Strange Occurrences Surrounding Xiaomi 14 Ultra Launch
From all aspects of functionality and configuration, Xiaomi 14 Ultra can indeed be considered a super flagship. As I have mentioned many times before, good products usually do not lack users under normal circumstances, and I believe Xiaomi 14 Ultra is no exception. The official sale of this device is scheduled for February 27, but it is already available for pre-order through official channels. Once the official sale begins, orders will be processed in the sequence they were placed. Moreover, I personally think that there is a high probability of supply shortage and high demand two days into the launch. However, some strange incidents have occurred even before the sale.
Firstly, there has been a price drop at third-party channels, which is extremely unusual considering that Xiaomi 14 Ultra has not been officially released yet. Where did these so-called suppliers get the stock from? Secondly, it is illogical for a new device to be discounted before its release. Given the current popularity of Xiaomi 14 Ultra online, it is highly likely that it will sell out quickly after the launch (at least some models). In a situation where the initial supply is tight, price increases would be normal, making the pre-sale price drop truly puzzling.
Most significantly, these price cuts are around 300 yuan. While a reduction of 50 yuan due to a coupon would make sense, a nearly 5% price drop online before the official sale is quite baffling.
Moreover, another awkward situation arises: one of the selling points of Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the satellite communication version, is nowhere to be found on the official store.
However, Xiaomi 14 Pro does offer a satellite communication option, leaving us to wonder about the reasoning behind this decision.
Similarly, the JD self-operated store, like the TM flagship store, does not have the satellite communication version available for Xiaomi 14 Ultra, presenting a different scenario than what we have seen previously.
Based on the information revealed during the conference a few days ago, most people believed that only the 16GB+1B 8799 yuan version supported satellite communication. However, with the absence of this option on all official channels now, it is essential for us to seek clarification.
Consequently, I inquired with the JD self-operated store customer service, and surprisingly, they mentioned that all versions come with satellite communication, including the 12GB+256GB version. This indicates that the company has invested significantly in Xiaomi 14 Ultra this time. With this clarification, users now have various options. If they wish to experience satellite communication without needing high storage capacity, they can choose the Ultra base model. On the other hand, if they want both satellite communication and ample storage space, the Pro version would be a suitable choice.
Regarding the issue of third-party price reductions mentioned earlier, I believe caution is necessary. Even after the launch in two days, official channels are unlikely to conduct any price reductions in the short term. It is not advisable to purchase from third-party channels with unclear situations just to save a few hundred yuan. It is always better to prioritize official channels.
Ultimately, considering that the initial supply is already insufficient, it is improbable for any price reductions to occur at this stage.