China-based vendor Xiaomi Technology will launch MI3, its flagship smartphone, in the Taiwan market for online sale beginning February 26 at a contract-free retail price of NT$9,999 (US$330) as well as for contract-bundled sale by Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) and Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) beginning March 5, company co-founder and president Lin Bin announced at a February 20 press conference.

　　MI3 features Android 4.3, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8274AB 2.3GHz quad-core processor, 5-inch 1920 by 1080 Full HD ISP touch screen, 2GB RAM and 16GB ROM, a 2-megapixel front camera and 13-mgapixel rear camera, dimensions of 144 (H) by 73.6 (W) by 8.1(D)mm and a weight of 145g.

　　Xiaomi shipped 18.7 million smartphones in 2013 and aims to ship 40 million units in 2014, with China being the major market, Lin said. Xiaomi entered the Taiwan and Hong Kong markets in 2013, began sale in the Singapore market in February 2014, and plans to tap Malaysia, India, Indonesia and the Philippines in 2014-2015, Lin said.

　　In the Taiwan market, Xiaomi has authorized Aurora to provide after-sale maintenance services and plans to set up the first Xiaomi retail outlet in Taipei in the second half of 2014, Lin indicated.