Make 2 out of 4: Why Xiaomi is doing without with its new top smartphone

• Xiaomi is now releasing the Xiaomi 14 series in Germany.
• Compared to the previous year, the manufacturer has dispensed with a Pro and a Lite model.
• Apparently Xiaomi wants to slim down its portfolio.

Xiaomi fans had to wait for months for the launch of the new top smartphone Xiaomi 14 in Germany. It has been available in China since October 2023, but sales are only just starting here. However, fans of the Chinese manufacturer have less choice in this country. Instead of three models as in China, the Xiaomi 14 series in Germany only consists of the Xiaomi 14 and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The company is not releasing the Xiaomi 14 Pro outside of China.

We have different launch strategies for different products. Based on various factors, we have decided not to launch Xiaomi 14 Pro in the global markets at this time.

Xiaomi

Why is Xiaomi not offering the Pro model internationally? The company explained to netzwelt that the launch strategy was determined by various factors and that it had come to the conclusion that the Pro would not be sold worldwide this time.

Portfolio becomes leaner

A plausible reason seems to be that Xiaomi wants to slim down its product portfolio in the premium sector. Last year, the company offered a total of five premium smartphones with the Xiaomi 13, 13 Pro, 13 Ultra and the 13T and 13T Pro models. As a consumer, it is difficult to understand which device is best suited for which purpose.

With the Xiaomi 14 series, the differences are clear. The Xiaomi 14 is a compact and slightly weaker alternative to the Ultra, which is primarily aimed at photo and video enthusiasts. The differences between Pro and Ultra, on the other hand, are smaller and some of them need to be explained.

For example, the Xiaomi 14 Pro also has a variable aperture, the maximum opening of which is even larger than the Ultra. In conjunction with the larger sensor, the Ultra should still tend to take better pictures. In addition, the battery of the Pro model is slightly smaller and the second telephoto camera is missing.

Intermediate models about to end?

In general, intermediate models like the Xiaomi 14 Pro are currently having a difficult time on the market. Apple’s Plus model, for example, is said to have weak sales. However, Apple does not officially comment on this. According to rumors, Samsung is also said to have thought about discontinuing the Galaxy S24+.

In the currently shrinking smartphone market, less can be more. Especially since every model ties up resources. New firmware needs to be programmed and tested. With ever-longer update guarantees, a sales flop hurts for years to come.

Xiaomi is also foregoing a Lite model for the time being

Compared to the Xiaomi 13 series, another model is missing from the new smartphone line-up: there is no Xiaomi 14 Lite, at least for the time being. Last year, Xiaomi sold the Xiaomi Civi 2 mid-range cell phone, which is very popular in China, under the name Xiaomi 13 Lite. Xiaomi, however, only sells the Civi 3 in China. It remains to be seen whether the manufacturer will bring the Civi 4, which is expected for March, to Europe as the Xiaomi 14 Lite. But we don’t assume so.

Finally, Xiaomi released the Redmi Note 13 series in January and accompanied the launch with a major marketing campaign. The five mid-range cell phones cover a price range of 200 to 500 euros. A Xiaomi 14 Lite would therefore have to start at 700 euros, otherwise it would compete with the Redmi Note 13 Pro+.

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