Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has officially opened its doors in Australia, offering a wide array of products that appear to deliver more value than their price tags suggest. Known for its competitive edge in the tech market, Xiaomi has introduced a selection of phones, gadgets, and smart home appliances under its Xiaomi and budget-friendly Redmi brands. This expansion marks a significant step for the company, which has been a formidable challenger to industry giants like Apple and Samsung since its inception 15 years ago.
In its home market, Xiaomi boasts hundreds of products, but for the Australian launch, the company has opted for a more curated selection. The lineup includes smartphones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, earbuds, and more, each designed to provide functionality at a fraction of the cost of their competitors. We took a closer look at some of these offerings to see how they stack up.
Smartwatch and Fitness Tracker: Affordable Alternatives
Redmi Watch 5 Active
Priced at just $80, the Redmi Watch 5 Active is a budget-friendly alternative to the Apple Watch. With its aluminium case, rotating crown, and AMOLED display, it bears a striking resemblance to its more expensive counterpart. Despite its low price, the Watch 5 Active offers a smooth user experience on both Android and iOS platforms, featuring media control, step counting, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and phone notifications. It even includes extras such as a blood oxygen test and 5 ATM water resistance.
The watch’s bright and sharp screen can be activated by lifting or tapping, and while it lacks a crown, the touch interface is intuitive. The selection of apps is limited but includes useful options like a remote camera shutter and Amazon’s Alexa. Impressively, the watch’s battery lasts up to a week on a single charge.
Xiaomi Smart Band 10
For those who prefer a fitness tracker over a smartwatch, the Xiaomi Smart Band 10 offers a more premium feel at $90. Its aluminium body and optional ceramic version provide a sleek design, while the TPU strap ensures comfort. The device can be worn on the wrist, as a necklace, or with a shoe strap, and it excels at background tracking of steps and workouts.
With features like blood oxygen tracking and phone notifications, the Smart Band 10 is a versatile fitness companion. Its elongated OLED screen provides glanceable information, and the battery life extends beyond a week with the always-on display deactivated. Notably, it offers swim tracking, a feature missing from the Redmi Watch 5 Active.
Audio and Smartphone Offerings
Redmi Buds 6 Play
At just $30, the Redmi Buds 6 Play are an incredibly affordable option for wireless earbuds. While their sound quality may not rival more expensive models, they offer basic functionality with touch controls and a stable fit. The buds provide up to six hours of playback before needing a recharge in their battery case.
However, the sound is somewhat thin and harsh for music, and ambient noise can be an issue. Despite these limitations, the buds are a viable choice for those seeking budget-friendly wireless audio.
Xiaomi 15T Pro
Among Xiaomi’s smartphone offerings, the 15T Pro stands out at $1300. This model competes with high-end phones like Samsung’s Galaxy S25+ by offering powerful features at a slightly lower price. The 15T Pro boasts a 6.8-inch Dolby Vision OLED display, a Mediatek Dimensity 9400+ chip, and Leica-branded cameras.
While it offers impressive performance, the 15T Pro faces stiff competition from more established brands. Its HyperOS provides a user-friendly experience, and the device includes a suite of AI tools and dual SIM support. However, for those not requiring top-tier performance, the $1000 15T could be a more economical choice.
Tablets and Other Gadgets
Redmi Pad 2
The Redmi Pad 2, priced at $350, offers a budget-friendly alternative to the iPad. With an 11-inch screen, it supports HDR and a 90Hz refresh rate, making it suitable for streaming and casual gaming. The tablet’s speakers deliver impressive sound quality, and it includes a headphone jack and microSD card reader.
While it may not match the iPad in terms of app ecosystem or performance, the Redmi Pad 2 is a solid choice for those seeking an affordable tablet for entertainment and light productivity.
Xiaomi’s Australian launch also includes a variety of other products, such as the Electric Shaver S200, Smart Jump Rope, and Robot Vacuum X20+, each designed to enhance daily life with innovative technology at accessible prices.
Understanding Xiaomi’s Global Impact
Founded in Beijing in 2010, Xiaomi quickly rose to prominence by challenging established tech giants. Despite facing criticism for its Apple-like products and marketing strategies, the company has expanded into diverse sectors, including electronics, IoT, fitness tech, and AI. In 2019, Xiaomi became the youngest company to enter the Fortune Global 500, and it now ranks as the third-largest smartphone brand globally.
With nearly 944 million devices connected to its IoT network, Xiaomi continues to influence the tech landscape worldwide.
As Xiaomi makes its mark in Australia, consumers can expect a range of innovative products that deliver exceptional value. The company’s expansion reflects its commitment to providing quality technology at competitive prices, challenging industry norms and setting new standards for affordability and functionality.
