Of course, special editions of a smartphone are no longer very rare, but rather interesting, because they never reach the local market. However, if a Chinese manufacturer re-launches a device exclusively for the European market with a very limited number of pieces, it certainly deserves a contribution.
Xiaomi has now announced that it plans to sell the “Arsham Edition” of the Xiaomi 12T Pro, which was launched in October.
“I saw the Xiaomi 12T Pro as a sculpture”
New York artist Daniel Arsham’s works span visual art, architecture, performance and film, the press release says. The project is based on Arsham’s “futuristic archeology” aesthetic and refers not only to the case design, but also to the packaging and charging plug and cable.
Creating and exploring new perspectives on the relationship between people and the most personal and engaging devices of their daily use, envisioning a timeless object of imaginary archeology outside a museum or gallery, Xiaomi stylishly writes. The artist himself can be quoted as follows:
I am always interested in taking my work into areas that are outside of the normal art world. I see the Xiaomi 12T Pro as a sculpture whose purpose is beyond a functional object. In 20 years, those who own this phone will no longer use it as a phone, but as a sculptural object associated with a certain period and outlived its function.
Surcharge is not yet known
The Xiaomi 12T Pro Arsham Edition is limited to 2,000 copies and will be exclusively available in Europe from December 16 through sales partner highsnobiety.com in addition to the official online shop. There will even be a pop-up store set up in Berlin for two days.
Xiaomi has not yet revealed how much the special edition will cost. This is an additional cost from the RRP of €799 (or offer less) to go out. The part is certainly not intended for technology enthusiasts, if the successor Xiaomi 13 should already be presented by launch on the market.
