What’s it like being at a launch event that is a mix of a party, super excited fans and a touch of patriotism? We were at Xiaomi’s launch event for the Mi 4 smartphone in Beijing recently, and had a taste of just how popular Xiaomi is in its native country.
For the launch event, Xiaomi actually sold tickets for its fans to attend, offering 1000 “Mi Fans” the chance to be one of the first in the world to see and touch Xiaomi’s flagship smartphone. As a result, there were lines everywhere: from the lines to enter the show hall, to the experience zone…and even for a chance to take a picture with Xiaomi Global VP Hugo Barra, who is considered a celebrity to these fans.
There were even lines to the changing rooms before the event began, where the Mi Fans gleefully changed into the red Xiaomi t-shirts that were included in their goodie bags.
Fortunately, members of the media are separated from the fans, but that didn’t mean there were no queues of our own to line up for. This was only the second Xiaomi event in Beijing since the company began its expansion into international markets, and judging from the international media present, interest in Xiaomi has never been higher.
Here’s a brief walkthrough of what we saw at the Mi 4 launch event from Beijing, as well as a look into Xiaomi’s office tower and Mi Home (Xiaomi’s service center cum experience store) nearby.
Mi Fans simply needed to flash their Xiaomi phones to receive a free Mi Bunny plushie
Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun on stage
Lei Jun unveils not only the flagship Mi 4, but also the Mi Band, Xiaomi’s first wearable device
But first…
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The Xiaomi on-ground team after the end of the Mi 4 event
One of the company cars. The red car behind is a Tesla Model S, one of the few in China, belonging to Lei Jun
Outside the office areas, there are foosball tables for Xiaomi employees to take a breather
A view of the Mi Home
A collection of the Mi Bunny soft toys available for purchase
Until the next time!
