When Xiaomi came out is often asked not only by tech novices, but also by experienced tech enthusiasts who want to systematize their knowledge of the manufacturer. The company’s fundamental founding date is April 6, 2010, the day Lei Jun and his partners registered business in Beijing. However, the first smartphone that made the brand famous for the whole world, appeared much later, marking the beginning of a new era in the budget electronics segment.
For many users, the brand’s history is inextricably linked to the launch of the first generation of flagship devices, which offered top-end specs at half the price of competitors. Xiaomi Mi-1 was the spark that ignited the fire of the company’s global expansion. Understanding the timeline of product release helps not only to estimate the scale of development, but also to predict the timing of device support and receive updates.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the timeline of key models, from the very first steps to the modern flagships, so you can accurately determine the age of the gadget you are interested in. We will touch not only on smartphones, but also on other ecosystem products that have become an integral part of the lives of millions of people.
Company formation and first steps in the market
The brand’s history began long before the first smartphone was in the hands of the end user, Xiaomi was founded in 2010, but the company devoted its early years to developing the MIUI operating system based on Android, a strategic move that allowed for a loyal community before the release of hardware.
The first product to go under the Xiaomi brand name was not a “bell”, but a software shell MIUI V1, which was released on August 16, 2010, which is still celebrated by fans of the brand as “Fan Day”, from which the company’s philosophy of constant feedback with users began to form.
⚠️ Note: Do not confuse the date of registration of the law firm (April 2010) with the date of release of the first commercial product (August 2010), as it is the exit of the law firm. MIUI became the starting point of public activity of the brand.
Importantly, early firmware was exclusively available for the then popular HTC and Samsung smartphones, allowing the company to test its ideas without having to invest in expensive hardware, and the software strategy was a huge success, accumulating a critical mass of users before launching its own hardware.
Release of the first smartphone Xiaomi Mi-1
The moment Xiaomi entered the hardware market was August 16, 2011, on which day the Xiaomi Mi-1 was unveiled in Beijing. The device became a sensation: the Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 processor, 1 GB of RAM and the price in 1999 yuan (about $ 300) made it the most affordable flagship of the time.
The first smartphone came with Android 2.3 Gingerbread and the shell MIUI V1. Despite the lack of support for 4G and some modern features, the device was in great demand. The first batches sold out in a matter of seconds, which gave rise to the phenomenon of “flash sales”, which became the hallmark of the company for many years.
The success of the first model laid the foundation for the Mi lineup, which was marketed as a premium, and engineers managed to fit powerful hardware into a compact body, proving that high performance does not necessarily have to cost a lot.
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When evaluating the age of the device, pay attention to the Android version out of the box – this is the surest way to determine which generation of processors the smartphone belongs to.
It's worth mentioning that the first smartphone was initially sold only in China, and global expansion began later, but it was the Mi-1 that set the pricing standards for the entire segent. Lei Jun personally presented the device, comparing it to the iPhone, but emphasizing accessibility to the masses.
Chronology of the release of the flagship series Mi and Mi Note
Following the success of the first model, the company began to release new devices with enviable regularity, about once a year introducing a new generation of flagships.The Mi line has become a symbol of the company's technological progress, each year offering improved cameras, screens and processors.
Below is a table of key model release dates that have defined the brand’s face over the years, important for understanding the support cycle and relevance of the device in the secondary market.
| Model | Year out | Key feature | Processor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi-1 | 2011 | The first smartphone of the brand | Snapdragon S3 |
| Xiaomi Mi-2 | 2012 | Popularity in Asia | Snapdragon S4 Pro |
| Xiaomi Mi-4 | 2014 | Metallic case | Snapdragon 801 |
| Xiaomi Mi Note | 2015 | Curved glass | Snapdragon 801 |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 | 2020 | First on Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 888 |
The Mi Note series, which was released in 2015 and was marketed as a “phablet” with a larger screen and improved sound, was an attempt to gain a foothold in the higher price segment and compete with the Samsung Galaxy Note.
⚠️ Note: When buying used flagships of the Mi series older than 2018 release, keep in mind that support for Android updates for them has already been discontinued, which may affect data security.
The lineup evolved along the path of increasing the screen size and improving the body materials. If the first models were plastic, by 2014-2015 the company had completely switched to metal and glass. The technological leap was obvious: from simple utilitarian devices Xiaomi has become a manufacturer of premium gadgets.
The emergence and development of the Redmi series
The most important milestone in the company’s history was 2013, when the Redmi line was announced, originally a sub-brand focused on the budget segment, but over time it grew into a separate empire, the first Redmi was released in July 2013 and cost only 999 yuan.
Redmi’s primary goal was to capture the low-cost smartphone market in developing countries, including India and Southeast Asia, and its low-price strategy pushed many small white-box manufacturers out of the market and dominated the series, often becoming bestsellers.
In 2019, the Redmi brand was spun off as an independent company, which allowed the main brand Xiaomi to move towards the premium segment. From that moment on, the division became clear: Xiaomi is about innovation and technology, and Redmi is about accessibility and mass.
☑️ What to look for when choosing Redmi
Today, Redmi devices are coming with incredible frequency, covering all price niches from ultra-budget to gaming flagships of the K series. It is important to understand that the Redmi Note 12, released in 2023, is technically newer than the base Xiaomi Mi 11, released in 2020.
The era of Black Shark and gaming devices
In 2018, Xiaomi, together with partners, introduced the Black Shark brand, focused on mobile gaming. Although formally a separate company, it is closely connected to the Xiaomi ecosystem and uses their production facilities.The first Black Shark smartphone was released in April 2018.
These devices featured aggressive designs, active cooling systems, and additional physical buttons on the case, and gaming optimization allowed Qualcomm to make the most of its processors, a market response to the growing popularity of mobile eSports.
Despite initial success, by 2023, the Black Shark brand faced financial difficulties and withdrew from the smartphone market. However, their impact on the industry remained: many features introduced in the “black sharks” later appeared in the usual flagships of Xiaomi.
Why did Black Shark disappear?
For users interested in the history of the release of models, it is important to know that the support for gaming devices can be shorter than the main lines.
Modern line Xiaomi and the transition to Snapdragon 8 Gen
In recent years, the company has redefined its product matrix: Xiaomi series 12, 13, 14 and newer — are direct competitors to the Samsung Galaxy S and iPhone, the release of these devices is timed to the presentation of new Qualcomm chips, which usually occurs at the end of the year.
Global smartphone versions are now coming out almost simultaneously with Chinese ones, reducing latency for European and Russian users. Globalization has become a key word for the brand. Cameras developed in conjunction with Leica take photo capabilities to the next level.
Modern flagships are equipped with advanced LTPO screens, ultrafast charging and water protection according to IP68. Android on board receives security updates for 4-5 years, which is a new standard for the company.
⚠️ Note: When buying the “gray” Chinese versions of modern flagships, check for global firmware, as the Chinese versions may not have the necessary ranges for work) 4G/5G in your region.
Xiaomi is now moving beyond just phones to offer a complete ecosystem, from watches and headphones to electric vehicles, all of these devices are coming together in synchrony, creating a single network of smart homes.
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Xiaomi’s current flagships (13/14) offer a level of support and quality comparable to market leaders Samsung and Apple.