Smartphone maker Xiaomi launches new air purifier

Chinese smartphone brand Xiaomi launched a smart air purifier on Tuesday as it tries to tap into the growing market created by the country's hazardous air quality.

Aside from traditional functions, the new Xiaomi product can be connected to a smartphone, allowing users to remotely control the device and receive air quality readings.

According to information from Xiaomi's website, the device can learn air conditions in real time and tell users when to turn on the device. It can also warn users when the filter needs to be replaced.

Selling at 899 yuan (145.3 US dollars), it can provide 406 cubic meters of clean air per hour. Xiaomi also said the device can clean 99.3 percent of air particles less than 2.5 micrometers (PM 2.5), the main contributor of China's air pollution and which are believed to pose great health risks to humans.

Worsening air quality in recent years has spurred the rise of air purifier sales in Chinese cities, but some consumers complain effectiveness differs between brands.

The smart air purifier is the latest one among Xiaomi's growing line of products, which already includes smartphones, routers, smart TVs, tablets, Internet TV boxes and wristbands. It is now the world's third largest smartphone maker in terms of shipments.