4th May 2018

Xiaomi are coming to the UK

Many people in the UK have never heard of Xiaomi, but they're actually the worlds 5th largest smartphone company with revenue of $15 billion in 2017. They aren't just limited to smartphones either, my pedometer is a Xiaomi product for example. They make drones, TV's, laptops and air purifiers to name just a few other products.

If you watched my Redmi 5 Plus review from last week, you'll already know that buying Xiaomi devices over here in the UK is a slow process, taking weeks and including a income tax Russian Roulette element when receiving the device. Maybe soon that will all change though.

Xiaomi have apparently struck a deal with CK Hutchison, a Hong Kong based conglomerate who have in their stable Three and Superdrug.

Three UK's chief digital officer Tom Malleschitz is quoted as saying -

"We have been watching Xiaomi's success from afar and are impressed with the huge range of connected devices that they currently offer. This partnership provides us with another leading brand in our smartphone range and also opens the door for innovative new connected products that we can provide to Three customers in the future. So watch this space!"

At this point it isn't know when Xiaomi producst will surface over here in the UK, Three just say they are 'Coming Soon'. We also don't know how easily they will be bought SIM free, or even how much markup Three are likely to be putting on them. It could well turn out it's still better to buy them from China, but fingers crossed Three will give us some great budget options at great prices!