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Xiaomi, one of the largest smartphone brands in China, is bringing its products to the UK next month. There will be a UK launch event on Thursday 8 November, and the following day you’ll be able to buy Xiaomi devices in store or online via mobile operator Three. Then, on 10 November, Xiaomi will open its first store in White City, London.
This comes as great news for UK customers looking to take advantage of the incredible value offered by Xiaomi’s phones, tablets and other consumer electronics, who have previously had to import these goods from China via the likes of GearBest and Geekbuying. Though in the majority of cases this process is painless, longer delivery times, ‘surprise’ import duty payments and differing consumer rights outside the EU can complicate matters.
Xiaomi phones are typically cheaper than UK-sold smartphones of a similar spec, and this is largely because the company doesn’t make more than 5% profit on any of its hardware. The huge Mi ecosystem also enables it to buy hardware in bulk, and it controls every stage of manufacture to delivery – all savings that can be pbaded down to consumers. However, UK pricing could be inflated somewhat because Xiaomi has less control over the distribution chain.
Xiaomi UK Launch Event
‘Smart Life Made Simple’ is the tagline for Xiaomi’s UK launch event on Thursday 8 November. It will be held at the Barbican Centre in London at 2pm GMT.
The UK launch follows Xiaomi’s entry to other European markets in Italy, Spain and France earlier this year.
Xiaomi and Three in the UK
Mobile operator Three has confirmed that Xiaomi devices will be sold online and in its 327 high-street stores from Friday 9 November.
“The partnership with Xiaomi is an exciting one for us,” said Shadi Halliwell, chief marketing officer at Three UK. “It has a broad portfolio of connected devices and we are looking forward to unveiling our future plans together.”
For the first time in the UK you will be able to buy a Xiaomi phone on a contract, rather than having to find the budget for the full amount up front and choosing a SIM-only deal.
Three has not confirmed which devices will be the first in stock, though we expect the Android One-powered Mi A2 and A2 Lite will be the most popular with UK buyers. Other Xiaomi devices, including the flagship Mi 8 and recently announced Mi Mix 3 run the MIUI 10 operating system, which is a custom version of Android Oreo that includes Xiaomi’s own apps.
If you can’t wait until November here’s how to buy Xiaomi phones in the UK.
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