Lenovo eyes double digit share of Phl smartphone market

CEBU, Philippines - Lenovo Mobile aims to get a double digit share of  the fast growing smartphone market in the Philippines by providing Filipinos with quality and affordable smartphones.

“We are leveraging on Lenovo’s brand recognition locally and globally to reach out to a broader consumer base to appreciate Lenovo’s brand of smartphones that are of dependable and durable quality and with unique designs catered to the different needs of a smartphone user,” said John Rojo, business unit head of Open Communications.

Open Communication, the exclusive distributor of Lenovo mobile phones in the country, recently launched a  new line of Lenovo Android smartphones expected to fortify the company’s bid to gain stronger brand recognition among Filipinos.

Industry studies released by GFK pointed to the Philippines as posting the highest growth in smartphones in Southeast Asia in the first half of 2012.

In August, Lenovo announced that they have reached the second spot in terms of market share in China’s competitive mobile phone market according to the report from Sino Market Research Ltd. Globally, Lenovo has also seized the top spot in terms of market share in the PC and laptop business.

Rojo said that the new models range from entry-level  to professional up to full-featured entertainment devices.

The line-up includes A60+, the entry level smartphone that runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread with a 2 Megapixel camera and Dual SIM capability for PHP 4,999.

Users can enjoy 5-inch screen goodness for PHP14,999 with the S880 “phablet” which runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

For those that need to do business on the go, the P700i, an upgraded version of its predecessor the P700, runs on a Dual Core processor and offers the same large battery capacity of 2500 mAh at PHP 10,999.

Also at the same price point and with a Dual Core processor, the S560 has Dolby Digital ® Plus Technology for the music savvy.

Finally, the K860 is positioned as the all-affordable full featured Quad Core entertainment device at PHP 19,999.

“Since June of this year, the market has been receptive towards our products. This has motivated us to bring in more smartphones that cater to the broad segment of users that have yet to experience Lenovo quality and durability. We also expect that the arrival of the five new phones in the market has come just in time for the holiday shopping rush as it hopes to provide wider and better choices for consumers today,” added Rojo.

Meanwhile, a report from IDC revealed that the market share for Android-based smartphone hits 68.1 percent for  new smartphones shipped in the second quarter of this year.

“Android continues to fire on all cylinders,” said Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst at  IDC’s Mobile Phone Technology and Trends program.

In a statement, Llamas said the market was entreated to several flagship models from Android’s handset partners, prices were well within reach to meet multiple budgetary needs, and the user experience from both Google and its handset partners boosted Android’s smartphone utility far beyond simple telephony. —  (FREEMAN)