Xiaomi Corp. continues to present new products at affordable prices with the final offerings for this year that include a smartphone, a Windows tablet and an air purifier, China Daily reported.
On Tuesday, Nov. 24, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun introduced their first smartphone with fingerprint scanning capability and a tablet equipped with an Intel processor and Microsoft Corp.'s latest Windows 10 operating system. The two devices are both priced below 1,000 yuan ($156).
"Our goal is to make good-quality devices that are affordable for average Chinese buyers," Lei said.
Aside from the fingerprint scanner, the Redmi Note 3 phone has a 5.5-inch full HD screen and a full metal body.
On the other hand, the MiPad2, the new tablet, is a second-generation product. It is touted to be Xiaomi's first product to use an Intel chipset and Windows 10.
In March, Xiaomi allowed some smartphone users to shift from a self-developed MiUI operating system to Windows 10 as a result of the Xiaomi-Microsoft partnership.
But in terms of sales, the latest rollout may, however, face stronger challenges, the report said.
Data from research firm Canalys showed that in the third quarter of the year, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. nudged Xiaomi off the top spot as the leader in the Chinese smartphone market, after the latter's growth slowed.
Jessie Ding, a Canalys researcher based in Shanghai, said: "Xiaomi, with its worldwide target of 80 million smartphone shipments for this year, is under tremendous pressure to keep growing as an international player as it is slowing down in its key home market."
According to the report, the shipment slowdown for Xiaomi was caused by decreasing demand for mid- and low-end handsets in China.
In recent months, Xiaomi stepped up the launching of its new products as it faced intense competition from local players such as Huawei and LeTV Holdings Co. Ltd.
The tablet market has also its challenges as lack of demand had driven some Apple Inc. suppliers to shut down their component production.
In May 2014, Xiaomi introduced its first tablet aiming to defeat the iPad domination. Xiaomi did not disclosed the sales for the device, which was priced 1,699 yuan when it entered the market.
Compared to the new tablet, Xiaomi's second-generation air purifier is likely to receive more market attention.
Launched more than a year ago, Xiaomi's first air purifier got positive reviews from users and climbed to the top 10 in terms of shipments in the first quarter after its release, according to zol.com, a website that monitors sales of consumer electronics.
After presenting the products, Lei made a surprise speech to a group of Xiaomi enthusiasts and reporters.