Lei Jun, CEO and founder of Xiaomi, poses for a picture with Wu Xiubo (first from left), Liu Shishi, (second from left), and Liu Haoran(first from right) at the launch ceremony of Redmi Pro in Beijing on July 27, 2016. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Earlier this month, Xiaomi also disclosed that three celebrities Wu Xiubo, Liu Shishi and Liu Haoran will endorse the Redmi brand, posters of whom can be seen all over elevators, bus stations and cinemas.

The Redmi Pro, priced from 1,499 yuan to 1,999 yuan, will be available starting from August 6 on Mi.com, Xiaomi's own retail stores Mi Home and 2,149 stores.

"This is our response to criticism that Xiaomi products are hard to get and we want our Mi fans to see that we are making progress, " Lei, also CEO of Xiaomi, who took over smartphone R&D and supply chain businesses starting May 18, said.

Lei announced in February that the company will build 200 to 300 retail stores.