Fast-growing Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi is destined to clash with Samsung and Apple in the coming months, especially with the news Xiaomi is planning to launch a 7.9-inch tablet device. Xiaomi is a mysterious but interesting new brand to keep an eye on. The company launched a 5.5 inch RedMi 'phablet' in March and is planning to follow this up with a 7.9-inch tablet device that will be called the MiPad. The company is doubling sales every year and is on a path to selling 40m smartphones this year, compared with 18.7m last year and 7.2m the year previously. The four year-old company, which is number 5 smartphone maker in China, saw its flagship smartphone Mi3 sell 100,000 units in 90 seconds when it was launched in October. According to Reuters Xiaomi, which nabbed Google's former head of Android Hugo Barra to head up its global expansion, is likely to hold a launch event in Beijing where the tablet device may be unveiled.