The competition between Xiaomi and Gree in the air conditioning market has once again captured public attention. On November 7, a livestream by Wang Ziru sparked discussions about the rivalry between the two companies. During the broadcast, a viewer expressed strong confidence in Xiaomi, claiming it could "defeat" Gree in the home appliance sector alone. Wang responded by stating, "You underestimate Gree. If you want to discuss the competition between Xiaomi and Gree, I can share my thoughts—reasonably, as much as possible," before ending the session. This brief exchange reignited memories of the ongoing public spat between the two giants.
Earlier, on June 6, Wang Ziru announced his new venture in the AI sector, which stirred significant interest in the industry. In his first livestream, he addressed various questions, including clarifying his tenure at Gree. He denied rumors of being dismissed due to conflicts with colleagues, emphasizing good personal relationships. This statement dispelled some misconceptions and set the stage for subsequent discussions about Xiaomi and Gree.
In August, tensions between Gree and Xiaomi escalated further. The conflict originated on August 26 when Zhu Lei, Gree's marketing director, responded to a post shared by Xiaomi President Lu Weibing in June. Zhu criticized a widely circulated image comparing the motherboard structures of Xiaomi and Gree central air conditioners, calling it "a maliciously edited picture designed to disparage Gree." The image, Zhu argued, falsely portrayed Gree's products as inferior, prompting a fierce public dispute.
Zhu further highlighted Gree's technological superiority by comparing its 2021 products with Xiaomi's 2025 models, asserting that Gree's four-year-old technology still led by a "generational gap." This comparison underscored Gree's deep-rooted expertise in air conditioning, suggesting Xiaomi couldn't bridge the gap quickly.
On August 27, Xiaomi's Wang Hua countered with a satirical poem, mocking Gree for clinging to past achievements and failing to innovate. Zhu retorted, emphasizing the importance of factual, transparent comparisons in manufacturing and dismissing the poem as irrelevant to technological advancement. He also criticized Lu Weibing's tendency to share misleading content, urging the industry to prioritize authenticity over sensationalism.
While the public spat has drawn significant attention, it reflects the intense competition in the air conditioning market. Xiaomi, leveraging its internet prowess and marketing strength, has rapidly gained ground, pressuring Gree, the established leader with strong technical and brand advantages. Both companies are vying to shape consumer perceptions, but ultimately, product quality and performance will determine success.
The dispute serves as a reminder for the industry to focus on innovation and fair competition, avoiding smear campaigns. For consumers, the real test lies in the products themselves, not the rhetoric. Both Xiaomi and Gree should channel their efforts into technological advancements and ethical competition to drive the sector's healthy growth.