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Xiaomi will not attend 2017 Mobile World Congress in February

By Menahem Zen | Jan 28, 2017 12:35 AM EST
Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun speaks during a product launch on May 15, 2014 in Beijing, China. Privately owned Chinese electronics company Xiaomi has lauched its first tablet and low-price 4K TV on Thursda
(Photo : Getty Images/VCG) Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun speaks during a product launch on May 15, 2014 in Beijing, China. Privately owned Chinese electronics company Xiaomi has lauched its first tablet and low-price 4K TV on Thursday. The newly launched 'Mi Pad' is looking to shake up the tablet market to rival Apple's iPad mini with a new low-price slate set.

Xiaomi, the third largest manufacturer of smartphone will skip the entire event of the 2017 Mobile World Congress in February. Xiaomi will not reveal its new smartphone in the event like the company did last year.

According to TechCrunch on Friday, Jan. 27, a company spokesperson has confirmed the decision to skip entire event of MWC 2017. This will be unexpected decision, because many analysts and enthusiasts have expected the company to launch new device in the annual largest mobile technology event.

Xiaomi’s decision followed the departure of its executive Hugo Barra who announced his decision to leave the company on Monday, Jan. 23. Subsequently, Barra will join Facebook to lead the social media’s effort in virtual reality as reported by Wall Street Journal.

Barra was the VP of International at Xiaomi since he joined the company in September 2013. He had helped the company to make a mark in the Android smartphone landscape. Xiaomi is now the third largest smartphone maker in the world, just behind Samsung and Apple according to IDC data.

However, the departure of Barra and decision to skip 2017 Mobile World Congress may affect its market share. Up to now,Xiaomi is still the number one for sales in China, but it is under fierce competition from Oppo and Huawei.

Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun admitted the company has grown too fast in the past three years in his year-end note in November last year. The privately-owned company has grown from a relatively unknown company since its founding in 2010 to become a $45 billion in market value. It has become the top smartphone manufacturer along with Samsung, Apple, Lenovo and LG, which are public companies.

This year, Xiaomi decided to skip its appearance in the Mobile World Congress. The rumor about its new smartphone has also halted. Meanwhile while its competitors are in the race to create a bezel-less smartphone.

Although Xiaomi will miss the MWC 2017, but it appeared at the CES 2017 in Las Vegas. The company introduced its Mi Mix and 4K TV. Watch the highlight of the CES 2017 from Xiaomi official YouTube channel below:

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