Xiaomi - whose firm? - Exposing myths about brand owners and origins

Xiaomi is a name that is now common to every second smartphone or smart tech owner. But who is really behind this company? Why is it often called "China's Apple" and sometimes "government project"? In this article, we'll look at who owns Xiaomi, how it came into being, and why its ownership structure raises so many questions.

Many users mistakenly think that Xiaomi is a subsidiary of a large corporation (such as Alibaba or Huawei), or that it is run by the Chinese government. In fact, it is more complicated: the company has a unique management model combining private equity, venture capital investment and public offerings. Let's understand how this works and why the question "Xiaomi - whose company" is important for ordinary buyers.

Who founded Xiaomi: Lei Jun and his team

Xiaomi was officially founded on April 6, 2010 in Beijing, and its chief ideologist and leader is Lei Jun, a Chinese entrepreneur with experience in business. IT-Before Xiaomi, he had already worked at Kingsoft (China’s equivalent of Microsoft Office) and invested in startups?

Lei Jun has positioned himself as “China’s Steve Jobs” not only because of the presentation style (jeans and black turtleneck), but also because of the product philosophy. His goal was simple: to create high-tech devices at a price of 2-3 times lower than the competition, without sacrificing quality, an approach that made Xiaomi popular among young people and those looking for “more for less money.”

• 👤 Lei Jun is the founder, chairman of the board. ~13% of shares (as of 2026).
• 💡 Lin Bin, co-founder, former vice president of Google China, was responsible for software development.
• 📱 Li Wanqiang, a hardware expert, worked at Motorola and Kingsoft.
• 💰 Liu De, CFO, formerly at Microsoft and Dell.

Interesting fact: Xiaomi's name translates to "millet" -- a small cereal plant. Lei Jun explained it this way: "We want to be small but nutritious like millet, not big and empty like watermelon." Today, this metaphor seems ironic: the company grew into a giant with a turnover of $45 billion (2023).

Home Ownership: Who Really Owns Xiaomi?

Xiaomi is a private company, but its ownership structure is much more complex, since its IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2018, the company went public and its shares are traded under the ticker 1810.HK. However, the majority of the shareholders and key investors remain.

According to the data for 2026, the distribution of shares looks like this:

It is important to understand that despite being public, Lei Jun retains full control over strategic decisions through a dual-class share system, which means that his vote weighs more than that of ordinary shareholders, a pattern common among tech giants like Facebook or Alphabet.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi was blacklisted by the U.S. Department of Defense in 2020 as a company allegedly linked to the Chinese military, a decision that was later reversed, but rumors of “state influence” remained. Xiaomi is not a state-owned company, but like any major Chinese corporation, it is forced to cooperate with the authorities under the national security law.

Myths about Xiaomi: debunking popular misconceptions

Xiaomi has a lot of myths, from the harmless to the downright harmful.

• 🚫 «Xiaomi is the daughter of Huawei» → No, they are completely independent competitors: Huawei focuses on the premium segment and its own chips (Kirin), and Xiaomi on affordable devices.
• 🇨🇳 «Xiaomi is owned by the Chinese government» → The company is public and its financial statements are transparent, but like all Chinese corporations, it is obliged to comply with local laws (for example, to provide data at the request of the authorities).
• 📱 «Xiaomi is copying Apple» → Partly true at the beginning (the Mi 1 was similar to the iPhone 4), but today the brand is developing its own technologies (for example, HyperOS or Leica cameras).
• 💸 «Xiaomi sells user data» → There are no confirmed scandals like Cambridge Analytica, however, like other Chinese brands, Xiaomi collects anonymized statistics to improve services (this is spelled out in the user agreement).

One of the most persistent myths is that Xiaomi is losing out on Samsung or Apple in quality, and in fact, many Xiaomi models (such as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro+) outperform their competitors in terms of price/quality ratio, but it’s important to understand that the brand is saving on marketing and retail margins, not hardware.

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Before buying a Xiaomi device, check if it supports Global ROM. Chinese versions (CN ROM) are often devoid of Google Play and have language restrictions.

How does ownership affect products?

Xiaomi’s position as a public company with a strong founder is directly reflected in its strategy.

1. Aggressive prices: Shareholders are demanding growth, so the brand keeps low markups (5-10% vs. 30-50% for Apple).
2. Fast innovation: To hold its ground, Xiaomi is the first to introduce new technologies (e.g., 200W charging in the Redmi Note 12 Turbo).
3. Ecosystem: Investors are interested in the “binding” of users, so the brand is actively developing Mi Home, Mi Fit and other services.
4. Geographical expansion: Publicity is bound to grow, so Xiaomi is actively exploring Europe, India and Latin America.

On the other hand, there are also disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Market overheating: To satisfy shareholders, Xiaomi is releasing too many models (for example, more than 50 devices were announced in 2023), which confuses buyers.
• ⚠️ Savings on trifles: In the pursuit of low price sometimes suffers assembly (for example, plastic cases in budget models).

Use the official mi.com website to check IMEI|

Check for global firmware in Settings → About phone |

Avoid devices that say “For China” on the box |

Buy only from authorized sellers (list on Xiaomi website)-->

Xiaomi vs Other Chinese Brands: Who Owns Who?

To better understand Xiaomi’s position, compare it to other popular Chinese brands:

Xiaomi’s key difference from Oppo or Vivo is its openness, which publishes financial statements, presents to international media, and works with Western partners (e.g. Leica for cameras or Harman Kardon for audio), which reduces the risks of “opaqueness” often attributed to Chinese brands.

⚠️ Note: In 2021, Xiaomi announced plans to launch an electric car under the Xiaomi Auto brand, raising questions about whether the company will become “another project of the Chinese car industry with state support”? The project is still developing as a private initiative, but it’s worth watching – especially if you’re planning to buy Xiaomi. EV future.

How to check the “purity” of Xiaomi: tips for buyers

If you’re worried about “Xiaomi – whose firm” in terms of data security or device legality, here are the practical steps to check:

1. IMEI and originality: Check IMEI at mi.com/global/verify. Check the serial number on the box and in Settings → About the phone.
2. Firmware: The global version must have MIUI Global in the software information. Avoid firmware labeled China Stable or EEA (if you are not in Europe).

App store

• Google Play is a sign of the global version.
• In Chinese versions, it will be replaced by the Mi App Store.

If you buy a device with your hands, be sure to ask for a check or a warranty card. Fake Xiaomis (especially popular models like the Redmi Note) are often sold with “gray” firmware that may contain spyware.

The future of Xiaomi: what awaits the company?

In 2026, Xiaomi faces several challenges:

• 📉 Falling smartphone sales: Xiaomi’s global shipments fell 12% in 2023 (Counterpoint data) due to market saturation and competition with Transsion (Tecno, Infinix brands).
• 🚗 Automotive project: Xiaomi Auto is set to debut in 2026-2026.Success depends on whether the brand can compete with Tesla and Tesla BYD.
• 🤖 AI and ecosystem: Company invests in HyperOS (replacement) MIUI) The goal is to become a “Chinese Apple” with a closed ecosystem.
• 🌍 Geopolitics: US restrictions on Chinese electronics (as in the case of Huawei) could hit Xiaomi, especially if tensions rise.

Despite the difficulties, Xiaomi has a trump card:

• 💰 Strong finances: $16 billion cash on balance sheet (2023).
• 🛒 Loyal audience: The brand ranks 3rd in the world in smartphone sales (after Samsung and Apple).
• 🔧 Flexibility: The ability to adapt quickly (e.g., to market electric vehicles).

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Xiaomi remains one of China’s most transparent tech companies, and its public status and international expansion reduce the risks of “unpredictability” that are common to fully state-owned enterprises.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi