Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi is making a major leadership change in India as it attempts to revive its struggling business in one of its most important global markets. According to a recent Economic Times report, the company is bringing in Alexander Tang, who currently oversees Xiaomi's South Asia operations, to lead its India business.
Xiaomi Replaces India Chief amid Market Share Decline
Tang will replace Alvin Tse, who had been leading Xiaomi India since 2022. The leadership reshuffle comes at a time when Xiaomi is facing increasing pressure in the Indian smartphone market after a sharp decline in market share over the past few years.
Xiaomi was once the undisputed leader in India's smartphone industry, commanding over 30% market share at its peak in 2018. However, the brand steadily lost momentum amid intensifying competition from rivals such as Vivo, Samsung, Motorola and Realme. This is backed by a recent Counterpoint report, which showcases how Xiaomi is standing at 12% of market share as of Q1 2026, down from 15% back in Q4 2026.
Tang's appointment hints at a fresh attempt from the brand to turn things around. Before taking charge of the India business, Tang drove Xiaomi's operations across parts of Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Indonesia, where the company recorded strong growth. His experience in driving expansion across emerging markets could play a key role in Xiaomi's next phase in India.
With this shift, we could see Xiaomi place a renewed emphasis on competitive pricing, stronger online sales and phones that offer better specifications at lower prices. India remains one of Xiaomi's largest and most strategically important markets globally.
With smartphone competition becoming increasingly fierce, especially due to the ongoing RAM crisis, it's crucial for Xiaomi to reverse declining sales and regain its position in the market.
