NEW DELHI — In just four years, Xiaomi Corporation has evolved from startup to outselling Apple in China by offering inexpensive devices packed with high-end features. Now it is targeting India.After using social media to tap the Chinese diaspora in markets including Singapore, Xiaomi teamed with Flipkart.com to sell its Mi3 phone, starting on Tuesday, for 13,999 rupees ($232).The phones sold out in 30 minutes, Flipkart said while declining to comment on the number of units sold.The push into India is part of CEO Lei Jun’s drive to deliver a fivefold boost in sales to 100-million units next year and challenge Samsung Electronics and Apple globally.Beijing-based Xiaomi is entering a market where Samsung and Indian makers account for 60% of sales, wireless carriers do not subsidise the costs of devices, and the pool of Chinese speakers familiar with its products is smaller."No one knows Xiaomi in India," said Katyayan Gupta, a technology analyst at Forrester Research in New Delhi. "I ...

Subscribe now to unlock this article.

Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).

There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.

Cancel anytime.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.