Xiaomi Sold 61.1m Phones in 2014, and Doubled Revenues

Redmi 2Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi has announced sales figures, revealing it sold 61.1m handsets throughout the year, an increase of 227 per cent, and saw revenues grow 135 per cent, to ¥74.3bn (£7.8bn).

The news comes shortly after the company confirmed a new round of funding, placing its valuation at $45bn, and making it the most valuable technology start-up in the world, just four years after it was founded.

The sales figures were disclosed by Lei Jun, CEO of Xiaomi, in a letter to staff. “2014 is an important landmark in the history of Xiaomi and we have grown from a follower to a pioneer in this industry,” wrote Lei. “In 2015, there will be a slower growth in domestic smartphone industry. Eco-system and endurance will be the key factors that determine a companys success.”

Lei Jun also referenced the recent legal battle the company has faced in India, with Ericsson claiming the companys designs infringe upon eight patents that Ericsson holds. Lei said the attention being paid to the companys products represented a “Grown-up Ceremony of Xiaomi” and meant that other international companies now considered it a peer. Ericsson will present evidence of the patent violation in an Indian court in early February.

Looking forward, the company has also stated its intention to expand into new markets in 2015, and announced a new flagship device, the Redmi 2. The phone, which operates on Android, features a 4.7-inch screen, 8-megapixel rear camera and 2-megapixel front camera and a 64-bit Snapdragon 410 chip, all for just ¥699 (£73). The device goes on sale in China on 9 January.