In the world of technology, few people can compete with Lei Jun in terms of influence on the global smartphone and smart electronics market. The founder of Xiaomi is not just a businessman, but a symbol of Chinese innovation breakthrough, a man who in 10 years turned a startup into one of the leaders of the industry. But despite his high-profile fame, Lei Jun’s appearance and lifestyle remain a mystery to many. What does the creator of Xiaomi look like? What is hidden behind his modest smile and strict suits? And why is he called “China’s Steve Jobs?”
This article will not only reveal the look and style of the founder of Xiaomi, but also show how his personality shaped the brand philosophy, you will learn about the billionaire’s habits, his attitude to fashion, and even what watch he wears, because every little thing matters to fans of the company, and we will also examine why the appearance of Lei Jun became part of Xiaomi’s marketing strategy and how this helps to maintain the loyalty of users around the world.
Spoiler: If you've ever imagined a typical "IT person" wearing a deer sweater, you'll be surprised. Lei Jun is far from stereotyped, and his image is as thoughtful as the design of the Mi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 smartphones.
Who is Lei Jun: a brief biography of the founder of Xiaomi
Lei Jun was born on December 16, 1969, in Hubei Province, China, to a family of teachers, and his journey to success began not with technology but with philology: he graduated from Wuhan University with a degree in computer science, but originally planned to become a journalist. But fate decreed otherwise — in 1992, Lei got a job as an engineer at Kingsoft, where he went from an employee to a CEO in 16 years.
V 2007 And when he left Kingsoft, Lei Jun became a business angel investing in startups. 6 April 2010 The idea was simple: to create high-quality smartphones at affordable prices using direct sales over the Internet. Today, the company is valued in the tens of billions of dollars, and Lei Jun is in the top.-100 The richest people in the world according to Forbes.
Despite his billionaire status, Lei Jun still lives in a modest apartment in Beijing he bought back in 2000, and his philosophy of “being rich is enough, but not showing wealth” has become one of Xiaomi’s key tenets.
- 🎓 Education: Wuhan University, specialty "Computer Sciences"
- 💼 Previous article Career to Xiaomi: 16 years at Kingsoft (from engineer to engineer) CEO)
- 📱 Founded Xiaomi: April 6, 2010 with initial capital $10 million
- 💰 Status: ~$15 billion (according to Forbes data for 2026)
What Lei Jun looks like: Appearance and style of clothing
If you expect to see an eccentric billionaire in gold watches and designer suits, Lei Jun will disappoint you. His style can be described as "minimalist business": strict dark-colored suits, tie shirts and classic shoes. Even at public events, he avoids flashy accessories, preferring restraint.
Lei Jun looks younger than his age, with a short haircut with a light gray hair, a neat beard (which he grew after 2015) and slim-rimmed glasses, about 175 cm tall and a figure that keeps fit through regular training, and interestingly, he almost never smiles in official photos, which adds to his image as a serious and focused leader.
One of the most talked-about elements of his image is a watch, which Lei Jun wears exclusively a Rolex Datejust (a model with a white dial and a gold bracelet), which has become his hallmark, starting at $10,000, but for a billionaire it is more of a status symbol than a show of wealth.
Why does it matter? Lei Jun’s appearance is part of Xiaomi’s branding, and his restraint conveys the company’s core values of simplicity, reliability, and lack of frills, contrasting with the image of other tech giants, where founders often display eccentricity (think Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg in T-shirts).
⚠️ Attention: In Chinese forums, it is often discussed that Lei Jun is specifically cultivating the image of a “modest genius.” This is not an accident – this approach helps Xiaomi position itself as a company “for the people” rather than for the elite.
Habits and lifestyle of the founder of Xiaomi
Lei Jun is known for his iron discipline and strict daily routine. He wakes up at 6:30 in the morning, starts the day with meditation and light exercise, and then dives into work. Despite his busy life, he finds time to read — according to him, he reads 1-2 books a week, mostly biographies of successful entrepreneurs and technical literature.
Another notable feature is his attitude towards food: Lei Jun follows a Mediterranean diet that focuses on vegetables, fish and nuts, avoids fast food and sweets, but allows himself small weaknesses such as Longjing green tea (one of the most expensive brands in China) and dark chocolate.
Unlike many billionaires, Lei Jun is not fond of luxury cars. His personal fleet includes:
- 🚗 Tesla Model S (for everyday travel)
- 🚙 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (for official events)
- 🏍️ Harley-Davidson (rarely for relaxation)
He is also known for his love of photography, and Lei Jun often posts photos taken on Xiaomi smartphones to showcase the capabilities of their cameras, and his Weibo account (China’s Twitter equivalent) is filled with footage of nature, architecture, and even selfies with fans.
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Lei Jun never takes a laptop with him, he works exclusively with a Xiaomi smartphone and a tablet, and that's part of his philosophy: "If even I don't like our product, how can it suit users?"
How Lei Jun's appearance affects the Xiaomi brand
Xiaomi marketers have long recognized the founder’s image as a powerful promotional tool, with Lei Jun as the face of the company, with his portraits hanging in offices and his quotes used in advertising campaigns, such as the phrase “Just for fans” (invented in 2011) becoming the slogan for the Mi line.
The appearance of Lei Jun broadcasts the key messages of the brand:
- Professionalism: Strict costumes are associated with reliability.
- Affordability: The lack of display emphasizes the democratic nature of prices.
- Innovation: Glasses and modern hairstyles symbolize progress.
In 2018, Xiaomi released a commercial in which Lei Jun personally tests the strength of the Mi 8 smartphone (throws it from a height, urines in water), which has gained millions of views because users saw that the company’s boss believes in his product so much that he is willing to risk its reputation.
| Image element | Symbolic meaning | Impact on the brand |
|---|---|---|
| Strict suit | Professionalism, seriousness | Increases trust in the company |
| Fine-rimmed glasses | Intelligence, attention to detail | Associated with high technology |
| Rolex Datejust | Success without showing off | Highlights status, but without vulgarity |
| A restrained smile | Confidence, modesty | Attracts loyal brand fans |
⚠️ Attention: In 2020, Lei Jun shaved off his beard, sparking a heated debate on social media, the official reason being “wanted change,” but analysts speculated it was a “spoken change.” PR-The move before the release of Mi 10, a move that showed that even the little things in the founder's appearance become an informational occasion.
Comparison with other tech founders: who is cooler?
If you compare Lei Jun to other tech executives, his style is minimalist and pragmatic.
- 🍎 Tim Cook (Apple): Strict suits, but with an emphasis on sustainability (often in jeans made from recycled materials).
- 🤖 Elon Musk (Tesla/SpaceX): eccentric (t-shirts, memes, non-standard performances).
- 📱 Ren Zhengfei: Classic Chinese businessman (dark suits, conservative style).
- 💻 Mark Zuckerberg (Meta): casual (gray T-shirts, jeans).
Lei Jun is in the middle: he is not as conservative as Ren Zhengfei, but he is not as provocative as Musk, and his image perfectly matches Xiaomi’s position in the market, a company that combines innovation with affordability.
Unique fact: Lei Jun is the only tech executive to personally answer questions on social media, and he regularly hosts Q&A sessions on Weibo, where he discusses not only products but also personal habits.
Where to see Lei Jun: public speaking and events
Lei Jun is actively involved in key Xiaomi events, and his performances are always informative.
- 📅 Presentations of new smartphones: for example, the launch of Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70.
- 🎤 Tech conferences: MWC (Mobile World Congress), CES Asia.
- 📺 Interview with Chinese media: CCTV, People's Daily.
- 🤝 Meetings with partners: for example, Qualcomm or Samsung.
One of Lei Jun’s most memorable performances came in 2021 when he introduced the Xiaomi Mix Fold, the company’s first foldable smartphone, when he personally demonstrated the flexibility of the screen by bending the device in front of cameras. This video went viral and cemented Xiaomi’s reputation as an innovator.
By the way, Ley Jun (as his name is spelled in English) has given almost no interviews to Western media, and most of his public activities are in China, which adds to his aura of “mysterious genius” for an international audience.
Follow the announcements on mi.com|Enable subtitles (if you don't know Chinese)|Popcorn stock - his presentations last 1.5-2 hour|Prepare for the announcement of new features (he likes surprises)-->
Myths and Truths About Xiaomi Creator
There's a lot of rumors going around Lei Jun. Let's take a look at the most popular ones.
Myth 1: Lei Jun is a former military man.
✅ He didn't serve in the military, but he was very fond of military history when he was young, and he even wrote a book about strategy called Sun Tzu in Business".
Myth 2: He sleeps 4 hours a day.
❌ In an interview with Ley Jun, he admitted he was asleep. 6-7 hours, but always lies down until 23:00.
Myth 3: Lei Jun designs smartphones himself.
✅ He doesn't write code, but he personally tests prototypes and approves final designs, like he insisted on a ceramic case for the Mi Mix.
Myth 4: He has no hobby other than work.
❌ Lei Jun is a Chinese calligraphy enthusiast and even gave workshops for employees.
The strangest myth about Lei Jun
Another interesting fact is that Lei Jun never uses Apple products, and he only has Xiaomi gadgets in his arsenal, including the Mi Watch and Buds 4 Pro headphones. It's part of the corporate culture that all top managers of the company are required to use its products.
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Lei Jun is a master of personal branding, and his image is carefully crafted but natural, helping Xiaomi maintain the loyalty of users who perceive the company as “their own.”