Xiaomi launched the curved version of its Mi TV 3 — the Mi TV 3S Curve — in China today at a price of around Rs 92,000 (8,999 yuan).
That would imply a price of around Rs 1.3 lakh in India including import duties, VAT and shipping costs.
In comparison, Samsung’s 65-inch curved 4K TV sells in India for prices starting from Rs 1.8 lakh.
The company also launched a 43-inch, full-HD Mi TV at a price of Rs 18,600 in China, implying a price of around Rs 26,500 in India. This is comparable to a 43-inch TV from brands like Micromax, which are available at around Rs 24,000 in India.
Both TVs are ‘smart’ and run on Xiaomi’s MIUI operating system.
Though fans have been clamoring for Xiaomi TVs in India, the Chinese player is yet to launch a single television model here.
Part of the reason why it is more difficult to launch TVs here as in China is that in China it has content tie-ups with online video companies and others that helps it recover part of the cost of the hardware indirectly, keeping the initial cost for the consumer low.
In India, people generally don’t pay for content, and broadband penetration is also not as developed in China, which prevents such business models from taking off.
However, Reliance Jio is planning to launch three smart TVs in India in the coming days, including two 4K TVs.
The smaller, 50-inch LYF TV will be priced Rs 55,900 and the larger 65-inch model will cost you Rs 1.55 lakh.
Currently, prices of 4K TVs start at around Rs 40,000 in India.