China’s Xiaomi Drops a 5G Price‑Shockwave
At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Xiaomi (the globe’s fourth‑biggest phone maker) strutted onto the stage with a brand‑new 5G phone that could make the world’s network “speedster” coins feel a lot lighter.
What’s the Big Deal?
- Starting price: 599 € – that’s around 921 $ Singapore dollars, or about the scoop of a fancy latte. It’s a sharp cut from the 1,980 $ (2,684 $ SGD) price tag of Samsung’s folding 5G marvel, and the 2,600 $ (price‑pointset of Huawei’s own foldable). Somebody got a good deal.
- Tech buzz: 5G means blazing‑fast internet plus a new sweet spot for the Internet of Things – from self‑driving cars to smart fridges playing lip‑sync songs.
Heads‑Up From the Qi‑Qi‑s of Leadership
Xiang Wang, Xiaomi’s senior VP, told Reuters: “We announced a very, very aggressive price. We want 5G for everyday folks – let’s get it out of the tech‑elite dating and into the hands of the normal people.”
Meanwhile, Cristiano Amon, Qualcomm’s boss (the chip supplier), declared at the launch: “5G is already here – we’re not waiting for a future release date smell.” He pit‑stopped that the jump to 5G will be smoother than the fiddly shift from 3G to 4G in the past.
Where Xiaomi Is This Summer?
From India (where it snuck past Samsung as the top seller last year) to Spain, France and Italy with 4G devices, Xiaomi is eyeing Africa next. “Those countries are jumping from 3G to 4G like school kids on a swing.” Wang said. “We’re still 4G‑only now, so studying the market lets us provide the next upgrades later.”
Why This Matters in a Slowing Market
The smartphone world’s sales are stalling, but the 5G buzz keeps excitement alive. Think of it as a novelty candy – fresh, fast, and a bit cheaper than the premium play‑money that truly defines tech progress.
Bottom line: Xiaomi is essentially saying, “Hey, 5G doesn’t have to break the bank. I’ll bring a fighting price to the block.” And third‑world customers (and the rest of us) might just geek out over that.
