A Chinese smartphone manufacturer that has been accused of copying Apple has become the most successful tech start-up in the world after being valued at $45 billion (£29 billion). Xiaomi achieved success in just four years by producing a range of low priced mobile phone handsets that have attracted millions of customers. It is now worth more than Uber, the taxi app - which went on the market valued at more than $18.2 billion (£11.7 billion). Xiaomi has enjoyed success with smartphones like the Mi-2A and Mi-2S after it was founded by Lei Jun (above) four years ago although the company has drawn criticism for copying some of Apple's products
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Xiaomi was founded just four years ago by Chinese businessman Lei Jun
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The firm has been accused of copying Apple's designs with its products
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Xiaomi sells electronics and phones in China, India, Singapore and Taiwan
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The company is said to be keen to break into the European and US market
Xiaomi
Xiaomi
Xiaomi
Xiaomi
Investors now believe that @placeholder it has the potential to become a global consumer brand and as a result they have poured in cash in recent months.
Xiaomi
Xiaomi
Xiaomi
Xiaomi
Similarities in the design of @placeholder's products and those of Apple have earned the company the unofficial title as 'the Apple of China'.
Apple
Apple
Apple
Similarities in the design of Xiaomi's products and those of Apple have earned the company the unofficial title as 'the @placeholder of China'.
Xiaomi
Xiaomi
Xiaomi
Xiaomi
‘@placeholder will launch some heavyweight flagship products in January 2015 to show gratitude to the fans, partners and investors who have been supporting us.’