The Chinese technology giant Xiaomi is preparing for the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, where it will present flagship smartphones from the 17 series developed in collaboration with the Leica brand. The company, however, goes far beyond the mobile market, showcasing the Vision GT electric hypercar, new Pad 8 tablets, and smartwatches. Simultaneously, the market is grappling with drastic component price hikes, casting a shadow over the enthusiasm surrounding the new launches.
Xiaomi Series 17 launch
The debut of flagship smartphones with Leica optics, which aim to dethrone the iPhone in the mobile photography category.
Electric Vision GT
Presentation of an electric sports car created in collaboration with the Gran Turismo brand as a showcase of technological strength.
Memory market crisis
Rising RAM and component prices are forcing manufacturers to increase prices for consumer electronics worldwide.
New wearables segment offerings
Xiaomi becomes a leader in the watch and band market, displacing Samsung thanks to longer battery life.
This year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona became the stage for an unprecedented offensive by Xiaomi. The Chinese brand presented its flagship smartphone models: the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra. The key element of the new devices is an advanced photographic system created in collaboration with the German company Leica, which is intended to allow effective competition with the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro. The new phones stand out not only for their optics but also for powerful batteries and fast charging, which, combined with aggressive pricing, is expected to improve the company's stock market condition. In the Polish market, these devices debuted in official pre-sales with attractive bonuses for early buyers. The surprise of the show was the Vision GT project – an electric hypercar prepared in collaboration with the creators of the game „Gran Turismo”. Although the vehicle is largely a technological and marketing demonstration, it shows Xiaomi's ambitions in the electromobility and digital entertainment sectors. In parallel, the company refreshed its tablet lineup, introducing the Pad 8 and Pad 8 Pro models, which, according to testers, could be a real alternative to the iPad and Samsung tablets. The offer also included a Smartwatch with WearOS, offering a record-breaking battery life of up to six days and support for contactless payments. Since 2011, when Xiaomi debuted with the Mi 1 model, the brand has evolved from a manufacturer of cheap phones to a technology conglomerate competing with Apple and Samsung in every segment of consumer electronics. Despite technological optimism, experts warn of an impending price crisis. The global market is struggling with a RAM shortage, which is already translating into increased production costs for computers and smartphones. Some sources indicate that Samsung is dictating tough terms to Apple regarding display supplies, demanding even hundred-percent price increases. In a broader perspective, the industry is grappling with consolidation – more smaller players are withdrawing from phone production, shifting resources to artificial intelligence research. This situation means that currently available hardware may be the last offered at relatively affordable prices before an expected wave of drastic price adjustments. „The 17 Series is not just about smartphones; it is a new era of mobile photography that we are redefining together with Leica.” — Xiaomi Representative