US phone launch still some time off for Xiaomi
Xiaomi Corp is unlikely to launch its smartphones in the United States any time soon, industry experts said on Friday, after the Beijing-based company said it was looking to dip its toes in Apple Inc's home turf.
Top executives of the smartphone maker said in San Francisco that it was opening an online store in the US later this year. But the Chinese company is nowhere ready to really challenge Apple, which is the market leader in the US. The store will only sell handset accessories including headphones and affordable fitness bands. Its flagship products - the smartphones and tablets - will not be available for purchase.
Hugo Barra, Xiaomi's vice-president in charge of international operations, said Xiaomi will be very cautious about launching the Mi devices in the US market.
