Li Zi's endorsement greatly boosted Xingyi Sky Phone's international renown and overseas grey market sales!
Not just xphone 1, but also xphone 1pro.
It's imaginable that once the xphone 1pro hits the market, overseas grey market sales will be substantial as well!
Li Zi raised the xphone 1pro in his hand and said with extreme excitement:
"Three months ago, the xphone 1 burst onto the scene, already the strongest phone currently available! Now, the arrival of the xphone 1pro, with its comprehensive upgrades, brings us even more surprises!"
"The world's first quad-core phone!"
"The world's first phone with 2GB of RAM!"
"The world's first phone with dual 8-megapixel cameras!"
"The world's first phone to support multi-tasking split-screen!"
"The world's first anti-freeze phone with a large 3000mAh battery!"
...
"With so many world firsts, the xphone 1pro is so outstanding that it's unrivaled globally."
"It's my honor to be the endorser for Xingyi Sky Phone and to personally unveil the price of the xphone 1pro!"
"Wow!"
Thunderous applause erupted.
The xphone 1pro is truly too excellent, with so many world firsts!
Even HTC's Wang Zhanggui twitched his lips:
"Compared to the xphone 1pro, our quad-core flagship is a joke, it's far too inferior! Alas!"
A sigh, full of helplessness.
If the xphone 1pro had only upgraded its quad-core processor, and HTC's new flagship was also quad-core, they would still have a fighting chance.
But facing the comprehensively upgraded xphone 1pro, HTC felt powerless.
The vice president sighed, his expression extremely complex:
"Now we can only look at the price. If the xphone 1pro's price is very high, selling for over 6000, our new HTC flagship can still compete on cost-effectiveness with its 4599 price. But if the xphone 1pro also sells for 4000-5000, then we're truly finished, they really won't leave us any room to survive."
Wang Zhanggui nodded:
"Yes, I hope Wang Yi sells it a bit more expensively, not cheaply, to avoid disrupting the market. Although the xphone 1pro is only sold domestically, overseas grey market sales will likely be substantial."
However, it wasn't just HTC feeling despair; even Apple felt a tremendous crisis.
Against the xphone 1, the iPhone 4s still had a fighting chance, but against the xphone 1pro, the iPhone 4s couldn't even compare!
Cook's face was chilling:
"It all depends on the final price. If the xphone 1pro is priced similarly to the iPhone 4s, then our iPhone 4s sales in Xia Guo will be disastrous!"
However, what you fear is what comes!
Li Zi let out a hearty laugh:
"The xphone 1pro also has a flaw, a big flaw!"
Upon hearing this, everyone became interested and subconsciously asked:
"What flaw?"
Li Zi laughed and said:
"The xphone 1pro's flaw is that its price is too low, making it prone to selling out!"
"Hahaha."
Everyone laughed.
"The xphone 1pro has a quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel front camera, a large 3000mAh anti-freeze battery, and runs XUI3.0! With such terrifying specifications and system, the 16GB version, at the same price as the competitor's dual-core phone with 512MB RAM, a 0.3-megapixel front camera, and a 1420mAh non-anti-freeze battery—only 4999, it's truly too cheap!"
"Wow!"
Thunderous applause erupted, and everyone was excited.
No comparison, no harm!
With such a comparison, the iPhone 4s truly has nothing going for it.
The xphone 1pro completely crushes the iPhone 4s, and everyone thought it would sell for 5999, but it's the same price as the iPhone 4s, only 4999!
One can only say it's cheap, too cheap.
"Furthermore!"
Li Zi changed the subject:
"It also comes with a complimentary two-year membership for Xingyi Sky Video + Xingyi Sky Music!"
"Membership durations can be stacked, so even if you've already bought a membership, you can continue to use it next year."
"Wow!"
Applause erupted again.
The 4999 price was already surprising enough, but it also comes with two-year memberships, effectively crushing the iPhone 4s while also being 300 yuan cheaper!
What a great deal!
Li Zi continued:
"And the surprises don't stop there. The 32GB iPhone 4s costs 5999, but the 32GB xphone 1pro is only 5499!"
"That's right, the 32GB xphone 1pro is 500 yuan cheaper than the 32GB iPhone 4s!"
"It also comes with a two-year membership, making it effectively 800 yuan cheaper!"
"Holy moly!"
The audience gasped in surprise, and netizens watching the live stream were also excited:
"The 16GB version being the same price as the iPhone 4s was already surprising enough, but I didn't expect the 32GB version to be 500 yuan cheaper, and with the membership, it's 800 yuan cheaper. What a steal!"
"Apple charges 1000 yuan to upgrade to 16GB storage, but Chairman Wang only charges 500 yuan. So conscientious!"
"The 16GB xphone 1pro was already appealing, but I didn't expect the 32GB to be even more so. I even want to swap my iPhone 4s for an xphone 1pro!"
"With such high specs and such an attractive price, I have to go for the xphone 1pro!"
"By the way, if the 32GB xphone 1pro is 500 yuan cheaper than the iPhone 4s, wouldn't the 64GB xphone 1pro be 1000 yuan cheaper?"
"Holy moly, no way? If that's the case, wouldn't the 64GB xphone 1pro be the same price as the 32GB iPhone 4s? That's insane!"
Sure enough, Li Zi spoke again:
"The surprises continue. The 64GB iPhone 4s costs 6999, while the 64GB xphone 1pro is only 5999! And it comes with an additional two-year membership worth 300 yuan!"
"Oh my god! It's really 1000 yuan cheaper! No, with the membership, it's 1300 yuan cheaper!"
"The xphone 1pro completely crushes the iPhone 4s, and it's 1300 cheaper. Why wouldn't I buy the xphone 1pro and insist on buying an iPhone 4s? Am I crazy?"
"This wave, the xphone 1pro is absolutely crushing it. The iPhone 4s is not even worth mentioning, it doesn't even deserve to be a competitor."
"Exactly, against the xphone 1, the iPhone 4s could still put up a fight, but against the xphone 1pro, the iPhone 4s loses on all fronts!"
"Dual-core VS quad-core. 512MB VS 2GB RAM. 0.3-megapixel front camera VS 8-megapixel front camera. 1420mAh non-anti-freeze small battery VS 3000mAh anti-freeze large battery. The iPhone 4s is completely defeated!"
"No, the iPhone 4s also has an advantage, at least in price. After all, the iPhone 4s, with its inferior specs, is over a thousand yuan more expensive!"
"Hahaha, I'm dying of laughter."
"Selling my iPhone 4s cheaply, preparing to switch to the xphone 1pro!"
Some Apple fans couldn't take it anymore and retorted decisively:
"Don't talk nonsense, at least the iPhone 4s's system experience is better and smoother."
"Better system experience? Are you referring to the experience of it freezing and shutting down at any moment?"
"Or are you referring to the 1420mAh small battery that can't last half a day browsing online?"
"Or the 512MB small RAM, where smoothness is achieved by aggressively killing background apps?"
"..."
For a while, Apple fans were roasted into silence.
...
Everyone understands some things: iOS's 512MB RAM simply cannot be smooth; it can only simulate background processes and aggressively kill them!
It can be said that the smoothness of iOS 4 and iOS 5 was achieved through the tombstone mechanism's fake background processes.
For multi-taskers and gamers, the experience was very poor.
In those days, the iOS system didn't have much of an advantage compared to Android.
It wasn't until three or four years later, when the iOS system upgraded its tombstone mechanism and enabled smart background processes, that it truly surpassed Android.
Of course, ten years later, Android, with its super large RAM strategy, achieved performance overkill, ensuring that dozens of background apps could run simultaneously without lagging, effectively beating the iOS system again.
Online public opinion continued to ferment:
"What's so good about the Apple system? The xphone 1pro has multi-tasking split-screen and a beauty camera, which the iPhone 4s doesn't have!"
"Ahem, a tiny 3.5-inch screen, it hurts your eyes just looking at it, there's absolutely no need for split-screen."
"Hahaha, that hit hard, my friend."
"What's even more heartbreaking is that even half of the xphone 1pro's screen might be larger than the iPhone 4s's full screen!"
"Holy moly, come to think of it, that's true!"
"My defenses are shattered, I'm going to sell my iPhone 4s and get an xphone 1pro!"
"I was planning to buy an iPhone 4s, but now I'm directly going for the xphone 1pro!"
"Both the xphone 1pro and iPhone 4s are too expensive; the xphone 1 still offers the best value for money."
"The xphone 1 is also very good. Just do what you can afford."
"Exactly, if you have the means, go straight for the xphone 1pro. If your budget is limited, you can start with the xphone 1 as a transition."
"The iPhone 4s is really no good anymore, it can't compete, the gap is too wide."
"The xphone 1pro supports a beauty camera. Selling my newly acquired iPhone 4s to exchange for an xphone 1pro!"
...
The once highly advantageous iOS system lost its edge due to the emergence of XUI3.0.
At the very least, multi-tasking and split-screen functionality are really not much worse than the fake background of the iOS system.
And the beauty camera instantly surpassed iOS; at the very least, girls couldn't resist it.
Suddenly, everyone who wanted to buy an iPhone 4s decided to buy an xphone 1pro instead!
Even users who had already bought an iPhone 4s were thinking of selling it and switching to an xphone 1pro!
Watching these bullet comments, Cook's lips twitched:
"Big trouble, really big trouble! Look at those Xia Guo people, they either want to buy the xphone 1 or the xphone 1pro, they don't even consider the iPhone 4s!"
"iPhone 4s sales in Xia Guo are completely ruined."
The vice president's expression was grave as he consoled:
"Fortunately, the xphone 1 and xphone 1pro are only sold in Xia Guo and won't be released globally. Otherwise, not only would our Xia Guo market collapse, but the global market would also suffer a fatal blow."
Cook nodded:
"That's the only good news, otherwise Apple would be in huge trouble. But there are also many foreigners who will go to great lengths to get an xphone 1pro! Look at those bullet comments, so many foreigners are thinking of selling their iPhone 4s and switching to an xphone 1pro! Crazy, truly crazy! I estimate the grey market sales of the xphone 1pro will explode!"
"Alas, this is troublesome, but the impact is limited."
The vice president sighed:
"Grey market channels have risks, and prices are expensive. Early on, they'll be triple the price, later on, double. Once grey market xphone 1pro sells for $1000, or starts at $1500, the impact on the $499 iPhone 4s will be smaller."
"Right, that's a good thing. If the grey market goods were sold at normal prices, that would be big trouble."
Cook nodded:
"But our iPad 3 will be difficult to handle next, after all, the Xingyi Sky Tablet X1 and Xingyi Sky Tablet X1 pro are launching globally."
The vice president frowned:
"That's a big problem. In ten days, we'll release the third-generation iPad. We need to find a way to really step on the Xingyi Sky Tablet X1 and Xingyi Sky Tablet X1 pro!"
Cook's eyes lit up:
"That works, I'll leave it to you."
"Don't worry, Chairman, I will definitely highlight our strengths and minimize our weaknesses, and severely undermine the Xingyi Sky Tablet X1 and Xingyi Sky Tablet X1 pro!"
At the press conference, Wang Yi smiled slightly:
"Thank you, Li Zi, for revealing the final price of the xphone 1pro to us. Higher specifications, a price full of sincerity."
"As for the launch date..." Wang Yi paused: "Due to the tight production and design schedule of the xphone 1pro relative to the xphone 1, we currently cannot achieve immediate release upon announcement. Therefore, the xphone 1pro's shipping date will be next month."
Everyone was a bit disappointed but also understood.
After all, they had to wait for the quad-core processor and further development, all of which take time.
For Xingyi Sky Technology to launch in March is considered fast; it's already the first quad-core phone.
Wang Yi continued:
"On March 1st, the xphone 1pro will begin accepting full-payment pre-orders. Shipments will be dispatched sequentially in mid-to-late March according to the order of payment!"
"Users who like the xphone 1pro can pre-order with full payment on online platforms such as the Xingyi Sky Phone official website, Meiyou Mall, Xingyi Sky Phone Taobao flagship store, JD flagship store, etc., or go to offline Xingyi Sky flagship stores, Meiyou, Zhenyou flagship stores, and exclusive stores for full-payment pre-orders."
As for offline exclusive stores and flagship stores absconding with user deposits and money?
Wang Yi wasn't worried about this.
Meiyou and Zhenyou's offline flagship stores are all directly operated by Meiyou Technology, and all store collections go directly into Meiyou Technology's account.
Franchised exclusive stores also use a unified inventory management system, and daily revenues are directly deposited into Meiyou Technology's account.
Meiyou Technology then settles with franchisees regularly according to regulations, precisely to prevent situations where they abscond with funds.
"In mid-to-late March, we will ship according to order sequence! Thank you for your support."
"Additionally, the xphone 1 and xbuds are now fully in stock. Welcome to experience and purchase them online and offline."
"Users and fans who wish to experience a quad-core processor as soon as possible can also purchase the Xingyi Sky Tablet X1 pro, which is now fully available and on sale globally!"
Applause erupted again.
Although the xphone 1pro wasn't available for immediate purchase, it was a pity.
However, the immediate availability of the Xingyi Sky Tablet X1 and Xingyi Sky Tablet X1 pro still brought a great surprise.
Many who wanted to experience a quad-core tablet went straight for it.
Wang Yi continued:
"The press conference is basically nearing its end. Finally, there are two small Easter eggs."
Upon hearing this, everyone became interested.
"The first Easter egg: Our Xingyi Sky Technology's puzzle game, 'Happy Eliminate-Eliminate', has surpassed 500 million global users after three months of development!"
Upon hearing this, the venue was in an uproar:
"500 million users in three months? That's insane!"
"What's so surprising? Games like 'Happy Eliminate-Eliminate' are addictive once you start playing; you can't control yourself."
"Plus, with Li Zi's endorsement, it immediately went viral globally!"
"500 million users, how much revenue would that be?"
"Who knows? Even with a 20% paying rate and an average spend of 40 yuan per person, that's 4 billion yuan in revenue."
"More than that, don't forget overseas users spend more, definitely not just 40 yuan."
"It's a real money magnet!"
"The number of 'Happy Eliminate-Eliminate' users will surely surge, especially since it became a supplier for the Wudu Olympics, it's bound to become even more popular."
"What? 'Happy Eliminate-Eliminate' became an Olympic supplier? How can a game be a supplier?"
"What's so hard about that? Athletes are under a lot of pressure during competitions; they also need to play 'Happy Eliminate-Eliminate' to relax and de-stress!"
"Hahaha, that's a unique perspective."
"Actually, being an Olympic supplier isn't about being a literal supplier; it's a form of commercial sponsorship."
"So that's it. As expected of Xingyi Sky Technology, even a game has become an Olympic sponsor. That's truly impressive."
"No choice, 'Happy Eliminate-Eliminate' is fun and a money magnet."
In reality, 'Happy Eliminate-Eliminate' broke 2 billion yuan in domestic revenue within three months of its launch.
Coupled with Li Zi's endorsement, overseas revenue surged rapidly, surpassing 4 billion yuan, bringing total domestic and international revenue to over 6 billion yuan!
The average monthly consumption for domestic users is around ten yuan, but for overseas users, it's about ten US dollars!
One can only say that money from developed countries is too easy to earn!
Li Zi was absolutely worth every penny as an endorser.
Wang Yi continued:
"The second Easter egg: To provide users with a better experience, we've launched a series of accompanying products for the Xingyi Sky Tablet X1 and Xingyi Sky Tablet X1 pro."
Wang Yi waved his hand, and a series of products appeared on the large screen behind him:
"A variety of attractive protective cases and leather covers for everyone to choose from."
"Anti-fingerprint 3D tempered films, providing safer protection for the screen!"
"And Type-C + Type-A portable power banks are also all launched."
"Xingyi Sky Technology's phones and tablets all come standard with a self-developed Type-C port, no need to distinguish orientation, just plug it in blindly!"
"Furthermore, we've also launched a dedicated Bluetooth keyboard and mouse combo for the Xingyi Sky Tablet X1, available simultaneously online and offline worldwide. Welcome to purchase."
However, Wang Yi did not announce the specific prices.
Firstly, there were too many products for Wang Yi to explain individually.
Secondly, prices differ between domestic and international markets, with international prices being much higher.
After all, overseas store rents and labor costs are paid in US dollars, so sales prices naturally also have to be in US dollars; this is self-evident.
To prevent overseas users from feeling disgruntled, Wang Yi decided not to disclose them!
"With this, Xingyi Sky Technology's Spring Launch Event concludes successfully. Thank you all for your support."
Wang Yi smiled slightly, then changed the subject:
"We just received a backend message: Within half an hour of its release, sales of the Xingyi Sky Tablet X1 surpassed 200,000 units! The Xingyi Sky Tablet X1 pro surpassed 300,000 units!"
"The xphone 1pro started pre-orders, and in ten minutes, full-payment pre-orders exceeded 10,000 units! Thank you all for your support!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned:
"What? The press conference isn't even over, and you've already rushed to buy? That's outrageous!"
"Nonsense, the Xingyi Sky Tablet X1 pro went on sale immediately after the announcement. If you don't buy now, you might have to wait another month to get one."
"Yeah, I bought the xphone 1 too late and had to wait a whole month!"
"These people rushing to buy now are all using the experience gained from the xphone 1."
"Exactly, you're going to buy it anyway, so order early and enjoy early. Order late, and you'll just be anxious!"
"Crazy! 500,000 tablets sold in half an hour, truly insane!"
"It's one thing for in-stock tablets to sell well, but the xphone 1pro is on full-payment pre-order and exceeded 10,000 units in five minutes. That's incredible."
"It's over, I feel like I'm going to miss out on the xphone 1pro again. I'm placing my order now."
"Already placed my order, just waiting for shipment."
"xphone 1pro paid and waiting for shipment. I'll buy a Xingyi Sky Tablet X1 pro first to calm my nerves."
"They're all too expensive. The xphone 1 is still best for me, offering the highest cost-effectiveness."
"Exactly, the xphone 1 is already good enough. You all go for the xphone 1pro, I'll buy the xphone 1!"
...
For a time, numerous users rushed to purchase the xphone 1, xphone 1pro, Xingyi Sky Tablet X1, and Xingyi Sky Tablet X1 pro—all of them were snapped up!
Wang Yi had initially been worried that the launch of the xphone 1pro would steal some xphone 1 users, leading to a sharp decline in xphone 1 sales.
But now, it seems he worried too much.
The xphone 1, starting at 3299, and the xphone 1pro, starting at 4999, have a difference of 1700 yuan, placing them in completely different market segments.
It can be said that the xphone 1 is a mid-range phone, while the xphone 1pro is a purely high-end phone starting at 5K.
With a starting price of 4999, those with strong purchasing power naturally didn't hesitate, while those with limited means were even more determined to go for the xphone 1!
The two phones, one high-end and one mid-range, directly captured two major user groups.
As for something even cheaper?
Only Meizu MX and Xiaomi 1T, both around 1799-2099, were cheaper, but they couldn't compare to the xphone 1.
It would be better to pay a bit more and go for the xphone 1.
As for even cheaper smartphones... there were none, unless they were feature phones!
In those days, Xiaomi's 1999 was considered an unprecedentedly low price.
Watching the live stream of the press conference, Lei Busi took a deep breath:
"He made money again!"
"The xphone 1 is selling hot, and even at Apple's price, so many people are pre-ordering the xphone 1pro!"
"Over 10,000 in five minutes! What does that even mean?"
"Our Xiaomi pre-orders are free, while the xphone 1pro is a full-payment pre-order!"
"Full-payment pre-orders, over 10,000 in five minutes. One could say the xphone 1pro would sell out even if it sold for five or six thousand!"
"Comparing yourself to others really kills you!"
"Our Xiaomi hasn't even succeeded in the low-end market, yet Xingyi Sky Technology has already made it in the high-end!"
"Alas!"
Co-founder Lao Li also frowned deeply, sighing repeatedly:
"No comparison, truly no comparison. With Xingyi Sky Technology in the Xia Guo market, there's no business for our Xiaomi."
Other vice presidents also spoke up:
"Yes, aiming for 5000 in the high-end, we shouldn't even dream about it, truly, that's too far for us."
"Let alone high-end, even mid-range is difficult. Anything above three thousand is out of the question. Our 1999 has been forced down to 1799!"
"The problem is that even at 1799, it's not selling well. I'm truly convinced."
"With Xingyi Sky Technology around, even the iPhone 4s is being critically hit, let alone our Xiaomi? The Xia Guo market is impossible for us, alas!"
Listening to everyone's words, Lei Busi strongly agreed:
"Since Xingyi Sky Technology appeared, the domestic mobile phone market has become hell mode. We can't compete, absolutely cannot compete."
"In terms of design and texture, we are inferior to Xingyi Sky Technology."
"In terms of products and specifications, we are even more inferior to Xingyi Sky Technology."
"Originally, we had the system advantage of MIUI, but now, Xingyi Sky Technology quickly launched XUI3.0, with split-screen, cloud services, and beauty algorithms, completely dominating our only advantage, MIUI. We truly can't compare."
"Comparing cost-effectiveness? With significantly inferior specifications, the so-called cost-effectiveness is meaningless."
"Yes, many users would rather spend an extra thousand yuan to buy an xphone 1 than consider a Xiaomi 1T! The difference between them is too great."
"Therefore, our only way out is to go overseas, to Asanguo!"
Lei Busi made a decisive decision:
"Next, Xiaomi Technology will go all-in on Asanguo!"
"As the saying goes, a tree dies if it stays put, a person thrives by moving. Only by going out can we find a way out, hope, and development."
"Exactly, domestically, we're utterly defeated, crushed and dominated by Xingyi Sky Technology. But in Asanguo, our Xiaomi 1T will be the boss, invincible!"
"Going all-in on Asanguo, with differentiated competition, is definitely the optimal choice."
Everyone discussed it, all agreeing, their gazes becoming sharp.
Lei Busi looked at Lao Li:
"How did your talks go in Asanguo a while ago?"
"Chairman, the talks went relatively smoothly, it's just that some officials in Asanguo gave us trouble, but it was easy to handle; we gave them some money, and everything was cleared up."
Another vice president also nodded:
"It's a similar situation on my end. The officials in Asanguo are truly greedy, but they follow rules; as long as the money is in place, even non-compliant things become compliant."
Lei Busi nodded:
"That's good. Spend money when you should, make arrangements when you need to. Shed a little blood now, and after Xiaomi expands in Asanguo, we'll earn it back a thousandfold, ten thousandfold. It's all worth it!"
"Yes!"
Lao Li said:
"Then we'll proceed at full speed. We estimate that by April, the Xiaomi 1T can start distributing in Asanguo!"
Lei Busi, however, frowned:
"The Xiaomi 1T dropped its price to 1799 and is available for immediate sale domestically, but it's not selling. We can't wait until April. I want you to speed up and launch sales in Asanguo next month!"
(End of chapter)