When you buy a Xiaomi smartphone, you're not just paying for hardware and software, you're paying for a product of a global ecosystem that's worth tens of billions of dollars.+ or Mi TV Q2? The issue is becoming particularly relevant amid geopolitical tensions, sanctions and rumors of “hidden” Chinese control of tech giants.
Unlike Apple or Samsung, where ownership is transparent, Xiaomi is a complex conglomerate with intertwined interests of public funds, private investors and top management.
- 🔍 Who founded Xiaomi and how did the company go? IPO Hong Kong
- 💰 Key shareholders for 2026: who really controls the brand
- 📊 Holding structure: how Xiaomi Corp, Xiaomi Communications and subsidiaries are connected (POCO, Black Shark)
- 🇨🇳 The role of the Chinese government in the company
- ⚖️ Legal risks for users in Russia and Europe
Spoiler: Despite its public status, 30% of Xiaomi’s shares are controlled through offshore entities, and founder Lei Jun retains a decisive influence on strategy.
Who founded Xiaomi: from a startup to a global brand
Xiaomi’s story began in 2010 when a group of Chinese engineers led by Lei Jun decided to create a “Chinese version of Apple.” IT-China: He was a founding member of Kingsoft (China’s equivalent of Microsoft Office) and invested in dozens of startups, and his personal fortune in 2026 is estimated to be in the future. $12.5 billion (according to Forbes).
The first product of the company is firmware MIUI It was released in August 2010, and a year later, the first Xiaomi Mi 1, which sold 300,000 copies in a few months, was sold online directly without intermediaries, keeping prices 30 to 40 percent below competitors.
- 📅 2011 Release Mi 1 (Qualcomm Snapdragon processor) S3, 1 GB of RAM)
- 📈 2014: Xiaomi becomes China’s most expensive startup ($45 billion)
- 🏦 2018: IPO Hong Kong ($54 billion capitalization at the start)
- 🌍 2020 Year: Entering the top-3 Global smartphone manufacturers, according to Counterpoint)
Interesting fact: Xiaomi's name translates to "millet" -- meaning "a small seed that can grow into a big tree." Today, this tree is producing 200-plus fruits.+ The roots of the country remain in China.
Xiaomi’s ownership structure in 2026: who really owns the company
After IPO Xiaomi Corp went public in 2018, but that doesn't mean its stock is freely traded. As of March 2026, the ownership structure looks like this:
| Shareholder | Share (%) | Type of possession | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lei Jun (Lei Jun) | 13.5% | Straight. + via Smart Mobile Holdings | Founder, Chairman of the Board of Directors |
| Lin Bin (Lin Binh) | 5.2% | Straight. | Co-founder, former president |
| China Mobile | 3.8% | Corporate | State Telecom Operator of the People's Republic of China |
| Qualcomm | 0.5% | Strategic | Supplier of chipsets for smartphones Xiaomi |
| Institutional investors | ~60% | Stock exchanges | Includes BlackRock, Vanguard, Temasek |
Key point: 30% of the shares are controlled through offshore companies registered in the British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands, which allows founders to retain control over strategic decisions despite their public status.
⚠️ Note: In 2021, the US Securities Commission (SEC) Xiaomi has been included in the list of companies subject to delisting due to non-compliance with the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act.
Apple has a 0.05% stake in Tim Cook, while Samsung’s Lee family controls the company. ~20% through cross-ownership of subsidiaries, in Xiaomi’s case, the founder has more influence than the top managers of competitors.
The role of the Chinese government: myths and reality
One of the most controversial issues is the Chinese state’s involvement in Xiaomi’s activities, which is formally private, but there are a few facts that cast doubt on this independence:
- The state funds in shareholders: China Mobile (3.8%) and China Investment Corporation (indirect investments) are state structures.
- Party cells: Since 2019, Xiaomi has officially operated a Committee of the Communist Party of China, which is mandatory for large companies in China.
- The National Security Act (2015): requires companies to cooperate with government agencies on request, including access to data.
In 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce blacklisted Xiaomi for companies linked to the Chinese military, but the decision was later overturned by a court.
- 🔒 User data: Xiaomi collects telemetry (including the data) IMEI, location, list of installed applications and transfers it to servers in China.
- 🛑 Sanctions: Xiaomi smartphones in Russia are not subject to direct sanctions, but there may be problems with software updates.
- 📱 Firmware MIUI: The Chinese version has built-in services Baidu, Tencent and Alibaba, which are blocked in global versions.
What is the "Chinese version" MIUI?
It’s important to understand that even if you buy the Xiaomi 14 Ultra in Europe, some of the firmware code is developed in China and updates are distributed through servers in Hong Kong and Singapore, which creates potential vulnerabilities for third-party access.
Xiaomi vs POCO Redmi vs Black Shark: Who owns who?
Many people think that POCO Redmi and Redmi are separate companies, but they are actually sub-brands run by Xiaomi Corp:
| Brand | Foundation year | Target audience | Legal status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi | 2010 | Premium and flagship devices | Parent company |
| Redmi | 2013 | Budget and medium-budget smartphones | Xiaomi's subbrand |
| POCO | 2018 | Gamers and enthusiasts (high performance at low price) | First independent, from 2020 – integrated into Xiaomi |
| Black Shark | 2017 | Gaming smartphones and accessories | Acquired by Xiaomi in 2021 |
POCO — The most interesting case, which was originally a flagship killer experiment. POCO F1 In 2018, the Snapdragon 845 was offered for the $In 2020, the brand became independent, but within a year Xiaomi returned it under its wing. POCO It is marketed as a “youth brand” but uses the same production facilities and firmware as Redmi.
Black Shark is a separate story: it was founded by former Xiaomi employees and specialized in gaming smartphones with physical triggers. In 2021, Xiaomi bought the brand, but in 2023, production of Black Shark smartphones was phased out due to low demand.
Check the IMEI on imei.info
Make sure that the settings indicate the "Global" (not "China") region.
Compare the serial number on the box and on the phone (Settings) → The phone)
Check for Google Play certification (fakes are often missing)-->
Legal risks for Xiaomi users in 2026
The purchase of Xiaomi equipment in Russia and Europe is associated with several legal nuances, which few people know:
- Guarantee: The official warranty of Xiaomi in Russia is valid only for devices purchased from authorized sellers (for example, Svyaznoy, M. Video). When buying on AliExpress or in “gray” stores, the warranty does not apply.
- Customs duties: From 2022, when importing smartphones from China to Russia, a duty of 20% of the value is charged if the price exceeds 200 euros.
- Software Updates: For models sold in Russia, Xiaomi is required to provide security updates for 2 years (under the Consumer Protection Act).
The firmware issue is particularly acute: In 2023, Roskomnadzor blocked access to Xiaomi update servers for some models, leading to problems installing security patches, a solution that was found through the transfer of servers to Hong Kong, but the risk of a repeat remains.
⚠️ Note: If you buy Xiaomi on AliExpress, check the firmware region in the settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI). Chinese versions (China) ROM) do not support Google Play and may have problems with banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff).
There are rules for device owners in Europe GDPR, Xiaomi is obliged to provide access to personal data and the ability to delete them, but in practice, you can only request deletion through an official website that does not have a Russian version.
How to Check the “Pureness” of Your Xiaomi: Diagnostic Guide
If you already own a Xiaomi device, here’s how to check if you’re trapped in a “gray” import or fake:
- Verification IMEI: Dial *#06# → Compare the number with the data on the box Check on imei.info
- Firmware Region: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If you're saying China, India or Global, that's the original. If Ru is a localized version for Russia, that's the original.
- Google Certification: Open Settings → Google → Device certification: If the status is "Not certified", it is a fake or Chinese version.
For Redmi models and POCO It is also useful to check the serial number through the official service Xiaomi:
- 🔗 Go to the mi.com/global/verify
- 📝 Enter the serial number (you will find it on the box or in Settings). → The phone)
- ✅ If the device is original, a green tick will appear.
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If your Xiaomi doesn’t pass Google’s certification check but you’re sure it’s the original, try manually installing Google Play Services through Google Play Services. APK. Instructions: APKMirror.
Important: Even if the device is original, the Chinese version (China) ROM) may be limited:
- 🚫 No Google Play or Google services (YouTube, Gmail, etc.)
- 🔒 Pre-installed Chinese apps (Baidu, Weibo, Alipay)
- 📵 Problems with banking applications (due to Google SafetyNet)
Xiaomi alternatives: where users go in 2026
If you are concerned about property, data security, or quality of support, consider alternatives:
| Brand | Pluses | Cons | Recommended model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 4 years of updates, best screens, official support in Russia | Exynos processors are 30-50% more expensive than Snapdragon | Galaxy A54 (middle-class) |
| Realme | Cheaper Xiaomi by 10-15%, fast charging | Weak camera, 2 years of updates | Realme 11 Pro+ |
| Motorola | Clean Android, 3 years of updates, officially in Russia | Weak cameras, little innovation | Moto G84 |
| Nothing | Unique design, 3 years of updates, transparent data policy | Expensive, few models. | Nothing Phone (2) |
If you are interested in data security, pay attention to:
- 🔐 Fairphone (Netherlands) – an ethical smartphone with 5 years of support
- 🇪🇺 BQ (Spain – Android without Chinese software
- 🍎 iPhone: A closed ecosystem with better data protection
For gamers, an alternative to Black Shark can be ASUS ROG Phone 7 or Nubia RedMagic 8 Pro – both brands specialize in gaming smartphones and offer better cooling than Xiaomi.
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If you’re worried about data transfers to China, the only reliable way to do this is to buy a smartphone with a pure Android (like Google Pixel or Motorola) or an iPhone. Even global versions of Xiaomi send telemetry to servers in Asia.