Emerging markets ‘dynamic’ for smartphones
dubai — If manufacturers of affordable smartphones are searching for a good starting point to sell their products, they have to look no further than areas in the world that are continuously gaining steam: emerging markets.
“Basically, we are targeting emerging markets because we believe that these are the most dynamic markets for smartphones,” Benjamin Jiang, managing director at Infinix Mobile, told Khaleej Times.
“Emerging markets are still in the process of migrating from feature phones to smartphones,” he explained, adding that they see 40 per cent annual growth in this activity.
Jiang was speaking during the launch of the Infinix Note 5 in Dubai late on Sunday, the newest flagship of the Hong Kong-based manufacturer. The event in Dubai — which featured media from as far
dubai is like a window, a showcase [place]; it’s like the Hong Kong of this region, with a lot of travellers passing through
Benjamin Jiang, Managing director, Infinix Mobile
as Africa, one of Infinix’s key markets — was significant for the company because it views the emirate as an excellent springboard for introducing new products.
While Jiang describes the UAE as a “mature” market — he acknowledges the fact that consumers here have the purchasing power to spend on the likes of Apple and Samsung — launching its newest device here made perfect sense.
“Dubai is like a window, a showcase [place]; it’s like the Hong Kong of this region, with a lot of travellers passing through,” he points out.
As such, “want people from the region to see our phone from Dubai,” he said, adding that company is “strategically investing in Dubai” — Infinix has been present in the UAE for eight years now — but primarily keeps an eye on emerging markets.
He mentioned the likes of Asian countries like India, the Philippines and Indonesia, and parts of Africa as the regions with the most potential. Google’s Android One programme, launched in 2014, was originally meant for first-time users of smartphones. Devices under it have the basic version of the operating system, or what is popularly called ‘stock’ Android, without extra services, apps or bloatware.
As defined by the Alphabetowned tech giant, Android One brings the “latest AI-powered innovations and security protections” to mobile devices.
Among the most popular brands that have smartphones under the Android One platform are Xiaomi, Lenovo’s Moto and Nokia.
The Note 5 is the most advanced device from Infinix to date. Among its key specs are a six-inch full-HD ‘Infinity Display’ with an 18:9 ratio, 3/4GB of RAM, 32/64GB of storage that is expandable via microSD up to 128GB, an upgraded battery and AI-powered 12MP and 16MP main and front cameras. As at posting time, prices have been revealed. And with user security an issue nowadays, Jiang guaranteed that the Note 5 will have monthly security patches — “it’s one of the most secure Android devices in the world,” he stressed — and all preinstalled apps have been scanned to make sure they’re safe. Jiang says Infinix will be working very closely with Google to further advance the Android One platform.
— alvin@khaleejtimes.com