Xiaomi’s Collaboration with PhonePe to Preinstall App Store on Indian Smartphones
Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi recently announced a new partnership with Indian fintech company PhonePe. This collaboration will see PhonePe’s app store preinstalled on Xiaomi’s Android smartphones sold in India, replacing Xiaomi’s own GetApps with PhonePe’s Indus Appstore. This move confirms previous reports by TechCrunch about the impending partnership.
Xiaomi’s smartphones typically come equipped with Google’s Play Store and its proprietary GetApps. However, with this new agreement, users can expect to find PhonePe’s Indus Appstore on their devices. Notably, Google’s Play Store will continue to be preinstalled on Xiaomi’s smartphones, ensuring users have access to a wide range of apps.
The companies have not disclosed whether existing Xiaomi devices will receive the Indus Appstore through updates or if it will only be available on new devices. Additionally, there is no mention of the exact timeline for the implementation of this change, leaving users curious about when they can expect to see the new app store on their Xiaomi smartphones.
PhonePe has been making strides in the Indian app market, aiming to rival industry giants like Google by offering zero fees to developers for in-app purchases. The Indus Appstore supports 12 Indian languages, boasts a video-centric discovery feed, and hosts over 500,000 apps spanning various categories.
While alternative app stores face challenges in gaining widespread adoption, PhonePe is looking to overcome these obstacles by having its app store preinstalled on new smartphones. This strategic move aims to simplify the app discovery process for users and potentially increase developer engagement.
Xiaomi India’s COO, Sudhin Mathur, expressed the importance of supporting a locally driven app marketplace in India’s evolving digital landscape. He emphasized Xiaomi’s commitment to fostering indigenous innovations with initiatives like the partnership with the Indus Appstore.
Expert Insight from Ivan Mehta
Ivan Mehta, a seasoned tech journalist covering global consumer tech developments at TechCrunch, offers valuable insights into the significance of Xiaomi’s collaboration with PhonePe. With a background in reputable publications like Huffington Post and The Next Web, Ivan brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Reach out to him at im[at]ivanmehta[dot]com for further discussions on industry trends and innovations.
In Conclusion,
Xiaomi’s decision to partner with PhonePe for preinstalling the Indus Appstore on its Indian smartphones marks a strategic shift in the company’s app store offerings. By aligning with a prominent player in the Indian fintech sector, Xiaomi aims to cater to the growing demand for locally relevant app marketplaces. This collaboration not only benefits users by providing a diverse app ecosystem but also reflects Xiaomi’s commitment to supporting homegrown innovations in the dynamic Indian tech landscape. Stay tuned for updates on when users can expect to see PhonePe’s Indus Appstore on their Xiaomi devices.
