The Company Apple Fears Most Just Released A Huge New Phone

Chinese technology giant Xiaomi has released its newest flagship Android handset, the Mi Note - a 5.7 inch premium phablet that boasts some impressive technical specifications.

Its size is designed to go up against the likes of Apple's iPhone 6 Plus, and the Samsung Galaxy Note. Xiaimi's entire strategy is to make the best, most beautifully designed Androids possible - and sell them at a fraction of the price of Apple's iPhones.

Xiaomi has previously attracted Apple's ire by borrowing heavily from the Cupertino company's designs; Apple designer Jony Ive has gone far to accuse the Chinese company of "theft." But this time around, it's Xiaomi drawing comparisons between the companies' devices - in order to boast about their handset's design.

The device offers 3GB RAM, a long-lasting 3000mAh battery, 13-megapixel rear-facing camera and 1080p display, and will retail for 2,299 yuan ($370). For 3,299 ($520) customers can also buy the Mi Pro model, which offers a higher-resolution 1440p display, 4GB of RAM, and a more powerful processor.

In comparison, a contract-free iPhone 6 Plus will set you back $749, with lower specs. Apple's device only has 1GB of RAM, a 1080p display and an 8MP camera (though when it comes to photo quality, megapixels aren't everything).

Xiaomi has yet to attempt to make inroads in the West. But as a high-end but affordable alternative to Apple's pricey devices, it's poised to challenge Apple in Eastern markets. While the iPhone 6 has a metal casing, the Xiaomi Mi Note instead opts for a simple glass design - suggesting the company is no longer restricting itself to copying Apple's products.

Available in either black or white, here's how it looks:

The Chinese company also boasted about its Sony-manufactured camera, featuring optical image stabilisation:

Xiaomi's fans are famously fanatical about the company, frequently travelling great distances to attend new launches. The launch for the Xiaomi Mi Note was a suitably glitzy affair:

The company debuted other products last night too, including over-ear headphones: