Two things before we start: one, if you are going to set bold sales targets, then make sure you hit them, otherwise you’ll look foolish; and two, merely copying an existing product range does not demonstrate long-term innovation or leadership and your customers will eventually wise up to you. And so to one of TelecomTV’s favourite disrupters, Xiaomi.

There is no question that the Chinese device manufacturer has shaken up the domestic smartphone market and given its competitors some seriously bloody noses. Equally, there’s no question that Xiaomi has a giant-sized crush on Apple – from product design to website design, and from keynote style to retail stores – it’s an Apple Mini-Me.

Xiaomi has big ambitions and the vast market of China is insufficient for its needs, it wants to sell to the world. It has already opened some retail websites outside of China, but in the major US and European markets is restricted to selling accessories such as power banks, denying the Western copyright and patent lawyers the opportunity for a long and lucrative legal battle. (Incidentally, its power banks are remarkably cheap for the high quality they offer, but as I discovered, you’ll end up paying more for postage…)