Middle East
Midea's PortaSplit air conditioner was recently selected for TIME's "Best Inventions of 2025," becoming Midea's first product to receive this honor. This list, often considered the "Oscars" of global technological inventions, recognized 300 groundbreaking innovations. Midea's PortaSplit earned the distinction for its precise understanding of user needs and innovative technology, demonstrating Midea's R&D strength and market competitiveness in the smart home sector.
European families have long faced numerous challenges when choosing air conditioners. Traditional portable air conditioners are generally bulky and noisy. Meanwhile, split air conditioners are often criticized for their high cost and lengthy installation process. In particular, the significant variations in window types across Europe, coupled with the unique window designs of many older buildings, make installation of traditional portable and split air conditioners significantly more difficult, or even impossible in some cases. This not only fails to meet users' expectations for indoor comfort but also potentially damages the appearance of historic buildings. PortaSplit, with its deep understanding of this market pain point, has achieved breakthroughs through two key innovations: first, a tool-free installation design allows users to quickly install and deploy without the assistance of professional technicians, significantly lowering the barrier to entry. Second, a custom-designed structure tailored to the specific windows of historic European buildings ensures effective cooling and heating while perfectly preserving the architectural beauty of the buildings, achieving a balance between practical functionality and cultural preservation. This pragmatic innovation, focused on user needs, perfectly aligns with Time magazine's recent focus on "usable, affordable, and accessible" products, earning it recognition as "redefining the standard for home comfort and temperature control."
In terms of market launch, PortaSplit continues Midea's precise globalization strategy. It launched first in Germany, quickly gaining local consumer acceptance thanks to its adaptability and convenience. It then rapidly expanded to core European markets such as France and Italy, steadily increasing its market share. Currently, launch plans are in the progress phase in countries like Denmark and the Netherlands, further expanding the product's reach across Europe. This gradual market expansion strategy not only demonstrates PortaSplit's precise adaptation to European market needs, but also embodies Midea's development strategy of "solving core user pain points with technology." According to Midea representatives, the development of PortaSplit was inspired by Midea's extensive research into European user experiences. The company's Chinese and European teams spent years deeply understanding local architectural characteristics, consumer needs, and usage habits, ultimately creating this targeted product.
Midea's PortaSplit's award demonstrates, on the one hand, its deep integration of technological breakthroughs and user needs. Midea goes beyond simply piling up technical specifications, focusing on real-world user pain points and providing practical solutions through innovative technologies. On the other hand, it also highlights Midea's continued strengthening of its global implementation capabilities, enabling it to adapt its product strategies to the cultural, environmental, and consumer habits of different regional markets, achieving global application of its innovative achievements.
Going forward, Midea will continue to prioritize scenario-based innovation, focusing on the comfortable living needs of global users, and continuously promoting technological upgrades and product iterations in the smart home sector, bringing the comfortable experience of Chinese smart manufacturing to more users worldwide.