---
title: "Xiaomi celebrates 15th anniversary of its first smartphone: how the empire began"
description: "🎉 Xiaomi celebrates the 15th anniversary of its first smartphone! 📱 On August 16, 2026, it has been exactly 15 years since the unveiling of the Xiaomi Phone 1 in Beijing. This event marked the start of creating one of the world's largest technological empires. 🔹 The company was founded in 2010. 🔹 The first smartphone was unveiled in August 2011. 🔹 Xiaomi Vice Chairman Wang Xiaoyang congratulated fans on the anniversary. To mark the date, the company reminded everyone of its philosophy: \"Tribute is to move forward with greater confidence.\" 🚀 #Xiaomi #TechNews #Xiaomi15Years #MobileHistory"
date: 2026-08-16T20:01:10.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/xiaomi-celebrates-15th-anniversary-of-its-first-smartphone
tags: [xiaomi, smartphone-history, tech-anniversary, mobile-industry, xiaomi-group]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Xiaomi celebrates 15th anniversary of its first smartphone: how the empire began

![Xiaomi Phone 1: the legendary first smartphone marking Xiaomi's 15th anniversary](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/16/xiaomi-otmechaet-15-letie-pervogo-smartfona/xiaomi-otmechaet-15-letie-pervogo-smartfona-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- On August 16, 2026, it marks 15 years since the first Xiaomi smartphone was unveiled in Beijing in 2011.
- The company was founded on April 6, 2010, and MIUI testing began in August of that same year.
- Xiaomi Vice Chairman Wang Xiaoyang officially congratulated fans on the brand's anniversary.
- The first smartphone laid the foundation for the company's global success and became a symbol of its philosophy.

August 16, 2026, marks a landmark date in the world of technology. Exactly 15 years ago on this day, Xiaomi's first smartphone was unveiled in Beijing. This event became the starting point for creating one of the largest technological conglomerates of modern times. To celebrate the anniversary, Wang Xiaoyang, Vice Chairman of Xiaomi Group and Head of the China Division, personally addressed the brand's fans, thanking them for their loyalty and support over the past decade and a half.

### From idea to reality: the prelude to success

The path to creating the first device began long before its presentation. Xiaomi was officially registered on April 6, 2010. However, as early as August of that same year, engineers and developers began testing the proprietary MIUI operating system skin. This step was strategically important: creating its own software ecosystem allowed the company to control the quality of the user experience even before the first "hardware" product appeared on the market.

### A historic moment: August 2011

August 2011 was a time of triumph. The Xiaomi Phone 1 (or Mi 1), unveiled in Beijing, not only became the brand's first device but also set the tone for the company's subsequent development. The smartphone shown in the promotional materials demonstrated a minimalist design and cutting-edge specifications for that time. As noted in reports, it was this product that laid the foundation for Xiaomi's future massive success in the global market.

### Brand philosophy: "To move forward with greater confidence"

Visual materials dedicated to the anniversary highlight the deep connection between the first product and the company's philosophy. On images featuring the retro design of the first smartphone, one can see the inscription: "Tribute is to move forward with greater confidence." The text explains that the first product of a successful brand always represents the belief of moving forward without fear, carrying boundless dreams of the future. The Xiaomi Phone 1 became exactly such a symbol — proof of the brand's original intention and the beginning of a journey of continuous exploration.

### The significance of the event for 2026

In the context of 2026, when the mobile technology market is saturated with innovations and artificial intelligence, returning to the roots looks particularly symbolic. The anniversary of the first smartphone reminds us of how far the company has come in 15 years. From a single device unveiled in Beijing, Xiaomi has grown into a giant producing smartphones, electric vehicles, home appliances, and much more. Wang Xiaoyang's congratulatory message emphasizes that, despite its scale, the company has not forgotten its roots and values.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: When was the first Xiaomi smartphone unveiled?
**A:** The first Xiaomi smartphone was unveiled on August 16, 2011, in Beijing.

### Q: When was Xiaomi founded?
**A:** Xiaomi was founded on April 6, 2010.

### Q: Who congratulated the fans on the anniversary?
**A:** The congratulatory message on behalf of the company was delivered by Wang Xiaoyang, Vice Chairman of Xiaomi Group and Head of the China Division.