History of Xiaomi in Timeline
Xiaomi Corporation is a Chinese electronics company headquartered in Beijing. Known for its smartphones, Xiaomi is the world's second-largest smartphone manufacturer, after Samsung. The company develops and sells consumer electronics, software, home appliances, and lifestyle products. Xiaomi also produces electric vehicles and is included on the Fortune Global 500 list.
2004: Lei Jun Sells Joyo.com to Amazon
In 2004, Lei Jun, the founder of Xiaomi, sold his e-commerce company Joyo.com to Amazon for $75 million.
April 2010: Xiaomi Co-Founded
On April 6, 2010, Xiaomi was co-founded by Lei Jun and six others with a vision to create high-quality and affordable tech products.
August 2010: Xiaomi Launches MIUI Firmware
On August 16, 2010, Xiaomi took a significant step in its journey by launching its first Android-based firmware, MIUI, which would later evolve into HyperOS. This marked the company's initial foray into the software realm.
2010: Xiaomi Raises $41 Million in Series A Funding
In 2010, Xiaomi secured $41 million in Series A funding, demonstrating early investor confidence in the company's potential.
2010: Xiaomi Founded
Xiaomi was founded in 2010 in Beijing by Lei Jun and six associates.
August 2011: Xiaomi Launches First Smartphone - Xiaomi Mi 1
In August 2011, Xiaomi launched its first smartphone, the Xiaomi Mi 1, running on its MIUI firmware along with Android. This marked the company's official entry into the smartphone market.
August 2011: Xiaomi Releases First Smartphone
In August 2011, Xiaomi made its foray into the smartphone market with the release of its first smartphone.
December 2011: Xiaomi Raises $90 Million in Series B Funding
In December 2011, Xiaomi raised $90 million in Series B funding as it continued to grow and expand its operations.
2011: Xiaomi's Name Origin and Meaning Revealed
In 2011, CEO Lei Jun explained the meaning behind the name "Xiaomi," stating that "Xiao" represents starting small and growing, while "mi" stands for Mobile Internet and "mission impossible." He also highlighted the Buddhist connection to the name, emphasizing humility and ambition.
June 2012: Xiaomi Raises $216 Million in Series C Funding
In June 2012, Xiaomi raised a substantial $216 million in Series C funding, reaching a $4 billion valuation. This round saw participation from prominent institutional investors, including Temasek Holdings, IDG Capital, Qiming Venture Partners, and Qualcomm, signaling strong confidence in the company's future prospects.
November 2012: Xiaomi's Smart Set-Top Box Launch Hits Regulatory Roadblock
Xiaomi's smart set-top box launch in November 2012 faced a setback when the company encountered regulatory issues with China's National Radio and Television Administration, leading to the product's suspension.
2012: Xiaomi's Name: Revolution and Innovation
In 2012, Lei Jun further elaborated on the meaning of "Xiaomi," linking it to revolution and bringing innovation to new areas. The release of their "Rifle" processor hinted at a connection to the Chinese Communist Party's revolutionary idiom "millet and rifle."
January 2013: Xiaomi Resolves Regulatory Issues with Smart Set-Top Box
Xiaomi overcame the regulatory hurdles it faced with its smart set-top box in January 2013, paving the way for the product's re-release.
August 2013: Xiaomi Hires Hugo Barra from Google
In a strategic move to expand its global presence, Xiaomi hired Hugo Barra from Google in August 2013. Barra, who had served as vice president of product management for the Android platform, joined Xiaomi as vice president, marking a significant milestone for the company as the first smartphone maker to poach a senior executive from Google's Android team.
September 2013: Xiaomi Announces Mi 3 Smartphone and Smart TV
In September 2013, Xiaomi continued to innovate and expand its product lineup by announcing the Xiaomi Mi 3 smartphone and an Android-based 47-inch 3D-capable Smart TV. The Smart TV was assembled by Wistron, a Taiwan-based manufacturer known for its work with Sony TV.
October 2013: Xiaomi Becomes Fifth-Most-Used Smartphone Brand in China
By October 2013, Xiaomi's popularity in China had soared, propelling it to become the fifth-most-used smartphone brand in the country. This milestone highlighted the company's rapid rise in the Chinese market.
2013: Xiaomi Pledges to Release Kernel Code
In 2013, Xiaomi committed to releasing the kernel code for their devices, addressing concerns about GPL compliance.
2013: Xiaomi Sells 18.7 Million Smartphones
In 2013, Xiaomi witnessed significant growth in smartphone sales, selling a total of 18.7 million units.
2013: Xiaomi's Innovation Questioned by Critics
In 2013, critics raised questions about the extent of Xiaomi's innovation, suggesting that their success might be attributed to effective public relations rather than groundbreaking technological advancements.
February 2014: Xiaomi Expands Beyond China, Establishes International Headquarters in Singapore
In February 2014, Xiaomi took a significant step towards globalization by announcing its expansion outside of China. The company established its international headquarters in Singapore, signaling its ambition to become a global player in the tech industry.
March 2014: Xiaomi Store Australia Begins Selling Xiaomi Phones Online
An unrelated business, Xiaomi Store Australia, commenced online sales of Xiaomi mobile phones in Australia through its website, XiaomiStore.com.au, in March 2014.
April 2014: Xiaomi Acquires mi.com Domain Name
In a strategic move to strengthen its brand presence, Xiaomi acquired the domain name mi.com for a record-breaking US$3.6 million in April 2014. This marked the most expensive domain name ever purchased in China at the time, replacing xiaomi.com as the company's primary domain.
July 2014: Xiaomi Requests Closure of Xiaomi Store Australia
Xiaomi requested the shutdown of Xiaomi Store Australia by July 25, 2014, shortly after the online retailer started selling Xiaomi phones in Australia.
August 2014: Xiaomi Store Australia Website Taken Down
Following Xiaomi's request and the halt of sales, the Xiaomi Store Australia website was taken down in August 2014.
September 2014: Xiaomi Acquires Stake in Roborock
In September 2014, Xiaomi made a strategic investment in Roborock, acquiring a 24.7% stake in the company. Roborock is known for its robotic vacuum cleaners and other smart home appliances.
October 2014: Xiaomi Expands Server Infrastructure for International Users
On October 23, 2014, Xiaomi announced the establishment of servers outside of China to enhance services and ensure compliance with regulations in various countries.
October 2014: Indian Air Force Issues Warning Against Xiaomi Phones
The Indian Air Force raised concerns about Xiaomi phones in October 2014, alleging that the devices posed a national security risk by transmitting user data to a Chinese government agency.
December 2014: Xiaomi Raises $1.1 Billion, Valuation Surpasses $45 Billion
In December 2014, Xiaomi secured a massive US$1.1 billion in funding, which propelled its valuation to over US$45 billion. This funding round solidified Xiaomi's position as one of the most valuable private technology companies globally. The investment was led by All-Stars Investment Limited, a prominent Hong Kong-based technology fund under the helm of former Morgan Stanley analyst Richard Ji.
December 2014: Delhi High Court Issues Injunction Against Xiaomi
The Delhi High Court issued an ex parte injunction in December 2014, prohibiting the import and sale of Xiaomi products in India due to a patent infringement complaint filed by Ericsson.
2014: Xiaomi Becomes China's Top Smartphone Vendor
By 2014, Xiaomi had captured the largest market share of smartphones sold in China.
2014: KPN Files Patent Lawsuits Against Samsung
In 2014, KPN initiated similar patent infringement lawsuits against Samsung in a US court, demonstrating a history of legal action to protect its intellectual property rights.
2014: Xiaomi's Smartphone Sales Exceed 60 Million
In 2014, Xiaomi achieved a significant milestone by selling over 60 million smartphones, underscoring the company's rapid growth and dominance in the smartphone market. Notably, 94% of Xiaomi's revenue during this period was generated from mobile phone sales, highlighting the company's core business focus at the time.
January 2015: Xiaomi Granted Permission to Sell Qualcomm-Based Devices
The Delhi High Court allowed Xiaomi to resume selling devices powered by Qualcomm processors until January 8, 2015, providing temporary relief from the injunction.
February 2015: Court Hearing Scheduled for Xiaomi-Ericsson Patent Case
A formal hearing for the patent infringement case between Xiaomi and Ericsson was scheduled for February 5, 2015, in the Delhi High Court.
April 2015: Ratan Tata Invests in Xiaomi
In April 2015, prominent Indian industrialist Ratan Tata made a strategic investment in Xiaomi, further expanding the company's investor base and global reach.
June 2015: Xiaomi Expands to Brazil, Begins Local Manufacturing
On June 30, 2015, Xiaomi marked a significant milestone in its global expansion by announcing its entry into the Brazilian market. The company commenced operations by launching the locally manufactured Redmi 2, marking the first time Xiaomi assembled a smartphone outside of China. This move demonstrated Xiaomi's commitment to expanding its manufacturing footprint and catering to local market demands.
2015: Xiaomi Expands Product Portfolio
By 2015, Xiaomi was developing a wide range of consumer electronics beyond smartphones.
2015: KPN Continues Legal Action Against Samsung
KPN pursued further legal action against Samsung in 2015, filing additional patent lawsuits to address alleged infringements.
February 2016: Xiaomi Launches Mi5 Smartphone
On February 26, 2016, Xiaomi unveiled the Mi5, a new addition to its smartphone lineup, featuring the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor.
March 2016: Xiaomi Launches Redmi Note 3 Pro in India
On March 3, 2016, Xiaomi expanded its product offerings in the Indian market with the launch of the Redmi Note 3 Pro. This smartphone stood out as the first to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 processor, a testament to Xiaomi's commitment to bringing cutting-edge technology to its customers.
May 2016: Xiaomi Launches Mi Max
On May 10, 2016, Xiaomi continued its product offensive with the launch of the Mi Max, a new smartphone model powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 650/652 processor. The Mi Max was designed to cater to the growing demand for large-screen smartphones.
June 2016: Xiaomi Acquires Patents from Microsoft
In June 2016, Xiaomi made a strategic move to bolster its intellectual property portfolio by acquiring patents from Microsoft.
September 2016: Xiaomi's Partner Roborock Releases Mi Robot Vacuum
In September 2016, Roborock, a Xiaomi-backed company, launched the Xiaomi Mi Robot vacuum cleaner. This marked Xiaomi's entry into the smart home appliance market.
September 2016: Xiaomi Expands Sales to European Union
In September 2016, Xiaomi expanded its market reach into the European Union (EU) through a strategic partnership with ABC Data, a leading IT distributor in Central and Eastern Europe.
October 2016: Xiaomi Launches Mi Mix Smartphone
On October 26, 2016, Xiaomi unveiled the Mi Mix, a groundbreaking smartphone that featured the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor.
2016: Xiaomi Exits Brazil
Despite its initial foray into the Brazilian market in 2015, Xiaomi made the decision to exit Brazil in the latter half of 2016.
February 2017: Hugo Barra Leaves Xiaomi
In February 2017, Hugo Barra, who had joined Xiaomi in 2013 to spearhead its global expansion, left the company.
March 2017: Xiaomi Announces Second Manufacturing Unit in India
On March 22, 2017, Xiaomi announced plans to establish its second manufacturing facility in India, further solidifying its commitment to the Indian market. The company partnered with Foxconn, a renowned contract manufacturer, for this venture, aiming to increase its production capacity and cater to the surging demand for Xiaomi products in India.
April 2017: Xiaomi Launches Mi6 Smartphone
On April 19, 2017, Xiaomi launched the Mi6, a high-performance smartphone powered by the cutting-edge Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor.
July 2017: Xiaomi Enters Patent Licensing Agreement with Nokia
In July 2017, Xiaomi entered into a significant patent licensing agreement with Nokia, a move that aimed to strengthen Xiaomi's intellectual property position and foster collaboration between the two companies.
September 2017: Xiaomi Releases Xiaomi Mi A1, First Android One Smartphone
On September 5, 2017, Xiaomi made its debut in the Android One program with the release of the Xiaomi Mi A1, marking a significant collaboration with Google. The Mi A1 was launched under the tagline "Created by Xiaomi, Powered by Google," signifying the joint effort in its development. Xiaomi had been working closely with Google on this project earlier in 2017. An alternative version of the phone, the Mi 5X, was also made available with Xiaomi's MIUI.
October 2017: Xiaomi Opens First Mi Store in EU
In October 2017, Xiaomi expanded its retail presence into the European Union with the opening of its first Mi Store in Athens, Greece. This marked a significant step in Xiaomi's global retail expansion strategy.
November 2017: Xiaomi Commences Sales in Spain and Western Europe
On November 7, 2017, Xiaomi further expanded its presence in Europe by commencing sales in Spain and other Western European countries.
January 2018: Xiaomi Criticized for Non-Compliance with GNU GPL
Xiaomi faced criticism in January 2018 for violating the GNU General Public License by not releasing the complete source code of the Android kernel for their devices.
March 2018: Court Extends Sale Permission for Xiaomi's Qualcomm-Based Phones
The division bench of the Delhi High Court extended the interim order, permitting Xiaomi to continue selling handsets with Qualcomm chipsets until March 2018.
April 2018: Xiaomi Announces Black Shark Gaming Smartphone Brand
In April 2018, Xiaomi made its foray into the gaming smartphone market with the announcement of its Black Shark brand. The first Black Shark phone boasted impressive specifications, including 6GB of RAM coupled with the powerful Snapdragon 845 SoC, and was competitively priced at $508, undercutting many competitors in the gaming phone arena.
May 2018: Xiaomi Begins Selling Smart Home Products in the US
In May 2018, Xiaomi made its first foray into the US market by starting sales of its smart home products through Amazon, a strategic move to tap into the growing demand for smart home devices in the country.
May 2018: Xiaomi Launches Mi Music and Mi Video in India
On May 2, 2018, Xiaomi expanded its service offerings in India with the launch of Mi Music and Mi Video. These value-added internet services aimed to provide Xiaomi users in India with a more comprehensive and engaging mobile experience.
August 2018: POCO Mid-Range Smartphone Line
In August 2018, Xiaomi announced POCO as a mid-range smartphone line, first launching in India.
August 2018: Holitech Investment in India
On 7 August 2018, Xiaomi announced that Holitech Technology Co. Ltd., Xiaomi's top supplier, would invest up to $200 million over the next three years to set up a major new plant in India.
2018: Pocophone F1 Success
In Q4 of 2018, the Xiaomi Pocophone F1 became the best-selling smartphone sold online in India. The Pocophone was sometimes referred to as the 'flagship killer' for offering high-end specifications at an affordable price.
April 2019: Check Point Researchers Discover Security Breach in Xiaomi Phone Apps
In April 2019, researchers at Check Point identified a preinstalled security vulnerability in Xiaomi phone applications, raising concerns about user privacy and data security.
October 2019: Xiaomi's 5G Phone Announcement
In October 2019, the company announced that it would launch more than 10 5G phones in 2020, including the Mi 10/10 Pro with 5G functionality.
November 2019: Xiaomi Enters Japanese Market
On 5 November 2019, Xiaomi announced that it would enter the Japanese market. It established a subsidiary, Xiaomi Japan, as part of its effort to enter the Japanese smartphone market.
2019: Xiaomi Patents Robot Vacuum Technology
In 2019, Xiaomi obtained a patent for its "Autonomous Cleaning Device and Wind Path Structure of Same," related to its robot vacuum technology.
January 2020: POCO India Becomes Separate Sub-Brand
On 17 January 2020, POCO India became a separate sub-brand of Xiaomi with entry-level and mid-range devices, followed by its global counterpart on 24 November 2020.
March 2020: Launch of Mi Mix Fold and 40W Wireless Charging
In March 2020, Xiaomi launched their first foldable phone, the Mi Mix Fold. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 with an 8.01-inch foldable AMOLED display when open and a 6.5-inch external display when folded. Also, in March 2020, Xiaomi showcased its new 40W wireless charging solution, capable of fully charging a smartphone with a 4,000mAh battery from flat in 40 minutes.
April 2020: Forbes Report Raises Concerns About Xiaomi's Data Collection Practices
A Forbes report in April 2020 revealed that Xiaomi was extensively tracking user browsing data, including private activity, without adequate encryption or anonymization. While Xiaomi defended its practices, it subsequently provided an option to disable data collection in incognito mode.
October 2020: Xiaomi Becomes Third-Largest Smartphone Maker
In October 2020, Xiaomi became the third-largest smartphone maker in the world by shipment volume, shipping 46.2 million handsets in Q3 2020.
2020: Xiaomi Makes Kernel Source Code Available on GitHub
In 2020, Xiaomi fulfilled its promise by making the kernel source code for their devices accessible on the GitHub platform.
2020: Xiaomi's Smartphone Sales and MIUI User Base Grow
In 2020, Xiaomi solidified its position in the global smartphone market, selling an impressive 149.4 million smartphones. Its mobile operating system, MIUI (now HyperOS), also achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 500 million monthly active users.
January 2021: KPN Sues Xiaomi for Patent Infringement
Dutch telecommunications company KPN filed a lawsuit against Xiaomi and other parties in January 2021, alleging patent infringement related to their technology.
January 2021: US Government Investment Ban
In January 2021, the US government prohibited American entities from investing in Xiaomi, alleging ties to the People's Liberation Army. Xiaomi refuted these claims, stating their products and services were for civilian use.
March 2021: Xiaomi's Investment in Electric Vehicles and New Logo
On 30 March 2021, Xiaomi announced its intention to invest US$10 billion in electric vehicles over the following ten years. On 31 March 2021, Xiaomi announced a new logo for the company, designed by Kenya Hara.
March 2021: Xiaomi Unveils New Logo Designed by Kenya Hara
On March 2021, Xiaomi replaced its orange square logo with a new design by Kenya Hara. The updated logo features a "squircle" with rounded corners while retaining the "MI" lettering in a slightly darker hue.
May 2021: Resolution with US Defense Department
In May 2021, Xiaomi reached an agreement with the US Defense Department to remove the company's designation as "military-linked."
July 2021: Xiaomi Becomes Second Largest Smartphone Maker
In July 2021, Xiaomi became the second largest smartphone maker in the world, according to Canalys. It also surpassed Apple for the first time in Europe, making it the second-largest in Europe according to Counterpoint.
July 2021: Xiaomi and Wyze Labs Engage in Legal Dispute over Robot Vacuum Patent
Xiaomi accused Wyze Labs of infringing upon its 2019 robot vacuum patent, while Wyze Labs countered by filing a lawsuit challenging the patent's validity in July 2021.
August 2021: Xiaomi Acquires Deepmotion
In August 2021, the company acquired autonomous driving company Deepmotion for $77 million.
September 2021: Lithuania Urges Citizens to Discard Xiaomi Phones over Censorship Concerns
In September 2021, Lithuania's Ministry of National Defence advised citizens to dispose of Xiaomi phones due to claims of built-in censorship capabilities that could be remotely activated, escalating tensions between Lithuania and China.
December 2021: Launch of Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro
In December 2021, Xiaomi announced the Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro. The phones are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset.
March 2022: Xiaomi Inaugurates Mobile Device Plant in Pakistan
On March 4, 2022, Xiaomi opened a mobile device manufacturing facility in Lahore, Pakistan. The plant was established in partnership with Select Technologies (Pvt) Limited, an Air Link subsidiary.
April 2022: Xiaomi Joins Car Connectivity Consortium
In April 2022, Xiaomi officially joined the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) board.
April 2022: India's Enforcement Directorate Seizes Assets from Xiaomi
Indian authorities seized assets from Xiaomi in April 2022 as part of an investigation into potential violations of foreign exchange regulations, marking a significant escalation in scrutiny of the company's financial dealings.
May 2022: Indian Court Lifts Freeze on Xiaomi
In May 2022, the Indian court lifted the $725 million freeze on Xiaomi by federal agencies.
June 2022: Xiaomi Establishes Zhuhai Xinshi Semiconductor Technology
In June 2022, Xiaomi established Zhuhai Xinshi Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd., with a registered capital of 200 million RMB. The business scope includes integrated circuit manufacturing, integrated circuit chip design and services, and other related activities.
July 2022: Uncertainty Surrounds Xiaomi's Pakistan Plant
As of July 2022, the future of Xiaomi's manufacturing plant in Pakistan became uncertain due to the global supply chain crisis from 2021 to 2023.
July 2022: Xiaomi Dominates Russian Smartphone Market
In July 2022, Xiaomi and its sub-brand POCO combined held a 42% market share in the Russian smartphone market, ranking first.
August 2022: Murali Krishnan B Elevated to President of Xiaomi India
On 1 August 2022, Xiaomi India elevated COO Murali Krishnan B as president, responsible for the company's daily operations, services, public affairs, and strategic projects, stating that he would continue to work towards strengthening the company's commitment to the Made in India and Digital India initiatives.
August 2022: Xiaomi Ranks 266th on Fortune Global 500
On 3 August 2022, the 2022 Fortune Global 500 list was released, with Xiaomi Group ranking 266th, a rise of 72 positions compared to the previous year.
December 2022: Redmi Note Series Sales Achievement
In December 2022, Xiaomi announced that the global cumulative sales of the Redmi Note series had exceeded 300 million units.
February 2023: Redmi's 300W Fast Charging Technology
On 28 February 2023, Redmi released a 300W fast charging technology, claiming that it can charge a 4100mAh battery by 10% in just 3 seconds, 50% in 2 minutes and 13 seconds, and fully charge it within 5 minutes.
April 2023: Xiaomi Designated as "International Sponsor of War" by Ukraine
On April 13, 2023, Ukraine's National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) included Xiaomi Corporation and 13 key executives in their list of "international sponsors of war." This designation was due to Xiaomi's sustained operations and leading market share in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
2023: Xiaomi Becomes Third-Largest Smartphone Seller Globally
As of 2023, Xiaomi further cemented its position as the third-largest seller of smartphones worldwide, commanding a market share of about 12%, according to Counterpoint.
