Xiaomi also launched its first smart television on Thursday. The 47-inch 3D-capable TV, made with an LG- or Samsung-built screen, also runs Xiaomi's MIUI operating system and is supported by a quad-core Snapdragon 600 chipset. The TV will cost 2,999 yuan and will hit stores next month.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi said that it has sold 9.19 million Mi-2 smartphones, including the Mi-2, Mi-2S and Mi-2A models, since the products were launched 10 months ago.

"I expect sales of Mi-2 smartphones to hit the 10 million mark in two months," Lei said.

Xiaomi's event attracted thousands of people. Many failed to find a seat and had to stand for hours listening to Lei's speech.

"The scene reflected the fact that the 3-year-old Xiaomi has gained power in China's smartphone industry," said James Yan, an analyst with IDC China.

"However, I think that Xiaomi's new products are not beyond my expectations. They are not that eye-catching," Yan added.

Barra, the former Google vice-president, was also present at the event. He said that he will join Xiaomi in October and that he will live in Beijing.

"Xiaomi is a great Android supporter and is a very important part of the Android ecosystem here in China," he said.

Xiaomi, which is backed by investors including Singapore's Temasek Holdings Pte and Qiming Venture Partners, said earlier this month that it had completed its fourth round of funding, giving it a valuation of $10 billion.

According to a survey conducted by Chinese news portal sina.com on Thursday, seven out of every 10 people regard the Mi-3 as "a smartphone of high value and with a relatively low price". About half of the respondents said they will buy the phone, while one-fourth of those polled said they want to buy the device but are afraid of a product shortage.