Xiaomi to challenge Samsung's numero uno spot in mass segment

Starts second unit at Sri City, raises retail reach seven-fold; evaluating 2 new categories for 2017

Xiaomi, the country's second largest smartphone company by volume, is gearing up to take on market leader Samsung with new handsets, wider offline distribution and more production capacity.

It has taken a little over 10 per cent of the market after entering India in mid-2014. And, is evaluating on entering new categories this year, said its new vice-president, Manu Jain.

After capturing the second spot by the end of 2016, Xiaomi has raised the pitch in the affordable price segment with two launches this year. This segment is dominated by Samsung's J-series of smartphones. Launched in January, Xiaomi's Redmi Note 4 was