CHINESE mobile phone-maker Xiaomi is optimistic that its return in the Philippines after a three-year hiatus will replicate its success in India, a market where its holds the lion’s share of the country’s smartphone market.
Xiaomi Director for Southeast Asia John Chen said his group’s reentry of the Philippine market—starting with the launch of authorized distribution outlets and two new phones—will be a better experience for the Chinese company, which had to abandon its operations in the Philippines in 2015 in favor of India.
“We are now No. 1 in India. We’ve seen that our efforts in India have worked and, now, we are confident that it will work in all other markets, [such as the Philippines]—that is how Xiaomi is going to do it,” he said in an interview. “We are bringing a lot more of ecosystem products to the market. The target is to [win] back the confidence of the people.”
The company launched two new phones: Redmi 5A and Redmi 5 Plus.
Dubbed as the entry-level smartphone king, the 5-inch Redmi 5A comes with an array of high-quality features never seen before in this price category, including a 13MP rear camera, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor and a 3000-mAh battery.
The larger Redmi 5 Plus is a 5.99-inch full high-definition screen, a 4000-mAh battery, a 12MP rear camera and fingerprint reader, among others.
“The brand has inspired a growing following in the Philippines that’s been clamoring for the company to bring its latest products to more retail touchpoints in the country,” Chen said.
Chen called the Philippines an important market in Southeast Asia.
“I think it’s one of the important markets…. I’d say equally important as other major markets in the region,” Chen said.
For now, the company’s focus will be on creating brand awareness and strengthen its presence in the Philippines, Chen added.
“We’re looking at opening around five Authorized Mi Stores. We’re looking at another one in Manila and, possibly, two more in other cities—probably Cebu and Davao,” he said.
Currently, there is one Authorized Mi Store in Metro Manila, which opened recently in TriNoma in Quezon. Another one is set to open on March 17 at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.