Xiaomi goes all-in with 64MP Redmi phone

Eric Wong presenting the Redmi Note 8 Pro in Dubai on Monday.

Xiaomi introduced its newest range of Redmi smartphones in the UAE, aiming to capitalise on the mid-range market that has been growing thanks to flagship-level offerings.
The company launched four devices - the Redmi 8, 8A, Note 8 and Note 8 Pro - late on Monday in Dubai. All devices put a focus on essential daily tasks and artificial intelligence-backed photography.
Eric Wong, country manager of Xiaomi UAE, said that the Redmi Note 7, which was revealed in January this year, sold 20 million units globally. Overall, Redmi devices have crossed the 100 million mark.
Redmi is positioned as a budget-friendly category. It is a sub-brand of Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi, which is the world's fourth-largest smartphone vendor behind Apple, Huawei and Samsung.
International Data Corporation figures show that the Beijing-headquartered company shipped 32.3 million units in the second quarter of 2019, good for a 9.7 per cent market share.
"Standing by what we call 'honour price' - the right price for the right value - we would never charge people a lot for a smartphone," Ashraf Fawakherji, general manager of Task, the exclusive distributors of Xiaomi. "These are actual upgrades of phones and quality and for users... so they can enjoy what they do all the time."
The top-end Redmi 8 Pro comes with a quadruple-lens camera system bannered by a world-first 64MP main sensor. It will be available through etisalat, Carrefour and Mi Stores starting this week. Prices start at Dh949.
The Redmi Note 8, meanwhile, features a 6.3-inch display and a 48MP main sensor and starts at Dh729.
The entry-level Redmi 8 and 8A start at Dh499 and Dh399, respectively.
- alvin@khaleejtimes.com