Exclusive: Xiaomi Cancels 15 Civi Launch in India, Rethinking “Premiumization” Strategy

Main Image
  • Like
  • Comment
  • Share
TL; DR
  • Xiaomi cancels planned 15 Civi launch in India.
  • Company pivots from premium strategy to budget phones.
  • Decision follows poor sales of the previous 14 Civi.

Xiaomi India appears to be navigating a challenging period. The company’s strategy, which involves scaling back its smartphone portfolio while simultaneously aiming for ‘premiumization,’ appears to be creating internal conflict and market confusion.

The latest casualty in this strategic scale-back is a highly anticipated product. According to our industry sources, Xiaomi has cancelled the launch of its Xiaomi 15 Civi mid-range smartphone in India.

Also Read: Exclusive: vivo V60 Launching in India on August 12 with Triple Cameras, 50MP Selfie, Snapdragon 7 Gen 4

This move is surprising, especially after the Xiaomi 14 Civi launched last year with considerable fanfare, banking on the appeal of Leica-branded cameras in a more accessible mid-range device.

The decision to cancel the Xiaomi 15 Civi is puzzling. It suggests a pivot away from the premium mid-range segment and back towards the budget market, where a new Redmi phone is set to launch soon. By shelving the 15 Civi, Xiaomi is effectively vacating the ₹35,000 – ₹45,000 price bracket, putting its premiumization goals on the back burner.

This cancellation could be a direct result of lower-than-expected sales for the Xiaomi 14 Civi, which the company is now selling at a significant discount.

Also Read: vivo X200 FE Review: The Best Compact Camera Phone of 2025

Xiaomi 15 Civi: The Phone That Won’t Arrive

The cancelled device was set to feature a vibrant 6.55-inch 1.5K micro-curved display, offering a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive peak brightness of 3,200 nits. Under the hood, it was to be powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 SoC, paired with configurations of up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of high-speed UFS 4.0 storage.

In the camera department, the phone boasted a Leica-tuned triple-camera system on the rear, comprising a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP telephoto sensor. For selfies, it was equipped with a high-resolution 50MP front-facing camera. Powering the entire package was a massive 6,000mAh battery, with support for 67W fast charging to ensure quick top-ups.

Also Read: Samsung Might Not Use Exynos 2600 On Its Galaxy S26 Series: Here’s What We Know

We think that this strategy will backfire for the brand, especially while pitching the Premium devices, which Xiaomi has always struggled to move in volumes in the country.

You can follow Smartprix on TwitterFacebookInstagram, and Google News. Visit smartprix.com for the latest tech and auto newsreviews, and guides.

Karan RathoreKaran Rathore
Karan Rathor is a tech reviewer at Smartprix. With an electrical engineering degree from BITS Pilani, he brings hands-on, expert analysis to his reviews of mobile hardware and automotive tech. See all of his work on his official author page.

Related Articles

Imagevivo T4R 5G Launched in India with Slimmest Quad-Curved Display in Segment: Pricing Announced

Tech giant vivo has introduced the fifth member of the T4 Series in India today. vivo T4R 5G has launched in India, which is the slimmest quad-curved smartphone with a thickness of just 0.739cm. The smartphones are packed with industry-leading features like a 5700mAh battery, Dimensity 7400 chipset, 32MP main sensor, and more. The other …

ImageXiaomi 15 CIVI Could Launch In India Soon: Check Expected Timeline And Specifications Here

A couple of days ago, we published a roundup on the Xiaomi 15 CIVI, one of the most awaited mid-range handsets from the Chinese manufacturer. In the roundup, we gave you a brief idea about what the phone could look like and the specifications it might offer. Today, we’ve come up with more information about …

ImageXiaomi 15 CIVI: Specifications, Price, and All You Need to Know

The Xiaomi 15 CIVI, set to launch in India and global markets, will be a rebranded version of the Xiaomi CIVI 5 Pro, which is scheduled to debut in China later this month on May 22. Positioned as a sleek, all-round flagship to rival the iPhone, the Xiaomi 15 CIVI will bring some interesting upgrades …

ImageXiaomi Celebrates 11 Years in India by Launching Redmi Note 14 SE 5G: Pricing & Features Confirmed

Tech giant Xiaomi is celebrating 15 years globally and 11 years of operations in India by launching the Redmi Note 14 SE 5G smartphone in the country. Adding to the Note 14 Family, the Redmi Note 14 SE 5G is claimed to be the most value-packed member of the lineup with the best in-segment entertainment …

ImageRedmi 15 5G India Launch Teased, Key Specs Leak Ahead of Debut

Xiaomi has begun teasing the Redmi 15 5G for the Indian market, with the official Amazon listing now live. The teaser highlights the phone’s massive battery with the tagline: “One Charge. Two Days. Zero Worries,” pointing to battery life as the main focus of the device. Though Xiaomi hasn’t confirmed a launch date yet, leaks …

Discuss

1 Comment
kk. prathapan
kk. prathapan
@kkprathapa_luhugele
7 days ago

I waiting this phone come soon very shortly. Expected me and also many people

Reply

Related Products