Emir BardakçıXiaomi President Lu Weibing recently commented on the growing trend of ultra-thin smartphones, addressing the new “Air phone” concept that has drawn attention across the industry. According to him, while such designs are bold and innovative, they come with certain trade-offs that limit their mass appeal. He noted that “extreme thinness inevitably sacrifices battery life, heat dissipation, performance, and camera quality.”
Lu Weibing: “Air Phones Are Innovative but Niche”
Lu Weibing highlighted that despite their creative approach, Air phones appeal to a very limited audience. He mentioned that sales data confirm their niche status, emphasizing the need to track user retention over time. “It’s important to observe how many users continue using them after the initial novelty fades,” he said. This statement reflects Xiaomi’s careful stance toward following the “thin-at-all-costs” design philosophy.
Industry Context: Apple and Huawei’s Air Strategy
The Apple iPhone Air, launched in September 2025, introduced a 5.6mm ultra-thin body, 6.5-inch 120Hz display, 48MP camera, and A19 Pro processor, starting at CNY 7,999 (around $1,100) in China. However, despite its engineering excellence, activation numbers remained low—only around 50,000 units in the first week, according to industry insider @DigitalChatStation. Similarly, Huawei’s upcoming Mate 70 Air, with the slogan “More than just thin,” aims to combine elegance with endurance, but consumer demand remains to be tested.
Could Xiaomi Enter the Air Phone Market?
In October, blogger Smart Pikachu revealed that a manufacturer—hinted to be Xiaomi—was testing a slim eSIM-based flagship with a 200MP main camera and unibody cold-carved design, possibly named the Xiaomi 17 Air. However, based on Lu Weibing’s latest remarks, Xiaomi appears to be adopting a cautious approach, preferring to prioritize balanced user experience over record-breaking thinness.
While Xiaomi has historically led smartphone innovation—from camera sensors to HyperOS integration—its leadership is unlikely to pursue extreme minimalism unless it aligns with practicality and long-term performance goals.
