Issues: Xiaomi 15 Ultra, the Dong Mingzhu Controversy, and the Redmi Car

Following the partner conference, Lu Weibing hosted a livestream titled "Let's Talk About This Year," addressing several key questions from netizens.

The highly anticipated launch date of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra was finally confirmed. Lu Weibing stated that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra will be released after the Lunar New Year and will be launched globally. He emphasized that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra's launch plan has never been delayed and is proceeding smoothly as scheduled. This reassured many eagerly awaiting Xiaomi fans.

Another focus was the controversy between Xiaomi and Gree's Dong Mingzhu regarding alleged air conditioner patent infringement. Responding to Dong Mingzhu's statement on a program about Xiaomi paying Gree 500,000 in compensation for patent infringement, Lu Weibing clarified that Xiaomi's air conditioners have never infringed on any patents and have not made any such compensation. He thanked Dong Mingzhu for her promotion of Xiaomi and stated that Gree is a highly respected competitor in the air conditioning industry, but emphasized that every company should keep up with the times. This response clearly stated Xiaomi's position while acknowledging the complex relationship with its competitors.

Regarding the highly requested Redmi car, Lu Weibing gave a clear answer: Xiaomi currently has absolutely no plans for a Redmi car. This news may disappoint some who were anticipating a Redmi car, but it also shows Xiaomi's cautious strategic planning in the automotive business.

Furthermore, regarding online rumors about Xiaomi's stagnant laptop business, Xiaomi Group's Public Relations General Manager, Wang Hua, responded on Weibo that Redmi laptops are currently doing well, and Xiaomi-branded laptops will be launched at a suitable time. This suggests Xiaomi may temporarily focus on Redmi laptops, while Xiaomi-branded laptops require more time for product refinement and strategic planning.

Future Outlook: More New Products to Come

In addition to the above, Lu Weibing also revealed Xiaomi's future product plans during the livestream, such as the upcoming Xiaomi 15 Ultra, Xiaomi YU7, and a series of ecosystem products. The launch of these new products will further enrich Xiaomi's product line and meet the needs of more users. Those interested in Xiaomi and its products can continue to stay tuned for more exciting developments.

In summary, Xiaomi's 2024 year-end summary demonstrates its significant achievements in R&D investment, market positioning, and ecosystem development. Lu Weibing's responses to key questions during the livestream also reflect Xiaomi's proactive communication with users and transparent business practices. In the future, Xiaomi will continue to cultivate various fields, bringing more innovative products and improved experiences to its users.