Xiaomi Note 9, realme 6 launch events cancelled amid Coronavirus scare

PTI

Technology, Mobiles & Tabs

The phones will however be available for purchase online on schedule, Redmi on March 12 and realme on March 5

The launch events will be streamed online for prospective buyers and smartphone ethusiasts (Photo | realme)

New Delhi: Chinese smartphone makers Xiaomi and realme have cancelled their launch events scheduled for the next two weeks in the wake of coronavirus fears in the country. With an Italian tourist in Jaipur testing positive for novel coronavirus, the total number of confirmed cases in India is now six.

While realme was scheduled to unveil its realme 6 series on March 5, Xiaomi was slated to launch Redmi Note series on March 12.

However, it is not clear whether Motorola - which is to launch its new flagship 'Motorola Razr' in India on March 16 - will go ahead with its launch event.

"We won't be holding any launch events on-ground through March. While we have been planning for this launch for months, we believe this is an unprecedented yet extremely important step," Xiaomi Vice President and India Managing Director Manu Jain said in a statement.

The company has taken this decision with "the objective of reducing exposure risk to coronavirus COVID-19 for our Mi fans, media friends, partners and Xiaomi employees".

The launch event of the mid-premium Note series will now be only streamed online.

Realme India CEO Madhav Sheth tweeted that the company is calling off its March 5 event.

"In light of current reports of #coronavirus impact & related advisory by health officials to maintain social distance as a precautionary measure, I'm calling off our biggest event. Will still give live speech in stadium with you watching #realme6series event online," he said.

Two private schools in Noida have cancelled classes for the next few days as a precautionary measure as the father of a student tested positive for coronavirus.

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