Taiwan-based smartphone vendors, including HTC, Acer, Asustek Computer, BenQ and Gigabyte Communications, all plan to enhance their presence in the sub-NT$5,000 (US$158) smartphone segment in the local market, according to sources at local retail channels.
BenQ launched recently its entry-level multiband 4G model, the BenQ B50, priced at NT$4,999 unlocked. The BenQ B50 sports a 5-inch HD display, MediaTek quad-core 64-bit CPU, and an 8-megapixel main camera, with 1GB RAM and 8GB ROM memory.
Gigabyte also unveiled recently its first two 4G LTE smartphones for the local market, the GSmart Guru GX and GSmart Mika MX.
The Guru Mika MX comes with a 5-inch IPS display and a Qualcomm 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 410 CPU, supporting 900/1,800/2,600MHz LTE networks. The model will be available starting the second half of February, priced at NT$3,999 unlocked.
The Guru GX is equipped with a 5-inch IPS display, Qualcomm 1.5GHz 8-core Snapdragon 615 CPU, and a 13-megapixel camera that features Sony Exmor-RS lens, supporting 800/1,800/2,600 MHz LTE networks. The model will be available at Yahoo online shopping mall starting February 6, priced at NT$7,990.
HTC is expected to roll out its sub-NT$5,000 models in the first quarter of 2015, indicated the sources. Meanwhile, HTC has also begun to promote its products and services through its online shopping platform, the HTC eStore, in the local market.
Gigabyte's new 4G LTE smartphones
Photo: Daniel Shen, Digitimes, February 2015
Article translated by Steve Shen
