Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer Xiaomi sold 6.3 million handsets in March 2017, known industry insider Kevin Wang revealed yesterday on Weibo. Wang also said that the Beijing-based tech giant has now concluded the process of restructuring its smartphone unit, though no further details on the matter have been given. Regardless, the comments likely refer to the company’s recent efforts aimed at increasing the efficiency of its handset-making operations with the goal of making them more profitable. Xiaomi Chief Executive Officer Lei Jun recently confirmed the company will be looking to focus on several core aspects of its core business over the course of 2017 – quality, innovation, and delivery. While Jun’s comments were relatively vague and revealed no specifics regarding the company’s plans for the immediate future, the company’s top executive still indicated that Xiaomi is serious about changing its general business strategy that recently led him to admit that the Beijing-based consumer electronics manufacturer grew in an unsustainable manner.
If the company truly managed to sell 6.3 million devices over the course of last month, that figure could indicate it’s finally starting to bounce back from its disappointing 2016 during which it suffered declining sales, partially due to its imperfect supply chains. Previous reports indicated Xiaomi is aiming to sell 70 million Android smartphones in 2017 and the company might be able to hit that mark provided it can maintain its current performance. For reference, the firm shipped approximately 41.5 million handsets in 2016 and just under 65 million units the year before.
While it remains to be seen whether the Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer manages to bounce back from its recent slump, its prospects will likely heavily depend on how successful the upcoming Mi 6 flagship ends up being. Xiaomi’s latest high-end Android smartphone is scheduled to be officially unveiled tomorrow, April 19, but the firm is also expected to announce a number of other devices alongside the Mi 6. Provided that the Mi 6 manages to offer a user experience that’s comparable to that of its premium alternatives while still being priced in a competitive manner, Xiaomi might be able to make up for some of the disappointing results it posted last year. More information on the company’s financial performance should follow soon.