Sudhin Mathur, Xiaomi India Chief Operating Officer
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Xiaomi’s 2026 portfolio is ecosystem-led and more disciplined, anchored in clearer smartphone laddering from entry to flagship segments, and stronger emphasis on mid-premium price points, said Sudhin Mathur, Chief Operating Officer, Xiaomi India, to The Hindu.
He added that alongside smartphones, 2026 will see accelerated focus on demand-led categories such as tablets, wearables, smart TVs, and connected home categories.
“This will be further supported by deeper localisation and improved ownership experience including extended software and security updates. The focus is on balanced growth across smartphones and non-phone categories, positioning Xiaomi as a comprehensive ecosystem brand in India.”
Once the number one smartphone brand in India has been going through a rough patch, but plans recovery through a deliberate recalibration with fewer, more focused launches, clearer portfolio laddering, and a shift toward value-for-experience rather than pure volume.
During Q3 2025, IDC noted that Xiaomi dropped down to sixth position with a 15.6% YoY decline. Similarly, CMR said that it had moved to number four with a 13% market share.
Mr. Mathur said that Xiaomi saw renewed momentum across categories, including its return to number 3 in smartphones and tablets, strong growth in wearables and QLED TVs, and non-phone categories contributing meaningfully to revenue.
The Chinese smartphone maker is focusing on a deeper localisation and service-led differentiation in India. “Collectively, this has helped rebuild relevance, stabilise performance, and create a stronger foundation for growth in 2026,” Mr. Mathur said.
Xiaomi is also among the companies who are feeling the heat of the rising memory costs. “We have acknowledged industry-wide cost pressures, particularly around memory. Xiaomi was among the last brands to increase prices, and even then, the increase was lower than competitors.”
It was evident during their first launch of 2026, the Redmi Note 15 5G, because Xiaomi had to begin it at ₹19,999 instead of ₹17,999 for the Redmi Note 14 5G, last year.
Mr. Mathur emphasised that pricing actions were not applied across models, but implemented very carefully and selectively, in line with company’s long-standing honest pricing philosophy. “This measured approach will continue going forward,” he quotes.
For Xiaomi, their India unit continues to be a top-priority market globally, with direct and active involvement from headquarters, said Mr. Mathur. “Senior global leadership chose India as their first visit in 2026, during the Note 15 5G launch, underlining its strategic importance.”
“HQ support spans product planning, ecosystem expansion, resource allocation, and closer alignment with India-specific requirements, ensuring the portfolio and go-to-market strategy are increasingly shaped by Indian consumer needs,” he added.
Published – January 09, 2026 01:55 pm IST
