Is Xiaomi missing the boat? The big problem of the electronics manufacturer
Apple has one, Samsung is busy building it and now Google is jumping on the bandwagon. The trend in the technology world points in one direction. Ironically, a successful Chinese manufacturer could fall by the wayside: Xiaomi.
A commentary by Kaan Gürayer
Equipment, design and of course the price: the classics in the purchase decision still have their place today. But if you are currently deciding on a new smartphone, in-ear headphones or a smartwatch, is increasingly looking at the ecosystem behind it. Does the new purchase match the existing devices? Today’s customers expect their technology to be seamlessly networked and working together – just like in an ecosystem.
Xiaomi has little to offer in the ecosystem competition
Apple has been the gold standard here for years, and after a stuttering start, Samsung is now busy creating an ecosystem with its electronic devices. The I/O 2022 recently showed that Google has also understood where the journey is going. The search engine provider has set off a real firework of products and will soon be offering everything for the mobile lifestyle under its pixel brand: from mobile phones and smartwatches to the right headphones and tablets. However, one big player in the industry is missing here: Xiaomi.
In the coming ecosystem competition, the Chinese have surprisingly little to offer.
A flagship-level tablet? Is missing.
A flagship-level smartwatch? Is missing.
Flagship-level in-ear headphones? Is missing.
as well Xiaomi lacks an overly consistent and networked software experience, which spans multiple device categories. iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch work hand in hand and complement each other perfectly. The interaction now works just as well with Samsung devices and with Pixel Watch, Pixel Buds and Pixel Tablet etc. Google is now going this route.
Recently the Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 X were presented:
Does Xiaomi even have an interest in an ecosystem?
On the other hand, if you are looking for an ecosystem at Xiaomi, you will only find a gaping void. Worse still: the electronics manufacturer shines not even having an interest in creating a comprehensible and attractive mobile ecosystem for customers. There is no other way to explain the many smartphones that seem to be thrown onto the market every week with increasingly confusing names.
So far, Xiaomi has been successful with this “a lot helps a lot” strategy. The exciting question will be whether this will remain the case in the future.
