Sonos denies rumors of partnership after Xiaomi unveils new smart speaker
Some netizens say Xiaomi’s new speaker looks like the Sonos One but others say the resemblance is limited
Smart speakers come in various shapes and sizes, and some look more similar than the others. But now there’s a debate over whether Xiaomi’s latest offering rips off the design of another brand.
The gadget maker introduced a new smart speaker in China on Thursday that immediately drew comparisons to the Sonos One. At first sight, both devices have a silver-colored metal panel that wraps around the speaker with a white top and base.
But perhaps the biggest difference is the price: The Sonos One sells for 1,980 yuan (US$278) -- over five times more than the 349 yuan (US$49) Xiaomi Xiao Ai Art Speaker that’s currently discounted to 299 yuan (US$42).
