A challenger approaches: Xiaomi enters Australian smartphone market

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi is the latest challenger brand to enter the Australian market, with distributor Panmi picking up the local rights to the brand. Xiaomi phones are already available through online channels including the distributor's own Mi Store, Amazon, and Catch.

According to The Australian Financial Review, other retail partners will be coming on board around the middle of this year. Notably, Optus is in discussions to range Xiaomi handsets.

As with rival Chinese manufactures OPPO and Huawei, Xiaomi has a reputation for bang-for-buck devices that tend to undercut the likes of Apple and Samsung. At present, Xiaomi smartphones available locally include:

• Mi Mix 3: $949
• Pocophone F1: $599
• Mi 8 Lite: $449
• Redmi Note 5: $399
• Redmi S2: $299

The most interesting device in this group is the Mi Mix 3, one of Xiaomi's latest flagship devices. It packs a slide-up camera that results in a 6.39-inch notchless 1080p+ display, a Snapdragon 845 processor, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, 12MP + 12MP rear-facing cameras, and a 3,200mAh battery.

In addition to smartphones, Xiaomi electric scooters, fitness trackers, smart bulbs, and power banks will all be available in Australia. 

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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