Xiaomi Inc, the makers of Mi brand devices, are hopeful about their international expansion by choosing price-conscious Asian markets including India and Indonesia to provide low-cost devices, which was exactly what the firm wanted.
Speaking on the WSJD Live Global Technology Conference, Hugo Barra, Xiaomi's global vice-president, said Xiaomi is not copying the Apple devices.
In the interview, Barra said, "Our designers and engineers are inspired by great products and great designers. And frankly, in today's world who isn't?"
He said there are no products that have a "completely unique design language."
Calling himself an Apple fan, he said iPhone 6 looks like a phone that carries the design language of HTC, but with an Apple touch.
The issue came to forefront when Jonathon Ive, Apple's Design head, had said in a video interview without mentioning Xiaomi's name, "The first thing I think isn't, oh that was flattering," he said, adding, "I think it's really straight forward. It really is theft and it's lazy. And I don't think it's OK at all."
Taking on this, the Xiaomi vice president said, "...it's fascinating that Apple took existing ideas that were very good, added their twist of innovation on top, and in many cases they actually made those ideas better."
"So this idea of building upon great ideas and adding a twist of innovation is what they do. It's what we do," he added.
Significantly, Xiaomi has beaten Apple and Samsung in China and became the top-selling smartphone of China. Barra has revealed that they are looking forward to explore markets in Brazil and Mexico next.
Offering phones in a rock-bottom price and selling them in bulk through online sellers has made Xiaomi very popular in India for the past few months. Their Mi and Redmi devices were sold in bulk since it's arrival in the country.
