It was a story of two launches.
Each actually and figuratively.
Xiaomi launched two merchandise within the Indian market at the moment. And so they weren’t simply totally different by way of product class – one was a sensible wearable, and the opposite was a smartphone – however by way of core product philosophy. One was proper out of the Traditional Mi Technique in India, whereas the opposite was a completely new web page within the technique guide.
Xiaomi launched the Mi Watch Revolve Lively and the Mi 11 Lite.
The Revolve Lively is basic Xiaomi – loads of options at a worth (Rs 9,999 on this case) that can’t be matched by many of the competitors. So it suits proper into the Xiaomi template of “put up a spreadsheet of specs with competing gadgets and high it with a lower cost than them“.
The Mi 11 Lite, now, is a really totally different creature.
Turning on the model, turning off the specs (kinda sorta)
The Mi 11 Lite is, in truth, the primary machine from Xiaomi which barely competes on specs. In fact, it isn’t as if we have now not seen Xiaomi activate the model earlier than – the Mi Combine was a chief instance – however even then, a powerful spec sheet was a part of the bundle (it went toe to toe in opposition to OnePlus!).
The Mi 11 Lite is preventing on one thing aside from specs- slim (6.eight mm) and lightweight (157 grams). In actual fact, it claims to be the lightest and slimmest cellphone on the earth this yr. And proper by way of the presentation, using particular supplies for the show (flat versatile OLED) and the body (a particular magnesium alloy) was pressured. The try was to persuade customers that this was a trendy machine with an incredible design. Sure, it was decently specced, however its asset was not the spec sheet however the way it appeared and felt.
Now, the Mi 11 Lite has a decent-ish spec sheet. Nonetheless, however the speak of its particular 10-bit AMOLED show and cameras, the very fact is that on paper, it could appear to many to lag behind even the a lot lower-priced Redmi Notice 10 Professional collection, which boasts the identical processor (Snapdragon 732G), a bigger battery (5000 mAh) and in addition comes with mainstream options like a 3.5 mm audio jack and expandable reminiscence. And that’s important when you think about that the Mi 11 Lite begins at Rs 21,999, whereas the Redmi Notice 10 Professional begins at Rs 15,999! That’s a distinction of Rs 6,000 – large at this worth level. Some would even declare that the Mi 10i, which begins at Rs 20,999, is best specced, having a greater processor, battery, and 5G as effectively.
“Neglect the specs, test the model” – sure, that is Mi saying this
Now, promoting a tool on model quotient alone is a card that many manufacturers have performed up to now. However the distinction is that Xiaomi has not solely nearly by no means performed that card, but in addition that it at some stage is the antithesis of the “model” brigade. Sure, Xiaomi telephones have appeared good, however what has actually rocked the cellular world has been their specs and the value tags accompanying them. Xiaomi has up to now been the substance God and the model antiChrist.
The Mi 11 Lite turns this on its head.
That is Xiaomi saying, “neglect the specs, test the model.” And I really feel that’s going to be the most important problem dealing with the model. For whereas the model has made fashionable merchandise up to now – the Mi Pocket book Horizon Version, the extremely slim Mi Televisions, and naturally, the sensible Mi Combine and the eccentric Mi 11 Extremely – the model has all the time been the veneer on a really strong spec sheet, and a aggressive worth. On paper, the Mi 11 Lite has neither a compelling spec sheet nor a worth. What it does have, nevertheless, is a truckload of fashion. And this model, it appears, has include a number of {hardware} compromises: a barely older processor, a 90 Hz refresh fee (when lower-priced gadgets have 120 Hz), a smaller battery, and options like a 3.5 mm audio jack and expandable reminiscence which might be nonetheless elements at this worth level.
Certainly, Xiaomi’s problem goes to be to persuade customers that the identical model that highlighted and showcased specs is now able to showcasing model as effectively. And elegance and design which might be price paying a premium, and even foregoing a number of spec advantages for.
Hanging a brand new Notice…with out launching one!
A activity like that is considerably simpler for the likes of Samsung, Oppo, and Vivo, who’ve launched style-heavy gadgets up to now. However for Xiaomi, that is new floor in India. And it’s truly very difficult territory – different “strong worth for cash” gamers like Micromax, Realme, and even OnePlus have not likely had an excessive amount of success with making an attempt to push model forward of specs. It was not as if their merchandise had been dangerous – it was simply that the manufacturers had been recognized very strongly with a completely totally different (and opposite) proposition.
In fact, Xiaomi would pay attention to this notion problem that it faces. And to be honest, it has been slowly buying subtly premium shades over the previous yr or so, showcasing superior design and supplies. However the Mi 11 Lite is the primary time the place it has targeted completely on model slightly than substance. The primary time it has moved from saving money to being flash.
The spec counting pundits is perhaps frowning, however the Mi 11 Lite may doubtlessly mark the start of a brand new period for Xiaomi, attracting a brand new set of customers. However, after all, it’s all going to boil right down to how the model handles and positions the machine. And that’s going to be fascinating.
Greater than a month after launching a brand new Notice, Xiaomi has actually struck a brand new one.