Chinese technology giant Xiaomi has released a new retrofit smart lock that supports the Matter standard, marking its latest expansion into the interoperable smart home ecosystem. The device, officially titled the “Xiaomi Self-Install Smart Lock,” has quietly appeared in select global markets months after its initial certification was spotted.
This launch represents the smartphone maker’s second major category entry into Matter end devices, following its earlier release of a basic smart bulb and the Matter update for its Smart Home Hub 2 (modeled 2S in certain regions).
A “self-install” solution
As the name suggests, the new lock is designed for easy installation on top of existing door hardware, a retrofit approach popularized by brands like Nuki and SwitchBot. The device does not replace the entire lock body but instead sits over the thumb turn on the interior side of the door.
According to the official product page, the lock features a dual-battery system: the main unit is powered by a rechargeable 2,450 mAh lithium-ion battery offering up to six months of battery life, while the accompanying wireless keypad runs on standard AA batteries. The keypad supports fingerprint recognition and PIN codes, addressing a common pain point of retrofit locks that often rely solely on phone apps for entry.
The lock is currently listed in Japan for 12,980 yen ($83.65) and the United Arab Emirates for 359 dirham ($97.74), a price point that significantly undercuts similar Matter-compatible competitors like the SwitchBot Lock Pro or Yale’s retrofit solutions. Support pages for the device have also appeared for the UK and European regions, suggesting a broader Western rollout is imminent, according to Gizmochina.
Tri-mode connectivity
A key differentiator for this device is its robust connectivity stack. Following the new multi-protocal tech trend, Xiaomi’s new offering includes radios for Thread, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0. The stack combo suggests it is using ESP32-C6 chipsets like those in new Lifx, Shelly, and Xthings devices.
The inclusion of Thread (IEEE 802.15.4) confirms its capability to run Matter-over-Thread, the preferred method for modern smart home setups due to its low latency and mesh networking capabilities. This allows the lock to integrate natively with major platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa without requiring a specific Xiaomi hub.
However, the addition of Wi-Fi indicates that Xiaomi is offering a "best of both worlds" approach. Users who do not yet have a Matter controller can likely use the device via Wi-Fi through the Xiaomi Home app for remote access and notifications, while power users can switch to Thread for local, cloud-free control via Matter.
What comes next
According to recent certification filings, Xiaomi isn’t stopping at locks. The company is preparing to launch a “Matter-OT Dual Connectivity Module” smart relay and a camera identified as “miot.camera.matces,” suggesting a broader rollout of native Matter devices is in the near future.
Beyond individual accessories, the industry is watching for the company’s potential expansion into major home appliances. Xiaomi has aggressively expanded its local market with plans to sell globally according to previous release events.
Low-cost, high-specification appliances with native Matter support could become a major selling point. This strategy would position Xiaomi to challenge established brands that have been slow to adopt the standard and often frustrate users with proprietary apps and cloud-dependent features. By offering a sleek, unified experience at a lower price point, Xiaomi could disrupt the legacy appliance market much like it did with smartphones.
As of the press time, Xiaomi has yet to respond to Matter Alpha’s inquiries on the product.
(Source: Xiaomi, IDC, Gizmochina)
