Xiaomi's showcase at IFA 2026 offered a glimpse of how much further the brand could expand into Indian homes. Washing machines, dryers and an extensive cleaning range sat alongside more familiar products, raising the question of how much of that portfolio would reach India. The company's answer is measured. Large appliances remain on the agenda, but decisions on individual categories will depend on local demand, distribution and the ability to support products after purchase.
Speaking to MySmartPrice on the sidelines of IFA, Gautam Batra, Associate Director of Product Marketing at Xiaomi India, and Sandeep Sarma, who handles Marketing and PR at Xiaomi India Group, outlined an approach focused on building a broader business around household needs. The introduction of Mijia in India gives that ambition a clearer identity, although the executives stopped short of confirming which large appliances would arrive first.
A Bigger Role for Products Beyond Smartphones
Xiaomi's diversification is already becoming visible in its India business. According to Sarma, non-smartphone products accounted for around 12 to 13 per cent of revenue at the beginning of the year, with that share moving towards 18 to 20 per cent at the time of the interaction. Air purifiers and the planned entry into large appliances are expected to contribute further, while smartphones remain central to the company's business.
"We're constantly on the lookout for new categories that we can enter," he said. However, entering a category requires more than identifying an appealing product from the global range. Logistics, spare parts, after-sales support and the route to market need to be settled before Xiaomi can commit to specific launches. The company reiterated that large appliances were coming, without sharing a category-wise roadmap or launch dates.
Air Purifiers Bring Availability Into Focus
For air purifiers, the immediate priority is meeting demand across common room sizes rather than bringing every high-end global model to India. Batra described the existing portfolio as more complete than before, with options for smaller rooms and larger spaces. Asked about shortages during peak demand, he said Xiaomi had planned higher inventory for the Air Purifier 6 and Compact models to improve availability.
Replacement filters remain an equally important part of that conversation. Sarma said bulk purchases and possible resale had contributed to shortages in the past, and the company was examining ways to limit quantities alongside maintaining supply. He acknowledged that shortages could not be ruled out entirely. For existing owners, access to filters will be a meaningful test of Xiaomi's longer-term commitment to the category, particularly when seasonal demand rises.
Robot Vacuums Need to Deliver on Cleaning
Robot vacuum cleaners offer another opportunity, although Xiaomi believes the category needs to demonstrate stronger core performance alongside added automation. Batra argued that features such as automatic dust emptying and water management had previously advanced faster than cleaning capability. More capable products now make the category increasingly compelling, particularly for households seeking cleaning on demand between regular sessions.
The executives also questioned the assumption that a robot vacuum must replace domestic help to justify its purchase. Homes with pets or children may value the ability to clean again whenever needed, making automation useful even where daily assistance is available. Air fryers, meanwhile, remain under evaluation. Xiaomi did not confirm a refreshed India range, with the company still assessing demand and the role its products could play.
Value Will Shape the Wider Ecosystem
As the portfolio expands, Xiaomi sees HyperOS and connected features playing a larger role in how its devices work together. The ambition is for AI to make appliances more responsive to context and reduce the need for repeated manual commands. Cross-brand compatibility was also discussed, although the conversation did not establish universal support for appliances already present in Indian homes.
Pricing will remain important, but Batra argued that demand is not restricted to products at the lowest price points. "If it's a great product, people see value regardless of where it is placed in the price band," he said. Xiaomi's next phase in India will test that proposition across more of the home. Its global portfolio provides plenty of possibilities, but the more consequential decisions concern which products arrive, what needs they address and how reliably the company supports them.
