TLDR;
The video critiques Xiaomi's strategy of directly copying Apple's product naming and design, arguing it reflects a lack of originality and harms the brand's reputation. It highlights consumer dissatisfaction, quality control issues, and controversies surrounding Xiaomi's car division, including design similarities to Porsche and safety concerns. The video suggests Xiaomi should focus on genuine innovation and respect for intellectual property rather than mimicry.
- Xiaomi's naming strategy is seen as a shallow attempt to capitalise on Apple's popularity, which has backfired and disgusted various user groups.
- The company's products, including smartphones and cars, are criticised for mimicking Apple and Porsche designs, respectively, raising questions about originality and innovation.
- Safety concerns and quality control issues with Xiaomi's car, the SU7, are highlighted, along with criticisms of the company's handling of consumer rights and negative feedback.
Xiaomi's Copycat Strategy [0:03]
The video starts by mocking Xiaomi's decision to name its new phone the Xiaomi 17, directly matching Apple's iPhone 17, instead of following its sequential numbering. The content creator suggests Xiaomi should have gone even further and named it Xiaomi 18 or even Xiaomi 117 to appear ahead of Apple. This sets the tone for a critique of Xiaomi's broader strategy of trying to capitalise on Apple's success through imitation rather than innovation.
Consumer Reaction to Xiaomi 17 [1:02]
The launch of Apple's iPhone 17 series saw high demand in China, with the official website crashing and e-commerce platforms selling out quickly. In response, Xiaomi controversially announced they would skip the Xiaomi 16 and release the Xiaomi 17 series, directly competing with the iPhone 17. This naming strategy was intended to create a sense of parody and align Xiaomi with Apple, but it was widely mocked online, leading to criticism and trending on social media.
Disgust Among User Groups [2:01]
The decision to rename the phone to Xiaomi 17 has reportedly disgusted three groups of people. Android users feel Xiaomi is undermining its brand by copying Apple's name instead of focusing on hardware and specs. Loyal Xiaomi users feel let down as they were expecting Xiaomi to compete with Apple at the high end, not imitate its naming. iPhone users find it insulting that Xiaomi is releasing a lower-spec phone with the same name as their iPhone 17.
Lack of Innovation and User Experience Issues [3:11]
The content creator, identifying as a Xiaomi fan, expresses embarrassment over Xiaomi's blatant copying of Apple's naming and design, including the "Pro Max" designation. They argue that Xiaomi is not offering any groundbreaking features to justify the name change, unlike Apple's iPhone X, which introduced Face ID and a full-screen design. The creator also criticises Xiaomi's inconsistent user experience, prevalence of ads, and lack of core innovations despite significant R&D investment, urging the company to focus on genuine competition rather than imitation.
Hardware and Ecosystem Concerns [4:17]
The video shifts to broader concerns about Xiaomi's ability to compete with Apple in terms of hardware and ecosystem. The content creator shares their personal experience with the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, citing overheating and frequent shutdowns as examples of quality control issues. They argue that Xiaomi needs to improve its products and user experience rather than simply copying Apple's name.
Xiaomi's Copying History and Design Similarities [5:07]
Xiaomi is accused of trying to piggyback off Apple's success by changing the phone's name. The video highlights Xiaomi's history of copying, referencing Jonathan Ive's criticism of Xiaomi's designs as "theft" and "lazy". It points out that the Xiaomi 17 closely resembles the iPhone 17 series, with a similar horizontal camera module.
Xiaomi Cars and Design Convergence [8:56]
The discussion moves to Xiaomi's car division, with the SU7 model being compared to a Porsche. While Xiaomi claims good designs often converge, the video argues that the SU7's design is a clear imitation of the Porsche Panamera, taking advantage of the expiration of Porsche's design patent in China. The video includes a joke about Porsche becoming a copycat, highlighting the perception of Xiaomi as a company that copies others.
Xiaomi SU7 Safety Concerns and Controversies [10:21]
The video addresses concerns about the quality and safety of Xiaomi's cars, highlighting a recent incident where a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra crashed during a high-speed turn. The accident, which resulted in significant damage to the car, raises questions about whether average drivers can handle the power of electric vehicles with advanced motor systems. The video also mentions a separate incident where a Xiaomi car spun out of control during an acceleration test.
Respect for Technology and Intellectual Property [12:05]
The content creator discusses the importance of respecting technology and intellectual property, particularly in areas where Xiaomi lags behind competitors. They criticise Xiaomi for applying for patents on copied designs, marketing fake features, and creating obstacles for customers seeking to return cars. The video also mentions the pressure faced by tech critics from nationalistic online trolls and concerns about dangerous design choices, such as fully hidden door handles.
Xiaomi's Reputation and the Need for Innovation [13:39]
The video concludes by highlighting the freefall of Xiaomi's reputation, worsened by the controversy over its naming strategy. It criticises Xiaomi's long-standing mimicry of Apple, which is now seen as a lack of originality. The video argues that Xiaomi needs to focus on true breakthroughs and creating something unique rather than simply competing with or copying others. It uses the example of Porsche car keys to illustrate the attention to detail and value that Xiaomi struggles to replicate.