New Delhi: After establishing its brand name in the tablet business, DataWind is now planning to step into the highly contested smartphone business. The company has announced to launch low-cost handsets to target the low end smartphone market.
DataWind will roll out a 4G mobile handset at an entry level price of Rs 3,000 before Diwali next month. The handsets will come out with 1 GB, 2 GB and 3 GB RAM with internal memory of 8 GB, 16 GB and 32 GB. The company, which had been manufacturing ultra-low cost tablet, has plans to launch three variants of 4G smart phone and their price range will be less than Rs 5,000 a unit.
“Our 4G handset should come out soon and we are trying that it should come out before Diwali. Moreover, we shall offer internet browsing for one year free of cost on our 4G handset” Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO, DataWind said on Wednesday.
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According to the latest data by IDC, DataWind had 27.6 per cent share Q1 2016 as shipments grew at a strong 33.5 per cent over previous quarter. DataWind’s television channel partners played a pivotal role in this quarter’s growth through their aggressive marketing. Now with an entry in the smartphone business, the company intends to replicate the same growth story in its handset business as well.
DataWind is already having smart phones starting at Rs 1,500. Tuli further said his company has applied for licence under virtual network operator policy to offer data plan at Rs 99 for unlimited browsing. Asked whether the company will be making profit out of low-cost 4G handset, he said that he would aim at 10 per cent-margin on sales.
The handsets will be manufactured in its plants at Amritsar and Hyderabad, Tuli said.