Dubai, United Arab Emirates,June, 2026 – Xiaomi has partnered with the Hamdan International Photography Award (HIPA) to launch a six-month Instagram photography competition across the UAE and GCC, beginning on 9 June 2026. As the first initiative under a broader strategic partnership, the competition aims to inspire a new generation of mobile photographers and content creators, while showcasing the creative potential of smartphone imaging through the Xiaomi 17T Series, co-engineered with Leica. Through themed photography challenges, educational engagement, and community participation, the collaboration seeks to make advanced visual storytelling more accessible and nurture emerging creative talent across the region.
Running over six months, the competition will introduce a new photography theme every two weeks, inviting participants to capture and share their perspectives using smartphone photography. Entries will be evaluated by HIPA’s esteemed judging panel, with selected winners receiving Xiaomi prizes in recognition of their creativity, technical skill, and ability to tell compelling visual stories.
The initiative marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between Xiaomi and HIPA focused on advancing imaging innovation and fostering a thriving creative ecosystem. As one of the region’s most respected photography platforms, HIPA brings deep expertise, industry leadership, and a strong community of visual storytellers, making it an ideal partner to help elevate mobile photography experiences across the GCC.
“At Xiaomi, we believe that everyone has a story worth capturing. Our partnership with HIPA reflects a shared commitment to empowering creators, nurturing emerging talent, and making professional-grade photography more accessible than ever before. Through the Xiaomi 17T Series and this six-month initiative, we are giving people across the GCC an opportunity to explore their creativity, develop their skills, and experience the power of mobile imaging in new and exciting ways. This is just the beginning of a broader journey to build a vibrant community of visual storytellers across the region.” – Tommy, Xiaomi GCC.
Commenting on the partnership, HIPA Secretary General, H.E. Ali Bin Thalith, said: “It is a privilege to collaborate with Xiaomi, a brand that continuously places creativity and its community at the heart of innovation. Through this partnership, we hope to shine a spotlight on emerging talent, encourage people to explore the art of photography, and create a platform where stories, perspectives, and moments from everyday life can be shared with a wider audience. Together, we are not only celebrating photography but also nurturing a growing creative community across the region.”
The Xiaomi 17T Series represents the first chapter of this vision, combining Xiaomi’s imaging innovation with Leica’s renowned expertise to deliver professional-grade photography experiences to everyday users. Through collaborations such as this, Xiaomi aims to empower individuals to create, express, and share their stories with greater confidence and creativity.
Looking ahead, the partnership will evolve beyond a single campaign into a multi-phase initiative designed to introduce increasingly sophisticated imaging experiences and community-led creative opportunities. As part of Xiaomi’s broader ecosystem strategy spanning Human, Car, and Home, the collaboration reflects the company’s commitment to connecting technology and creativity in meaningful ways that enrich everyday life.
About Xiaomi Corporation:
Xiaomi Corporation was founded in April 2010 and listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on July 9, 2018 (1810.HK). Xiaomi is a consumer electronics and smart manufacturing company with smartphones, smart hardware, and smart electric vehicles connected by an IoT platform at its core.
Embracing our vision of “Make friends with users and be the coolest company in the users’ hearts”, Xiaomi continuously pursues innovations, high-quality user experience and operational efficiency. The Company relentlessly builds amazing products with honest prices to let everyone in the world enjoy a better life through innovative technology.
Xiaomi is one of the world’s leading smartphone companies. In December 2025, the MAU reached 754.1 million (including smartphones and tablets) globally. The Company has also established the world’s leading consumer AIoT (AI+IoT) platform. As of December 31, 2025, the number of IoT devices connected to its platform (excluding smartphones, laptops, and tablets) reached 1,079.2 million. In October 2023, Xiaomi upgraded its strategy to “Human × Car × Home” smart ecosystem, seamlessly merging personal devices, smart home products, and cars. The Company has rapidly emerged as a leading innovator in the smart electric vehicle industry, reaching profitability within six quarters of commencing deliveries and delivering over 600,000 units by February 2026. Xiaomi always centers on humanity and is committed to providing comprehensive, better connected experiences. Xiaomi products are present in more than 100 countries and regions around the world. In July 2025, Xiaomi was included in the Fortune Global 500 list for the seventh year in a row, ranking 297th.
Xiaomi is a constituent of the Hang Seng Index, Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, Hang Seng TECH Index and Hang Seng China 50 Index.
