Xiaomi UK smartphone launch with flash sale of only £1

“Flash sales” publicising Xiaomi, the Chinese smartphone company’s UK launch have sparked a backlash on social media.

Xiaomi advertised two of its new handsets for £1 each last week as part of a “ crazy deals” promotion and after two or three Mi 8 Lite phone sales the website said “ Sold Out”, as soon as the sale opened.

The UK’s ads watchdog said it had received complaint and was now deciding whether to investigate.

Dozens of disappointed users complained on Xiaomi’s Facebook page after failing to obtain a phone.

Xiaomi denied accusations, and its UK sales manager Wilkin Lee said, a lottery had taken place made up of those who had pressed the button closest to the set time.  A tweet read “ Of the thousands who clicked to “buy” simultaneously, the tie-breaker is done by selecting the winners randomly”.

Xiaomi is the world’s fourth-bestselling smartphone brand.