Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has blamed counterfeits for recent claims of exploding portable battery chargers, reports the website of the People's Daily.
In the early hours of April 14, a Chinese netizen claimed that a Xiaomi portable battery charger exploded twice when it was not being use. The power pack first exploded on the dining table and then shot onto the sofa, where it exploded for a second time and started a small fire, the netizen said.
Following an investigation, Xiaomi concluded that the portable charger bought by the netizen via a special Groupon deal in Hong Kong was a fake and not a genuine Xiaomi product. The company added that it has never cooperated with Hong Kong Groupon on a deal and that Hong Kong users have previously complained about acquiring fake Xiaomi products on the popular deal-of-the-day website.
Fake Xiaomi devices have become increasingly common in China, both online and at popular electronics outlets. According to the Shenzhen consumer council, complaints about fake Xiaomi products ranked fourth in the top 10 consumer rights infringement stories of 2013.
In February last year, Shenzhen police raided a factory specializing in low-priced Xiaomi counterfeits. The 3,000-square-meter factory comprised two large garages with eight product lines and was found filled with completely packaged fake Xiaomi smartphones, batteries and set-top boxes.
Reporters have also discovered numerous physical stores, which appear to be legitimate, selling fake Xiaomi handsets at 100 yuan-200 yuan (US$16-US$32) above official prices. The boxes reportedly look genuine but lack the security codes Xiaomi sticks on for authentification purposes. The phone batteries are also said to be very "soft" in that they easily scratch and are made with coarse craftsmanship.
Xiaomi co-founder and CEO Lei Jun estimates that there are more than 800,000 fake Xiaomi smartphones circulating the Chinese market every month. His co-founder Li Wanqiang has repeatedly warned customers against "shanzhai" - meaning imitation and pirated - Xiaomi products, noting that the company's primary distribution channels remain its official website and contracted mobile operators.
