In a big change for the Indian smartphone scene, Xiaomi has revealed plans to stop using its GetApps store and introduce the Indus Appstore, which is backed by PhonePe. This shift is scheduled to start in January 2025, affecting all Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco smartphones sold in India.
Goodbye GetApps
GetApps has faced criticism for being too aggressive with ads and taking up too much system space, causing frustration among users. The move to the Indus Appstore is viewed as a smart choice by Xiaomi to improve the user experience and align with changing regulatory standards.
Introducing the Indus Appstore
The Indus Appstore, which was launched earlier this year, is an Android app marketplace designed to provide a more tailored and user-friendly experience for Indian users. It will offer a broad selection of apps and games, featuring both well-known titles and local favorites. At present, it boasts over 200,000 apps and games spanning 45 categories. The app store is also equipped to support 12 Indian languages. The partnership with PhonePe will allow for smooth payments and additional digital services. Users will find the transition easy, as it will happen through system updates. GetApps will no longer be installed or supported on any Xiaomi devices in India, whether they are new or already in use.
User Reactions and Future Plans
While the change to the Indus Appstore is likely to bring a range of advantages, like a more streamlined interface and possibly fewer advertisements, some users might worry about data privacy and how well the new app store will perform. It'll be interesting to see how the Indus Appstore stacks up against the Google Play Store, which currently leads the market in India.
Xiaomi has plans to roll out various smartphones in India throughout 2025, targeting different price ranges from high-end to budget-friendly. The Xiaomi 15 series, which includes the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, is expected to be released by March, while the Redmi Note 14 series is anticipated for early 2025. More affordable models such as the Redmi A4 and Redmi 14 are also in the pipeline to attract entry-level buyers. There are also rumors about a potential Xiaomi 15 Civi launch around mid-year.
As Xiaomi keeps growing its footprint in the Indian market, this collaboration with PhonePe marks a crucial move to fortify its standing and address the changing demands of its users.
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